Abstract
Simple SummaryBeta-glucan is currently under consideration as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for the sustainable pig production industry in China. Modulating intestinal function by β-glucan treatment in young pigs is one potential way of decreasing disease susceptibility and presumably increasing growth performance. In the present study, as a newly developed commercial product, β-glucans have proved to modulate gut function, and have improved growth performance in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets. The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms involved inβ-glucan of low and high molecular weight mediated growth alterations in weaned piglets. The results confirmed that β-glucans isolated from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 could improve growth performance in weaned piglets and they showed intestinal modulatory properties via different mechanisms in regulating the mucosal barrier function and microbial populations between two different molecular weight β-glucans.This study investigated β-glucan derived from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 with high (2000 kDa) and low (300 kDa) molecular weight (MW) to compare their effects on growth performance and gut function in LPS-induced weaned piglets. Changes in jejunal morphology, mucosal barrier function, microbial populations, and fermentation in the piglets were determined. Data showed that β-glucan prevented body weight loss in LPS challenged piglets. Supplementation with both β-glucan fractions improved jejunal morphology. Compared to low MW, β-glucan of high MW generally up-regulated transcripts of ZO-1, MUC1, and MUC2 in jejunal mucosa to a lesser extent. Mucosal D-lactate, diamine oxidase, and anti-oxidation index were effectively resumed in β-glucan treatment. Both β-glucan diets provoked the emergence of a balanced microbiota and a richer concentration of volatile fatty acids in the colon. The richest community of bifidobacterium and concentration of butyrate emerged after feeding β-glucan with high MW. Results suggested that the effect of Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 β-glucans on the gut-modulatory function is largely linked to their MW. Low MW β-glucan mainly improved the mucosal barrier function in the jejunum, while high MW β-glucan had profound effects on the microbial community and fermentation in the hindgut of piglets.
Highlights
Due to underdevelopment of intestinal function at weaning, weaning pigs are susceptible to gastrointestinal pathogens [1,2]
The F:G ratio and score of diarrheas were lower with LG and HG compared with LPS-challenged piglets (p < 0.05)
We found that the mucosal antioxidant system, intestinal barrier function, and gut morphology were attenuated in LPS-challenged weaned piglets
Summary
Due to underdevelopment of intestinal function at weaning, weaning pigs are susceptible to gastrointestinal pathogens [1,2]. Modulation of gut morphology and immunity following β-glucans treatment in young pigs is becoming one of the potential strategies to counter disease [3]. It has been reported that β-glucans can be utilized by microflora to form short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which has been proved to improve intestinal health and provide therapeutic strategies for pathogens infection [4,5]. Most studies referred to the stimulatory properties of glucans presenting in the cell walls of algae, fungi, yeast, cereal grains, which have been performed in rats [6], chickens [7], fish [8], pigs [9], and cattle [10]. No substantial consistent effects of dietary glucans were found on the intestinal function. The divergence might be caused by the quality of variant glucans used in the study
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.
