Administration of Saccharomyces boulardii mafic-1701 improves feed conversion ratio, promotes antioxidant capacity, alleviates intestinal inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in weaned piglets

Abstract

Background: Probiotics are used as a means to improve animal health and intestinal development. Saccharomyces boulardii is a well-known probiotic; however, few studies have examined the effects of S. boulardii on weaned piglet performance. Therefore, this 28-day study compared the effects of S. boulardii mafic-1701 and aureomycin in diets for weaned piglets on growth performance, antioxidant parameters, inflammation and intestinal microbiota. One hundred and eight piglets, weaned at 28 d of age (8.5 ± 1.1 kg), were randomly divided into the three dietary treatment groups with six pens and six piglets per pen (half male and half female). The dietary treatment groups were as follows: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) basal diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg aureomycin (ANT); (3) basal diet supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/kg S. boulardii mafic-1701 (SB).Results: Compared to CON group, SB group had higher feed efficiency (P < 0.05) in the last 14 days and lower diarrhea rate (P < 0.05) over the entire 28 days. Total superoxide dismutase in serum was markedly increased in SB group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with CON group, SB group decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (P < 0.01) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05) in jejunum. Supplementation of S. boulardii mafic-1701 increased the abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG_009 and Turicibacter (P < 0.05), whereas the abundance of unclassified_Clostridiaceae_4 was decreased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, S. boulardii mafic-1701 administration increased cecal concentration of microbial metabolites, isobutyrate and valerate (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The improvement in feed conversion ratio, reduction in diarrhea rate in weaned piglets provided diets supplemented with S. boulardii mafic-1701 may be associated with enhanced antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory responses and improved intestinal microbial ecology.

Wickerhamomyces anomalus relieves weaning diarrhea via improving gut microbiota and redox homeostasis using a piglet model

“…18,19 The application of yeast in livestock demonstrates that it could improve the growth performance and health of broilers and piglets as an effective feed additive. 20,21 Unfortunately, research on the effects of W. anomalus as a type of yeast on weaned piglets is lacking. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with W. anomalus 13611 on the health and gut microbiota of weaned piglets.…”

“…This implies that W. anomalus 13611 may have positive effects on piglet health by lowering inflammation, and its mechanism of action may involve the activation of local mucosal protection and regulation of antioxidant and immunological responses. 20…”

“…This implies that W. anomalus 13611 may have positive effects on piglet health by lowering inflammation, and its mechanism of action may involve the activation of local mucosal protection and regulation of antioxidant and immunological responses. 20 The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in enhancing the gut health and performance of pigs, 41 which is involved in nutrient digestion and absorption, regulation of the intestinal immune system, 42 and protection from infection by pathogens. 43 However, due to the immature gut microbiota of weaned pigs, weaning stress could readily disturb the dynamic balance of the gut microbiota.…”

The replacement of bacitracin methylene disalicylate with Bacillus subtilis PB6 in the diet of male Cherry Valley Ducks reduces the feed conversion ratio by improving intestinal health and modulating gut microbiota

“…And the composition of microbes is easily influenced by dietary energy level, ingredients, and powder or granular form. Accordingly, oral administration of probiotics has become a common approach for regulating the delicate balance between host and microbes ( Zhang et al, 2020b ).…”