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The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health

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Published Papers

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 5560

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Yanping Wu

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Guest Editor

College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Interests: animal nutrition; animal gut health; microbial feed additives; nutrition and immunity; gut microbiota

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

An animal’s gastro intestine is a complex environment easily exposed to stimuli, causing various diseases. Thus, maintaining intestinal homeostasis is crucial for animal growth performance and health. Probiotics are used widely as feed additives in animal production, and many studies have reported their benefits in modulating gut health, including promoting the gut immune system, protecting against pathogens, and modulating gut microbiota. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. In addition, as some probiotics are intolerant to environmental conditions such as heat and low pH, investigating probiotics’ components or metabolites termed “postbiotics” has recently become a new research trend. Postbiotics have also been gradually established as potential feed additives, but their beneficial effects and underlying mechanisms are limited and unknown.

Therefore, this Special Issue welcomes submissions, including reviews or original research studies that investigate the application and mechanisms of probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus…) or their postbiotics on improving animal gut health with both in vitro and in vivo studies. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: nutritional effects, growth promoters, disease prevention, intestinal immune modulation, antioxidant or antibacterial properties, and gut microbiota.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yanping Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

probiotics
postbiotics
animal gut health
nutritional effects
disease prevention
mucosal barrier modulation
immunomodulating activity
antioxidant property
antibacterial activity
gut microbiota

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 1788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HJLP-1 on Growth Performance, Selected Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function Indices in the Serum, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chicken

by Caimei Yang, Shuting Wang, Qing Li, Ruiqiang Zhang, Yinglei Xu and Jie Feng

Animals 2024, 14(5), 668; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14050668 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 962

Abstract

This research study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on growth performance, oxidation resistance, immunity, and cecal microbiota in broilers. This work classed three hundred and sixty 1-day-old male broilers into three groups randomly, including a control group (CON, basal diet) and antibiotic (ANT, 75 mg kg⁻¹ chlortetracycline added into basal diet) and probiotic groups (LP, 5 × 10⁸ CFU kg⁻¹Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HJLP-1 contained within basal diet). Animals were then fed for 42 days, and each group comprised eight replicates with 15 broilers. Compared with CON, L. plantarum supplementation significantly improved the average daily weight gain (AWDG) (p < 0.05) while reducing the feed–gain ratio over the entire supplemental period (p < 0.05). Birds fed L. plantarum had markedly lower serum ammonia and xanthine oxidase levels (p < 0.05) than those in the ANT and CON groups. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and serum IgM and IgY contents in broilers fed L. plantarum were also observed when compared with those in the CON and ANT groups. Both L. plantarum and antibiotics decreased pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β levels significantly (p < 0.05), while only L. plantarum promoted anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 levels in the serum (p < 0.05) compared with CON. L. plantarum (p < 0.05) increased acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations in cecal contents when compared to those in CON and ANT. Among the differences revealed via 16S rRNA analysis, L. plantarum markedly improved the community richness of the cecal microbiota. At the genus level, the butyric acid-producing bacteria Ruminococcus and Lachnospiraceae were found in higher relative abundance in samples of L. plantarum-treated birds. In conclusion, dietary L. plantarum supplementation promoted the growth and health of broilers, likely by inducing a shift in broiler gut microbiota toward short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. Therefore, L. plantarum has potential as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health)

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15 pages, 2599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ligilactobacillus animalis 506 Protects the Intestinal Barrier from the Damaging Effects of Enteric Pathogens and Deoxynivalenol

by Erik Juncker Boll, Katrine Damgaard Winther, Tine Thorup Møller Knudsen, Giuseppe Copani and Bruno Ieda Cappellozza

Animals 2024, 14(2), 269; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14020269 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 809

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of L. animalis 506 on gut barrier integrity and regulation of inflammation in vitro using intestinal epithelial cell lines. Caco-2 or HT29 cell monolayers were challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) or a ruminant isolate of Salmonella Heidelberg in the presence or absence of one of six probiotic Lactobacillus spp. strains. Among these, L. animalis 506 excelled at exerting protective effects by significantly mitigating the decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) as assessed using area under the curve (AUC) (p < 0.0001) and increased apical-to-basolateral fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextran translocation (p < 0.0001) across Caco-2 cell monolayers caused by S. Heidelberg or ETEC, respectively. Similarly, L. animalis 506 and other probiotic strains significantly attenuated the S. Heidelberg- and ETEC-induced increase in IL-8 from HT29 cells (p < 0.0001). Moreover, L. animalis 506 significantly counteracted the TEER decrease (p < 0.0001) and FITC dextran translocation (p < 0.0001) upon challenge with Clostridium perfringens. Finally, L. animalis 506 significantly attenuated DON-induced TEER decrease (p < 0.01) and FITC dextran translocation (p < 0.05) and mitigated occludin and zona occludens (ZO)-1 redistribution in Caco-2 cells caused by the mycotoxin. Collectively, these results demonstrate the ability of L. animalis 506 to confer protective effects on the intestinal epithelium in vitro upon challenge with enteric pathogens and DON known to be of particular concern in farm animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health)

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15 pages, 7081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microbial Mechanistic Insight into the Role of Yeast−Derived Postbiotics in Improving Sow Reproductive Performance in Late Gestation and Lactation Sows

by Junlei Chang, Xinlin Jia, Yalei Liu, Xuemei Jiang, Lianqiang Che, Yan Lin, Yong Zhuo, Bin Feng, Zhengfeng Fang, Jian Li, Lun Hua, Jianping Wang, Zhihua Ren, De Wu and Shengyu Xu

Animals 2024, 14(1), 162; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14010162 - 04 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1032

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of supplementing Yeast−derived postbiotics (Y−dP) to the diet of sows during late pregnancy and lactation on fecal microbiota and short−chain fatty acids (SCFA) in sows and their offspring weaned piglets, as well as the relationship between gut microbiota and SCFA, serum cytokines, and sow reproductive performance. A total of 150 sows were divided into three groups: control diet (CON), CON + Y−dP 1.25 g/kg, and CON + Y−dP 2 g/kg. The results showed that supplementing 0.125% Y−dP to the diet of sows can increase the content of isobutyric acid (IBA) in the feces of pregnant sows and reduce the content of butyric acid (BA) in the feces of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). The fecal microbiota of pregnant sows β diversity reduced and piglet fecal microbiota β diversity increased (p < 0.05). Y−dP significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Limosilactobacilli in the feces of pregnant sows (p < 0.05), as well as the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, Bacteroidota, and Fusobacteriota in the feces of piglets (p < 0.05). The abundance of Bacteroidota in the feces of pregnant sows is positively correlated with propionic acid (PA) (r > 0.5, p < 0.05). The abundance of Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group was positively correlated with Acetic acid (AA), PA, Valerate acid (VA), and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in the feces of pregnant sows (r > 0.5, p < 0.05), and Bacteroidota and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group were negatively correlated with the number of stillbirths (r < −0.5, p < 0.05). The abundance of Lactobacillus and Holdemanella in piglet feces was positively correlated with TVFA in feces and negatively correlated with IgA in serum (r > 0.5, p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing Y−dP to the diet of sows from late gestation to lactation can increase the chao1 index and α diversity of fecal microorganisms in sows during lactation, increase the abundance of Actinobacteria and Limosilactobacilli in the feces of sows during pregnancy, and increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidetes in piglet feces, thereby improving intestinal health. These findings provide a reference for the application of Y−dP in sow production and a theoretical basis for Y−dP to improve sow production performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health)

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17 pages, 15072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Postbiotics Suppress Salmonella Infection via Modulating Bacterial Pathogenicity, Autophagy and Inflammasome in Mice

by Aixin Hu, Wenxia Huang, Xin Shu, Shiyue Ma, Caimei Yang, Ruiqiang Zhang, Xiao Xiao and Yanping Wu

Animals 2023, 13(20), 3215; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13203215 - 14 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1430

Abstract

Our study aimed to explore the effects of postbiotics on protecting against Salmonella infection in mice and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Eighty 5-week-old C57BL/6 mice were gavaged daily with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP)-derived postbiotics (heat-killed bacteria, LPB_inactive; culture supernatant, LPC) or the active bacteria (LPB_active), and gavaged with Salmonella enterica Typhimurium (ST). The Turbidimetry test and agar diffusion assay indicated that LPC directly inhibited Salmonella growth. Real-time PCR and biofilm inhibition assay showed that LPC had a strong ability in suppressing Salmonella pathogenicity by reducing virulence genes (SopE, SopB, InvA, InvF, SipB, HilA, SipA and SopD2), pili genes (FilF, SefA, LpfA, FimF), flagellum genes (FlhD, FliC, FliD) and biofilm formation. LP postbiotics were more effective than LP on attenuating ST-induced intestinal damage in mice, as indicated by increasing villus/crypt ratio and increasing the expression levels of tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin-1). Elisa assay showed that LP postbiotics significantly reduced ST-induced inflammation by regulating the levels of inflammatory cytokines (the increased IL-4 and IL-10 and the decreased TNF-α) in serum and ileum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LP postbiotics inhibited the activation of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by decreasing the protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1, and the gene expression of Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Meanwhile, both LPC and LPB observably activated autophagy under ST infection, as indicated by the up-regulated expression of LC3 and Beclin1 and the downregulated p62 level (p < 0.05). Finally, we found that LP postbiotics could trigger an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway to induce autophagy. In summary, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-derived postbiotics alleviated Salmonella infection via modulating bacterial pathogenicity, autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in mice. Our results confirmed the effectiveness of postbiotics agents in the control of Salmonella infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health)

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Review

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14 pages, 768 KiB

Open AccessReview

Probiotic Roles of Clostridium butyricum in Piglets: Considering Aspects of Intestinal Barrier Function

by Xiaopeng Tang

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1069; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14071069 - 31 Mar 2024

Viewed by 927

Abstract

China, as the global leader in pork production and consumption, is faced with challenges in ensuring sustainable and wholesome growth of the pig industry while also guaranteeing meat food safety amidst the ban on antibiotics usage in animal feed. The focus of the pig industry lies in guaranteeing piglet health and enhancing overall production performance through nutrition regulation. Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum), a new type of probiotic, possesses characteristics such as heat resistance, acid resistance, and bile-salt tolerance, meaning it has potential as a feed additive. Previous studies have demonstrated that C. butyricum has a probiotic effect on piglets and can serve as a substitute for antibiotics. The objective of this study was to review the probiotic role of C. butyricum in the production of piglets, specifically focusing on intestinal barrier function. Through this review, we explored the probiotic effects of C. butyricum on piglets from the perspective of intestinal health. That is, C. butyricum promotes intestinal health by regulating the functions of the mechanical barrier, chemical barrier, immune barrier, and microbial barrier of piglets, thereby improving the growth of piglets. This review can provide a reference for the rational utilization and application of C. butyricum in swine production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Mechanism of Probiotics or Postbiotics on Improving Animal Gut Health)

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