Mycotoxin binder improves growth rate in piglets associated with reduction of toll-like receptor-4 and increase of tight junction protein gene expression in gut mucosa

Abstract

BackgroundDeoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species in the field, commonly found in cereal grains, which negatively affects performances and health of animals. Mycotoxin binders are supposed to reduce the toxicity of mycotoxins.MethodThe effect of a mycotoxin binder (containing acid-activated bentonite, clinoptilolite, yeast cell walls and organic acids) on growth performance and gut health was studied. Hundred and twenty weaning piglets were allocated to 4 treatments, with 5 pens of 6 piglets each, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design: control diet; control diet with 1 kg/t binder; control diet with DON; and control diet with DON and 1 kg/t binder. From d0–14, the diet of DON-challenged groups was artificially contaminated with a mixture of DON (2.6 mg/kg), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (0.1 mg/kg) and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (0.3 mg/kg), after which the total contamination level was reduced to 1 mg/kg, until d37. On d14, one pig from each pen was euthanized and distal small intestinal mucosa samples were collected for the assessment of intestinal permeability, and gene expression of tight junction proteins, toll-like receptor 4, inflammatory cytokines and intestinal alkaline phosphatase.ResultsAfter 37 d, there were no differences in growth performance between control and DON-challenged groups (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, groups that received diets with binder had a significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) for the first 14 d as well as for the whole period, compared to groups without binder (P ≤ 0.05). Groups with binder in the diet also exhibited lower expression of toll-like receptor 4 in distal small intestinal mucosa at d14, compared to groups without binder (P ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, comparing the two DON treatments, piglets fed DON and binder had significantly higher ADFI and ADG compared to those with only DON for the first 14-d (P ≤ 0.05). Addition of binder to DON contaminated diets, also down-regulated the gene expression of toll-like receptor 4 (P ≤ 0.05) and increased mRNA level zona occludens 1 (P ≤ 0.10) as compared to DON.ConclusionsThe present data provide evidence that the binder improves growth rate in piglets associated with reduction of toll-like receptor-4 and increase of tight junction protein gene expression. However, the current study does not allow to assess whether the effects of the binder are mediated by alterations in the toxicokinetics of the mycotoxin.

Modified Palygorskite Improves Immunity, Antioxidant Ability, Intestinal Morphology, and Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens Fed Naturally Contaminated Diet with Permitted Feed Concentrations of Fusarium Mycotoxins

“…In vitro studies have already illustrated that Fusarium mycotoxins could downregulate ZO-1, OCLN, and/or claudin protein expressions in several cell lines [ 61 , 62 , 63 ]. In vivo studies have further demonstrated aforementioned findings as well [ 7 , 11 , 16 , 54 ]. Consistently, this research showed that broiler chickens fed moldy corn exhibited decreases in mRNA abundances of MUC2 and ZO-1 in the jejunual mucosa at 42 days.…”

“…This physical selective barrier represents the first barrier against food contaminants and natural toxins, and simultaneously regulates small molecule transport and intestinal epithelial cells permeability [ 15 ]. Published papers have illustrated that Fusarium mycotoxin contamination with high dosages could damage intestinal morphology and barrier function in broiler chickens and pigs [ 7 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Moreover, similar findings on pigs resulting from low levels of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination were also observed as previously reported [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Biomarkers for Exposure as a Tool for Efficacy Testing of a Mycotoxin Detoxifier in Broiler Chickens and Pigs

“…The effects of binders containing bentonite on the symptoms of DON intoxication in literature are variable. Jin et al showed an increase in growth and feed intake when adding the binder (1 kg/ton feed) to the contaminated diet [54]. Positive results were also obtained by Shehata et al, who observed increasing concentrations of DON in urine after adding the binder [55].…”

L-Tryptophan Enhances Intestinal Integrity in Diquat-Challenged Piglets Associated with Improvement of Redox Status and Mitochondrial Function

“…Intestinal mucosal permeability was assessed ex vivo by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the translocation of macromolecular markers using the Ussing chamber technique as previously described [13,24,25]. Fresh segments of jejunum mucosa samples were stripped from the seromuscular layers and then mounted in the EasyMount Ussing chamber system (model VCC MC6, Physiological Instruments, San Diego, CA, USA).…”