Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Protected Sodium Butyrate on Gut Microbiota in Growing-Finishing Pigs

Abstract

The study assessed changes in the gut microbiota of pigs after dietary supplementation with protected sodium butyrate (PSB) during the growing-fattening period (≈90 days). One gram of colon content from 18 pigs (9 from the treatment group -TG- and 9 from the control group -CG-) was collected. Bacterial DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA high-throughput amplicon sequencing used to assess microbiota changes between groups. The groups shared 75.4% of the 4697 operational taxonomic units identified. No differences in alpha diversity were found, but significant differences for some specific taxa were detected between groups. The low-represented phylum Deinococcus-Thermus, which is associated with the production of carotenoids with antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, was increased in the TG (p = 0.032). Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Peptococcaceae and Terrisporobacter were increased in the TG. Members of these families have the ability to ferment complex dietary polysaccharides and produce larger amounts of short chain fatty acids. Regarding species, only Clostridium butyricum was increased in the TG (p = 0.048). Clostridium butyricum is well-known as probiotic in humans, but it has also been associated with overall positive gut effects (increased villus height, improved body weight, reduction of diarrhea, etc.) in weanling pigs. Although the use of PSB did not modify the overall richness of microbiota composition of these slaughter pigs, it may have increased specific taxa associated with better gut health parameters.

Tributyrin administration improves intestinal development and health in pre-weaned dairy calves fed milk replacer

“…However, limited research has been conducted on the microbial mechanisms that contribute to the protective effects of butyrate on the gut. Consistent with the present study, previous research ( Bernad-Roche et al., 2021 ; Wu et al., 2018 ) showed that microbial α diversity was similar, while β diversity was different in both pigs and poultry between supplemented with or without butyrate. These results indicate a potential effect of butyrate supplementation on the structure of intestinal microbiota.…”

“…These results indicate a potential effect of butyrate supplementation on the structure of intestinal microbiota. Like in our study, Bernad-Roche et al. (2021) and Wu et al.…”

Phytogenics and encapsulated sodium butyrate can replace antibiotics as growth promoters for lightly weaned piglets

“…As observed in the present study, Bernad-Roche et al [70] also noted a significant decrease in the relative abundance of this genus in the intestinal microbiota of growing and finishing piglets that received food supplementation with sodium butyrate. In summary, we concluded that although supplementation does not change the overall richness of the microbiota composition, it may have increased the specific taxa associated with better gut health parameters.…”

Association of differential meat quality traits with gut microbiota in Angus cattle and Xinjiang Brown cattle

“…The results of the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) showed that species of the family Peptostreptococcaceae were the characteristic microorganisms of the XBC microbiota (Figure 4). Peptostreptococcaceae belonging to the order Clostridiales are a group of bacteria characterized by short chain fatty acid production in the process of degradation of plant-derived cellulose and hemicellulose components (Bernad-Roche et al, 2021). Previous studies demonstrated that the abundance of the family Peptostreptococcaceae in the gut microbiota of castrated bulls was higher than in uncastrated bulls, and they exhibited distinct serum and muscle amino acid profiles, with increased muscular fat storage (Whon et al, 2021).…”