ENTERAL BILE ACIDS MODULATE INTESTINAL IMMUNE HOMEOSTASIS AND BARRIER INTEGRITY IN EARLY-WEANED PIGLETS CHALLENGED WITH LPS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate deoxycholic acid (DCA) ability to prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-associated intestinal and systemic adverse effects when enterally administered to early-weaned pigs. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four piglets were weaned at 21 d, acclimatized for 14 d, and subsequently grouped (n=8) to be intragastrically infused with either deionized water (C+, C-) or 15 mg DCA x kg-1 initial BW (DCA) daily during 14 d. Individual BW and feed intake were recorded weekly. On d 28, C+ and DCA piglets were injected i.p. with 150 μg LPS x kg-1 BW. Animals were bled twice and sacrificed for organ measurement and sampling. Plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), endotoxin (EDT), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and ileal occludin, IL-6 and IL-10 gene expression was determined. Results and Discussion: Compared with C-, LPS increased plasma TNF-α (4249.7 vs. 344.7 pg/ml, P<0.01) and EDT (1379.6 vs. 782.1 pg/ml, P<0.02), hepatic and intestinal weight (26.4 vs. 21.7, P<0.01 and 59.8 vs. 53.0 g/Kg BW, P<0.03, respectively), and tended to decrease ileal occludin expression (0.56 fold, P<0.09) and to increase intestinal crypt depth (232 vs. 191 μm). DCA prevented alterations (P>0.10) in plasma EDT (1172.7 pg/ml), intestinal weight (52.9 g/Kg BW), crypt depth (216 μm) and occludin expression (0.65 fold). Furthermore, DCA decreased (P<0.04) IL-6 and IL-10 expression (0.29 and 0.58 fold, respectively) and enhanced feed intake (622.4 g/day vs. 514.7 C-, 505.8 C+, P<0.05). Plasma GLP-2 was not affected. In conclusion, DCA acted locally to prevent LPS-induced inflammation and intestinal barrier disruption. tech.service@fad.com