Abstract
This study investigated the effects of dietary C. butyricum ZJU-F1 on the apparent digestibility of nutrients, intestinal barrier function, immune response, and microflora of weaned piglets, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the application of Clostridium butyricum as an alternative to antibiotics in weaned piglets. A total of 120 weanling piglets were randomly divided into four treatment groups, in which piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (CON), Bacillus licheniformis (BL), Clostridium butyricum ZJU-F1 (CB), or Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus licheniformis (CB-BL), respectively. The results showed that CB and CB-BL treatment increased the intestinal digestibility of nutrients, decreased intestinal permeability, and increased intestinal tight junction protein and mucin expression, thus maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. CB and CB-BL, as exogenous probiotics, were also found to stimulate the immune response of weaned piglets and improve the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the ileum. In addition, dietary CB and CB-BL increased the proportion of Lactobacillus. The levels of butyric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid, and total acid were significantly increased in the ceca of piglets fed CB and CB-BL. Furthermore, we validated the effects of C. butyricum ZJU-F1 on the intestinal barrier function and immune response in vitro and found C. butyricum ZJU-F1 improved intestinal function and enhanced the TLR-2-MyD88-NF-κB signaling.
Highlights
The intestinal tract, a very important organ of mammals, is the largest “gas station” and “sewage factory” in mammals, and the largest “fortress” for disease prevention
We aimed to investigate the reasons for dietary C. butyricum ZJU-F10 s ability to decrease the rate of diarrhea and increase nutrient digestibility
These findings show that the enhancement of nutrient digestion and absorption in weaned piglets treated with C. butyricum ZJU-F1 might be partly due to the reduction of intestinal permeability and the improvement of intestinal barrier function
Summary
The intestinal tract, a very important organ of mammals, is the largest “gas station” and “sewage factory” in mammals, and the largest “fortress” for disease prevention. Intestinal dysfunction will lead to a series of problems, such as diarrhea, which seriously threatens the health of humans, especially children, and even animals. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for this problem, long-term use and abuse of subtherapeutic antibiotic doses can lead to dysfunction of the gut microbiota and the appearance of antimicrobial resistance, both of which have raised serious public health concerns [1,2]. It was estimated that up to 14,000 Americans die each year from infection with Clostridium difficile, a drugresistant bacterial strain that causes life-threatening diarrhea [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
