Fibronectin measurement as a potential molecular marker for barrier function assessment of piglet intestine

Abstract

Searching for modern strategies to ensure productive parameters in the context of modern requirements for the relatively limited use of antibiotics as growth stimulants is relevant for the pig breeding industry. First and foremost, maintaining intestinal health is the main goal of products that have beneficial effects on the productive animals' health. Monitoring the intestinal system state and timely responding to the development of enteropathogens is essential in the context of limited antibiotics usage. Molecular markers of the intestinal system are promising tool for monitoring the basic functions of the intestine, including the intestinal barrier. Given the fact that protection against enteropathogens is provided by specialized cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesions, changes in the content of intercellular adhesion proteins may reflect the intestinal barrier density. Fatty acid mixtures are considered to be one of the promising alternatives to the antibiotics use in animal farming. In order to determine the intestinal barrier function status, the modulation of fibronectin content as the extracellular matrix marker in piglets was determined after consumption of a short-chain fatty acid-monoglyceride mixture (SCA-M). Сontrol group of animals consumed a standard diet. The experimental group received a mixture of SCA-M at a dose of 5 g/kg for 4 weeks. The fibronectin content was determined by immunoblotting in the small intestine tissue of the control and experimental groups piglets. It was shown that the fibronectin content in piglets of the experimental group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The determination of total protein in the blood serum and intestinal tissue extracts of piglets did not reveal a significant difference between the control and experimental groups. Comparative analysis of the average daily weight gain showed a tendency to a more progressive increase in piglet weight. In general, the results obtained indicate a beneficial SCA-M effect on the fibronectin content modulation and intestinal barrier density maintenance in piglets. Comprehensive molecular markers studies of the piglet intestinal system will be useful for the advance of antibiotic-free strategies in accordance with modern pig breeding requirements.

Keywords

• extracellular matrix
• antibiotic-free
• intestinal barrier integrity