title: Zinc oxide influences mitogen-activated protein kinase and TGF-β1 signaling pathways, and enhances intestinal barrier integrity in weaned pigs.
abstract: Weaning is the most significant event in the life of pigs and is always related with intestinal disruption. Although it is well known that zinc oxide (ZnO) exerts beneficial effects on the intestinal barrier, the mechanisms underlying these effects have not yet been fully elucidated. We examined whether ZnO protects the intestinal barrier via mitogen-activated protein kinases and TGF-β1 signaling pathways. Twelve barrows weaned at 21 d of age were randomly assigned to two treatments (0 verus 2200 mg Zn/kg from ZnO) for 1 wk. The results showed that supplementation with ZnO increased daily gain and feed intake, and decreased postweaning scour scores. ZnO improved intestinal morphology, as indicated by increased villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio, and intestinal barrier function, indicated by increased transepithelial electrical resistance and decreased mucosal-to-serosal permeability to 4-ku FITC dextran. ZnO decreased the ratios of the phosphorylated to total JNK and p38 (p-JNK/JNK and p-p38/p38), while it increased the ratio of ERK (p-ERK/ERK). Supplementation with ZnO increased intestinal TGF-β1 expression. The results indicate that supplementation with ZnO activates ERK ½, and inhibits JNK and p38 signaling pathways, and increases intestinal TGF-β1 expression in weaned pigs.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Ze He
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Ya Lu
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Le Fei
authors.initials: le F
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Animal Science College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, PR China chhu@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Cai Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D017097:Electric Impedance; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014886:Weaning; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Zinc oxide; intestinal barrier; mitogen-activated protein kinases; transforming growth factor-β1; weanling pigs