<i>Agrobacterium</i> sp. ZX09 β-Glucan Attenuates Enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>-Induced Disruption of Intestinal Epithelium in Weaned Pigs

Abstract

To explore the protective effect of dietary β-glucan (BGL) supplementation on intestinal epithelium exposure to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), thirty-two weaned pigs were assigned to four groups. Pigs were fed with a basal diet or basal diet containing 500 mg/kg BGL, and were orally infused with ETEC or culture medium. Results showed BGL supplementation had no influence on growth performance in weaned pigs. However, BGL supplementation increased the absorption of D-xylose, and significantly decreased the serum concentrations of D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) in the ETEC-challenged pigs (p p p p IL-6), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the jejunal and ileal mucosa upon ETEC challenge (p Lactobacillus and Bacillus in the colon upon ETEC challenge (p < 0.05). These results suggested BGL could alleviate the ETEC-induced intestinal epithelium injury, which may be associated with suppressed inflammation and improved intestinal immunity and antioxidant capacity, as well as the improved intestinal macrobiotic.

Keywords

• β-glucan
• intestinal epithelium
• enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>
• weaned pigs