论文部分内容阅读
Background:The effects of dietary garcinol on diarrhea and intestinal barrier function associated with its modulation of gut microbiota in weaned piglets were investigated. Method:One hundred forty four weaned piglets (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace) from 16 pens (9 piglets per pen) were randomly divided into four treatment groups:controls (CON) or those supplemented with 200 mg/kg (LOW), 400 mg/kg (MID), or 600 mg/kg (HIGH) diet garcinol. After 14-day trial, three piglets per pen were chosen to collect plasma, intestinal tissue and colonic digesta samples. Results:We demonstrated for the first time that garcinol promoted growth performance, as increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased feed/gain ratio (F/G);and reduced diarrhea incidence (P<0.05);and strengthened antioxidant capacity, as an increased antioxidative index (P<0.05). Additionally, garcinol ameliorated intestinal barrier dysfunction, as an increased villus height to crypt depth ratio, increased zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1 expression in the jejunum and ileum (P<0.05), and decreased intestinal permeability (P<0.05);and reduced inflammation, as decreased cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels in the mucosa of the jejunum and ileum, and NF-κB p65 translocation (P<0.05). Moreover, garcinol inhibited the growth of most harmful bacteria in the gut, especially Escherichia coli, and increased the growth of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus. Conclusion:This work provides a fundamental basis for the future development of garcinol-functional food use for improving diarrhea and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets and for understanding the biological effects of garcinol and its potential as a functional feed additive.