Dietary Supplementation With Xylo-oligosaccharides Modifies the Intestinal Epithelial Morphology, Barrier Function and the Fecal Microbiota Composition and Activity in Weaned Piglets

Abstract

The present study determined the effects of dietary xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) supplementation on the morphology of jejunum and ileum epithelium, fecal microbiota composition, metabolic activity, and expression of genes related to colon barrier function. A total of 150 piglets were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a blank control group (receiving a basal diet), three XOS groups (receiving the basal diet supplemented with 100, 250, and 500 g/t XOS, respectively), as well as a positive control group, used as a matter of comparison, that received the basal diet supplemented with 0.04 kg/t virginiamycin, 0.2 kg/t colistin, and 3,000 mg/kg ZnO. The trial was carried out for 56 days. The results showed that the lowest dose tested (100 g/t XOS) increased (P < 0.05) the ileal villus height, the relative amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp., and the concentration of acetic acid and short-chain fatty acid in feces when compared with the blank control group. In conclusion, dietary 100 g/t XOS supplementation modifies the intestinal ecosystem in weaned piglets in an apparently overall beneficial way.

Stimbiotic Supplementation Alleviates Poor Performance and Gut Integrity in Weaned Piglets Induced by Challenge with E. coli

“…In our study, the supplementation of STB improved the intestinal morphology and expression of TJ in pigs challenged with STEC. These results were in agreement with previous results showing that 0.01% and 0.05% XOS could increase the VH in the ileum and HDR in the jejunum [ 40 , 41 ]. Consistently, prebiotics (i.e., alginate-oligosaccharide, AOS; mannan-oligosaccharide, MOS) could mitigate the intestinal mucosa injury by improving the VH and HDR [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Preparation and nutritional properties of xylooligosaccharide from agricultural and forestry byproducts: A comprehensive review

“…In terms of livestock feed, the addition of 100 g/t XOS in a grain diet could increase the height of jejunal villus, the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , as well as the concentration of acetic acid and short-chain fatty acids, and could significantly improve the intestinal ecosystem of Weaned Piglets ( 180 ). The addition of XOS had a positive impact on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and the proportion of short-chain fatty acids of pigs ( 181 ).…”

Direct Action of Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides against a Leaky Gut

“…XOS are linear oligomers composed of xylose units linked via β-(1→4) xylosidic bonds ( Figure 8 ). The DP ranges between 2 and 7, forming xylo -biose, -triose, -tetraose, -pentaose, -hexaose, and -heptaose [ 290 , 291 , 292 ]. XOS can be naturally found in fruits, vegetables, milk, and honey in limited quantities [ 24 , 293 ].…”

“…Based on in vitro [ 150 , 194 ] and in vivo studies on healthy [ 290 , 294 ] and LPS-challenged weaned piglets [ 295 ] and HFD-fed rats [ 296 ], XOS demonstrate barrier-protective and reinforcing properties related to their ability to modulate the gut flora ( Table 6 ). By contrast, based on a study on healthy rats, even though XOS supplementation promotes the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, a limited effect on intestinal permeability is observed, probably due to insufficient gut flora alterations [ 291 ].…”