Phytogenic feed additives alleviate pathogenic Escherichia coli-induced intestinal damage through improving barrier integrity and inhibiting inflammation in weaned pigs

• Published in: Journal of animal science and biotechnology 2022-09, Vol.13 (1), p.107-107, Article 107
• Main Authors: Chang, Se Yeon, Song, Min Ho, Lee, Ji Hwan, Oh, Han Jin, Kim, Yong Ju, An, Jae Woo, Go, Young Bin, Song, Dong Cheol, Cho, Hyun Ah, Cho, Seung Yeol, Kim, Dong Jun, Kim, Mi Suk, Kim, Hyeun Bum, Cho, Jin Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; animals; average daily gain; Barrier integrity; Blood tests; Carvacrol; Citrus; Cytokines; Diarrhea; Diet; Digestibility; E coli; Escherichia coli; Feces; Feed additives; feed conversion; Feed efficiency; fenugreek; Flavonoids; Food additives; Fruits; grape pomace; grape seeds; Grapes; Green tea; growth performance; Hogs; Hops; IgG antibody; ileum; Immune response; Immune system; Immunity; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins; Inflammation; Inoculation; Intestine; microencapsulation; Morphology; Phytogenic feed additive; Post-weaning diarrhea; Thymol; Tight junctions; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumor necrosis factor-α; tumor necrosis factors; villi; Villus; Weaned pigs; Weaning
• ISSN: 2049-1891; 1674-9782; 2049-1891
• DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00750-y

Background This study was conducted to investigate the effects of each phytogenic feed additive (PFA; PFA1, bitter citrus extract; PFA2, a microencapsulated blend of thymol and carvacrol; PFA3, a mixture of bitter citrus extract, thymol, and carvacrol; PFA4, a premixture of grape seed, grape marc extract, green tea, and hops; PFA5, fenugreek seed powder) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and immune response in weaned pigs infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results A total of 63 4-week-old weaned pigs were placed in individual metabolic cages and assigned to seven treatment groups. The seven treatments were as follows: 1) NC; basal diet without E. coli challenge, 2) PC; basal diet with E. coli challenge, 3) T1; PC + 0.04% PFA1, 4) T2; PC + 0.01% PFA2, 5) T3; PC + 0.10% PFA3, 6) T4; PC + 0.04% PFA4, 7) T5; PC + 0.10% PFA5. The experiments lasted in 21 d, including 7 d before and 14 d after the first E. coli challenge. In the E. coli challenge treatments, all pigs were orally inoculated by dividing a total of 10 mL of E. coli F18 for 3 consecutive days. The PFA-added groups significantly increased (P