Regulation of N-acetyl cysteine on gut redox status and major microbiota in weaned piglets1

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the regulation of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on gut redox status and proliferation of selected microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 150 newborn piglets from 15 litters were randomly divided by litter to the control group (normally suckling), the weaning group (fed the basal diet), and the NAC group (basal + NAC diet) with 5 litters per group. Activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and inhibition capacity of hydroxyl radical (IHR), and contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and NO in the ileum, colon, and cecum were analyzed to profile oxidative stress states. The real-time absolute quantitative PCR reaction was employed to quantify the amounts of total bacteria, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Escherichia coli. The N-acetyl cysteine, as a universal antioxidant, was used to improve the redox status. Results showed that weaning stress resulted in the occurrence of gut oxidative stress and changes of gut microbiota (P < 0.05). Compared with the weaned piglets, the activities of ileal, colonic, and cecal T-AOC; ileal and colonic GSH-Px; cecal SOD; and colonic and cecal IHR were enhanced (P < 0.05), and the concentrations of ileal and cecal H2O2, ileal and colonic NO, and colonic MDA were reduced (P < 0.05) in the NAC-treated piglets. An increase (P < 0.05) in gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, accompanied with a decrease (P < 0.05) in Escherichia coli counts, was also observed in the NAC group. Bivariate correlation indicated that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the activities of T-AOC, GSH-Px, and SOD and inversely related (P < 0.05) to increased levels of H2O2, NO, OH, and MDA, and Escherichia coli showed a strong positive association (P < 0.05) with increased levels of free radicals and MDA and a negative association (P < 0.05) with the activities of antioxidant enzymes in intestines of weaned piglets. We concluded that NAC constructively regulated on the changes of the gut redox status and microbiota in piglets in response to weaning stress. The observed correlations implied that the NAC effects on the gut microbiota were confirmed, partly through an effect on oxidative stress in piglets, providing evidence that gut microbiota may be potentially improved by the modulation of the redox status by an antioxidant, which has relevance for gut health and function.

N‐Acetylcysteine alleviates gut dysbiosis and glucose metabolic disorder in high‐fat diet‐fed mice

“…These reports are consistent with the findings of the present study that NAC increases the Akkermansia , Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillus , and Allobaculum populations, but suppresses the growth of Desulfovibrio and Blautia . This is further supported by a study in which NAC upregulated the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and decreased the abundance of Escherichia coli in weaned piglets . Of note, in the present study the above genera were determined to be closely associated with hyperglycemia, high endotoxin, and intestinal integrity using correlation analyses (Fig.…”

“…In addition, NAC exhibits a broad antibiofilm effect towards Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae , indicating a curative effect on gut dysbiosis. So far, there have been limited studies on the effects of NAC on the community structure and function of gut microbiota . In consideration of the favorable therapeutic effect of NAC on diabetes mellitus, it is of importance to determine the role of gut microbiota in the prevention of diabetes and obesity by NAC.…”

“…So far, there have been limited studies on the effects of NAC on the community structure and function of gut microbiota. 18 In consideration of the favorable therapeutic effect of NAC on diabetes mellitus, it is of importance to determine the role of gut microbiota in the prevention of diabetes and obesity by NAC.…”

A carvacrol–thymol blend decreased intestinal oxidative stress and influenced selected microbes without changing the messenger RNA levels of tight junction proteins in jejunal mucosa of weaning piglets

“…A recent study reported that Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with oxidative stress, while, conversely, E. coli showed a strong positive correlation with oxidative stress in the intestines of early weaned piglets (Xu et al, 2014a). In most cases, oxidative stress is characterized by increased generation of ROS which overwhelm the antioxidant capacity, subsequently resulting in damage to cellular macromolecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA.…”

In Vitro Investigation of Six Antioxidants for Pig Diets

“…Elevated levels of ROS in the mucosa of the jejunum are induced by changes in diet [2], and alter microbiota compositions [3,4]. Oxidation–reduction imbalance in the intestinal epithelium has an impact on its functionality [5].…”