Guo Dongxi, Sun Longfei, Chen Daiwen, Pu Junning, Yu Bing
Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
Key Laboratory of Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition, China Ministry of Education, China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
J Anim Sci. 2026 Feb 23. doi: 10.1093/jas/skag053.
Nano-porous zinc oxide (NP-ZnO), characterized by its large specific surface area and high porosity, has been considered a suitable alternative to high-dose zinc oxide (ZnO). However, its effects on piglets subjected to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge remain unknown. This study was conducted to explore the protective effect of NP-ZnO on reducing diarrhea incidence and the underlying mechanisms in weaned pigs following ETEC challenge. Thirty-six 21-d-old weaned piglets (6.62 ± 0.23 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. Piglets in the control (CON) and ETEC challenged groups were fed the basal diet, while others were a fed basal diet containing either ZnO (2000 mg/kg) or NP-ZnO (1500 mg/kg) for 14 d, before oral administration of ETEC or culture medium. During the initial 1-14 d, both NP-ZnO and ZnO improved growth performance and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, ether extract and ash (P < 0.01), while reducing diarrhea incidence (P < 0.05). Following ETEC challenge, NP-ZnO and ZnO inhibited the reduction of average daily feed intake, average daily gain and the ratio of gain to feed (P < 0.01) induced by ETEC, with NP-ZnO alleviated the diarrhea rate induced by ETEC (P < 0.05). In addition, both NP-ZnO and ZnO reversed ETEC-induced decrease in IL-10 mRNA expression and increase in Caspase-1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). NP-ZnO improved antioxidant status in ETEC-challenged piglets by elevating GSH-Px, T-SOD, and T-AOC levels and reducing serum DAO concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, NP-ZnO upregulated mRNA expression of jejunal Nrf2 and Occludin, and colonic AQP3 (P < 0.05). Collectively, NP-ZnO improved growth performance, reduced diarrhea, and alleviated ETEC-induced oxidative stress and intestinal damage, suggesting that NP-ZnO is an efficient alternative to conventional ZnO in weaned piglets.
纳米多孔氧化锌（NP-ZnO）具有大比表面积和高孔隙率的特点，被认为是高剂量氧化锌（ZnO）的合适替代品。然而，其对遭受产肠毒素大肠杆菌（ETEC）攻击的仔猪的影响尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨NP-ZnO对降低断奶仔猪ETEC攻击后腹泻发生率的保护作用及其潜在机制。将36头21日龄断奶仔猪（6.62±0.23千克）随机分为4组。对照组（CON）和ETEC攻击组的仔猪饲喂基础日粮，而其他组则在口服ETEC或培养基前14天饲喂含ZnO（2000毫克/千克）或NP-ZnO（1500毫克/千克）的基础日粮。在最初的1-14天内，NP-ZnO和ZnO均改善了生长性能以及干物质、粗蛋白、总能、乙醚提取物和灰分的表观全肠道消化率（ATTD）（P<0.01），同时降低了腹泻发生率（P<0.05）。在ETEC攻击后，NP-ZnO和ZnO抑制了ETEC诱导的平均日采食量、平均日增重和料重比的降低（P<0.01），其中NP-ZnO减轻了ETEC诱导的腹泻率（P<0.05）。此外，NP-ZnO和ZnO均逆转了ETEC诱导的IL-10 mRNA表达降低和Caspase-1 mRNA表达增加（P<0.05）。NP-ZnO通过提高GSH-Px、T-SOD和T-AOC水平以及降低血清DAO浓度来改善ETEC攻击仔猪的抗氧化状态（P<0.05）。此外，NP-ZnO上调了空肠Nrf2和Occludin以及结肠AQP3的mRNA表达（P<0.05）。总体而言，NP-ZnO改善了生长性能，减少了腹泻，并减轻了ETEC诱导的氧化应激和肠道损伤，表明NP-ZnO是断奶仔猪中传统ZnO的有效替代品。
