BackgroundThe present study compared the effects of soybean meal fermented by three different probiotics organisms with non-fermented soybean meal on growth performance, serum parameters, immune chemistry and intestinal morphology in weaned piglets.MethodsOne hundred and forty-four 35-day old crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets were randomly allocated into four different dietary treatments (n = 36 per group) containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% fermented soybean meal.ResultsThe piglets fed fermented soybean meal showed an increase (p < 0.05) in average daily weight gain and a reduction in feed consumption (p < 0.05).The piglets fed 10 and 15% fermented soybean meal showed the greatest growth improvement with higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and total serum proteins. Serum urea nitrogen in the experimental group was significantly lower than control whereas serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were all significantly higher. Moreover, villus height in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the crypt depth was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The levels of the autophagy factor LC3B in piglets showed a downward trend in the jejunum and ileum compared to control.ConclusionsFermented soybean meal could significantly improve the growth, immune function and intestinal health in weaned piglets, and the best effective benefits showed in 10% FSBM group.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-017-0809-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

No abstract

Background:Klebsiella pneumonia has emerged as a critical pathogen causing severe clinical problems, such as pneumonia and sepsis. Meanwhile, intensified drug resistance induced by antibiotic therapy necessitates discovering novel and active molecules from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treatment.Methods and results: In this study, the isolated Bergenin monohydrate showed an anti-inflammatory effect in Klebsiella-infected mice. We initially investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and cytoprotection against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, a specific dose of Bm can effectively ameliorate lung injury and suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and PEG2. Moreover, Bm was also shown to reduced the levels of MPO, MDA and increased SOD and GSH activities. Moreover, we assessed the intracellular signaling molecules including p38, ERK, JNK, IκB, NF-κB-p65 by western blotting and verified through MAPK and NF-κB pathways inhibition experiments. These results reveal that Bm executed its effects via the classical MAPK signaling pathway and NF-κB pathway.Conclusion: Given its underlying anti-inflammatory effect, Bm may be used as a promising therapeutic against Klebsiella-induced infection, thus providing a benefit for the future clinical therapy of pneumonia and medicine design.

Background The aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza, which was considered to be the waste part and discarded during the root harvest, is rich in protocatechuic aldehyde (PAI). This study investigated the health-promoting effects of extracts and PAI from the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza, including its anti-inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of action in vitro and in vivo. Method Purification of the sample paste of Salvia miltiorrhiza was accomplished using HPLC analysis. TheMTT (Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay was employed to determine the cell viability. The production of inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA assays. The histopathological analysis was used to analyse the lungs and livers of mice treated with PAI. Western blot was performed to reveal the mechanism of PAI in anti-inflammatory. Results The extracts and PAI from the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza inhibited TNF-α, IL-6 production and promoted the production of IL-10 in vivo in mice and in vitro in the macrophage cell line RAW264.7. NF-κB and MAPKs kinase phosphorylation were also suppressed by PAI in vivo and in vitro, indicating that PAI exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusion These findings suggest that the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract may serve as potential protective agents for inflammatory.

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03090-4.