The Effect of Supplementation with β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyric Acid (HMB) to Pregnant Sows on the Mucosal Structure, Immunolocalization of Intestinal Barrier Proteins, VIP and Leptin in the Large Intestine in their Offspring

Abstract

The large intestine epithelium plays an important role in water absorption and participates in fluid, acid-base and electrolyte balance, and the removal of waste products. The large intestine is rich in microorganism-presented enzyme activity. Apart from energy supply, the colon also participates in the synthesis of trophic factors and the modulation of the immune system and the systemic inflammatory response. The current study investigated the effects of dietary HMB administration to pregnant sows on the postnatal development of the colon in their offspring, at weaning. From the 70th to the 90th day of gestation, sows received either a basal diet (n = 12) or the basal diet supplemented with HMB (n = 12) at a dose of 0.2 g/kg of body weight/day. Maternal HMB treatment increased serum IgG and glucose concentrations and decreased serum urea concentration in the piglets. Basal histomorphometric analysis of offspring large intestines showed that prenatal HMB treatment led to a reduction in the thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and both types of myenterons, as well as reduced crypt thickness. The immunoreaction performed to mark T0 lymphocytes and total T lymphocytes in the colon wall showed that prenatal HMB treatment decreased the number of both types of lymphocytes. Greater expression for cadherin was found in the colon of piglets delivered by the HMB-treated sows. The expression of both tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin-3), as well as that of leptin, was stronger in the HMB-treated group. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expression was stronger in the submucosal plexuses in the HMB maternal treated piglets, while no changes were observed in the myenteric plexuses. The results obtained indicate that the administration of HMB to pregnant sows significantly influenced the expression of leptin, VIP and some proteins of the intestinal barrier in their offspring, with less influence on large intestine basal morphology.

Maternal acrylamide exposure changes intestinal epithelium, immunolocalization of leptin and ghrelin and their receptors, and gut barrier in weaned offspring

“…The analyses were performed using ImageJ software 82 . PSR staining was used distinguish between type I and type III collagen in examined SI samples, where type I (mature) collagen fibres appear orange or red, and type III (immature) fibres appear green in polarized light 83 , 84 .…”

Bioactive compounds, antibiotics and heavy metals: Effects on the intestinal structure and microbiome of monogastric animals – a non-systematic review

“…Sodium butyrate administered orally to Cobb broiler chickens that received an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide at a dose of 500 μg/kg, inhibited the reduction of the villous height in the duodenum and ileum caused by a stress factor (Xiong et al, 2018). Other researchers also reported a positive impact of butyrate supplementation to pregnant sows on the structure of the small and large intestine of their offspring (Dobrowolski et al, 2021;Tomaszewska et al, 2021;. Zinc lactate is another agent having a positive effect on gut structure.…”

Yolk Fatty Acid Profile and Amino Acid Composition in Eggs from Hens Supplemented with ß-Hydroxy-ß-Methylbutyrate

“…Upon arrival, hens were kept in cages accommodating two birds per cage, in compliance with the established housing regulations for research involving farm animals in the field of agriculture (cage dimensions of 30 × 120 × 50 cm, w × d × h, ensuring 1800 cm 2 of floor space per hen). The experimental timeline consisted of a pre-experimental phase (age weeks [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], during which all birds were provided with the standard soybean-wheat-cornbased commercial pre-laying and laying diet. At the commencement of the experimental phase (age weeks 31-60), the birds were randomly allocated to either the control group or the group receiving dietary supplementation with ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (the HMB group).…”

“…Studies on pigs supplemented with HMB have shown that it regulates lipid metabolism, promoting fat oxidation, which could potentially improve body composition and aid in fat loss [22][23][24]. Additionally, HMB enhanced piglets bone health by promoting bone formation, reducing resorption, and increasing bone density [25][26][27][28].…”