Diosmectite–zinc oxide composite improves intestinal barrier function, modulates expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and tight junction protein in early weaned pigs

• DOI: 10.1017/s0007114512005508
• Publication Date: 2013-01-11T09:58:45Z
• Authors: Caihong Hu; Juan Song; Yali Li; Zhaoshuang Luan; Kang Zhu
• Keywords: Occludin; Barrier function; Paracellular transport; Jejunum; Proinflammatory cytokine; Mucin 2

The study evaluated whether feeding diosmectite–ZnO composite (DS-ZnO) at 500 mg Zn/kg to early weaned pigs would alleviate the weaning-related intestinal disorders as a substitute for high concentration of ZnO (2250 Zn/kg). an age 21 ± 1 d were allotted four treatments groups follows: (1) control; (2) DS-ZnO, diet; (3) ZnO, 2250 and (4) mixture 2·0 g DS/kg from (equal amount DS in DS-ZnO treatment group). results showed that, compared with control on days 7 14 post-weaning, addition improved ( P < 0·05) daily gain feed intake, decreased post-weaning scour scores, increased jejunal villus height ratio crypt depth, paracellular permeability fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4 kDa up-regulated tight junction protein expression occludin, claudin-1 zonula occludens-1 mucosa. mRNA levels TNF-α , IL-6 interferon-γ IFN-γ ) day also 0·05). piglets fed did not differ above parameters those Zn/kg, while they had better performance than ZnO. Supplementation was effective alleviating diarrhoea, barrier dysfunction inflammatory cytokine up-regulating expression.