Weaning piglets were fed an L: -glutamine-supplemented diet with the aim of monitoring the effects on gut mucosal turnover and barrier function, to elucidate the potential preventive or therapeutic roles of glutamine as a nutraceutical or 'functional food'. Sixteen female weaning piglets were divided into two groups, which were fed a control diet (Ctr group: n= 8) or a Ctr + 0.5% L: -glutamine diet (G group: n= 8) for 28 days. In the ileum of group G piglets the villus height (V) and crypt depth (C) were increased, and the V:C ratio was decreased (p < 0.01). The PCNA and TUNEL immunoreactivities were also tested. The number of mitotic mucosal cells (M) was increased, and that of mucosal cells with apoptotic nuclei (A) decreased in such a way that the A:M index diminished (p < 0.01). The A:M index also decreased at the level of some components of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT), thus indicating a positive effect on the gut barrier function. This trial showed that L: -glutamine supplementation influenced some morphofunctional characteristics of piglet ileal mucosa. These data corroborate the nutraceutical role of glutamine as a trophic agent for mucosal repair, improvement of barrier function and gut adaptation in the swine per se and as an animal model.

Can nutraceuticals affect the structure of intestinal mucosa? : qualitative and quantitative microanatomy in L-glutamine diet-supplemented weaning piglets / C. Domeneghini, A. Di Giancamillo, G. Bosi, S. Arrighi. - In: VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 0165-7380. - 30:3(2006 Apr), pp. 331-342.

Can nutraceuticals affect the structure of intestinal mucosa? : qualitative and quantitative microanatomy in L-glutamine diet-supplemented weaning piglets

C. Domeneghini
;
A. Di Giancamillo
Secondo
;
G. Bosi
Penultimo
;
S. Arrighi
Ultimo
2006

Abstract

Weaning piglets were fed an L: -glutamine-supplemented diet with the aim of monitoring the effects on gut mucosal turnover and barrier function, to elucidate the potential preventive or therapeutic roles of glutamine as a nutraceutical or 'functional food'. Sixteen female weaning piglets were divided into two groups, which were fed a control diet (Ctr group: n= 8) or a Ctr + 0.5% L: -glutamine diet (G group: n= 8) for 28 days. In the ileum of group G piglets the villus height (V) and crypt depth (C) were increased, and the V:C ratio was decreased (p < 0.01). The PCNA and TUNEL immunoreactivities were also tested. The number of mitotic mucosal cells (M) was increased, and that of mucosal cells with apoptotic nuclei (A) decreased in such a way that the A:M index diminished (p < 0.01). The A:M index also decreased at the level of some components of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT), thus indicating a positive effect on the gut barrier function. This trial showed that L: -glutamine supplementation influenced some morphofunctional characteristics of piglet ileal mucosa. These data corroborate the nutraceutical role of glutamine as a trophic agent for mucosal repair, improvement of barrier function and gut adaptation in the swine per se and as an animal model.
GALT ; glutamine ; gut ; histometry ; immunohistochemistry ; PCNA ; piglets ; TUNEL
Settore VET/01 - Anatomia degli Animali Domestici
apr-2006
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/63730
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