The role of dietary nucleotides in single-stomached animals

Abstract

The transition from liquid to solid feed during weaning results in morphological, histological and microbial changes in the young animal's intestinal tract and often is associated with diarrhoea. The ban of in-feed antibiotics in pig production in the European Union has led to increasing interest in alternatives to overcome weaning-associated problems. Among others, nucleotides may have the potential to alleviate health impairments due to weaning. Nucleotides are natural components of the non-protein fraction of milk and have important effects on the maintenance of health in young animals. Nucleotides and their related metabolic products play key roles in many biological processes and become essential dietary components when endogenous supply is insufficient for normal function. The present review summarises nucleotide composition of milk from different species, the biology of nucleotides and possible effects of dietary nucleotides on intestinal morphology and function, intestinal microbiota, immune function, nutrient metabolism, hepatic morphology and function as well as growth performance. Special attention is given to data available for pigs, and suggestions are made for inclusion of nucleotides in the diet to benefit piglets' health and reduce the consequences accompanying early weaning.

Inclusion of yeast-derived protein in weanling diet improves growth performance, intestinal health, and anti-oxidative capability of piglets

“…It was recognized that the nucleic acid and nucleotides in YP contributed to the innate immune response. Consistently, Sauer et al (2011) found that weanling piglets fed nucleic acids for 2-4 weeks improved lymphocyte function and in vitro proliferative responses to a non-specific T-cell mitogen. Moreover, intestinal lymphocyte maturation and mRNA abundance of IL-6 and IL-8 were also enhanced by dietary nucleotides (Gil 2002).…”

“…Therefore, exogenous supply of nucleotides contributed to growth performance of piglets with nutritional role for maturation of some tissues such as lymphoid tissue and intestine in periods of intensive development (Sanchez-Pozo and Gil 2002). Exogenous nucleotides have been demonstrated to maintain the function of rapidly dividing tissues, stimulate innate immunity, and reduce the incidence of enteric diseases (Uauy 1994;Sauer et al 2011). Nutritionally, furthermore, it has been reported that YP had comparable nutrients digestibility as SDPP (Mateo and Stein 2007).…”

<b>Suplementação dietética de levedura hidrolisada e seu efeito no desempenho, na microbiota intestinal e resposta imune dos leitões desmamados</b>

“…Os NU exercem importantes funções no organismo, por serem precursores dos ácidos nucleicos (DNA e RNA), reguladores biológicos e fonte de energia (ATP) (LERNER e SHAMIR, 2000;SAUER et al, 2011) e podem ser sintetizados pela "via de novo", utilizando aminoácidos como precursores e com alto custo energético, ou pela "via de salvamento", a partir de produtos da digestão de ácidos nucléicos da dieta.…”

“…Considerando certos estados patológicos e períodos de limitada ingestão de nutrientes ou mesmo para tecidos de rápido crescimento, como o epitélio intestinal, os NU podem ser considerados, nutricionalmente, essenciais, pois, a síntese pela "via de novo" pode ser insuficiente (SAUER et al, 2011;HESS et al, 2012). Assim, sua presença nas dietas pode beneficiar a morfologia e função gastrointestinal, o sistema imunológico e a microbiota intestinal de animais monogástricos (SAUER et al, 2011).…”

“…Assim, sua presença nas dietas pode beneficiar a morfologia e função gastrointestinal, o sistema imunológico e a microbiota intestinal de animais monogástricos (SAUER et al, 2011).…”