Total Short-chain Fatty Acids Research Articles

233 Inclusion of a multispecies fungal feed additive in forage-based diets fed to beef cattle: Effects on growth performance and ruminal fermentation

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effect of adding a multispecies fungal feed additive (MFA; Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae) to forage-based diets fed to beef cattle on growth performance and ruminal fermentation. Experiment 1 evaluated the effect of supplementing Angus × SimAngus-crossbred steers [n = 80; initial body weight (BW) = 370 ± 44 kg] with varying doses of an MFA in a randomized complete block design. Steers were blocked by BW and housed in 8 feedlot pens (randomly assigned 2 pens per treatment) where a hay-based diet was fed for 122 d. The hay-based diet was offered with the inclusion of the MFA at 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08 % of the diet dry matter (DM), or without the inclusion of the MFA (CON). Steers were weighed at 28-d intervals. For experiment 2, ruminally cannulated Angus × SimAngus cows (n = 4; initial BW = 569 ± 21 kg) were used in a crossover design with two 21-d study periods to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of an MFA on in situ digestion and rumen metabolites. Treatments consisted of a forage-based diet with (WFA) or without (CON) the inclusion of the MFA. In situ digestion was evaluated on d 5, 10, and 20 throughout each period. In-situ bags were incubated in the rumen for 0 to 36 h, sampling every 4 h. On d 20, samples of ruminal fluid were collected to analyze short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration. All data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. For experiment 1, a polynomial contrast was used. For experiment 2, the interaction between period and treatment was not significant (P > 0.45). In Experiment 1, the final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) changed cubically (P ≤ 0.04; Table 1) as dietary inclusion of the MFA increased. Steers supplemented with the MFA at a rate of 0.02% of the diet DM were heavier at the end of the 122-d study period and had the greatest ADG and G:F among treatments. No differences between treatments (P ≥ 0.37) were observed for dry matter intake. In Experiment 2, no treatment × time interactions and treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.17; Table 2) for the in-situ disappearance rate and degradation kinetics of the diet DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. In addition, MFA supplementation did not affect (P ≥ 0.13; Table 3) the SCFA profile and the total SCFA content in the rumen fluid. Results from these studies indicate that dietary inclusion of an MFA might be an effective alternative to increase the feed efficiency of beef cattle-fed forage-based diets. However, the precise mode of action warrants further investigations.

Quantifying fecal and plasma short-chain fatty acids in healthy Thai individuals

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are involved in important physiological processes such as gut health and immune response, and changes in SCFA levels can be indicative of disease. Despite the importance of SCFAs in human health and disease, reference values for fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations in healthy individuals are scarce. To address this gap in current knowledge, we developed a simple and reliable derivatization-free GC-TOFMS method for quantifying fecal and plasma SCFAs in healthy individuals. We targeted six linear- and seven branched-SCFAs, obtaining method recoveries of 73-88% and 83-134% in fecal and plasma matrices, respectively. The developed methods are simpler, faster, and more sensitive than previously published methods and are well suited for large-scale studies. Analysis of samples from 157 medically confirmed healthy individuals showed that the total SCFAs in the feces and plasma were 34.1 ± 15.3 µmol/g and 60.0 ± 45.9µM, respectively. In fecal samples, acetic acid (Ace), propionic acid (Pro), and butanoic acid (But) were all significant, collectively accounting for 89% of the total SCFAs, whereas the only major SCFA in plasma samples was Ace, constituting of 93% of the total plasma SCFAs. There were no statistically significant differences in the total fecal and plasma SCFA concentrations between sexes or among age groups. The data revealed, however, a positive correlation for several nutrients, such as carbohydrate, fat, iron from vegetables, and water, to most of the targeted SCFAs. This is the first large-scale study to report SCFA reference intervals in the plasma and feces of healthy individuals, and thereby delivers valuable data for microbiome, metabolomics, and biomarker research.

Polysaccharides of Aspergillus cristatus attenuate obesity by regulating gut microbiota and gut microbiota-related metabolites

Golden-flower fungus, the only dominant microorganism determining the Fu-brick tea quality through fermentation and the important microbe in Liupao tea, is considered a potential probiotic fungus based on its anti-obesity effect. However, the classification of golden-flower fungi is still controversial; the anti-obesity effect of golden-flower fungus polysaccharides remains unknown. In this study, we identify a golden-flower strain as Aspergillus cristatus based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogeny analysis, which resolves the controversy of classification. Moreover, we find A. cristatus polysaccharides (ACPS) attenuate obesity in rats. ACPS modulate gut bacterial composition, in which Akkermansia, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides, Romboutsia, Blautia, and Desulfovibrio are considered the core microbes regulated by ACPS. ACPS increase fecal total short-chain fatty acid content and serum, hepatic, and fecal total bile acid content. Furthermore, ACPS-induced gut microbiota alteration plays a causal role in the protection from obesity, according to a fecal transplantation experiment. Thus, ACPS ameliorate obesity by regulating gut microbiota and gut microbiota-related metabolites.

Characterization and prebiotic potential of polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii Tratt pomace by ultrasound-assisted extraction

In this study, polysaccharides (RRTPs) were extracted from Rosa roxburghii Tratt pomace by hot water or ultrasound (US)-assisted extraction. The structural properties and potential prebiotic functions of RRTPs were investigated. Structural characterization was conducted through HPAEC, HPGPC, GC–MS, FT-IR and SEM. Chemical composition analysis revealed that RRTPs extracted by hot water (RRTP-HW) or US with shorter (RRTP-US-S) or longer duration (RRTP-US-L) all consisted of galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid in various molar ratio. US extraction caused notable reduction in molecular weight of RRTPs but no significant changes in primary structures. Fecal fermentation showed RRTPs could reshape microbial composition toward a healthier balance, leading to a higher production of beneficial metabolites including total short-chain fatty acids, curcumin, noopept, spermidine, 3-feruloylquinic acid and citrulline. More beneficial shifts in bacterial population were observed in RRTP-HW group, while RRTP-US-S had stronger ability to stimulate bacterial short-chain fatty acids production. Additionally, metabolic profiles with the intervention of RRTP-HW, RRTP-US-S or RRTP-US-L were significantly different from each other. The results suggested RRTPs had potential prebiotic effects which could be modified by power US via molecular weight degradation.

Enhancing pig growth and gut health with fermented Jatropha curcas cake: Impacts on microbiota, metabolites, and neurotransmitters

AbstractGiven the escalating global crisis in feed protein availability, Jatropha curcas L. cake has attracted significant interest as a viable alternative protein source in animal feed. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented Jatropha curcas L. cake (FJCC) as a protein feed in the diet of pigs. A total of 96 growing pigs with an average weight of 27.60 ± 1.59 kg were divided into three dietary groups with varying FJCC inclusion levels (0, 2.5, and 5%) for a 28 d trial. Results showed that the diet with 5% FJCC (FJCC5) demonstrated significant improvements in average daily gain (p = 0.009), feed‐to‐gain ratio (p = 0.036), nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology. Furthermore, the FJCC5 diet resulted in a decrease in pH values in different gut sections (jejunum p = 0.045, cecum p = 0.001, colon p = 0.012), and favorably altered the profile of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with increased butyric acid content (p = 0.005) and total SCFAs (p = 0.019). Additionally, this diet notably decreased IL‐6 levels in the jejunum (p = 0.008) and colon (=0.047), significantly reduced IL‐1 levels in the hypothalamus (p < 0.001), and lowered IL‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels in plasma (p < 0.05). Microbiota and metabolite profile analysis revealed an elevated abundance of beneficial microbes (p < 0.05) and key metabolites such as 4‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) (p = 0.003) and serotonin (5‐HT) (p = 0.022), linked to neuroactive ligand‐receptor interaction. Moreover, FJCC5 significantly boosted circulating neurotransmitter levels of 5‐HT (p = 0.006) and GABA (p = 0.002) in plasma and hypothalamus, with corresponding increases in precursor amino acids (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that FJCC, particularly at a 5% inclusion rate, can be an effective substitute for traditional protein sources like soybean meal, offering benefits beyond growth enhancement to gut health and potentially impacting the gut‐brain axis. This research underscores FJCC's potential as a valuable component in sustainable animal nutrition strategies.

The Changes in Fecal Bacterial Communities in Goats Offered Rumen-Protected Fat.

Leizhou goats are famous for their delicious meat but have inferior growth performance. There is little information on rumen-protected fat (RPF) from the Leizhou goat. Hence, we observed the effects of RPF on growth, fecal short-chain fatty acids, and bacteria community with respect to Leizhou goats. Twelve goats (13.34 ± 0.024 kg) were selected and assigned randomly to one of two treatments: (1) a control diet (CON) and (2) 2.4% RPF with a control diet (RPF). The final body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (p < 0.05), and the dry matter intake (DMI): ADG was lower (p < 0.05) in the RPF group than in the CON group. There were no differences in DMI between the CON and RPF groups. The concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were lower (p < 0.05) in the RPF group than in the CON group. The relative abundances of Ruminococcus, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Treponema, norank_f__norank_o__RF39, Eubacterium_siraeum_group, and Ruminococcus_torques_group were lower (p < 0.05) in the RPF group than in the CON group. The relative abundances of Bacteroides, norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014, norank_f__Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Eubacterium_ruminantium_group, norank_f__Oscillospirale-UCG-010, Oscillospiraceae_UCG-002, and Family_XIII_AD3011_group were greater (p < 0.05) in the RPF group than in the CON group. It was concluded that RPF could improve the goats' growth performance by regulating their fecal bacteria communities.

Tomato seed extract promotes health of the gut microbiota and demonstrates a potential new way to valorize tomato waste.

The current effort to valorize waste byproducts to increase sustainability and reduce agricultural loss has stimulated interest in potential utilization of waste components as health-promoting supplements. Tomato seeds are often discarded in tomato pomace, a byproduct of tomato processing, yet these seeds are known to contain an array of compounds with biological activity and prebiotic potential. Here, extract from tomato seeds (TSE), acquired from pomace, was evaluated for their ability to effect changes on the gut microbiota using an ex vivo strategy. The results found that TSE significantly increased levels of the beneficial taxa Bifidobacteriaceae in a donor-independent manner, from a range of 18.6-24.0% to 27.0-51.6% relative abundance following treatment, yet the specific strain of Bifidobacteriaceae enhanced was inter-individually variable. These structural changes corresponded with a significant increase in total short-chain fatty acids, specifically acetate and propionate, from an average of 13.3 to 22.8 mmol/L and 4.6 to 7.4 mmol/L, respectively. Together, these results demonstrated that TSE has prebiotic potential by shaping the gut microbiota in a donor-independent manner that may be beneficial to human health. These findings provide a novel application for TSE harvested from tomato pomace and demonstrate the potential to further valorize tomato waste products.

In Vitro Fermentation Shows Polyphenol and Fiber Blends Have an Additive Beneficial Effect on Gut Microbiota States.

Polyphenols and fermentable fibers have shown favorable effects on gut microbiota composition and metabolic function. However, few studies have investigated whether combining multiple fermentable fibers or polyphenols may have additive beneficial effects on gut microbial states. Here, an in vitro fermentation model, seeded with human stool combined from 30 healthy volunteers, was supplemented with blends of polyphenols (PP), dietary fibers (FB), or their combination (PPFB) to determine influence on gut bacteria growth dynamics and select metabolite changes. PP and FB blends independently led to significant increases in the absolute abundance of select beneficial taxa, namely Ruminococcus bromii, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Dorea spp. Total short-chain fatty acid concentrations, relative to non-supplemented control (F), increased significantly with PPFB and FB supplementation but not PP. Indole and ammonia concentrations decreased with FB and PPFB supplementation but not PP alone while increased antioxidant capacity was only evident with both PP and PPFB supplementation. These findings demonstrated that, while the independent blends displayed selective positive impacts on gut states, the combination of both blends provided an additive effect. The work outlines the potential of mixed substrate blends to elicit a broader positive influence on gut microbial composition and function to build resiliency toward dysbiosis.

Supplementation of Heat-Treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 Changes the Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Healthy Infants.

Imbalance of the gut microbiome and decrease in the number of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria often affect human health by altering intestinal and immune homeostasis. The use of probiotics has been shown to be an attractive method to modulate gut microbiota to prevent or treat intestinal dysbiosis. Likewise, this study aimed to determine whether the oral consumption of heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 (HLp-nF1) induces changes in the gut environment in healthy infants by measuring changes in fecal SCFAs. The study enrolled 43 infants aged under 2 months, with 30 infants in the HLp-nF1 group receiving HLp-nF1 orally (2.5 × 1010 cells/g/pack, daily dose of two packs) for 8 weeks. The fecal samples were collected and the questionnaires were administered at weeks 0 and 8. The concentrations of the total SCFAs, acetate, propionate, and butyrate significantly increased following HLp-nF1 supplementation (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P=0.028, respectively). Supplementation of HLp-nF1 has a positive effect on SCFA production and could be a potentially useful and straightforward method to manipulate SCFA formation.

Effects of dietary energy levels on microorganisms and short-chain fatty acids of rumen and tight junction proteins in Honghe Yellow cattle.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy levels on microorganisms and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) of rumen and the expression of tight junction proteins in Honghe Yellow cattle. A total of fifteen male Honghe Yellow cattle were randomly divided into three treatments (five replicates per treatment), consisting of formulated energy concentrations of 5.90 MJ/kg (high-energy diet, group H), 5.60 MJ/kg (medium-energy diet, group M) and 5.30 MJ/kg (low-energy diet, group L). The results showed that compared with group H, the expression of Claudin-1 in rumen epithelium of groups M and L was increased, but the expression of ZO-1 was decreased (p < 0.05). Moreover, compared with group H, group M down-regulated the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 in the brain (p < 0.05). For rumen bacteria, the dominant phyla included Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, the abundance of Actinobacteriota in groups M and L was significantly increased compared with group H (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Corynebacterium, Eubacterium_nodatum_group and Neisseraceae in groups M and L was significantly decreased compared with group H (p < 0.05). For rumen fungi, the dominant phyla included Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and Neocariastigomycota, the relative abundance of Ascomycetes was significantly higher than that of groups M and L compared with group H (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Neocelimastigaceae and Myceliophthora in groups M and L was significantly reduced compared with group H (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of Claudin-1 in rumen epithelium was significantly positively correlated with Actinobacteriota, Corynebacterium and Neisseriaceae. The expression of ZO-1 in the spinal cord was significantly positively correlated with Myceliophthora. The expression of Occludin in brain was positively correlated with valerate content (p < 0.05). In summary, dietary energy levels affected the rumen microbiota of Honghe Yellow cattle. The expression of Claudin-1 in rumen epithelium and the total SCFAs concentration were increased with decreasing dietary energy levels, but the expression of Claudin-1 in brain and ZO-1 in the spinal cord were reduced with decreasing dietary energy levels. Meanwhile, the rumen microbiota and SCFAs were significantly correlated with the expression of TJP.

Highly crystalline cellulose microparticles from dealginated seaweed waste ameliorate high fat-sugar diet-induced hyperlipidemia in mice by modulating gut microbiota

The effects of seaweed cellulose (SC) on high fat-sugar diet (HFSD)-induced glucolipid metabolism disorders in mice and potential mechanisms were investigated. SC was isolated from dealginated residues of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), with a crystallinity index of 85.51 % and an average particle size of 678.2 nm. Administering SC to C57BL/6 mice at 250 or 500 mg/kg BW/day via intragastric gavage for six weeks apparently inhibited the development of HFSD-induced obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and liver damage. Notably, SC intervention partially restored the structure and composition of the gut microbiota altered by the HFSD, substantially lowering the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and greatly increasing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Oscillospira, Bacteroides and Akkermansia, which contributed to improved short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Supplementing with a higher dose of SC led to more significant increases in total SCFA (67.57 %), acetate (64.56 %), propionate (73.52 %) and butyrate (66.23 %) concentrations in the rectal contents of HFSD-fed mice. The results indicated that highly crystalline SC microparticles could modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis and ameliorate HFSD-induced obesity and related metabolic syndrome in mice. Furthermore, particle size might have crucial impact on the prebiotic effects of cellulose as insoluble dietary fiber.

Dietary crude protein and protein solubility manipulation enhances intestinal nitrogen absorption and mitigates reactive nitrogen emissions through gut microbiota and metabolome reprogramming in sheep

Dietary nutrient manipulation (e.g. protein fractions) could lower the environmental footprints of ruminants, especially reactive nitrogen (N). This study investigated the impacts of dietary soluble protein (SP) levels with decreased crude protein (CP) on intestinal N absorption, hindgut N metabolism, fecal microbiota and metabolites, and their linkage with N metabolism phenotype. Thirty-two male Hu sheep, with an age of six months and an initial BW of 40.37 ± 1.18 kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary groups. The control diet (CON), aligning with NRC standards, maintained a CP content of 16.7% on a dry matter basis. Conversely, the experimental diets (LPA, LPB, and LPC) featured a 10% reduction in CP compared with CON, accompanied by SP adjustments to 21.2%, 25.9%, and 29.4% of CP, respectively. Our results showed that low-protein diets led to significant reductions in the concentrations of plasma creatinine, ammonia, urea N, and fecal total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) (P < 0.05). Notably, LPB and LPC exhibited increased total SCFA and propionate concentrations compared with LPA (P < 0.05). The enrichment of the Prevotella genus in fecal microbiota associated with energy metabolism and amino acid (AA) biosynthesis pathways was evident with SP levels in low-protein diets of approximately 25% to 30%. Moreover, LPB and LPC diets demonstrated a decrease in fecal NH4+-N and NO2--N contents as well as urease activity, compared with CON (P < 0.05). Concomitantly, reductions in fecal glutamic acid dehydrogenase gene (gdh), nitrite reductase gene (nirS), and nitric oxide reductase gene (norB) abundances were observed (P < 0.05), pointing towards a potential reduction in reactive N production at the source. Of significance, the up-regulation of mRNA abundance of AA and peptide transporters in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and the elevated concentration of plasma AA (e.g. arginine, methionine, aspartate, glutamate, etc.) underscored the enhancement of N absorption and N efficiency. In summary, a 10% reduction in CP, coupled with an SP level of approximately 25% to 30%, demonstrated the potential to curtail reactive N emissions through fecal Prevotella enrichment and improve intestinal energy and N utilization efficiency.

Subtherapeutic Kitasamycin Promoted Fat Accumulation in the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

Kitasamycin (KM), a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, has implications for growth performance and residue in animals and humans. This study aimed to explore the effects of different KM doses on intramuscular fat accumulation, cecal microflora, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) using a growing-finishing pig model. Forty-two pigs were divided into three groups: control, subtherapeutic KM (50 mg/kg, KM50), and therapeutic KM (200 mg/kg, KM200) diets over 8 weeks. KM50 led to increased back fat thickness, fat content in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM), and elevated plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels (p < 0.05), supported by upregulated lipid synthesis gene expression (Acc1, Fas, Scd1) (p < 0.05) in the LM. KM50 altered cecal microflora, reducing Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. abundance, while increasing SCFA concentrations (acetic acid, propionic acid, total SCFAs) (p < 0.05). KM200 had minimal effects on intestinal weight and density, with increased apparent digestibility of nutrients. These findings highlight the dose-dependent impact of KM on intramuscular fat deposition. Subtherapeutic KM induced ectopic fat deposition, emphasizing potential risks in disease treatment for humans and animals.

A study on the treatment effects of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide on non-alcoholic fatty liver in mice by modulating gut microbiota.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide (CPP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. The findings demonstrated that CPP improved free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and effectively reduced liver steatosis and epididymal fat weight in NAFLD mice, as well as decreased serum levels of TG, TC, AST, ALT, and LDL-C. Furthermore, CPP exhibited inhibitory effects on the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes FASN and ACC while activating the expression of fatty acid oxidation genes CPT1A and PPARα. Additionally, CPP reversed disturbances in intestinal microbiota composition caused by HFD consumption. CPP decreased the firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased Akkermansia abundance, and elevated levels of total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content specifically butyric acid and acetic acid. Our results concluded that CPP may intervene in the development of NAFLD by regulating of intes-tinal microbiota imbalance and SCFAs production. Our study highlights that CPP has a potential to modulate lipid-related pathways via alterations to gut microbiome composition thereby ex-erting inhibitory effects on obesity and NAFLD development.

Dietary Methionine Restriction Improves Gut Health and Alters the Plasma Metabolomic Profile in Rats by Modulating the Composition of the Gut Microbiota.

Dietary methionine restriction (MetR) offers an integrated set of beneficial health effects, including delaying aging, extending health span, preventing fat accumulation, and reducing oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate whether MetR exerts entero-protective effects by modulating intestinal flora, and the effect of MetR on plasma metabolites in rats. Rats were fed diets containing 0.86% methionine (CON group) and 0.17% methionine (MetR group) for 6 weeks. Several indicators of inflammation, gut microbiota, plasma metabolites, and intestinal barrier function were measured. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the cecal microbiota. The MetR diet reduced the plasma and colonic inflammatory factor levels. The MetR diet significantly improved intestinal barrier function by increasing the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins, such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, claudin-3, and claudin-5. In addition, MetR significantly increased the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by increasing the abundance of SCFAs-producing Erysipclotxichaceae and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and decreasing the abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella. Furthermore, MetR reduced the plasma levels of taurochenodeoxycholate-7-sulfate, taurocholic acid, and tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid. Correlation analysis identified that colonic acetate, total colonic SCFAs, 8-acetylegelolide, collettiside I, 6-methyladenine, and cholic acid glucuronide showed a significant positive correlation with Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance but a significant negative correlation with Escherichia-Shigella and Enterococcus abundance. MetR improved gut health and altered the plasma metabolic profile by regulating the gut microbiota in rats.

Enzymolytic soybean meal-impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity, and intestinal health of weaned piglets.

Enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) enriches free amino acids and small peptides, while mitigating anti-nutritional factors. Substituting soybean meal with ESBM enhances animal performance, though optimal piglet dietary supplementation levels vary. The present study aimed to assess the impact of ESBM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 120 piglets (initial body weight, 7.0 ± 0.4 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 dietary groups, each comprising 5 replicates with 6 piglets per replicate. The control group received the basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed diets containing 2, 4% or 8% ESBM as a replacement for soybean meal over 28 days. Compared with the control group, piglets supplemented with 4% ESBM exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05) in average daily gain and the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and gross energy (p < 0.05), alongside a notable decrease (p < 0.05) in diarrhea incidence. Fed ESBM linearly increased (p < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum of piglets. The levels of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum of piglets increased (p < 0.05) in the 2 and 4% ESBM groups, while diamine oxidase content decreased (p < 0.05) in the 4 and 8% ESBM group. ESBM inclusion also upregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), Catalase (CAT) and claudin-1 mRNA. In terms of cecal fermentation characteristics, ESBM supplementation resulted in a increase (p < 0.05) in valerate content and a linear rise (p < 0.05) in propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids levels, accompanied by a decrease (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of tryptamine and NH3 in cecal digesta. ESBM had no discernible effect on cecal microbial composition. In summary, substitution of soybean meal with ESBM effectively improved the growth performance of piglets by enhancing nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and cecal microbial fermentation characteristics, with the optimal replacement level identified at 4%.

High-resistant starch and low-glutelin content 1 rice benefits gut function in obese patients

The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in human health, yet the impact of high-resistant starch and low-glutelin rice in the gut of obese individuals remains unexplored. In this study, different types of rice, namely japonica rice (control), low-glutelin content 1 rice (Lgc1), high-resistant starch and low-glutelin content 1 rice (HR + Lgc1), and commercially available low-glycemic index rice (LowGI), were utilized as samples to examine their in vitro digestion and fermentation, as well as the impact of HR + Lgc1 on the intestinal microbiota in obese individuals. The findings revealed that HR + Lgc1 rice exhibited lower in vitro digestion rates for starch and protein compared to the other three types. Following 24 h of in vitro fermentation, the total short-chain fatty acid content in HR + Lgc1 was 108.67 mmol/L, which was 60.33, 51.26, and 17.29% that in control, Lgc1, and LowGI, respectively. Moreover, HR + Lgc1 rice displayed an inhibitory effect on the production of harmful branched-chain fatty acid metabolites. Analysis through 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that, after fermentation, HR + Lgc1 significantly enhanced the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides, and Faecalibacterium in the gut, whereas it reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia-shigella. Our findings may contribute to the development of new foods rich in dietary fiber to improve the digestive function of patients with multiple comorbidities.

Solid‐state fermentation pro‐enzymes supplementation benefits growth performance, health, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens fed wheat‐based diet

AbstractWheat as a kind of diet material can be used for broiler production. However, due to non‐starch polysaccharides in wheat, wheat may lead to lower growth performance and worth health. To reverse the negative effect, solid‐state fermentation pro‐enzymes were added. In this experiment, growth performance, intestinal health‐related genes, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and intestinal microbiota were detected to find the effects of wheat meal and combined with enzymes on broiler chickens from 15 to 42 days of age. A total of 432 1‐day‐old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were fed corn‐based diet (CD) for 14 days as the preparation stage of the experiment. Then, they were randomly divided into three groups and fed three different kinds of diets which were corn‐based diet (CD group), wheat‐based diet (WD group), and SFP enzymes supplementation in WD (Enzymes+Wheat‐based diet group). The results showed that compared with broilers in CD group, broilers in WD group had lower weight gain and higher Feed conversion ratio (p &lt; 0.05) during the whole experimental period especially from day 15 to day 21, but there was no significant effect on feed intake (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, SFP enzymes decreased the spleen index (p &lt; 0.05). Wheat also had trends to decrease the expression of ZO‐1 (p = 0.096) and increase the concentrations of acetate (p &lt; 0.05), butyrate (p &lt; 0.05) and total SCFAs (p &lt; 0.05), in which SFP enzymes caused the opposite results except for butyrate, and SFP enzymes even increased the expression of ZO‐1 (p &lt; 0.001) and OCCLUDIN (p = 0.075) and decreased the expression of TNF‐α (p &lt; 0.01). Meanwhile, wheat enhanced the abundances of Barnesiella and Bifidobacterium (p &lt; 0.05) and inhibited the abundances of Flavonifractor, Sellimonas, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group (p &lt; 0.05), and SFP enzymes could reverse the negative effects, and the changes in microbiota could explain the other different parameters. Collectively, wheat results in inflammation and worse growth performance, but SFP enzymes supplementation in WD benefits chickens' growth performance by improving intestinal barrier function, decreasing inflammation, modulating cecal microbiota and SCFAs production.

Chicory root powder included as a prebiotic in different cereal-based diets for dogs: Influences on gut health, metabolic and immunological status

The present experiment was conducted to study the influence of chicory root powder as a prebiotic on gut health, metabolic, and immunological status of dogs fed with different cereal-based diets. Sixteen Labrador dogs, fed either a wheat (WT) or sorghum (SG) based diet, each without (C) or with (P) supplemental chicory root powder at 10 g/kg diet, were divided into four equal groups namely WT-C, WT-P, SG-C and SG-P. The digestibility of DM, OM, and total carbohydrates was significantly (p < 0.05) higher with the SG-C diet than with the other diets. Faecal ammonia was reduced (p = 0.002) in the WT-P group; however, there were no differences (p > 0.05) observed in the faecal pH and contents of lactate, acetate, propionate and total short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The faecal lactobacilli population was higher (p = 0.001) in both the prebiotic-supplemented groups with a similar trend (p = 0.079) for bifidobacteria. Coliform counts were reduced (p = 0.002) in prebiotic-supplemented diets irrespective of cereals. There were significant (p < 0.05) variations in haemoglobin and haematocrit values among the dietary groups. The delayed-type hypersensitivity response to intradermal phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P) was higher (p<0.001) in both the prebiotic-supplemented groups; a similar trend was evident in the humoral immune response measured as antibody response to sheep erythrocytes. The peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations of CD4+ and CD8+ varied with prebiotic supplementation of the sorghum-based diet. Overall, the findings implies that tailoring the dietary composition to include specific cereals may optimize the beneficial effects of prebiotics in supporting canine health.

Association of short-chain fatty acids and the gut microbiome with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from the Henan Rural Cohort

Background and aimsHuman studies about short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the gut microbiome, and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are limited. Here we explored the association between SCFAs and T2DM and the effects of gut microbial diversity on glucose status in rural populations. Methods and resultsWe performed a cross-sectional study from the Henan Rural Cohort and collected stool samples. Gut microbiota composition and faecal SCFA concentrations were measured by 16S rRNA and GC-MS. The population was divided based on the tertiles of SCFAs, and logistic regression models assessed the relationship between SCFAs and T2DM. Generalized linear models tested the interactions between SCFAs and gut microbial diversity on glucose indicators (glucose, HbAlc and insulin). Compared to the lowest tertile of total SCFA, acetate and butyrate, the highest tertile exhibited lower T2DM prevalence, with ORs and 95% CIs of 0.291 (0.085-0.991), 0.160 (0.044-0.574) and 0.171 (0.047-0.620), respectively. Restricted cubic spline demonstrated an approximately inverse S-shaped association. We also noted interactions of the ACE index with the highest tertile of valerate on glucose levels (P-interaction = 0.022) and the Shannon index with the middle tertile of butyrate on insulin levels (P-interaction = 0.034). Genus Prevotella_9 and Odoribacter were inversely correlated with T2DM, and the genus Blautia was positively associated with T2DM. These bacteria are common SCFA-producing members. ConclusionsInverse S-shaped associations between SCFAs (total SCFA, acetate, and butyrate) and T2DM were observed. Valerate and butyrate modify glucose status with increasing gut microbial diversity.