L-Glutamine Supplementation Alleviates Constipation during Late Gestation of Mini Sows by Modifying the Microbiota Composition in Feces

Abstract

Constipation occurs frequently in both sows and humans, particularly, during late gestation. The microbial community of the porcine gut, the enteric microbiota, plays a critical role in functions that sustain intestinal health. Hence, microbial regulation during pregnancy may be important to prevent host constipation. The present study was conducted to determine whether L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation improved intestinal function and alleviated constipation by regulation of enteric microbiota. 16S rRNA sequences obtained from fecal samples from 9 constipated sows (3 in the constipation group and 6 in the 1.0% Gln group) were assessed from gestational day 70 to 84. Comparative analysis showed that the abundance of intestinal-friendly microbiota, that is, Bacteroidetes (P = 0.007) and Actinobacteria (P = 0.037), was comparatively increased in the 1.0% Gln group, while the abundance of pernicious bacteria, Oscillospira (P < 0.001) and Treponema (P = 0.011), was decreased. Dietary supplementation with 1.0% Gln may ameliorate constipation of sows by regulated endogenous gut microbiota.

Free Amino Acids in Human Milk: A Potential Role for Glutamine and Glutamate in the Protection Against Neonatal Allergies and Infections

“…A study in weaning mice demonstrated that dietary glutamine decreased the content of Firmicutes in the jejunum and ileum, and decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio in the ileum (194). Similar findings are reported in studies in adult pigs and human (195,196). In weaning rabbits, dietary glutamine specifically reduced the presence of Clostridium spp.…”

“…in the ileum, of which colonization in early life has been associated with increased risk of allergic diseases (197,198). Finally, a glutamine-enriched diet is also shown to increase the abundance of beneficial Bifidobacteria in the jejunum of healthy weaned mice (194), and to decrease potentially harmful microorganisms in adult pigs (196). The mechanisms underlying the effects of glutamine on the gut microbiota composition are poorly understood.…”

The Gut-Immune-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorders; A Focus on Amino Acids

“…Interestingly, dietary supplementation of arginine (Arg) in healthy mice decreased the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in the small intestine, mainly due to an increase in Bacteroidetes (190). Similarly, dietary supplementation of Gln decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in sows (191). Whether modulation of Gln and Arg intake can restore the aberrant Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio observed in ASD patients, and subsequently improve their immune status remains to be examined.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Amino Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Glutamine supplementation is beneficial in improving disease symptoms and intestinal structure and barrier function [ 72 , 73 ]. This amino acid can increase intestinal-friendly microbiota ( Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria ), while decrease pernicious bacteria ( Oscillospira and Treponema ) [ 74 ]. Its role in IBD is controversial [ 72 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ], but the results of most glutamine studies support further evaluation as a potential therapeutic agent.…”