Earticle

Weaned piglets are highly susceptible to infections caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and phytobiotic supplementation has been explored as a potential strategy to prevent or mitigate such infections during the weaning period. However, comprehensive studies on the specific effects of phytobiotics on pig gut health and microbiota composition remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of various phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) on intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota composition in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC. A total of 63 weaned piglets ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc), 28 days old with an initial body weight of 8.03 ± 0.43 kg, were used in a 21-day trial. Piglets were randomly assigned to one of seven treatment groups: NC, negative control (basal diets without E. coli challenge); PC, positive control (basal diets + E. coli challenge); T1, PC + 0.04 % P1; T2, PC + 0.01 % P2; T3, PC + 0.10 % P3; T4, PC + 0.04 % P4; T5, PC + 0.10 % P5. The five phytobiotic materials were as follows: a bitter citrus extract rich in flavonoids (P1), a microencapsulated blend of thymol and carvacrol (P2), a composite of P1 and P2 (P3), a grape polyphenol-based mixture containing green tea and hops (P4), and a fenugreek seed powder rich in saponins (P5). Piglets in challenged groups were orally inoculated with ETEC at a concentration of 1.2 × 10¹? CFU/mL from days 8 to 10. The results showed that PFA supplementation upregulated the expression of tight junction and mucin-related genes including ZO-1 and MUC3. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, distinct microbial shifts were observed depending on the specific PFA composition. The relative abundances of beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus, Olsenella, and Collinsella increased following PFA supplementation. These genera are known to be associated with short-chain fatty acid production, improved gut health, and increased resistance to pathogens. Additionally, increases in Acinetobacter and Medioterraneibacter, which may be involved in the metabolism of plant-derived compounds, were observed. Collectively, our results suggest that PFAs may enhance gut health and contribute to the stabilization of the intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets.

Background: The small intestine plays a crucial role in animals in maintaining homeostasis as well as a series of physiological events such as nutrient uptake and immune function to improve productivity. Research on intestinal organoids has recently garnered interest, aiming to study various functions of the intestinal epithelium as a potential alternative to an in vivo system. These technologies have created new possibilities and opportunities for substituting animals for testing with an in vitro model. Methods: Here, we report the establishment and characterisation of intestinal organoids derived from jejunum tissues of adult pigs. Intestinal crypts, including intestinal stem cells from the jejunum tissue of adult pigs (10 months old), were sequentially isolated and cultivated over several passages without losing their proliferation and differentiation using the scaffold-based and three-dimensional method, which indicated the recapitulating capacity. Results: Porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids showed the specific expression of several genes related to intestinal stem cells and the epithelium. Furthermore, they showed high permeability when exposed to FITC-dextran 4 kDa, representing a barrier function similar to that of in vivo tissues. Collectively, these results demonstrate the efficient cultivation and characteristics of porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. Conclusions: In this study, using a 3D culture system, we successfully established porcine jejunum-derived intestinal organoids. They show potential for various applications, such as for nutrient absorption as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium fused with organ-on-a-chip technology to improve productivity in animal biotechnology in future studies.

본 연구에서는 장 기능 개선 및 변비질환의 예방 및 치료에 효과적인 식물성 복합추출물인 장기능개선제-신소재(KTG075)의 대장관 내 점액질의 분비에 미치는 영향, 특히 대장에 가장 많이 분비되는 mucin 2 분비에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. Mucin(MUC)은 그 구조에 따라서 여러 아형이 있는데, 아형에 따라서 조직 분포가 다르며 대장에서 가장 많이 분비되는 mucin의 아형은 mucin 2로서 mucin 2에 대한 항체(Biogenex AM358)를 사용하여 면역조직화학법으로 mucin 2를 관찰 시, 변비유발군에서는 mucin 2(연갈색)로 염색된 세포가 현저히 감소되나 KTG075 투여 시 뚜렷하게 mucin 2의 염색이 증가되었다. 또한 alcian blue 염색으로 점액질층을 관찰 시 점액질 두께도 변비유발군에서는 현저히 감소되었고 KTG075투여군에서는 점액질층이 거의 정상 수준으로 증가되었다. 이러한 결과는 변비유발군에서의 mucin 2의 생성과 분비가 감소되나 KTG075 투여군에서는 장 기능을 활성화시킴으로써 mucin 2의 생성과 분비를 증가시켜 장관 내 윤활도가 유지되고 장관 운동을 증가시켜 배변을 용이하게 하여 변비 또는 스트레스 등에 의해 저하된 장 기능을 개선시킴을 확인할 수 있었다.

Effects of formulation KTG075 from edible plants on intestinal function, particularly on Mucin 2 secretion, were examined by loperamide-induced constipation method using Sprague Dawley rats (SD rats, male). Crypt epithelial cells containing more mucus and mucus layer stained with alcian blue were significantly thicker in KTG075 group than control group. When Biogenex AM358 of antibody against Mucin 2 was used, crypt epithelial cells secreted more Mucin 2 in KTG075 group than control group. The Mucus layer at fecal surface was thinner and less mucus was recovered from mucosal surface in constipated rats than in KTG075 group. Mucus production of crypt epithelial cells and mucus contents at fecal and mucosal surfaces were reduced by loperamide-induced constipation. These results indicate formula KTG075 accelerates evacuation and activates intestines.

In this study, the effects of processed small black soybeans on the intestinal morphological characteristics of ratswere examined. Adult male rats were fed diets containing raw, cooked, or acidified small black soybean powders for 4 weeks.The total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) level was significantly higher in the acidified small black soybean supplemented groupthan in the raw and cooked soybean diet groups. The major SCFAs found in the experimental groups were acetate, followedby propionate and butyrate. The duodenal villus height and colonic mucosal thickness were also significantly higher in theacidified small black soybean supplemented group than in the raw and cooked soybean diet groups. The acidified small blacksoybean supplemented group showed the densest colonic mucosa by staining with alcian blue (AB), as compared to the rawand cooked soybean diet groups. The acidified small black soybean supplemented group exhibited strongly stained CD4+ inthe mucosal lamina propria, while cooked and acidified diet groups were more strongly stained CD8+ in the submucosallamina propria than the raw diet group. These results suggest that acidified small black soybeans may help improve intestinalfunction.

Objective: To investigate bladder and intestinal function recovery and quality of sexual life after laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (LNRH) for treatment of early invasive cervical carcinoma. Methods: Subjects included patients who underwent radical hysterectomy by laparotomy who were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 30 patients who underwent LNRH and 35 classical laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH). We assessed the patients general clinical information, surgical characteristics, pathological findings, and adjuvant therapies. A urodynamic study was used to assess bladder function. Intestinal function recovery and quality of sexual life were evaluated by questionnaire. Results: No significant differences were found in age, surgery characteristics, pathological findings, adjuvant therapies, and main adverse effects between the 2 groups. The mean duration of the postoperative catheterization (DPC) in group LNRH was shorter than that in group LRH (P < 0.001). The maximum flow rate, maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure and urinary complications in group LNRH were better than those in group LRH. The quality of sexual life evaluated according to the female sexual function index (FSFI) was better in group LNRH than in those who underwent LRH. The intestinal function of patients in group LNRH also recovered better compared with patients in group LRH.

This study was conducted to determine whether L-arginine (Arg) supplementation could improve intestinal function in weaned pigs after an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Treatments included: i) non-challenged control (CONTR, pigs fed a control diet and injected with sterile saline); ii) LPS-challenged control (LPS, pigs fed the same control diet and challenged by injection with Escherichia coli LPS); iii) LPS+0.5% Arg (pigs fed a 0.5% Arg diet and challenged with LPS); and iv) LPS+1.0% Arg (pigs fed a 1.0% Arg diet and challenged with LPS). On d 16, pigs were administrated with LPS or sterile saline. D-xylose was orally administrated at 2 h following LPS challenge, and blood samples were collected at 3 h following LPS challenge. At 6 h post-challenge, pigs were sacrificed and intestinal mucosa samples were collected. Supplementation of Arg attenuated LPS-induced damage in gut digestive and barrier functions, as indicated by an increase in ileal lactase activity, and duodenal and ileal diamine oxidase activities (p<0.05). Arg administration also prevented the increase of jejunal malondialdehyde content and the decrease of ileal superoxide dismutase activity by LPS challenge (p<0.05). Furthermore, the jejunal nitric oxide level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were also improved after Arg supplementation (p<0.05). These results indicate that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in alleviating the impairment of gut function induced by LPS challenge.

This study examined the laxative effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which contains high levels of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, against loperamide-induced constipation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal group (N) and three experimental groups; loperamide treated group (C), loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 300 mg/kg treated group (MLEL), and loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 600 mg/kg treated group (MLEH). After 33 d, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal, gastrointestinal transit time and length, and serum lipid profiles were measured. Constipation was induced via subcutaneous injection of loperamide (2.0 mg/kg b. w., twice a day) for the final 5 d of the experiment. After loperamide administration, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significantly increase in the fecal pellets number, wet weight, and water content in rats compared with the C group. Moreover, increases in the intestinal length and viable Lactobacillus numbers in the feces were observed in the LAB-fermented MLE groups. The intestinal transit time was shorter in the LAB-fermented MLE groups than in the C group. In addition, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol level. These results indicated that oral administration of LAB-fermented MLE shows laxative effect in loperamide-induced constipated rats.

Intestinal barrier dysfunction always accompanies cirrhosis in patients with advanced liver disease and is an important contributor facilitating bacterial translocation (BT), which has been involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and its complications. Several studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Vitamin D on intestinal barrier function. However, severe cholestasis leads to vitamin D depletion. This study was designed to test whether vitamin D therapy improves intestinal dysfunction in cirrhosis. Rats were subcutaneously injected with 50% sterile $CCl_4$ (a mixture of pure $CCl_4$ and olive oil, 0.3 mL/100 g) twice a week for 6 weeks. Next, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$ ($0.5{\mu}g/100g$) and the vehicle were administered simultaneously with $CCl_4$ to compare the extent of intestinal histologic damage, tight junction protein expression, intestinal barrier function, BT, intestinal proliferation, apoptosis, and enterocyte turnover. Intestinal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and oxidative stress were also assessed. We found that vitamin D could maintain intestinal epithelial proliferation and turnover, inhibit intestinal epithelial apoptosis, alleviate structural damage, and prevent BT and intestinal barrier dysfunction. These were achieved partly through restoration of HO-1 and inhibition of oxidative stress. Taken together, our results suggest that vitamin D ameliorated intestinal epithelial turnover and improved the integrity and function of intestinal barrier in $CCl_4$-induced liver cirrhotic rats. HO-1 signaling activation was involved in these above beneficial effects.

The intestinal barrier function disrupted in sepsis, while little is known about the variation in different phases of sepsis. In this study, mouse models of sepsis were established by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The H&E staining of sections and serum diamine oxidase concentration were evaluated at different timepoint after CLP. TUNEL assay and EdU staining were performed to evaluate the apoptosis and proliferation of intestinal epithelium. Relative protein expression was assessed by Western blotting and serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA. The disruption of intestinal barrier worsened in the first 24 h after the onset of sepsis and gradually recovered over the next 24 h. The percentage of apoptotic cell increased in the first 24 h and dropped at 48 h, accompanied with the proliferative rate of intestinal epithelium inhibited in the first 6 h and regained in the later period. Furthermore, the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) presented similar trend with the intestinal barrier function, shared positive correction with apoptosis of intestinal epithelium. These findings reveal the conversion process of intestinal barrier function in sepsis and this process is closely correlated with the activity of NF-κB signaling.

Weaning is a complex phase when the mammal suffers the action of different stressors that contribute to negatively affect the efficiency of the intestinal mucosa and of the whole local integrated system, that acts as barrier against any nocuous agent. The components of this barrier are mechanical, chemical, and bacteriological; immunological and not. The development of contact with a saprophyte microflora and the maintenance of feed intake after the interruption of motherly nutrition are essential for the maturation of an equilibrated local immune function and for a functional integrity of villi. Opportunities and limits of some dietary strategies that can contribute to reduce negative effects of weaning on health and performance are discussed. Knowledges on the possible mechanism of action of probiotics are upgraded, particularly for their supposed role in the balance between different immune functions (effectory/regulatory). Some tools to control pathogen microflora are reviewed (acids, herbs, immunoglobulin sources) and practical feeding systems are proposed.

The study was conducted to investigate the role of vitamin E in the high altitude hypoxia-induced damage to the intestinal barrier in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (Control), high altitude hypoxia (HH), and high altitude hypoxia + vitamin E (250 mg/kg $BW^*d$) (HV) groups. After the third day, the HH and HV groups were placed in a hypobaric chamber at a stimulated elevation of 7000 m for 5 days. The rats in the HV group were given vitamin E by gavage daily for 8 days. The other rats were given equal volume saline. The results showed that high altitude hypoxia caused the enlargement of heart, liver, lung and kidney, and intestinal villi damage. Supplementation with vitamin E significantly alleviated hypoxia-caused damage to the main organs including intestine, increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.05), diamino oxidase (DAO) (p< 0.01) levels, and decreased the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (p< 0.01), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p<0.001), interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), and decreased the serum erythropoietin (EPO) activity (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the S-IgA (p<0.001) in ileum and significantly improved the expression levels of occludin and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and decreased the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and 2 alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$ and $HIF-2{\alpha}$), Toll-like receptors (TLR4), P-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65(NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) in ileum compared to the HH group. This study suggested that vitamin E protectis from intestinal injury caused by high altitude hypoxia environment. These effects may be related to the HIF and TLR4/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

Objective: Hapatitis B visus (CHB)-induced fibrosis is a precancerous condition of liver. To explore the influence of Chongcao Preparation (Chongcao Yigan Capsule) on the function of intestinal flora and chemoprevention for patients with CHB-induced liver fibrosis. Methods: A total of 136 patients with CHB-induced liver fibrosis were randomly divided into control group treated with lamivudine (LAM) and research group added with Chongcao Yigan Capsule for totally 48 weeks. The changes of intestinal flora, secretory immunoglobin A (SIgA), serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PALB), IgA and IgG at different time points in both groups were observed. Results: Before treatment, there was no significant difference between two groups in each index (P>0.05). After treatment, the intestinal flora were evidently optimized in research group than treatment before (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and were apparently better than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); SIgA was obviously increased and ALB, PALB, IgA and IgG were markedly improved in research group than treatment before (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Chongcao Yigan Capsule could regulate the intestinal flora, increase SIgA, serum ALB and PALB concentrations and significantly improve serum IgA and IgG as well as strengthen the immunological function and autologous repair capacity of patients with CHB-induced liver fibrosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of graded levels of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO) on the performance, immune function and intestinal microflora and intestinal mucosal morphology of weaned pigs. In a 28-day experiment, one hundred eighty, twenty eight-day-old, crossbred (Duroc${\times}$Large White${\times}$Landrace), weaned pigs, with an initial body weight of $8.19{\pm}1.45kg$, were fed either an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal based diet or similar diets supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, or 0.8% IMO added at the expense of corn. Each treatment was replicated six times with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. From day 0 to 14, weight gain was linearly increased (p<0.05), while gain:feed (p<0.05) was linearly improved and diarrhea rate (p = 0.05) linearly declined as the IMO level increased. On d 14, the level of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, and IgG in the serum of pigs were linearly increased (p<0.05) with increasing IMO supplementation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was linearly (p<0.05) and quadratically (p<0.05) decreased as IMO intake increased. From day 15 to 28, there was a trend for weight gain to be linearly increased, and IL-2 was linearly (p<0.05) increased as IMO supplementation increased on d 28. Over the entire experiment, weight gain was linearly increased (p<0.05), while gain:feed (p<0.05) was linearly improved and diarrhea rate (p<0.05) was linearly decreased as the IMO level increased. Supplementation with IMO had no effect on the intestinal microflora of pigs in the ileum and cecum of pigs, as well as the villus height and crypt depth in the ileum and jejunum (p>0.05). These results indicate that dietary inclusion of IMO increases weight gain, gain:feed and enhanced the immune status of pigs, and could be a valuable feed additive for use in weaned pigs, particularly during the period immediately after weaning.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural clinoptilolite (NCLI) and modified clinoptilolite (MCLI) on broiler performance, gut morphology, intestinal length and weight, and gut digestive enzyme activity. A total of 240 d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 3 treatments, each of which comprised 8 pens of 10 chicks per pen. Birds in the control group were fed the basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with NCLI at 2% (NCLI group), or MCLI at 2% (MCLI group), respectively, for 42 d. Compared with the control, supplementation with NCLI or MCLI had no significant (p>0.05) effects on productive parameters from d 1 to 42. Supplementation with NCLI or MCLI had no influence on the relative length and weight of small intestine at d 1 to 21. But supplementation with NCLI or MCLI significantly reduced the relative weight of duodenum. Supplementation with MCLI and NCLI was associated with greater (p<0.05) villus height in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those areas in the controls from d 1 to 42. However, supplementation with NCLI and MCLI had no significant (p>0.05) influence on the crypt depth in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those in the controls. The addition of either NCLI or MCLI to the diet improved the activities of total protease, and amylase in the small intestinal contents. In conclusion, supplementation with NCLI or MCLI in diets improved intestinal morphology, increased the intestinal length and weigh and gut digestive enzyme activity.

A study was conducted to assess the nutritive value of two diets based on a low-energy variety of wheat, RAC C1 and their effects on intestinal mucosal structure and function in broiler chickens. The diets were fed with or without microbial enzyme supplement to male and female broiler chickens. The digesta viscosity was reduced (p<0.001) through supplementation with a microbial enzyme in male and female chicks. Enzyme supplementation also improved the dietary apparent metabolizable energy content (p<0.001) and had slight but non-significant positive effects on chick growth and feed conversion ratio. Intestinal mucosal structure and enzyme function were not affected by microbial enzyme supplement. Male chicks consumed more feeds (p<0.001), attained higher final body weight (p<0.001) and were more efficient at feed utilization (p<0.01) than the female chicks. Except for duodenal villus surface area and ileal protein content, intestinal mucosal structure and enzyme activities were similar between the two sexes and dietary treatment groups. The study showed an improvement in the nutritive value of the diets in the presence of the microbial enzyme supplement.

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on intestinal morphology and function of broilers. In both experiments, birds were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was the control group (CTRL), and the birds were fed with a basal diet. The other was the experimental group (CORT), and the birds were fed with the basal diet plus 30 mg of CORT/kg diet. At 21 days of age, performance, morphological characteristics of intestine, D-xylose level in plasma, activities of digestive enzymes in digesta, digestibility of nutrients and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd)-labeling index of intestinal epithelial cells were determined. CORT administration decreased feed intake, daily gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). CORT also decreased duodenal and jejunal villus height (p<0.05) as well as crypt depth (p<0.05). The D-xylose level in plasma of CORT-treated broilers was lower than that of the control (p<0.05). CORT treatment caused a decrease in apparent digestibility of protein (p<0.05), whereas fat and starch apparent digestibilities were unaffected (p>0.05). CORT administration increased activities of trypsin and amylase (p<0.05), and decreased BrdUrd-labeling index of duodenal and jejunal epithelial cells (p<0.05). In conclusion, CORT administration impaired the normal morphology and absorptive capacity of the small intestine of broiler chickens.

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) deficiency on intestinal pH value, digestive enzyme activity, morphology, nutrient utilization, and gene expression of NaPi-IIb in meat ducks from 1 to 21 d of age. Methods: A total of 525 one-d-old Cherry Valley ducklings were fed diets (with 7 pens of 15 ducklings, or 105 total ducklings, on each diet) with five levels of nPP (0.22%, 0.34%, 0.40%, 0.46%, or 0.58%) for 21 d in a completely randomized design. Five experimental diets contained a constant calcium (Ca) content of approximately 0.9%. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed to gain ratio (F:G) were measured at 14 and 21 d of age. Ducks were sampled for duodenum and jejunum digestion and absorption function on 14 and 21 d. Nutrient utilization was assessed using 25- to 27-d-old ducks. Results: The results showed ducks fed 0.22% nPP had lower (p<0.05) growth performance and nutrient utilization and higher (p<0.05) serum Ca content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. When dietary nPP levels were increased, BW (d 14 and 21), BWG and FI (all intervals), and the serum phosphorus (P) content linearly and quadratically increased (p<0.05); and the jejunal pH value (d 14), duodenal muscle layer thickness (d 14), excreta dry matter, crude protein, energy, Ca and total P utilization linearly increased (p<0.05); however, the serum ALP activity, jejunal $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, and duodenal NaPi-IIb mRNA level (d 21) linearly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that ducks aged from 1 to 21 d fed diets with 0.22% nPP had poor growth performance related to poor intestinal digestion and absorption ability; but when fed diets with 0.40%, 0.46%, and 0.58% nPP, ducks presented a better growth performance, intestinal digestion and absorption function.

As a novel approach for disease control and prevention, nutritional modulation of the intestinal health has been proved. However, It is still unknown whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is needed to maintain intestinal immune-related function. The objective of this study was to determine whether BCAA supplementation in protein restricted diet affects growth performance, intestinal barrier function and modulates post-weaning gut disorders. One hundred and eight weaned piglets ($7.96{\pm}0.26kg$) were randomly fed one of the three diets including a control diet (21% crude protein [CP], CON), a protein restricted diet (17% CP, PR) and a BCAA diet (BCAA supplementation in the PR diet) for 14 d. The growth performance, plasma amino acid concentrations, small intestinal morphology and intestinal immunoglobulins were tested. First, average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) of weaned pigs in PR group were lower, while gain:feed ratio was lower than the CON group (p<0.05). Compared with PR group, BCAA group improved ADG (p<0.05), ADFI (p<0.05) and feed:gain ratio (p<0.05) of piglets. The growth performance data between CON and BCAA groups was not different (p>0.05). The PR and BCAA treatments had a higher (p<0.05) plasma concentration of methionine and threonine than the CON treatment. The level of some essential and functional amino acids (such as arginine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamine etc.) in plasma of the PR group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the CON group. Compared with CON group, BCAA supplementation significantly increased BCAA concentrations (p<0.01) and decreased urea concentration (p<0.01) in pig plasma indicating that the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization was increased. Compared with CON group, the small intestine of piglets fed PR diet showed villous atrophy, increasing of intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) number (p<0.05) and declining of the immunoglobulin concentration, including jejunal immunoglobulin A (IgA) (p = 0.04), secreted IgA (sIgA) (p = 0.03) and immunoglobulin M (p = 0.08), and ileal IgA (p = 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (p = 0.08). The BCAA supplementation increased villous height in the duodenum (p<0.01), reversed the trend of an increasing IELs number. Notably, BCAA supplementation increased levels of jejunal and ileal immunoglobulin mentioned above. In conclusion, BCAA supplementation to protein restricted diet improved intestinal immune defense function by protecting villous morphology and by increasing levels of intestinal immunoglobulins in weaned piglets. Our finding has the important implication that BCAA may be used to reduce the negative effects of a protein restricted diet on growth performance and intestinal immunity in weaned piglets.

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of a lipid-coated zinc oxide (ZnO) supplement Shield Zn (SZ) at the sub-pharmacological concentration on intestinal morphology and gene expression in weanling pigs, with an aim to gain insights into the mechanism of actions for SZ. Methods: Forty 22-day-old weanling pigs were fed a nursery diet supplemented with 100 or 2,500 mg Zn/kg with uncoated ZnO (negative control [NC] or positive control [PC], respectively), 100, 200, or 400 mg Zn/kg with SZ for 14 days and their intestinal tissues were taken for histological and molecular biological examinations. The villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) of the intestinal mucosa were measured microscopically following preparation of the tissue specimen; expression of the genes associated with growth and immune function was determined using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: There was no difference in daily gain, gain:feed, and diarrhea score between the SZ group and either of NC and PC. The VH and VH:CD ratio were less for the SZ group vs NC in the jejunum and duodenum, respectively (p<0.05). The jejunal mucosal mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and interleukin (IL)-10 regressed and tended to regress (p = 0.053) on the SZ concentration with a positive coefficient, respectively, whereas the IL-6 mRNA level regressed on the SZ concentration with a negative coefficient. The mRNA levels of IGF-I, zonula occludens protein-1, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-10 did not differ between the SZ group and either of NC and PC; the occludin and transforming growth $factor-{\beta}1$ mRNA levels were lower for the SZ group than for PC. Conclusion: The present results are interpreted to suggest that dietary ZnO provided by SZ may play a role in intestinal mucosal growth and immune function by modulating the expression of IGF-I, IL-6, and IL-10 genes.

치커리 화이바는 콜레스테롤 개선, 배변활동 원활, 식후혈당 상승억제의 기능성을 바탕으로 건강기능식품 기능성 원료로 사용되고 있다. 배변활동에 도움을 주는 치커리 화이바를 발효하여 변비개선 효능을 확인한 결과 실험기간 동안 식이 섭취량이 증가한 반면 체중이 유의적으로 감소하는 것으로 보아 비만예방에 효과가 있을 것으로 생각된다. 장 기능 개선효과를 확인하기 위해 소화관 이동률을 측정한 결과 대조군에 비해 양성 대조군 FWP(차전자피복합물), 실험군 CF(치커리 화이바), 실험군 FCF(치커리 화이바 발효물)에서 소화관 이동률이 증가하였고, 특히 실험군 FCF 1.62 mg/g (P<0.01)과 실험군 4.13 mg/g(P<0.05)의 경우 실험군 CF 동일 농도에 비해 소화관 이동률이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 또한 변비개선 효과를 확인하기 위해 대장 내 잔류하고 있는 변의 개수를 확인한 결과 변비를 유발시킨 loperamide 처리군은 대조군에 비해 대장 내에 변이 잔류하면서 배변활동이 제대로 이루어지지 않아 대장 내 변의 개수가 유의적으로 증가한 반면, 양성 대조군 FWP와 실험군 CF, 실험군 FCF에서 대장 내 변의 개수를 유의적으로 감소시켰고 특히 실험군 FCF 2.06 mg/g의 경우 실험군 CF 동일 농도에 비해 대장 내 변의 개수를 유의적으로 감소시켰다(P<0.01). 본 연구결과를 통해 치커리 화이바를 발효함으로써 배변활동 및 변비개선능이 비발효 치커리 화이바에 비하여 더욱 증진되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 발효된 치커리 화이바가 배변 및 변비 기능성을 증진시키는 소재로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

This study investigated the improvement effects of fermented chicory fiber (FCF) on the intestinal function and constipation. The condition of fermentation was Bifidobacterium thermophilum added into chicory fiber (CF) flour suspension with the range of a 1% before incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hr. The intestinal improvement effect of FCF was measured by the charcoal meal transit method in Balb/c mice. The intestinal transit with FCF at a dose of 1.62 mg/g was significantly increased to 88% compared with the CF group (P<0.01). Further, the constipation relief effect was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats with loperamide-induced constipation. After oral administration of FCF 2.06 mg/g was remarkably decreased to 75% in fecal output compared with CF group (P<0.01). These findings indicated that FCF was more effective than CF for the intestinal function and constipation.