Restored intestinal integrity, nutrients transporters, energy metabolism, antioxidative capacity and decreased harmful microbiota were associated with IUGR piglet's catch-up growth before weanling

Abstract

Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a major inducer of higher morbidity and mortality in the pig industry and catch-up growth (CUG) before weanling could significantly restore this negative influence. But there was limited knowledge about the underlying mechanism of CUG occurrence. Methods Eighty litters of newborn piglets were divided into normal birth weight (NBW) and IUGR groups according to birth weight. At 26 d, those piglets with IUGR but over average body weight of eighty litters of weaned piglets were considered as CUG, and the piglets with IUGR still below average body weight were considered as NCUG. This study was conducted to systemically compare the intestinal difference among NBW, CUG and NCUG weaned piglets considering the crucial role of the intestine for piglet growth. Results The results indicated that the mRNA expression of nutrients (amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids) transporters, and mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) I were upregulated in CUG piglets’ gut with improved morphology compared with those NCUG, as well as the ratio of P-AMPK/AMPK protein expression which is the indicator of energy metabolism. Meanwhile, CUG piglet’s gut showed higher antioxidative capacity with increased SOD and GSH-Px activity, decreased MDA levels, as well as higher mRNA expressions of Nrf2, Keap1, SOD, and GSH-Px. Furthermore, inflammatory parameters including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 factors, and the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways were significantly elevated in the NCUG intestine, while the protein expression of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 was reduced. The alpha diversity of fecal microbiota was higher in CUG piglets in contrast with NCUG piglets, and the increased beneficial bacteria and decreased pathogenic bacteria was also observed in CUG piglets. Conclusions CUG piglet’s intestine showed comprehensive restoration including higher nutrients transport, energy metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal physical barrier, while lower oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and pathogenic microbiota.

Cysteamine and N-Acetyl-cysteine Alleviate Placental Oxidative Stress and Barrier Function Damage Induced by Deoxynivalenol

“…Finally, these samples were stored at −80 °C until further analysis. The intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets are defined as the average birth weight minus 2 standard errors . In this experiment, the mean birth weight of the 874 piglets was 1.42 ± 0.20 kg (mean ± standard error), so piglets with a birth weight of less than 1.02 kg (1.42 – 0.40) were defined as IUGR piglets.…”

“…The intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets are defined as the average birth weight minus 2 standard errors. 18 In this experiment, the mean birth weight of the 874 piglets was 1.42 ± 0.20 kg (mean ± standard error), so piglets with a birth weight of less than 1.02 kg (1.42 − 0.40) were defined as IUGR piglets. Moreover, when counting the proportion of IUGR piglets, sows were categorized into two classes based on the average number of piglets born alive per litter (15.0 piglets): low-yield sow (the number of piglets born alive <15.0) and high-yield sow (the number of piglets born alive ≥15.0).…”

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Affects Colonic Barrier Function via Regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4-NF-κB/ERK Pathways and Altering Colonic Microbiome and Metabolome Homeostasis in Growing–Finishing Pigs

“…However, our results showed that the long-term adverse effects persisted in barrier function and a lessened disparity in TJs proteins between the NBW and IUGR pigs, which might be associated with the catch-up growth. Another study revealed that IUGR piglets with a catch-up growth before weaning exhibited a recovered intestinal physical barrier, including occludin, claudins, and ZO-1, almost as good as NBW piglets [ 31 ]. The “thrifty phenotype” hypothesis suggests that when nutritional conditions in the uterus are suboptimal, metabolism and growth of the fetus are restricted; but when the postnatal nutritional condition is adequate, IUGR pigs undergo a catch-up growth, such a process is likely resulting from an adaptive process in adverse conditions [ 1 , 14 ].…”

Effect of Enrofloxacin on the Microbiome, Metabolome, and Abundance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Chicken Cecum

“…Higher microbial diversity tends to indicate that the host has greater disease resistance. Previous studies have shown that piglets with higher α-diversity have lower inflammatory factor levels and a greater antioxidant capacity in the intestine, and the protein expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 are also higher ( 37 ). Furthermore, α-diversity is associated with feed efficiency ( 38 ).…”