Pig Small Intestine Research Articles

Characterization of Segment Defect Regeneration in the Axolotl Fibula

We determined the critical size defect (CSD) for regeneration of the axolotl fibula by surgically removing bone segments comprising 10, 20, 40, and 50% of the length of the fibula in 15–20 cm axolotls. The limbs were first subjected to X‐ray and micro‐CT imaging. Half the specimens were stained with methylene blue/alizarin red for cartilage/bone and the other half sectioned and stained with H&E. H&E staining revealed initiation of cartilage formation in 10% and 20% defects by one month; cartilage and bone were regenerated by three months. None of the 40% defects regenerated cartilage by two months post‐operation, and 7/8 (87.5%) failed to regenerate cartilage at three months. None of the 50% defects regenerated cartilage after three months. H&E staining showed that the 40% and 50% defects filled in with fibrous soft tissue. We concluded that the CSD is slightly less than 40% of the length of the fibula. A pig small intestine submucosa (SIS) scaffold did not promote regeneration across a 50% defect. The scaffold degraded by two months after implantation while the defect was filled by connective tissue and disorganized muscle fibers. Our aim is to use the axolotl fibula as a new, convenient model to screen for the optimum combination of growth factors/scaffold that promotes cartilage formation in a CSD, thus mimicking the first step of normal endochondral bone development and fracture repair.

Mast cell expression of the serotonin1Areceptor in guinea pig and human intestine

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] is released from enterochromaffin cells in the mucosa of the small intestine. We tested a hypothesis that elevation of 5-HT in the environment of enteric mast cells might degranulate the mast cells and release mediators that become paracrine signals to the enteric nervous system, spinal afferents, and secretory glands. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and pharmacological analysis were used to study expression of 5-HT receptors by mast cells in the small intestine and action of 5-HT to degranulate the mast cells and release histamine in guinea pig small intestine and segments of human jejunum discarded during Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeries. Mast cells in human and guinea pig preparations expressed the 5-HT1A receptor. ELISA detected spontaneous release of histamine in guinea pig and human preparations. The selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-PIPAT evoked release of histamine. A selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY-100135, suppressed stimulation of histamine release by 5-HT or 8-hydroxy-PIPAT. Mast cell-stabilizing drugs, doxantrazole and cromolyn sodium, suppressed the release of histamine evoked by 5-HT or 8-hydroxy-PIPAT in guinea pig and human preparations. Our results support the hypothesis that serotonergic degranulation of enteric mast cells and release of preformed mediators, including histamine, are mediated by the 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor. Association of 5-HT with the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome) underlies a question of whether selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists might have therapeutic application in disorders of this nature.

Ileal flows and apparent ileal digestibility of fatty acids in growing gilts fed flaxseed containing diets1

An experiment was conducted to quantify the ileal flow and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of fatty acids (FA) in growing gilts fed corn, wheat, and soybean meal based diets without (CON) or with ground flaxseed (FS). A total of 20 healthy purebred Yorkshire female pigs, weighing approximately 25 kg BW, were allotted to 1 of 3 feeding regimens: R1 (n = 5 pigs), feeding a diet containing 10% FS between 25 and 50 kg BW and CON diet thereafter, R2 (n = 10 pigs), feeding CON diet between 25 and 85 kg BW and a diet containing 6% FS thereafter, and R3 (n = 5 pigs), feeding CON diet between 25 and 110 kg BW. Titanium dioxide was used as an indigestible marker to assess AID and ileal flows of crude fat and FA. At 110 kg BW, pigs were slaughtered and representative digesta samples were obtained from the distal ileum. Ileal flows and AID of crude fat and individual FA did not differ (P > 0.10) between R1 and R3, and therefore, results from these 2 feeding regimens were combined to give 2 dietary treatments (CON and FS). There were no treatment effects on AID of crude fat and the sum of all FA, SFA, or MUFA. However, the AID of individual SFA decreased with chain length (linear; P < 0.05) for both FS and CON. The AID of myristic acid (14:0), individual trans-18:1 FA (6t-8t-18:1 to 12t-18:1), myristoleic acid (9c-14:1), and palmitoleic acid (9c-16:1) were greater for CON than FS (P < 0.05) whereas no diet effect was observed for the AID of linoleic acid (18:2n-6; 80.2 and 86.1% for FS and CON, respectively) and α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3; 86.7 and 89.8% for FS and CON, respectively). Ileal flows of rumenic acid (9c11t-CLA), n-3 PUFA, and highly unsaturated FA (HUFA; arachidonic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) exceeded their intakes, indicating net appearance of these FA in the upper gut of the pig. It remains to be determined whether enteric microbiota can elongate and desaturate 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 and isomerize 18:2n-6. The contribution of endogenous FA losses from the host to the ileal flow of these FA should also be considered. Further studies are needed to quantify production of CLA isomers and PUFA in the small intestine of pigs, specifically the n-3 HUFA, and to assess their contribution to the FA supply of the host.

Supplementation of a grape seed and grape marc meal extract decreases activities of the oxidative stress-responsive transcription factors NF-κB and Nrf2 in the duodenal mucosa of pigs

BackgroundIn pigs, enteric infections and the development of gut disorders such as diarrhoea are commonly observed, particularly after weaning. The present study investigated the hypothesis that feeding a grape seed and grape marc extract (GSGME) as a dietary supplement has the potential to suppress the inflammatory process in the small intestine of pigs by modulating the activities of NF-κB and Nrf2 due to its high content of flavonoids.MethodsTwenty-four crossbred, 6 weeks old pigs were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 12 animals each and fed nutritionally adequate diets without or with 1% GSGME for 4 weeks.ResultsPigs administered GSGME had a lower transactivation of NF-κB and Nrf2 and a lower expression of various target genes of these transcription factors in the duodenal mucosa than control pigs (P < 0.05). Concentrations of α-tocopherol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and plasma and total antioxidant capacity of plasma and relative mRNA abundances of NF-κB and Nrf2 target genes in the liver did not differ between the two groups. However, the ratio of villus height:crypt depth and the gain:feed ratio was higher in the pigs fed GSGME than in control pigs (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study shows that dietary supplementation of a polyphenol rich GSGME suppresses the activity of NF-κB in the duodenal mucosa of pigs and thus might provide a useful dietary strategy to inhibit inflammation in the gut frequently occurring in pigs. Feeding GSGME did not influence vitamin E status and the antioxidant system of the pigs but improved the gain:feed ratio. In overall, the study suggests that polyphenol-rich plant extracts such GSGME could be useful feed supplements in pig nutrition, in order to maintain animal health and improve performance.

Serotonin and cholecystokinin mediate nutrient-induced segmentation in guinea pig small intestine

Segmentation is an important process in nutrient mixing and absorption; however, the mechanisms underlying this motility pattern are poorly understood. Segmentation can be induced by luminal perfusion of fatty acid in guinea pig small intestine in vitro and mimicked by the serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (300 nM) and by cholecystokinin (CCK). Serotonergic and CCK-related mechanisms underlying nutrient-induced segmentation were investigated using selective 5-HT and CCK receptor antagonists on isolated segments of small intestine luminally perfused with 1 mM decanoic acid. Motility patterns were analyzed using video imaging and spatiotemporal maps. Segmenting activity mediated by decanoic acid was depressed following luminal application of the 5-HT receptor antagonists granisetron (5-HT(3), 1 μM) and SB-207266 (5-HT(4), 10 nM) and the CCK receptor antagonists devazepide (CCK-1, 300 nM) and L-365260 (CCK-2, 300 nM), but these antagonists did not further depress segmentation when combined. The P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate (10 μM) had no effect on activity. Serosal application of 5-HT antagonists had little effect on segmentation in the duodenum but reduced activity in the jejunum when granisetron and SB-207266 were applied together. These results reveal that 5-HT(3) and 5-HT(4) receptors, as well as CCK-1 and CCK-2 receptors, are critical in regulating decanoic acid-induced segmentation. Computational simulation indicated that these data are consistent with decanoic acid activating two pathways in the mucosa that converge within the enteric neural circuitry, while contraction-induced release of 5-HT from the mucosa provides feedback into the neural circuit to set the time course of the overall contractile activity.

Lactose in diet influences the degradation of mixed linked β(1-3;1-4)-D-glucan in the small intestine of pigs

The objective was to study the cause of variation in digestibility of mixed linked β(1-3;1-4)-D-glucan (β-glucan) in the small intestine of growing pigs. The β-glucan is an important cell wall [dietary fiber (DF)] component of the endosperm of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and oats (Avena sativa). The digestibility of β-glucan in the small intestine from both cereals is among the highest of all DF components, but in 1 study with oat-based diets it was lower (P < 0.001) than in other studies. In this study, whey protein containing lactose was used as protein supplement. Lactose is slowly digestible in the small intestine. To investigate if lactose might cause the lower digestibility of β-glucan in the study with whey protein, the lactose in diets was analyzed together with lactose and organic acids (lactic acids and short-chain fatty acids) in digesta samples from the small intestine (the small intestine was by length divided in 3 equal segments: SI(1), SI(2), and SI(3)) and ileal digesta. Diets containing lactose were based on oat goats, oat flour, and oat bran (12 to 38 g lactose/kg DM) whereas the reference diets were based on rolled oats, rolled oats and oat bran, wheat (Triticum aestivum) flour with added oat bran, and wheat flour with added β-glucan (0 to 1 g lactose/kg DM). Lactose was identified in digesta up to SI(2) but disappeared in digesta from SI(3) and ileum. Digestibility of β-glucan did not differ among diets up to SI(3) (18% average) whereas digestibility in ileum was 64% in diets without lactose and 27% in diets containing lactose (P < 0.001). The β-glucan was virtually completely digested in the cecum (96% average) in all diets. The concentration of organic acids did not differ between diets either in SI(3), ileum, or cecum. In conclusion, slowly digestible lactose was the most likely cause of the reduced digestibility of β-glucan in oat diets containing lactose.

The influence of grinding intensity and compaction of diets on the microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract of young pigs1

Sixty weaned piglets (33 d, 7.96 ± 1.09 kg BW) were divided into 4 groups with 15 pigs each and fed identical diets in which meal was coarsely ground (CM), coarsely ground and pelleted (CP), finely ground and pelleted (FP), or coarsely ground and extruded (CE) for 4 wk. At the end of the trial the pigs were killed and samples of the digesta were taken from the stomach, the end of the small intestine, and the cecum for microbiological, DM, pH, and lactic acid analyses. Differences (P < 0.05) regarding the counts of bacteria were mainly found between the CM and the FP group, but the CP and the CE diet mostly resulted in intermediate values. Pigs fed the CM diet had the highest numbers of lactobacilli in the stomach content (P < 0.01) and the cecal digesta (P < 0.05). Perhaps due to a more efficient stomach barrier, characterized by high lactobacilli counts and a marked pH gradient in the stomach content (cardia, 5.15 ± 0.475; pylorus, 2.83 ± 1.06; P < 0.01), the lowest counts of coliform bacteria were found in the distal part of the small intestine in pigs fed the CM diet (P < 0.05).

Effects of faba bean and faba bean hulls on expression of selected genes in the small intestine of piglets

In a small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) study in pigs, effects were studied of intestinal perfusion of ground faba beans (Vicia faba), faba bean hulls, or saline on intestinal net fluid absorption in intestinal segments either challenged or not with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). After an 8-h perfusion, piglets were euthanized and small intestinal mucosa samples were collected for analysis of expression level of a selected set of genes (APOC3, TIMP1, AQP8, MMP1, MUC13, and PAP) using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Perfusion with ground faba beans and faba bean hulls and challenge with ETEC affected (P < 0.05) expression of several of genes in the intestinal mucosa. Expression of APOC3, TIMP1, AQP8, MMP1, and PAP was correlated with net fluid absorption in the small intestine of pigs.

사료내 벤조산 첨가가 이유돼지의 장내 미생물 균총 및 면역체계에 미치는 영향

본 연구에서는 이유자돈 사료에 벤조산 첨가가 위장 내 소화물과 방광 내 뇨의 pH, 장내 유익 미생물 균총수 및 장 조직 내 염증성 싸이토카인 유전자 발현양에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 자돈기 5주 동안 이유자돈 사료 내 벤조산 0.3%과 0.5% 첨가는 자돈 위 내 pH는 감소시키지는 않았으나, 방광 내 뇨의 pH 수치는 유의적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. Lactobacillus casei 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산 0.5% 첨가구와 대조구에서 유의적으로 가장 높게 나타났다. Lactobacillus plantarum 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산 0.5% 첨가구에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 또한, 직장부위에서 L.plantarum 수는 대조구를 제외하고 모든 처리구에서 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. Bacillus subtillis 수는 맹장부위에서 벤조산0.5% 첨가구와 대조구에서 유의적으로 가장 높게 나타났으며, 직장부위에서는 벤조산0.3%와 0.5% 첨가구에서 가장 높게 나타났다. IL-<TEX>$1{\beta}$</TEX> mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장 상단에서는 벤조산 0.5%와 항생제 처리구에서, 소장중부에서는 벤조산 0.3%와 0.5% 처리구에서, 말단부위에서는 벤조산 0.3% 처리구에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 낮게 나타났다. IL-6 mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장중부에서는 벤조산 0.5% 처리구에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 낮게 나타났다. TNF-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX> mRNA 유전자 발현 수준은 소장 중단에서 벤조산 0.5%와 항생제 처리구에서 대조구 보다 낮게 나타났다. 본 실험을 통하여, 자돈 사료 내 benzoic acid 0.5% 첨가는 뇨의 pH 감소와 장내 유익 미생물 균총 수 조절 및 소장 내 면역체계 반응에 긍정적인 영향을 미치므로 자돈 건강을 향상 할 수 있으리라 사료된다. We evaluated the effect of dietary supplements with benzoic acid on intestinal beneficial bacteria concentration and immune response of weaning pigs. Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% or control diet for 35 days resulted in a higher Lactobacillus casei concentration in the cecum. Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% increased concentration of L. plantarum in the cecum. Pigs with the control diet and 0.5% benzoic acid had significantly increased concentration of B. subtillis in the cecum compared to the antibiotic group, while the concentration of B. subtillis in the rectum increased in pigs given 0.3 and 0.5% benzoic acid (p<0.05). Compared with the control group, the level of interleukin-<TEX>$1{\beta}$</TEX> mRNA showed a significant decrease in the proximal small intestine in pigs fed diets supplemented with benzoic acid at 0.5% or antibiotic. Feeding 0.5% benzoic acid resulted in a marked reduction in the expression of IL-6 mRNA in the middle small intestine (p<0.05). Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% or antibiotic resulted in a lower level of tumor necrosis factor-mRNA in the middle intestine. Up to 0.5% benzoic acid may be included in weaning diets for improvement of intestinal beneficial bacteria, thus modulating genes of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gastrointestinal tract.

A Study on Anchoring Ability of Three-Leg Micro Intestinal Robot

This paper proposes an anchoring and extending micro intestinal robot for medical inspection and surgery propose. The three-leg anchoring method is discussed in detail, and micro robot phantom model is used to test anchoring related parameters for mechanical design. A prototype is designed and fabricated base on the experiment results and is tested in in-vitro experiment. The prototype is locomotive in a pig small intestine under a diameter limitation.

Surface Deformation Analysis of End-to-End Stapled Intestinal Anastomosis

Stapling devices for creating anastomosis in internal organs are commonly used during surgery. Despite the obvious advantages of shortened procedure duration and fewer complications to manual suturing, staple-line leakage during intestinal anastomosis likely relates to the interaction between the staples and the tissue and to the tissue mechanical properties. The authors studied the deformation pattern close to the anastomosis to learn more about the mechanism involved in leakage. End-to-end anastomosis in pig small intestine was done using 21-mm circular staplers. Distension with pressure up to 100 cm H2O was done on the anastomosed segment. Surface markers were tracked using a microscope and a CCD camera. Circumferential and longitudinal strains were computed. The staples restricted the deformation both in circumferential and longitudinal directions and induced a heterogeneous strain distribution. Circumferential strains were bigger between the staples (range 0.5-1) than inside the staples (range 0-0.3). The longitudinal strain ranged from 0 to slightly negative between the staples, indicating longitudinal compression. The negative strains turned into positive strains with increasing distance from the anastomosis. Further away from the anastomosis the longitudinal strain was in the range 0.3 to 0.5. The surface strain field was heterogeneously close to the stapled anastomosis. The longitudinal compression between staples in the longitudinal direction during inflation may have a beneficial effect preventing leakage, a phenomenon that needs further studies. The method may be useful in the design and validation of new staplers.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 modulates neurally evoked mucosal chloride secretion in guinea pig small intestine in vitro

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) acts at the G protein-coupled receptor, GLP-1R, to stimulate secretion of insulin and to inhibit secretion of glucagon and gastric acid. Involvement in mucosal secretory physiology has received negligible attention. We aimed to study involvement of GLP-1 in mucosal chloride secretion in the small intestine. Ussing chamber methods, in concert with transmural electrical field stimulation (EFS), were used to study actions on neurogenic chloride secretion. ELISA was used to study GLP-1R effects on neural release of acetylcholine (ACh). Intramural localization of GLP-1R was assessed with immunohistochemistry. Application of GLP-1 to serosal or mucosal sides of flat-sheet preparations in Ussing chambers did not change baseline short-circuit current (I(sc)), which served as a marker for chloride secretion. Transmural EFS evoked neurally mediated biphasic increases in I(sc) that had an initial spike-like rising phase followed by a sustained plateau-like phase. Blockade of the EFS-evoked responses by tetrodotoxin indicated that the responses were neurally mediated. Application of GLP-1 reduced the EFS-evoked biphasic responses in a concentration-dependent manner. The GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin-(9-39) suppressed this action of GLP-1. The GLP-1 inhibitory action on EFS-evoked responses persisted in the presence of nicotinic or vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists but not in the presence of a muscarinic receptor antagonist. GLP-1 significantly reduced EFS-evoked ACh release. In the submucosal plexus, GLP-1R immunoreactivity (IR) was expressed by choline acetyltransferase-IR neurons, neuropeptide Y-IR neurons, somatostatin-IR neurons, and vasoactive intestinal peptide-IR neurons. Our results suggest that GLP-1R is expressed in guinea pig submucosal neurons and that its activation leads to a decrease in neurally evoked chloride secretion by suppressing release of ACh at neuroepithelial junctions in the enteric neural networks that control secretomotor functions.

Regulating effects and mechanisms of Chinese medicine decoction on growth and gut hormone expression in heat stressed pigs

Exposure to high temperatures during the summer renders pigs susceptible to severe heat stress. Our previous studies found that pig small intestine epithelial tissue became significantly damaged following exposure to heat stress, negatively affecting body weight gain. The deleterious effects of heat stress could be ameliorated using a traditional Chinese medicine decoction (CMD), sustaining normal growth while under heat stress. In the current study, we hypothesized the mechanism of CMD activity to be via regulation of gut hormones (NPY, MLN, SCT and GCG) secretion from endocrine cells, which are responsible for nutrient digestion and absorption. To test this, 36 Chinese experimental mini-pigs (2 months of age) were screened according to weight and litter origin, and divided into three treatment groups: control (23 °C for 24 h + standard feed), heat stress (HS; 26 °C for 19 h, 40 °C for 5 h + standard feed) and CMD (26 °C for 19 h, 40 °C for 5 h + standard feed supplemented with CMD); n = 12 per group. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured daily. Pigs were euthanized at days 1 and 6 after initial treatment with blood and sections of small intestine epithelial tissue collected. Serum cortisol (Cor) concentrations were determined using RIA. Endocrine cell number and structural analysis were performed using silver staining, and gut hormone secretion examined by microarray. Dietary supplementation with CMD significantly improved porcine growth performance ( P < 0.05), decreased the Cor levels ( P < 0.01), increased endocrine cell number as well as up-regulating neuropeptide Y (NPY), motilin (MLN) and secretin (SCT) and down-regulating glucagon (GCG) expression in pig jejunum on day 6 when compared with the HS group. Taken together, our results indicate CMD supplementation can significantly reduce the negative effects of heat stress on pig jejunum, maintaining growth performance similar to non-heat stressed animals. CMD's activity appears to be via adjusting gut hormone secretion to regulate metabolism and improve animal growth.

Regulatory role for l-arginine in the utilization of amino acids by pig small-intestinal bacteria

We recently reported that bacteria from the pig small intestine rapidly utilize and metabolize amino acids (AA). This study investigated the effect of L-arginine on the utilization of AA by pure bacterial strains (Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp.) and mixed bacterial cultures derived from the pig small intestine. Bacteria were incubated at 37°C for 3 h in anaerobic AA media containing 0-5 mmol/L of arginine to determine the effect of arginine on the bacterial utilization of AA. Amino acids in the medium plus cell extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results indicated concentration-dependent increases in the bacterial utilization of arginine and altered fluxes of arginine into ornithine and citrulline in the bacteria. Net glutamine utilization increased in pure bacterial strains with increased concentrations of arginine. With the addition of arginine, net utilization of threonine, glycine, phenylalanine and branched-chain AA increased (P<0.05) in Streptococcus sp. and Klebsiella sp., but decreased in E. coli. Net utilization of lysine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, glycine and alanine by jejunal or ileal mixed bacteria decreased (P<0.05) with the addition of arginine. Complete utilization of asparagine, aspartate and serine were observed in pig small-intestinal bacteria after 3 h of incubation. Overall, the addition of arginine affected the metabolism of the arginine-family of AA and the serine- and aspartate-family of AA in small-intestinal bacteria and reduced the utilization of most AA in ileal mixed bacteria. These novel findings indicate that arginine exerts its beneficial effects on swine nutrition partially by regulating AA utilization and metabolism in the small-intestinal microbiota.

Four Chinese herbal extracts prevent damage effects of heat stress in the pig small intestine via EGF/EGFR and ERK1/2 signaling pathways

Four Chinese herbal extracts prevent damage effects of heat stress in the pig small intestine via EGF/EGFR and ERK1/2 signaling pathways

The presence of inositol phosphates in gastric pig digesta is affected by time after feeding a nonfermented or fermented liquid wheat- and barley-based diet1

The objective was to quantify the retention of digesta and evaluate the degradation of phytate or inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6)) and lower inositol phosphates (InsP₅, InsP₄, InsP₃, and InsP₂) in the stomach at different times after feeding pigs a fermented liquid diet with microbial phytase or a nonfermented diet with or without microbial phytase. Six barrows fitted with gastric cannulas were used. The experiment was a 3 × 3 Latin square with 3 pigs fed 3 diets during 3 wk in 2 replicates. Each experimental period lasted for 7 d, comprising 3 d of adaptation and 4 d of total collection of gastric digesta. For each pig, the digesta was collected once daily at 1, 2, 3, or 5 h after feeding the morning meal. A basal wheat- and barley-based diet was steam-pelleted at 90°C. The dietary treatments were a nonfermented basal diet (NF-BD), the NF-BD with microbial phytase (750 phytase units of phytase/kg, as-fed basis; NF-BD + phytase), and the NF-BD + phytase fermented for 17.5 h (F-BD + phytase). Gastric InsP₆-P was not detected at all in pigs fed F-BD + phytase because of complete InsP₆ degradation during fermentation of the feed before feeding. Gastric InsP₆-P decreased over time (P < 0.05) in pigs fed NF-BD and NF-BD + phytase. The decreases were 45, 54, 56, and 61 percentage points greater at 1, 2, 3, and 5 h, respectively, in pigs fed NF-BD + phytase compared with NF-BD. However, substantial amounts of InsP₆ still passed into the small intestine in pigs fed NF-BD + phytase, especially within the first hour (estimated to 17% of InsP₆-P intake). The accumulation of lower inositol phosphates in gastric digesta was very small for all treatments and at all times because of a rapid and almost complete degradation. In conclusion, phytase addition to the nonfermented diet increased the degradation of gastric InsP₆. However, considerable amounts of intact InsP₆ still passed into the small intestine because of a shortage of time for InsP₆ degradation in the stomach. Therefore, to increase the apparent digestibility of plant P in dry wheat- and barley-based diets, the development of phytases that can degrade InsP₆ effectively immediately after ingestion of the feed at an initial gastric pH from 6.5 to 5.0 is needed. Feeding F-BD + phytase compensated for the shortage of time because the InsP₆ degradation was completed during fermentation before feeding. The degradation of InsP₆ to InsP₅ is the bottleneck for plant P utilization in pigs because the degradation of the lower inositol phosphates is rapid and almost complete.

Lubiprostone Facilitates Cholinergic Neurogenic Mucosal Secretion in Guinea Pig and Human Small Intestine

Lubiprostone Facilitates Cholinergic Neurogenic Mucosal Secretion in Guinea Pig and Human Small Intestine

Metabolism of select amino acids in bacteria from the pig small intestine

This study investigated the metabolism of select amino acids (AA) in bacterial strains (Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp.) and mixed bacterial cultures derived from the jejunum and ileum of pigs. Cells were incubated at 37°C for 3 h in anaerobic media containing 0.5-5 mM select AA plus [U-14C]-labeled tracers to determine their decarboxylation and incorporation into bacterial protein. Results showed that all types of bacteria rapidly utilized glutamine, lysine, arginine and threonine. However, rates of the utilization of AA by pure cultures of E. coli and Klebsiella sp. were greater than those for mixed bacterial cultures or Streptococcus sp. The oxidation of lysine, threonine and arginine accounted for 10% of their utilization in these pure bacterial cultures, but values were either higher or lower in mixed bacterial cultures depending on AA, bacterial species and the gut segment (e.g., 15% for lysine in jejunal and ileal mixed bacteria; 5.5 and 0.3% for threonine in jejunal mixed bacteria and ileal mixed bacteria, respectively; and 20% for arginine in ileal mixed bacteria). Percentages of AA used for bacterial protein synthesis were 50-70% for leucine, 25% for threonine, proline and methionine, 15% for lysine and arginine and 10% for glutamine. These results indicate diverse metabolism of AA in small-intestinal bacteria in a species- and gut compartment-dependent manner. This diversity may contribute to AA homeostasis in the gut. The findings have important implications for both animal and human nutrition, as well as their health and well-beings.

Lysozyme transgenic goats’ milk positively impacts intestinal cytokine expression and morphology

In addition to its well-recognized antimicrobial properties, lysozyme can also modulate the inflammatory response. This ability may be particularly important in the gastrointestinal tract where inappropriate inflammatory reactions can damage the intestinal epithelium, leading to significant health problems. The consumption of milk from transgenic goats producing human lysozyme (hLZ) in their milk therefore has the potential to positively impact intestinal health. In order to investigate the effect of hLZ-containing milk on the inflammatory response, young pigs were fed pasteurized milk from hLZ or non-transgenic control goats and quantitative real-time PCR was performed to assess local expression of TNF-α, IL-8, and TGF-β1 in the small intestine. Histological changes were also investigated, specifically looking at villi width, length, crypt depth, and lamina propria thickness along with cell counts for intraepithelial lymphocytes and goblet cells. Significantly higher expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 was seen in the ileum of pigs fed pasteurized milk containing hLZ (P = 0.0478), along with an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.0255), and decrease in lamina propria thickness in the duodenum (P = 0.0001). Based on these results we conclude that consuming pasteurized milk containing hLZ does not induce an inflammatory response and improves the health of the small intestine in pigs.

Antigen‐binding specificity of anti‐αGal reagents determined by solid‐phase glycolipid‐binding assays. A complete lack of αGal glycolipid reactivity in α1,3GalT‐KO pig small intestine

αGal-specific lectins, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (Abs) are widely used in xenotransplantation research. Immunological assays such as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, Western blot and thin layer chromatography are often the only applicable characterization procedures when limited amount of tissue is available and biochemical characterization is impossible. Hence, detailed knowledge of the Ab/lectin carbohydrate-binding specificity is essential. The binding specificity of human blood group AB serum, three different affinity-purified human polyclonal anti-Gal Ab batches, and two anti-Gal mAb clones (TH5 and 15.101) as well as Griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4 and Marasmius oreades agglutinin were examined for reactivity with glycolipid fractions isolated from human and pig (wild-type and α1,3GalT-KO) tissues using thin layer chromatogram and microtiter well binding assays. All anti-Gal-specific reagents reacted with the pentaglycosylceramide Galα1,3nLc4, and several 6-12 sugar compounds in wild-type pig kidneys. However, their staining intensity with different αGal antigens varied considerably. Some, but not all, anti-Gal reagents cross-reacted with a pure iGb3 glycolipid reference compound. No reactivity with glycolipids isolated from α1,3GalT-KO pig small intestine or human tissues was found, confirming the specificity of the anti-Gal reagents in those tissues for α1,3Gal-epitopes produced by the α1,3GalT (GGTA1). Different anti-Gal reagents vary in their carbohydrate epitope specificity. Mono-/polyclonal Abs and lectins have different carbohydrate epitope fine specificity toward pig glycolipids as well as purified Galα1,3nLc4, and iGb3. Despite the difference in αGal specificity, all reagents were completely non-reactive with glycolipids isolated from α1,3GalT-KO pig small intestine.