Effects of different nutritional strategies on intestinal inflammation in pigs

Tugnoli, Benedetta (2014) Effects of different nutritional strategies on intestinal inflammation in pigs, [Dissertation thesis], Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze veterinarie, 26 Ciclo. DOI 10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/6415.
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Abstract

Intestinal health is essential for the health of the body since the gastro-intestinal mucosa is the main site of interaction with the external environment, as well as the major area colonized by the microbiota. Intestinal health relies on proper barrier function, epithelial integrity and related mechanisms of protection (mucous layer, tight junctions, immune and inflammatory system). In pigs, during the weaning transition, intestinal inflammation and barrier integrity play a crucial role in regulating intestinal health and, consequently, pig’s health, growth and productivity. The aim of the project was to assess the impact of different nutritional strategies on the intestinal health of weaning piglets with reference to the inflammatory status and epithelial integrity. Therefore, in vivo trials were conducted to test the in-feed supplementation with zinc, tributyrin, or organic acids and nature-identical compounds (NIC) to weaning piglets. All the dietary interventions positively impacted the intestinal inflammatory status and, as a consequence, improved epithelial integrity by modulating tight junctions proteins (zinc or tributyrin) or by enhancing barrier properties measured with Ussing chambers (organic acids and NIC). These findings highlight that intestinal inflammation and barrier function are strictly linked, and that the control of inflammation is essential for adequate barrier function. In addition, in zinc trial and organic acids and NIC trial, better intestinal health could successfully result in better growth performance, as aimed for pig production improvement. To conclude, this work shows that dietary supplementation with bio-active substances such as zinc, tributyrin or organic acids and NIC may improve intestinal health of weaning piglets modulating intestinal inflammatory stress and barrier integrity and allowing better piglet’s health, growth and productivity.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di dottorato
Autore
Tugnoli, Benedetta
Supervisore
Co-supervisore
Dottorato di ricerca
Scuola di dottorato
Scienze veterinarie
Ciclo
26
Coordinatore
Settore disciplinare
Settore concorsuale
Parole chiave
intestinal health, inflammation, barrier integrity, weaning piglet
URN:NBN
DOI
10.6092/unibo/amsdottorato/6415
Data di discussione
6 Maggio 2014
URI

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