Ileum terminal antibiotic infusion affects jejunal and colonic specific microbial population and immune status in growing pigs

Chuanjian Zhang,Chunlong Mu,Yu Peng,Weiyun Zhu

doi:10.1186/s40104-018-0265-x

Chuanjian Zhang, Chunlong Mu + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-018-0265-x

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Abstract

BackgroundCompared with oral antibiotics (primarily disrupt foregut microbiota), the present study used antibiotics with ileum terminal infusion to disrupt the hindgut microbiota, and investigated the changes in specific bacterial composition and immune indexes in the jejunum and colon, and serum of growing pigs. Twelve barrows (45 d of age, 12.08 ± 0.28 kg) fitted with a T-cannula at the terminal ileum, were randomly assigned to two groups and infused either saline without antibiotics (Control) or with antibiotics (Antibiotic) at the terminal ileum. After 25 d experiment, all pigs were euthanized for analyzing bacterial composition and immune status.ResultsIleum terminal antibiotic infusion (ITAI) altered dominant bacteria counts, with a decrease in Bifidobacterium, Clostridium cluster IV and Clostridium cluster IV in the colon (P < 0.05), and an increase in Escherichia coli in the jejunum (P < 0.05). ITAI decreased (P < 0.05) short-chain fatty acids concentrations in the colon. ITAI decreased interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-10 and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations, and down-regulated IL-10, Mucin-1 (MUC1), Mucin-2 (MUC2) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA expression in the colonic mucosa (P < 0.05). In the jejunal mucosa, ITAI decreased interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), sIgA and IgG levels together with down-regulation of IFN-γ, TNF-α, MUC2 and ZO-1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ITAI decreased IL-10, INF-γ, TNF-α, IgA and IgG concentrations in serum (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the change in intestinal microbiota was correlated with alterations of Ig and cytokines.ConclusionsITAI affected jejunal and colonic specific bacteria counts, and altered some immune markers levels in the jejunal and colonic mucosa and serum. These findings implicate the potential contribution of hindgut bacteria to immune response in the intestinal mucosa and serum of growing pigs.

Highlights

Compared with oral antibiotics, the present study used antibiotics with ileum terminal infusion to disrupt the hindgut microbiota, and investigated the changes in specific bacterial composition and immune indexes in the jejunum and colon, and serum of growing pigs
Ileum terminal antibiotic infusion (ITAI) affected jejunal and colonic specific bacteria counts, and altered some immune markers levels in the jejunal and colonic mucosa and serum. These findings implicate the potential contribution of hindgut bacteria to immune response in the intestinal mucosa and serum of growing pigs
Valerate concentration did not differ significantly between the antibiotic and control groups. These results indicate that ITAI significantly decreased the production of the beneficial compound Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in the colon

Summary

Introduction

Compared with oral antibiotics (primarily disrupt foregut microbiota), the present study used antibiotics with ileum terminal infusion to disrupt the hindgut microbiota, and investigated the changes in specific bacterial composition and immune indexes in the jejunum and colon, and serum of growing pigs. The large intestine of pigs constitutes an environment for the development and activity of the largest microbiota population in the body, which affects the resistance to disease, function of the gastrointestinal tract and health status. Microbial fermentation in pigs occurs to the largest extent in the hindgut [9] This enriched microbiota and microbial fermentation products in the hindgut are important to intestinal immune system [10]. It is important to understand the effect of hindgut microbiota perturbation on gut (small intestine and large intestine) and serum immunity

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