Chenodeoxycholic acid reduces intestinal permeability in newly weaned piglets

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Piglets are vulnerable to gut health issues post-weaning.
• Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) influences gut health via glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate CDCA as a feed additive for enhancing gut health in newly weaned piglets.
• To assess the impact of dietary CDCA on intestinal permeability and related biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Newly weaned piglets were fed diets with or without CDCA (60 mg/kg).
• Intestinal permeability was assessed using lactulose and Co-EDTA serum markers and ex vivo everted gut sac technique with FITC-dextran.
• Blood samples analyzed for GLP-2, peptide YY (PYY), and glucose levels.

Main Results:

• Dietary CDCA did not significantly alter feed intake, growth, feed efficiency, blood glucose, or plasma GLP-2 and PYY.
• Serum lactulose and cobalt concentrations tended to be lower in CDCA-fed piglets by day 10.5.
• A positive correlation between lactulose and cobalt indicated they measured similar permeability changes.

Conclusions:

• CDCA supplementation showed a trend towards reducing intestinal permeability in weaned piglets.
• CDCA warrants further research as a potential feed additive for improving intestinal health in pigs.
• Co-EDTA and lactulose serve as reliable markers for assessing intestinal permeability changes.