Differential effects of inulin or its fermentation metabolites on gut barrier and immune function of porcine intestinal epithelial cells

Abstract

Prebiotics can modulate gut fermentation and improve intestinal barrier function in mammals. First, inulin fermentation profile was tested in a three-step in vitro model of the piglet’s gastro-intestinal tract combining a hydrolysis – dialysis step to a batch fermentation. Then, the differential effects of digested inulin (after the hydrolysis – dialysis steps) or fermented inulin (after the fermentation step) on the expression of gut barrier and immune-related genes of IPEC-J2 cells were investigated by high-throughput qPCR. Inulin was associated with elevated short-chain fatty acids and butyrate levels. Upregulated expressions of tight and adherens junction genes were observed in IPEC-J2 cells supplemented with inulin fermentation supernatant compared to control IPEC-J2 cells and digested inulin. Therefore, metabolites arising from the fermentation process, including butyrate, could be responsible for the reinforcement of the barrier function.

Keywords

• Prebiotic
• In vitro fermentation
• Porcine intestinal epithelial cells
• Short-chain fatty acids
• Gut barrier
• Inflammatory response