Effect of dietary Bacillus subtilis on proportion of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in swine intestine and lipid metabolism

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes bacterial groups in the gut can affect the ability to absorb nutrients. We investigated the effect of probiotic Bacillus subtilis supplementation of diets on growth performance, fat deposition, blood lipids, copy numbers, and percentage of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in cecal contents, as well as mRNA expression of key lipid metabolism enzymes in the liver and adipose tissue of finishing pigs. Twenty-four Duroc x Meishan crossbreed 8-week-old pigs (10.28 ± 0.59 kg) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: maize-soybean mealbased diets with B. subtilis (probiotic group) and without B. subtilis (control group). The probiotic diet led to a significant increase in the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio of pigs weighing 10 to 110 kg. The mean backfat depth was increased while leaf lard weights were decreased by probiotic supplementation. Ingestion of probiotics decreased the serum triglyceride and glucose concentrations, but did not change the levels of total cholesterol and free fatty acids in the serum. The mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetylCoA carboxylase α (ACCα) in the liver were down-regulated by the dietary probiotic supplement. Conversely, the gene expressions of FAS and ACCα in the adipose tissue increased. The probiotic diet decreased the copy numbers and percentage of Bacteroidetes, while it increased the percentage of Firmicutes in the cecal contents. We conclude that the addition of B. subtilis improves growth performance and up-regulates lipid metabolism in subcutaneous fat of finishing pigs. We conclude that B. subtilis affects lipid metabolism through regulation of the proportion of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in the gut.

Effects of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> KN-42 on Growth Performance, Diarrhea and Faecal Bacterial Flora of Weaned Piglets

“…Several strains of B. subtilis can be used as feed additives, and no safety concerns are identified when used in direct-fed microbial products (Sen et al, 2012; Cui et al, 2013; Lee et al, 2014). We hypothesized that B. subtilis would help the balance of microflora by stimulating the beneficial bacteria, thereby improving gut health, reducing diarrhea incidence indirectly, and enhancing the growth performance.…”

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus dietary supplementation on the performance, intestinal barrier function, rectal microflora and serum immune function in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

“…Diet with Bacillus subtillus, one strain of Firmicutes group, could significant increase in the ADG and feed conversion ratio of pigs weighing 10-110 kg (Cui et al 2013). It is known that the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes bacterial groups in the gut can affect the ability to absorb nutrients (Cui et al 2013). Thus another possible reason may be because the Lactobacillus used in this study belongs to the Firmicutes group, and thus, adding Lactobacillus resulted in substantial proliferation of Firmicutes in the pig intestine.…”

“…Our study suggests that this effect might be due to an increased Lactobacillus and a decreased E. coli count in intestinal tract. Diet with Bacillus subtillus, one strain of Firmicutes group, could significant increase in the ADG and feed conversion ratio of pigs weighing 10-110 kg (Cui et al 2013). It is known that the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes bacterial groups in the gut can affect the ability to absorb nutrients (Cui et al 2013).…”

Prevention of DNA damage and anticarcinogenic activity of Activia^® in a preclinical model

“…In contrast, high intake of fiber (prebiotics) can reduce the risk of colon cancer (Ishii et al, 2011;Pesarini et al, 2013;Mauro et al, 2013;Cantero et al, 2015;Navarro et al, 2015). Besides prebiotics and probiotics (Cui et al, 2013), the symbiotic relationship between immune cells and gut microbiota (Yamamoto and Matsumoto, 2016) in the prevention of this disease also needs to be highlighted. Foods with the above mentioned benefits are directly associated with the prevention of diseases or are able to beneficially contribute to the individual's health, being called functional foods (Oliveira et al, 2006(Oliveira et al, , 2007Ogunremi et al, 2015).…”