In Utero and Postnatal Exposure to Long Chain (n-3) PUFA Enhances Intestinal Glucose Absorption and Energy Stores in Weanling Pigs

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine whether feeding gestating and lactating sows (n-3) PUFA [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexenoic acid (DHA)] or coconut fat (saturated fat) influences ex vivo glucose absorption in the proximal jejunum and glucose and glycogen concentration of liver and muscle of their offspring at weaning. Sows were fed 1 of 4 diets for 150 d, which included the entire gestation and lactation periods. The diets consisted of basal corn/soybean meal (CONT), CONT + protected EPA and DHA-rich fish oil (PFO), CONT + DHA Gold fat (DHAGF), and CONT + coconut fat (COCO). All tissues were collected from piglets (n = 4 per treatment) following a 24-h period of food deprivation, which was initiated at weaning. Proximal jejunum samples were mounted in modified Ussing chambers for transport determinations. Relative to the CONT (7 muA/cm(2)), active glucose transport was greater (P = 0.013) in piglets from sows fed the PFO (30 microA/cm(2)) and DHAGF (40 microA/cm(2)) diets, but not the COCO diet (19 microA/cm(2); pooled SEM = 5). Likewise, jejunum expression of glucose transporter 2 and sodium glucose transporter 1 protein tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in piglets from dams fed the PFO and DHAGF diets, as did AMP-activated protein kinase activity. Piglets' muscle glycogen was greater than in CONT (34 +/- 5.2 mg/g wet tissue) only in piglets from dams fed the DHAGF (46 +/- 5.2 mg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05). These results indicate that (n-3) PUFA, particularly DHA, improves intestinal glucose absorption and muscle glycogen concentrations in newly weaned pigs. These findings may also have important implications for human mothers and infants.

Responses to n-3 fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation of gestating gilts, and lactating and weaned sows

“…As discussed earlier, LCPUFAs also influence postnatal growth by improving gut development and integrity (Gabler et al, 2007 and, and feeding n-3 LCPUFA to sows from day 109 of gestation until weaning decreased Escherichia coli numbers in the caecum and increased villous height in the ileum (Leonard et al, 2011), suggesting an improved gastrointestinal environment. Finally, n-3 LCPUFA can influence postnatal growth rate and survival through a change in piglet behaviour.…”

Feeding long-chain n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during gestation increases intestinal glucose absorption potentially via the acute activation of AMPK

“…Interestingly, AMPK is up-regulated by dietary n−3 PUFA in rats [4], and activation of this enzyme up-regulates GLUT2 in mice [3]. Thus, this relationship between n−3 PUFA and AMPK is intriguing, as we have shown recently in pigs that continuous exposure in utero and postnatally to n−3 PUFA via the maternal gestation and lactation diets improves ex vivo glucose uptake by the jejunum after a simulated weaning stress [2]. This improvement was associated with increased proportions of n−3 fatty acids in the jejunal tissue, together with greater AMPK activity and increased SGLT1 and GLUT2 abundance.…”

“…These dietary n−3 PUFA have been shown to normalize intestinal glucose absorption in rat pups from mothers fed diets that are low in unsaturated fatty acids [1]. However, the mechanism by which n−3 PUFA may augment intestinal glucose uptake is not fully understood [2].…”

Short-term exposure to heat stress attenuates appetite and intestinal integrity in growing pigs1

“…Each side of the membrane was bathed in 4 mL of KHB and tissue was provided with a constant O 2 -CO 2 mixture. Individual segments were then voltage clamped (0 mV), and after 20 min of stabilization, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was calculated by averaging the current during the first 10 min of tissue stabilization (Gabler et al, 2007).…”