Butyryl‐CoA transferase DNA abundance is not correlated with butyrate production of the intestinal microbial community in piglets with short‐bowel syndrome (SBS) (LB370)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between microbial composition, gene abundance, and corresponding short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in piglets with SBS fed pre‐ and/or probiotics. We hypothesized that prebiotic consumption would increase the abundance of butyrogenic bactria, butyryl‐CoA transferase DNA (BCoAT), and butyrate concentration while attenuating acetogens, acetyl‐CoA synthase DNA (ACS), and acetate concentration. Neonatal piglets (n=70) underwent 80% jejunoileal resection and placement of a jugular catheter. Piglets received 80% parenteral and 20% enteral nutrition (EN) for 1, 3, or 7 days (d). Control piglets (CON) received unsupplemented EN, prebiotic (PRE) 10 g short‐chain fructooligosaccharides/L EN (scFOS), probiotic (PRO) 1E9 CFU LGG, and synbiotic (SYN) scFOS + LGG. BCoAT was increased by PRE on ileal mucosa at 7d and by PRO in ileal lumen at 3d and 7d (p=0.05). PRE increased butyrate concentration vs CON independent of time (p=0.05). However, BCoAT abundance was not correlated with butyrate concentration. ACS and acetate concentration were neither impacted by treatments nor correlated with each other. This demonstrates that SCFA production may not be regulated simply by gene abundance in the microbial community, thus regulation at the level of mRNA or metabolic activity needs study.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)