Amylase intrapancreatic infusion delays insulin release during an intravenous glucose tolerance test,proof of acini–islet–acinar interactions

BACKGROUND The possible existence of an acini–islet–acinar(AIA)reflex,involving mutual amylase and insulin interactions,was investigated in the current acute experiment on pigs.AIM To confirm the existence of an AIA reflex and justify the placement of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic components within the same organ.METHODS The study was performed on six pigs under general anesthesia.An intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed,with a bolus infusion of 50%glucose to the jugular vein,while amylase(5000 U/kg)or vehicle intrapancreatic infusions were administered via the pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis artery during 30 min with a 1 mL/min flow rate.RESULTS The amylase infusion to pancreatic arterial circulation inhibited and delayed the insulin release peak which is usually associated with the highest value of blood glucose and is typically observed at 15 min after glucose infusion,for>1 h.The intrapancreatic infusion of the vehicle(saline)did not have any effect on the time frame of insulin release.Infusion of 1%bovine serum albumin changed the insulin release curve dramatically and prolonged the high range of insulin secretion,far beyond the glucose peak.CONCLUSION Intrapancreatic arterial infusion of amylase interrupted the integrated glucose–insulin interactions.This confirms an AIA reflex and justifies placement of the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic components within the same organ.

Feeding Bacillus-based probiotics to gestating and lactating sows is an efficient method for improving immunity,gut functional status and biofilm formation by probiotic bacteria in piglets at weaning

The effects of dietary probiotic supplementation with viable Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens spores on sow performance,immunity,gut functional status and biofilm formation by probiotic bacteria in piglets at weaning were investigated.Ninety-six sows reared in a continuous farrowing system for one full cycle were fed gestation diets during the first 90 d of pregnancy and lactation diets until the end of lactation.The sows were fed a basal diet without probiotics(control;n=48)or a diet supplemented with viable spores(1.1×10^(9)CFU/kg of feed)(probiotic;n=48).At 7 d of age,sucking piglets(n=12/group)were provided prestarter creep feed until weaning at 28 d of age.The piglets in the probiotic group were supplemented with the same probiotic and dosage as their dams.Blood and colostrum collected from sows and ileal tissues collected from piglets on the day of weaning were used for analyses.Probiotics increased the weight of piglets(P=0.077),improved the weaning weight(P=0.039)and increased both the total creep feed consumption(P=0.027)and litter gain(P=0.011).Probiotics also improved the faecal score in the second(P=0.013)week of life.The immunoglobulin G(IgG)concentrations in sow blood at farrowing and the IgM concentrations in piglet blood at weaning were higher in the probiotic group than in the control group(P=0.046).The piglets from the probiotic-treated sows showed a higher IgM concentration in the ileal mucosa(P=0.050)and a lower IgG concentration in the ileal mucosa(P=0.021)compared with the piglets from control sows.The probiotic-treated piglets had a thicker ileal mucosa(P=0.012)due to the presence of longer villi and larger Peyer's patches(P<0.001).B.subtilis and B.amyloliquefaciens were detected in the probiotic-treated piglets but not the control piglets;these bacteria were present in the digesta and villus structures and formed structures resembling biofilms.Overall,Bacillus-based probiotic supplementation improves the health indices of sows and their piglets.