Fatty acids,inflammation and intestinal health in pigs

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 cel ular 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, especial y under inflammatory conditions.     

短链脂肪酸介导的宿主肠道免疫调控机制

肠道是营养素、微生物群和宿主进行免疫反应的共享场所。肠道稳态失衡、免疫功能失调、环境因素等都可能引发疾病,肠道微生物群是控制机体健康肠道内环境平衡的一个重要因素。短链脂肪酸(SCFAs)主要由细菌发酵产生,是肠道微生物群及宿主肠上皮细胞(IECs)的重要能量来源,能够维持肠道酸碱平衡,抑制有害病原菌生长,调节宿主肠道免疫,降低炎症反应。SCFAs不仅在共生细菌聚居的肠道内起局部作用,而且还影响肠道免疫细胞,调节免疫反应。本文主要概述了SCFAs通过G蛋白偶联受体(GPCRs)激活途径、组蛋白脱乙酰化酶(HDAC)抑制作用改变代谢状态,并将代谢途径与表观遗传修饰联系起来引起宿主免疫应答,降低肠道炎症反应并增强肠道屏障功能。     

日粮膳食纤维与猪肠道健康调控

日粮纤维目前基本认定为第七大营养素,在猪体内中虽然消化率不高,甚至会影响其他营养素消化吸收,但能发酵产生短链脂肪酸,具有改善肠道微生物环境、调控母猪生理行为、调控猪肠道健康等作用。文章综述了日粮纤维在猪体内的营养特性和对肠道的调控作用,为日粮纤维在猪生产中的应用提供参考。     

短链脂肪酸介导的肠上皮和抗炎调节研究进展

哺乳动物体中的肠道菌群是细菌生态系统的组成部分,从动物出生时起,这些微生物就对免疫系统的发育、功能和调节起着非常重要的作用。当前,越来越多的研究集中在微生物对宿主细胞代谢的影响上。短链脂肪酸(SCFA)作为肠道菌群的一种代谢产物,对肠道稳态的维持具有重要作用。SCFA是肠道上皮细胞的重要燃料,能增强肠屏障功能。作为信号分子,SCFA可以通过细胞表面G蛋白偶联受体(GPCR)发出信号,从而激活控制免疫功能的信号级联反应;还可以通过底物转运蛋白进入细胞,抑制组蛋白脱乙酰化酶(HDAC),最终达到降低肠道炎症反应。本文综述了微生物SCFA的产生及其对肠道黏膜的影响,并通过激活细胞表面GPCR以及抑制组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDACs)来调节免疫反应的作用。     

猪营养与肠道健康

肠道不仅在消化吸收营养物质过程中发挥着重要作用,而且是机体的重要免疫屏障,肠道健康水平决定着动物的健康状况。肠道结构的完整性和功能的正常发挥均需要通过获取各种营养物质来维持,因此,日粮中各种营养成分对肠道健康十分重要。本文综述了近年关于猪肠道营养成分对肠道健康影响的研究进展。     

Carbohydrates effects on nutrition and health functions in pigs

The greatest improvement in carbohydrates studies on pig nutrition and health is that carbohydrates are classified more clearly, which is based not only on their chemical structure but also on their physiological characteristics. Besides its primary energy source, different types and structures of carbohydrates are a benefit for nutrition and health functions in pigs, which are involved in promoting growth performance and intestinal functions, regulating the community of gut microbiota, and modulating the lipids and glucose metabolism. The underlying mechanism of carbohydrates regulates the lipids and glucose metabolism through their metabolites (short-chain fatty acids [SCFAs]) and mainly via the SCFAs-GPR43/41-PYY/GLP1, SCFAs-AMP/ATP-AMPK, and SCFAs-AMPK-G6Pase/PEPCK pathways. Emerging research had evaluated an optimal combination in different types and structures of carbohydrates, which could enhance growth performance and nutrient digestibility, promote intestinal functions, and increase the abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria in pigs. Overall, compelling evidence supports the notion that carbohydrates play important roles in both nutrition and health functions in pigs. Moreover, identifying the carbohydrates combinations will be of both theoretical and practical values for developing the technology of carbohydrates balance in pigs.     

短链脂肪酸在生猪产业的研究与应用

短链脂肪酸是肠道微生物发酵产物,其对机体健康的影响已被广泛研究。本文就短链脂肪酸在国内外的研究进展,综述了其对猪肠道健康和代谢健康的有益影响以及在生猪养殖中的应用,旨在为新型饲料添加剂的开发与利用提供应用和理论依据。     

Regulation of intestinal health by branched‐chain amino acids

Besides its primary role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the intestine also interacts with a complex external milieu, and is the first defense line against noxious pathogens and antigens. Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier is associated with enhanced intestinal permeability and development of various gastrointestinal diseases. The branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) are important nutrients, which are the essential substrates for protein biosynthesis. Recently, emerging evidence showed that BCAAs are involved in maintaining intestinal barrier function. It has been reported that dietary supplementation with BCAAs promotes intestinal development, enhances enterocyte proliferation, increases intestinal absorption of amino acids (AA) and glucose, and improves the immune defenses of piglets. The underlying mechanism of these effects is mediated by regulating expression of genes and proteins associate with various signaling pathways. In addition, BCAAs promote the production of beneficial bacteria in the intestine of mice. Compelling evidence supports the notion that BCAAs play important roles in both nutrition and intestinal health. Therefore, as functional amino acids with various physiological effects, BCAAs hold key roles in promoting intestinal development and health in animals and humans.     

不同纤维源日粮对猪肠道菌群影响的研究进展

猪只日粮中添加纤维会在一定程度上降低营养物质的吸收效率,但是饲粮纤维可在猪只肠道后端进行一定程度的发酵,并产生大量的挥发性脂肪酸,具备了一定的营养作用。同时,也因此而降低猪只肠道pH,影响肠道菌群丰度及菌群结构。通过改变纤维日粮的组成来影响肠道中的菌群,发挥肠道上皮屏障功能,并且通过调节肠道微生物的组成来维持肠道微生物生态的稳定,是猪只肠道健康的关键控制点。肠道菌群与宿主相互协同,构成了肠道微生态系统,能够促进猪只对营养物质吸收利用。文章综述了不同纤维源日粮对猪只肠道菌群的影响,为养猪生产实践中应用不同纤维源提供一定理论依据。     

SIGIRR对IL-1R/TLRs信号通路的负性调控作用研究进展

单免疫球蛋白白介素1受体相关蛋白（SIGIRR）是TIR超家族成员,最新研究表明它可负性调节IL-1R/TLRs受体介导的固有免疫应答,且在感染性疾病、肿瘤及自体免疫病诱导的炎症反应调节上所起的重要作用已经被阐明。作者主要综述了SIGIRR基因和蛋白表达模式在人、小鼠、牛等物种间的差异性,因其结构特异性所具有的对IL-1R/TLRs炎性信号通路的负性调控和具体的调控机理,以及在不同炎性相关疾病的发生和发展中抑制炎性反应的机制,进而为临床的炎性相关疾病治疗提供理论借鉴,同时也拓宽了SIGIRR基因在动物疾病治疗中的应用范围。     

Research Progress on the Negative Regulatory Function of SIGIRR to IL-1R/TLRs Signal Pathway

Single immunoglobulin IL-1 related receptor (SIGIRR) is a member of TIR superfamily.Recent evidences suggested that it could negatively modulate ILRs/TLRs-mediated innate immune response,and in particular its important role focused from infectious and intestinal inflammation to autoimmunity or cancer-related inflammation had been illuminated.Here,we summarized our current understanding of the expression patterns of SIGIRR gene and protein in different specises including human,mouse and bovine,its downregulate function of the IL-1/TLRs singal pathway and specific negative regulation mechanism ascribed to its structure specificity,and also its elaborate regulating process related to the occurrence and development of different pathogen condition.And then it can not only provide theoretical references for clinical inflammatory related disease,but also broaden the application scope of SIGIRR gene in the treatment of animal diseases.     

Nutritional and physiological role of medium-chain triglycerides and medium-chain fatty acids in piglets

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are found at higher levels in milk lipids of many animal species and in the oil fraction of several plants, including coconuts, palm kernels and certain Cuphea species. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and fatty acids are efficiently absorbed and metabolized and are therefore used for piglet nutrition. They may provide instant energy and also have physiological benefits beyond their energetic value contributing to several findings of improved performance in piglet-feeding trials. MCTs are effectively hydrolyzed by gastric and pancreatic lipases in the newborn and suckling young, allowing rapid provision of energy for both enterocytes and intermediary hepatic metabolism. MCFAs affect the composition of the intestinal microbiota and have inhibitory effects on bacterial concentrations in the digesta, mainly on Salmonella and coliforms. However, most studies have been performed in vitro up to now and in vivo data in pigs are still scarce. Effects on the gut-associated and general immune function have been described in several animal species, but they have been less studied in pigs. The addition of up to 8% of a non-esterified MCFA mixture in feed has been described, but due to the sensory properties this can have a negative impact on feed intake. This may be overcome by using MCTs, allowing dietary inclusion rates up to 15%. Feeding sows with diets containing 15% MCTs resulted in a lower mortality of newborns and better development, particularly of underweight piglets. In conclusion, MCFAs and MCTs offer advantages for the improvement of energy supply and performance of piglets and may stabilize the intestinal microbiota, expanding the spectrum of feed additives supporting piglet health in the post-weaning period.     

L-精氨酸对脂多糖刺激断奶仔猪肠黏膜免疫屏障的影响

本试验旨在研究L-精氨酸(L-Arg)对脂多糖(LPS)刺激仔猪肠黏膜免疫的影响。选用24头21日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为4个处理,即对照组(基础日粮)、LPS组(基础日粮+LPS)、0.5%Arg组(基础日粮添加0.5%Arg+LPS)、1.0%Arg组(基础日粮添加1.0%Arg+LPS)。结果表明:LPS刺激损伤小肠黏膜结构;Arg则有效阻止LPS应激导致的肠道损伤,维持肠黏膜结构的完整性;LPS刺激显著增加仔猪小肠肥大细胞数(P<0.01);1.0%Arg则减少肥大细胞数(P<0.05);LPS刺激降低回肠IgA分泌细胞、CD4+、CD8+阳性细胞数(P<0.05),而0.5%Arg则增加IgA分泌细胞、CD4+、CD8+阳性细胞数(P<0.05)。这表明LPS刺激可导致仔猪小肠黏膜结构受损,免疫屏障功能降低,而日粮添加精氨酸可有效阻止LPS对肠黏膜屏障的损伤,促进及改善肠黏膜结构及免疫屏障功能。     

断奶仔猪肠道健康与免疫调控

断奶应激一直是困扰现代养猪业的难题,由于幼龄仔猪消化系统和免疫系统都尚未发育成熟,早期断奶容易造成仔猪胃肠道功能紊乱,诱发仔猪断奶综合征。肠道是断奶仔猪消化食物、吸收营养的主要场所,也是体内最大的免疫器官之一。因此,通过研究仔猪肠道健康,阐明仔猪肠道生理结构及功能的发育规律,分析仔猪断奶前后肠道免疫调控特点,为不同日龄断奶仔猪确定合理的营养对策具有十分重要的意义,文章就近年来国内外仔猪肠道生理及免疫调控的研究进展进行综述。     

Novel metabolic and physiological functions of branched chain amino acids: a review

It is widely known that branched chain amino acids(BCAA) are not only elementary components for building muscle tissue but also participate in increasing protein synthesis in animals and humans. BCAA(isoleucine, leucine and valine) regulate many key signaling pathways, the most classic of which is the activation of the m TOR signaling pathway. This signaling pathway connects many diverse physiological and metabolic roles. Recent years have witnessed many striking developments in determining the novel functions of BCAA including:(1) Insufficient or excessive levels of BCAA in the diet enhances lipolysis.(2) BCAA, especially isoleucine, play a major role in enhancing glucose consumption and utilization by up-regulating intestinal and muscular glucose transporters.(3)Supplementation of leucine in the diet enhances meat quality in finishing pigs.(4) BCAA are beneficial for mammary health, milk quality and embryo growth.(5) BCAA enhance intestinal development, intestinal amino acid transportation and mucin production.(6) BCAA participate in up-regulating innate and adaptive immune responses.In addition, abnormally elevated BCAA levels in the blood(decreased BCAA catabolism) are a good biomarker for the early detection of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This review will provide some insights into these novel metabolic and physiological functions of BCAA.     

Potential Adverse Effects of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids in Dogs and Cats

Fish oil omega‐3 fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, are used in the management of several diseases in companion animal medicine, many of which are inflammatory in nature. This review describes metabolic differences among omega‐3 fatty acids and outlines potential adverse effects that may occur with their supplementation in dogs and cats with a special focus on omega‐3 fatty acids from fish oil. Important potential adverse effects of omega‐3 fatty acid supplementation include altered platelet function, gastrointestinal adverse effects, detrimental effects on wound healing, lipid peroxidation, potential for nutrient excess and toxin exposure, weight gain, altered immune function, effects on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, and nutrient‐drug interactions.     

营养素对水生经济动物免疫机能的影响

优质饲料中的营养素不仅可满足水生经济动物的营养需求,还对其特异性和非特异性免疫反应起到非常重要的作用。本文综述了饲料中各种营养素对水生经济动物免疫系统的作用,详细阐述了维生素、多糖、矿物质、脂类和蛋白质对水生经济动物免疫功能的影响。     

Dietary fatty acids in gut health: Absorption,metabolism and function

In biological responses, fatty acids (FA) are absorbed and metabolized in the form of substrates for energy production. The molecular structures (number of double bonds and chain length) and composition of dietary FA impact digestion, absorption and metabolism, and the biological roles of FA. Recently, increasing evidence indicates that FA are essentially utilized as an energy source and are signaling molecules that exert physiological activity of gut microbiota and immune responses. In addition, FA could serve as natural ligands for orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), also called free fatty acid receptors (FFAR), which intertwine metabolic and immune systems via multiple mechanisms. The present review explores the recent findings on FA absorption and its impact on gut health, particularly addressing the mechanism by which dietary FA potentially influences intestinal microbiota and epithelial functions. Also, this work attempts to uncover research ideas for devising future strategies for manipulating the composition of dietary FA to regulate gut health and support a normal immune system for metabolic and immune disorders.     

Effect of orally administered probiotic E. coli strain Nissle 1917 on intestinal mucosal immune cells of healthy young pigs

Several beneficial effects of probiotics have been described in studies using rodent disease models and in human patients; however, the underlying mechanisms remained mostly unclear. Only a few studies focused on the effects of probiotics on the intestinal mucosal immune system. Here, we studied the effect of the probiotic strain E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) administered orally to young pigs at two concentrations (10(9) and 10(11)CFU/d for 21 days) on the gut-associated lymphatic tissue. This probiotic strain was shown recently to reduce recurrence of inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients. We quantified the number and distribution of intestinal immune cells (granulocytes, mast cells, CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, IgA+ lymphocytes) and the mucosal mRNA expression of cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-10) and antimicrobial peptides (PR-39, NK-lysin, prepro-defensin-beta 1, protegrins). The number and distribution of cells were highly different between small intestinal and colon segments in all groups, but were not influenced by EcN, except high dose EcN fed pigs (10(11) CFU/d) showing an increase in mucosal CD8+ cells in the ascending colon. The mRNA analysis revealed no changes associated with EcN feeding. In conclusion, according to our analyses EcN has only minor effects on the distribution of mucosal immune cells in the gut of healthy individuals. The well-established preventive effects of EcN might therefore be relate to other mechanisms than simple modulation of immune cell distribution.     

Mycotoxins and the intestine

Fungal biochemical pathways can yield various compounds that are not considered to be necessary for their growth and are thus referred to as secondary metabolites. These compounds have been found to have wide ranging biological effects and include potent poisons(mycotoxins). Mycotoxins invariably contaminate crops and(thus) animal feeds. The intestine is the key link between ingested mycotoxins and their detrimental effects on the animal. Effects on the intestine, or intestinal environment, and immune system have been reported with various mycotoxins. These effects are almost certainly occurring across species. Most, if not all, of the reported effects of mycotoxins are negative in terms of intestinal health, for example, decreased intestinal cell viability, reductions in short chain fatty acid(SCFA)concentrations and elimination of beneficial bacteria, increased expression of genes involved in promoting inflammation and counteracting oxidative stress. This challenge to intestinal health will predispose the animal to intestinal(and systemic) infections and impair efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, with the associated effect on animal productivity.