Effects of low-molecular-weight chitosan on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, cytokine expression and antioxidant system of weaned piglets

Abstract

BackgroundChitosan was used as an alternative to promote the growth of weaned piglets. And low-molecular-weight chitosan (LC) is one of chitosan derivatives and maintain beneficial biological properties of chitoson. The present experiment was carried out to examine the effects of LC on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, cytokine expression, and antioxidant system of weaned piglets.ResultsA total of 40 piglets weaned at 21 d of age, with average body weight 6.37 ± 0.08 kg, were randomly assigned (5 pens/diet; 4 pigs/pen) to 2 treatments (a basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg LC) and were fed for 28 d. Compared with the control group, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and the expression of intestinal barrier protein ZO-1 was increased (P < 0.05) when the piglets fed the diet supplemented with LC. No significant differences were found in average daily gain (ADG, P > 0.05), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F, P > 0.05), the incidence of diarrhea (P > 0.05), or the antioxidant capacity (P > 0.05) between two groups. The expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in jejunal mucosa were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in piglets fed the LC-supplemented diet in comparison to the control.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that dietary supplementation with LC at 50 mg/kg was effective for enhancing the growth performance in weaned piglets, improving intestinal barrier function and alleviating intestinal inflammation.

Amelioration of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-Induced Intestinal Barrier Disruption by Low-Molecular-Weight Chitosan in Weaned Pigs is Related to Suppressed Intestinal Inflammation and Apoptosis

“…LMWC possesses a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory actions [15], making it an attractive candidate for use in food, agricultural and medical industries. A recent study revealed that LMWC supplementation was beneficial to maintaining the intestinal barrier function in pigs after weaning [16]. Nevertheless, no prior information is available concerning the influences of LMWC supplementation on intestinal repair in weaned pigs challenged with ETEC.…”

Chitosan Oligosaccharides Protect Sprague Dawley Rats from Cyclic Heat Stress by Attenuation of Oxidative and Inflammation Stress

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that heat stress can induce multiple physiological disturbances, including endocrine disorders [3,4], electrolyte imbalance [5], immune dysfunction [6][7][8], and oxidative stress [9][10][11]. The heat stress response pathway is partly attributed to the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production [12][13][14]. The increased ROS resulted in stimulated intracellular and extracellular superoxide formation and was responsible for oxidative stress [15].…”

Effect of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium in sows on intestinal health of the offspring

“…•Na 2 in sows modulated immune responsivity by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets. Hu et al[41] reported that dietary supplementation with 50 mg/kg low-molecularweight chitosan which has antioxidant activity significantly reduced the jejunal mucosal expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Yin et al suggested that the concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-2 were decreased in pigs as the PQQ•Na 2 supplementation was increased and this is consistent with our study results[22].Parenteral nutrition can be useful to prevent and reverse malnutrition and to maintain the nutritional status of patients who are unable to receive adequate enteral nutrition.…”