Abstract
Our previous studies revealed that L-arginine supplementation had beneficial effects on intestinal barrier functions of low-birth-weight (LBW) piglets, which were associated with the enhanced antioxidant capacity. Moreover, mitochondrial functions are closely related to the redox state. This study was to explore potential mechanisms of L-arginine-induced beneficial effects against intestinal dysfunction by regulating mitochondrial function of LBW piglets. Twenty 4-day-old normal birth weight (NBW) piglets (BW: 2.08 ± 0.09 kg) and 20 LBW siblings (BW: 1.16 ± 0.07 kg) were artificially fed either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 1.0% L-arginine for 21 d, respectively. Growth performance, intestinal morphology, redox status, mitochondrial morphology, and mitochondrial functions were examined. Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance. LBW piglets presented lower (p < 0.05) ADG, shorter (p < 0.05) intestinal villus height, lower (p < 0.05) jejunal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of Ca2+ and 8-OH-dG in jejunal mitochondria, compared with NBW piglets. Supplementation with 1.0% L-arginine significantly increased (p < 0.05) ADG, the activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx, intestinal villus height and mRNA abundances of ZO-1 (2-fold) in the jejunum of LBW piglets, but not in NBW piglets. Furthermore, the concentrations of ATP and the transcription of COX IV, COX V genes were up-regulated (p < 0.05) and the concentration of Ca2+ and 8-OH-dG were decreased (p < 0.05) in arginine-treated LBW piglets. The results suggest that mitochondrial morphology is affected, and mitochondrial functions are impaired in the jejunum of LBW piglets. While supplementation with 1.0% L-arginine relieved intestinal dysfunction through enhancing antioxidant capacity and improving mitochondrial functions via repairing mitochondrial morphology, normalizing mitochondrial calcium, and increasing ATP concentration in the jejunum of LBW piglets. However, supplementation with L-arginine has no significant beneficial effects on intestinal health in NBW piglets.
Highlights
We evaluated the differences in mitochondrial function between normal birth weight (NBW) and Low birth weight (LBW) piglets supplemented with L -arginine in terms of growth performance, intestinal morphology, redox status, mitochondrial function-related gene expression
average daily dry matter intake (ADMI) in LBW piglets supplemented with 1.0% L -arginine was greater (p < 0.05) than that of LBW piglets in control milk replacer (CON) treatment (Table 1)
Arginine intakes in arginine-treated NBW and LBW piglets were greater (p < 0.05) than those of control piglets
Summary
Low birth weight (LBW) is a tough problem with human health and animal production [1,2]. LBW neonates show higher rates of perinatal mortality and have long-term adverse effects on postnatal growth, intestinal development and health [3,4,5]. The small intestine is the dominating organ for digestion and absorption of nutrients [6]. Gastrointestinal dysplasia and dysfunction are two of the most important reasons for the retarded growth of LBW neonates [7]. A previous study has revealed that impaired antioxidant capacity results in intestinal dysfunction and the retarded growth of LBW suckling piglets, Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1995.
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