Fatty acids, inflammation and intestinal health in pigs.

Yulan Liu

doi:10.1186/s40104-015-0040-1

Abstract

The intestine is not only critical for nutrient digestion and absorption, but also is the largest immune organ in the body. However, in pig production, inflammation induced by numerous factors, such as pathogen infection and stresses (e.g., weaning), results in intestinal mucosal injury and dysfunction, and consequently results in poor growth of pigs. Dietary fatty acids not only play critical roles in energy homeostasis and cellular membrane composition, but also exert potent effects on intestinal development, immune function, and inflammatory response. Recent studies support potential therapeutic roles for specific fatty acids (short chain and medium chain fatty acids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) in intestinal inflammation of pigs. Results of these new lines of work indicate trophic and cytoprotective effects of fatty acids on intestinal integrity in pigs. In this article, we review the effect of inflammation on intestinal structure and function, and the role of specific fatty acids on intestinal health of pigs, especially under inflammatory conditions.

Highlights

In developing management and nutritional strategies to maximize growth performance and health of pigs, it is critical to consider the effect of inflammation on gastrointestinal (GI) function
We mainly focus on the effect of inflammation on GI structure and function, and the role of specific fatty acids on intestinal health of pigs, especially under inflammatory conditions
We found that, compared with corn oil, 5 % fish oil improved intestinal morphology indicated by greater villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, and intestinal barrier function indicated by decreased plasma diamine oxidase activity and increased mucosal diamine oxidase acitivity as well as enhanced protein expression of intestinal tight junction proteins including occludin and claudin-1 independent of LPS challenge [2]

Summary

Introduction

In developing management and nutritional strategies to maximize growth performance and health of pigs, it is critical to consider the effect of inflammation on gastrointestinal (GI) function. We mainly focus on the effect of inflammation on GI structure and function, and the role of specific fatty acids on intestinal health of pigs, especially under inflammatory conditions.

Results

Conclusion