Effects of isomalto‐oligosaccharides and herbal extracts on growth performance, serum biochemical profiles and intestinal bacterial populations in early‐weaned piglets

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of isomalto‐oligosaccharide (IMO), Chinese herbal medicine extract (CHE) or their combination on the growth performance, diarrhoea incidence, serum biochemical profiles, inflammatory cytokine expression, intestinal morphology and microflora of weaned piglets. Thirty‐two ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) piglets, weaned at 25 days of age, were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I was fed the basal diet. Group II were fed a basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg IMO for 14 consecutive days and then 4 g/kg IMO for another 14 days. Group III were fed diet with 0.5 g/kg CHE for 14 days and 1 g/kg CHE for another 14 days. Group IV were fed diet with (2 g/kg IMO + 0.5 g/kg CHE) for 14 days and (4 g/kg IMO +1 g/kg CHE) for another 14 days. Results showed that diets supplemented with IMO, CHE or their combination did not influence the diarrhoea rate and intestinal morphology, while co‐administration of IMO with CHE tended to have higher average daily gain. Serum biochemical analysis showed that dietary CHE decreased aspartate aminotransferase levels, while inclusion of IMO led to a decrease in high‐density lipoprotein. Moreover, co‐administration of IMO with CHE significantly upregulated the expression of TGF‐β, a potent anti‐inflammatory cytokine, in jejunal mucosa of piglets. Further, CHE significantly increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium in ileal digesta. Meanwhile, the combination of IMO and CHE significantly increased Bifidobacterium in the caecum of piglets. Additionally, dietary IMO, CHE or their combination significantly reduced the number of potential entero‐pathogen Escherichia coli in ileal contents and Clostridium species in caecal digesta. These results indicated that application of IMO or CHE could favourably modulate the intestinal microbial composition of piglets, while their beneficial impact and molecular mechanism on intestinal health warrants further investigation.

Effect of N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Jejunal Morphology, Amino Acid Transporters, and Antioxidant Ability of Weaned Pigs

“…HDL primarily functions in transporting cholesterol from the peripheral tissues to the liver for metabolic processing, ultimately contributing to the regulation of the serum total cholesterol levels [22]. SUN represents an end-product of protein or amino acid metabolism, and its diminished concentration indicates a heightened protein utilization from dietary sources and an increased nitrogen deposition within the organism [23]. Notably, the present study revealed that NCG supplementation triggered an elevation in serum GLU and HDL levels, accompanied by a significant reduction in SUN levels.…”

Chinese Herbal Extracts Mitigate Ammonia Generation in the Cecum of Laying Hens: An In Vitro Study

“…Glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other active substances in traditional Chinese herbal extracts can also improve the digestibility of feed protein, thereby reducing the concentration of microbial fermentation substrates and reducing ammonia production [ 25 ]. A variety of Chinese herbal extracts have broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, which can inhibit the proliferation of ammonia-producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Clostridium, and Streptococcus [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Therefore, in order to expand the application of Chinese herbal extracts, this study examined the efficacy and possible mechanisms of ammonia reduction of cinnamon extract (CE), Osmanthus extract (OE), tangerine peel extract (TPE), dandelion extract (DE), Coptis chinensis extract (CCE), honeysuckle extract (HE), Pulsatilla root extract (PRE), yucca extract (YE), licorice extract (LE), Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), and astragalus extract (AE) using an in vitro study model.…”