Effects of different forms of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance,intestinal development,and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets

The present study was conducted to determine effects of different forms of yeast （Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain Y200007） on the growth performance, intestinal development, and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets. A total of 96 piglets （14-d old, initial average body weight of 4.5 kg） were assigned to 4 dietary treatments： （1） basa diet without yeast （Control）; （2） basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g/kg live yeast （LY）; （3） basal diet supplemented with 2.66 g/kg heat-killed whole yeast （HKY）; and （4） basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g/kg superfine yeast powders （SFY）. Diets and water were provided ad libitum to the piglets during 3-week experiment. Growth performance of piglets was measured weekly. Samples of blood and small intestine were collected at days 7 and 21 of experiment. Dietary supplementation with LY and SFY improved G：F of piglets at days ]-21 of the experiment （P 〈 0.05） compared to Control group. Serum concentrations of growth hormone （GH）, triiodothyronine （T3）, tetraiodothyronine （T4）, and insulin growth factor 1 （iGF-1） in piglets at day 21 of the experiment were higher when fed diets supplemented with LY and SFY than those in Control group （P 〈 0.05）. Compared to Control group, contents of serum urea nitrogen of piglets were reduced by the 3 yeast-supplemented diets （P 〈 0.05）. Diets supplemented with LY increased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in duodenum and jejunum of piglets （P 〈 0.05） compared to other two groups at day 7 of the experiment. Feeding diets supplemented with LY and SFY increased （P 〈 0.05） serum concentrations of IgA, IL-2, and IL-6 levels in piglets compared to Control. The CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio and proliferation of T-lymphocytes in piglets fed diets supplemented with LY were increased compared to that of Control group at day 7 of the experiment （P 〈 0.05）. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with both LY and SFY enhanced feed conversion, small intestinal development, and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets, with better improvement in feed conversion by dietary supplementation with LY, while dietary supplementation with SFY was more effective in increasing systemic immune functions in early-weaned piglets.

Isoflavone Ameliorates H₂O₂Induced Injury by Activating the Antioxidant System of Sow Mammary Gland Cell

The antioxidant and protective properties of a synthetic soybean isoflavone (ISO) were investigated using sow mammary gland cell. Cells were cultured with 10, 20 and 30 uM ISO, respectively, under 80 uM FeSO4·7H2O/H2O2 conditions. After 48 h of incubation, the cells in the presence of ISO were lost less compared with that of control under oxidative damage by H2O2/FeSO4;ISO decreased the cell number at G1 and G2 stages, increased the cell number at S stage (all P < 0.05), it also reduced apoptosis of the cells (P P P < 0.05). The addition of ISO significantly promoted cell proliferation (P rd to 6th days. Upon these, the activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant ability (T-AOC) also were increased and the activities of NADPH oxidase (NOX) decreased by ISO treatment (all P < 0.05). ISO decreased the concentration of ROS (P P < 0.05). 10 uM, 20 uM, 30 uM ISO increased the relative mRNA abundance of SOD1 (all P P P P < 0.05) and SOD3 (all P < 0.05);ISO significantly increased the relative mRNA abundance of GPX4 (all P P < 0.05), 20 uM ISO also increased the relative mRNA abundance of NOX2 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that supplementation of ISO enhanced the anti-oxidative function and prevented lipid peroxidation, possibly through the activation of the antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of cell apoptosis.

SPOC domain of mint protein induces hematopoietic differentiation via Bmp4/Smad5 pathway

Mint is a newly identified molecule that mediates signal transduction and modulates chromatin repression. Mint family members contain a highly conserved C-terminus SPOC domain (SpenParalog and OrthologsC-terminal domain) commonly associated with proliferation and related diseases (for example: cancer) due to its role in cell differentiation and apoptosis. In this study, we addressed the SPOC function using a tetracycline-inducible system to express the target domain in Ain V15 embryonic ES cells and bone marrow stem cells from SPOC transenic mice. In vitro differentiation of Ain V15 ES cells as a model of early hematopoietic development, we found expression of SPOC domain induces hematopoietic differentiation via up-regulation of transcription factors Bmp4 and Smad5, which induce the expression of hematopoietic factors Eklf1 and hematopoietic proliferation associated factor Gata2, the SPOC domain also plays the regulation function in the differentiation of hematopoitic progenitor by colony forming Unit (CFU) assays. Further, we determined SPOC expression enhances erythrocyte and granulocyte maturationusing bone marrow cells derived from tiSPOC chimeric mice. Finally, we identified that overexpression of full length Mint in ES cells drive Smad5 and Bmp4 up-regulation under culture conditions, and up-regulation of endogenous Mint when induceshematopoitic differentiation of EML, M1 and WT18 cells. In summary, our study reveals the conserved SPOC domain of Mint protein induces differentiation both in the stages of embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Hermetia illucens larvae as a potential dietary protein source altered the microbiota and modulated mucosal immune status in the colon of finishing pigs

Background: Insects, such as Hermetia illucens larvae, are rich in chitin and proteins, and represent a suitable feed ingredient replacement for animals. However, little is known about the effect of administering H. illucens larvae on intestinal microbiota, bacterial metabolite profiles, and mucosal immune status in animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administering H. illucens larvae on colonic microbiota and bacterial metabolites production in finishing pigs. Seventy-two crossbred(Duroc × Landrace × Large White) female pigs(initial body weight, 76.0 ± 0.52 kg) were randomly allocated to three different dietary treatments: a control diet(Control group) and two diets corresponding to 4%(H1 group) and 8%(H2 group) H. illucens larvae inclusion levels, respectively. Each treatment consisted of eight pens(replicates), with three pigs per pen. After 46 days of feeding, eight pigs per treatment(n =8) were slaughtered, and the colonic digesta and mucosa were collected for microbial composition and microbial fermentation products, and genes expression analyses.Results: The results showed that the H1 diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus,Pseudobutyrivibrio, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium compared with those in the control group(P < 0.05), with a decrease in the abundance of Streptococcus. The numbers of Lactobacillus, Roseburia, and Clostridium cluster XIVa were significantly greater in the H1 group than in the control group(P < 0.05). Meanwhile, H2 diet increased the number of Clostridium cluster XIVa compared with the control group(P < 0.05). For colonic metabolites, total short chain fatty acids, butyrate, and isobutyrate concentrations were significantly higher in the H1 group than those in the control group(P < 0.05);the H1 treatment caused a striking decrease in protein fermentation compared with the control group, as the concentrations of total amines, cadaverine, tryptamine, phenol, p-cresol, and skatole were significantly lower(P < 0.05). Additionally, H2 diet also increased butyrate concentration compared with control group(P < 0.05), while decreased the concentrations of phenol, p-cresol, and skatole(P < 0.05). Pigs in the H1 group down-regulated the expression of TLR-4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines(IFN-γ) compared with pigs in the control group(P < 0.05), and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) and intestinal barrier genes(ZO-1, occludin, and mucin-1). H2 diet up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 compared with control group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the changes in the colonic mucosal gene expression were associated with changes in the bacterial composition and their metabolites.Conclusions: Collectively, dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae may enhance mucosal immune homeostasis of pigs via altering bacterial composition and their metabolites. These findings provide a new perspective on insect meal as a sustainable protein source rich in nutrient ingredients for swine.

Different dietary starch sources alter the carcass traits, meat quality, and the profile of muscle amino acid and fatty acid in finishing pigs

Background: With increasing health awareness among consumers, the demand for healthier, tastier, higher quality and nutritional value pork is increasing. It has been shown that different dietary starch sources can alter the carcass traits and meat quality. However, research on the effects of different starch sources with clear different amylose/amylopectin ratio on the amino acid and fatty acid composition in Longissimus thoracis(L. thoracis) muscle of pigs is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary starch sources on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition, and the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism and muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 72 Duroc × Landrace × Large White barrows were randomly allocated to 3 different dietary treatment groups with 8 replicate pens/group and 3 pigs per pen.Tapioca starch(TS), corn starch(CS), and pea starch(PS), with amylose/amylopectin ratio of 0.11, 0.25, and 0.44,respectively, were used as their dietary starch sources for 40 days.Results: Results showed that the PS diet significantly increased(P < 0.05) the final body weight, average daily gain,loin-eye area, and fat-free lean index compared with the TS diet, but significantly decreased(P < 0.05) the feed to gain ratio and backfat thickness. Compared with the TS diet, PS diet also increased(P < 0.05) the pH45 min, marbling scores, the content of intramuscular fat and inosine monophosphate in the L. thoracis, and decreased(P < 0.05) the drip loss and shear force. In addition, compared with the TS diet, PS diet increased(P < 0.05) the proportions of flavor amino acids, DHA, EPA, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) in the L. thoracis compared with TS diet,but decreased(P < 0.05) the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Furthermore, compared with the TS diet, PS diet also upregulated(P < 0.05) the lipogenic genes(FAS, LPL, SCD, ACCα) and myosin heavy-chain(MyHC)-IIa mRNA expression levels compared with the TS diet, but downregulated(P < 0.05) the CPT1 B and MyHC-IIb mRNA levels.Conclusions: In conclusion, these results provided compelling evidence that the different dietary starch source altered the carcass traits, meat flavor and quality in finishing pigs, and consumption of a diet with higher amylose/amylopectin ratio results in the production of a healthy, higher quality, and nutritional value pork.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA)improves intestinal barrier function associated with TGR5-MLCK pathway and the alteration of serum metabolites and gut bacteria in weaned piglets

Background:Tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA),a hydrophilic bile acid,is the main medicinal component of bear bile and is commonly used to treat a variety of hepatobiliary diseases.Meanwhile,TUDCA has been shown to modulate the intestinal barrier function and alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice.However,the effect of TUDCA on the intestinal barrier of weaned piglets remains largely unclear.Methods:The weaned piglets and porcine IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells were used to investigate the effects of TUDCA on intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets and explore the possible underlying mechanisms.In vivo,72 healthy weaned piglets were randomly allocated into 2 groups according to their gender and body weight,and piglets were fed the basal diet with 0(control,CON)and 200 mg/kg TUDCA for 30 d,respectively.Three female and three male piglets reflecting the average bodyweight were slaughtered in each group and samples were collected.In vitro,IPEC-J2 cells were subjected to 100μmol/L TUDCA to explore the possible underlying mechanisms.Results:Our results demonstrated that dietary TUDCA supplementation significantly reduced the diarrhea incidence of weaned piglets,possibly attributing to the TUDCA-enhanced intestinal barrier function and immunity.In addition,TUDCA supplementation altered serum metabolites and the relative abundance of certain gut bacteria,which might contribute to the improved intestinal barrier function.Furthermore,the in-vitro results showed that TUDCA improved the E.coli-induced epithelial barrier impairment of IPEC-J2 cells and increased Takeda G-coupled protein receptor 5(TGR5)protein expression.However,knockdown of TGR5 and inhibition of myosin light chain kinase(MLCK)pathway abolished the TUDCA-improved epithelial barrier impairment in E.coli-treated IPEC-J2 cells,indicating the involvement of TGR5-MLCK in this process.Conclusions:These findings showed that TUDCA improved intestinal barrier function associated with TGR5-MLCK pathway and the alteration of serum metabolites and gut bacteria in weaned piglets,suggesting the potential application of TUDCA in improving gut health in piglet production.

Dietary supplementation with a high dose of daidzein enhances the antioxidant capacity in swine muscle but experts pro-oxidant function in liver and fat tissues

Background： Although isoflavones are natural dietary antioxidants, they may have toxicological effects. This study aimed to evaluate the redox system in tissues of finishing pigs by supplementation with high dose of daidzein（640 mg/kg）.Results： The supplementation of high dose of daidzein for 64 d increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in longissimus muscle but down-regulated the expression of reactive oxygen species（ROS）-producing enzyme NADPH oxidase-2 and cyclooxygenase-2. In contrast, high-level supplementation with daidzein exerted pro-oxidant changes in back fat, abdominal fat, liver, and plasma, as reflected by increased contents of malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation product, in these tissues. Furthermore, daidzein supplementation resulted in higher expression of ROS-producing enzymes, including NADPH oxidase-1 and cyclooxygenase-1in liver, 5-lipoxygenase（5-LOX） in backfat and NADPH oxidase-2 both in abdominal fat and backfat. The supplementation of daidzein did not affect meat quality parameters in longissimus muscle, including marbling score,eye muscle areas, intramuscular fat, shear force, drip loss, p H and meat color.Conclusions： This experiment suggests that dietary supplementation of finishing pigs with daidzein at a high dose level improves redox status in muscle but exerts pro-oxidant effect in liver and fat tissues.

Endometrial Carcinogenesis and Molecular Signaling Pathways

The Endometrial Cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy that starts in the endometrium of women. Carcinogenesis of EC is associated with several critical regulatory molecules, which involve in different signaling pathways. A number of signaling pathways have been identified to be involved in the multiple-step development of EC, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, WNT/β-catenin signal transduction cascades (including APC/β-catenin pathway), MAPK/ERK pathway, VEGF/VEGFR ligand receptor signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, P53/P21 and P16INK4a/pRB signaling pathways. This review mainly focuses on the molecular signaling pathways relevant to human endometrial cancer and discusses those critical capabilities of transforming endometrial cells, including evading apoptosis;enhancing cell proliferation;blocking differentiation;and inducing angiogenesis.

Effects of protein sources and levels in antibiotic-free diets on diarrhea,intestinal morphology, and expression of tight junctions in weaned piglets

This study examined effects of dietary protein sources and levels on intestinal health of 21 to 35 d-old weaned piglets fed antibiotics-free diets. A total of 150 weaned piglets(21 d of age) were allotted to 5 dietary treatment groups. Diets were formulated, based on corn-soybean meal, with different protein sources(fish meal and soy protein concentrate) to provide different dietary CP levels. Piglets within 5 dietary treatments were fed diets as follows, respectively: 1) control diet of 17% CP(control); 2) 19% CP diets formulated with more soy protein concentrate(SPC19); 3) fish meal(FM19); 4) 23.7% CP diets formulated with more soy protein concentrate(SPC23); 5) fish meal(FM23). The results showed that piglets from control group had higher ADG and lower incidence of diarrhea compared with those of other groups(P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea of piglets in FM19 group was lower than those from SPC23 group and FM23 group(P < 0.05). With the higher CP levels, villous height and villous height to crypt depth ratio of piglets in the duodenum and jejunum were decreased(P < 0.05), but crypt depth was increased(P < 0.05). Comparing control group and other groups, we found the expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) were increased(P < 0.05) in the jejunum and colon of piglets, as did cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulators(CFTR) in the distal colon. The relative transcript abundance of Zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) in the jejunum, and occludin in the jejunum and ileum of piglets fed 23.7% CP diets were reduced compared with those fed control diet(P < 0.05). In conclusion, the 17% CP diet without in-feed antibiotics helped improve growth performance and relief of diarrhea of 21 to 35 d-old weaned piglets. Dietary CP level, rather than its source(either fish meal or soy protein concentrate), has more significant impacts on the growth performance and intestinal health of 21 to 35 d-old weaned piglets when fed antibiotics-free diets.

Fecal scores and microbial metabolites in weaned piglets fed different protein sources and levels

This experiment studied the effects of dietary protein sources and levels on the gut health of piglets,p H value,and concentrations of microbial metabolites(ammonia-N,volatile fatty acids [VFA],and polyamines) in the distal colonic and proximal colonic digesta of piglets weaned at 21 d of age.A total of 150 early-weaned piglets were allotted randomly to 5 diets: 1) control diet(CT; 17% CP),2) CT formulated with more soy protein concentrate(SPC19; 19% CP),3) more fish meal(FM19; 19% CP),4) CT formulated with more soy protein concentrate(SPC23; 23% CP),and 5) more fish meal(FM23; 23%CP).Results showed high protein level increased fecal score(P < 0.05),but different protein sources did not(P > 0.05).The p H value and ammonia-N concentration of digesta in the proximal and distal colon of FM23 were significantly higher(P < 0.05) than those of CT.Acetic acid,propionic acid,butyric acid and valeric acid concentrations in the proximal colon of FM23 exceeded those of CT,SPC19,and FM19(P < 0.05);however,isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid were not affected(P > 0.05).Histamine and spermidine concentrations of FM23 were higher than those of other treatments(P < 0.05).Propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in the distal colon were higher of FM23 than of FM19(P < 0.05); putrescine,histamine and spermidine were higher of FM23 than of LP and FM19(P < 0.05).It was concluded that high dietary CP content increased microbial metabolites(ammonia-N,histamine,putrescine) in colonic digesta and aggravated piglets' diarrhea.