Effect of L-arginine on intestinal mucosal immune barrier function in weaned pigs after Escherichia coli LPS challenge.
The effects of l-arginine (Arg) supplementation on intestinal mucosal immune barrier function in weaned pigs after Escherichia coli LPS challenge were evaluated. Twenty-four weaned pigs were allotted to four treatments including: (i) non-challenged control; (ii) LPS-challenged control; (iii) LPS + 0.5% Arg; and (iv) LPS + 1.0% Arg. On d 16, pigs in the LPS, LPS + 0.5% Arg and LPS + 1.0% Arg groups were challenged by injection with 100 µg/kg of body mass LPS, whereas the control group were given sterile saline. At 48 h post-challenge, all pigs were sacrificed for evaluation of small intestinal morphology and mucosal immune barrier function. In the jejunum and ileum, LPS caused villous atrophy and intestinal morphology disruption, whereas 0.5% or 1.0% Arg supplementation mitigated villus atrophy and intestinal morphology impairment caused by LPS challenge. Arg (0.5%) supplementation increased the numbers of IgA-secreting cells, CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells in the ileum (P < 0.05). Arg supplementation prevented the elevation of mast cell numbers induced by LPS challenge (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of Arg caused a decreased lymphocyte apoptosis of Peyer's patches in pigs challenged by LPS (P < 0.05). These results indicated that Arg supplementation protects and enhances intestinal mucosal immune barrier function and maintains intestinal integrity in weaned pigs after E. coli LPS challenge.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, People's Republic of China.
H L
HL
Zhu
Y L
YL
Liu
X L
XL
Xie
J J
JJ
Huang
Y Q
YQ
Hou
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000187:drug effects; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D001120:Arginine