Effects of dietary protein level on intestinal function and inflammation in nursery pigs

High crude protein (CP; 21% to 26%) diets fed during the first 21 to 28 d postweaning are viewed negatively because of a perceived increase in the incidence rates of diarrhea due to increased intestinal protein fermentation and/or augmented enteric pathogen burden. This is thought to antagonize nursery pig health and growth performance. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the impact of low vs. high dietary CP on 21-day postweaned pig intestinal function. Analyzed parameters included ex vivo intestinal barrier integrity (ileum and colon), ileal nutrient transport, tissue inflammation, and fecal DM. One hundred and twenty gilts and barrows (average body weight) were randomly assigned to one of two diets postweaning. Diets were fed for 21 d, in two phases. Phase 1 diets: low CP (17%) with a 1.4% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (LCP), or high CP (24%) with a 1.4% SID Lysine (HCP). Phase 2: LCP (17%) and a 1.35% SID lysine, or HCP (24%) formulated to a 1.35% SID lysine. Pig growth rates, feed intakes, and fecal consistency did not differ (P > 0.05) due to dietary treatment. Six animals per treatment were euthanized for additional analyses. There were no differences in colonic epithelial barrier function as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran transport between treatments (P > 0.05). Interleukins (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2 IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 were not different between treatments (P > 0.05). However, IL-8 and IL-18 were higher in HCP- vs. LCP-fed pigs (P < 0.05). There were no differences in fecal dry matter (DM; P > 0.05) between treatments. In the ileum, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for TER to be higher in HCP-fed pigs, suggesting a more robust barrier. Interestingly, glucose and glutamine transport were decreased in HCP- vs. LCP-fed pigs (P < 0.05). FITC-dextran transport was not different between treatments (P > 0.05). There were also no differences in ileal cytokine concentrations between diets (P > 0.05). Taken together, the data show that low CP does not negatively impact colonic barrier function, fecal DM, or inflammation. In contrast, ileal barrier function and nutrient transport were altered, suggesting a regional effect of diet on overall intestinal function.