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The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of spray-dried plasma (SDP) supplementation during late gestation and lactation on productive performance and immune responses of sows and their litters. Twelve sows (227.78 ± 2.16 kg average body weight; 2.0 average parity) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: a basal diet (CON) and the basal diet supplemented with 1% SDP. Sows were fed experimental diets from d 30 before farrowing to weaning of their piglets. Blood samples were collected from sows on d 1, 3, and 7 of lactation and from two randomly selected nursing pigs per litter on d 3 and 7 after birth, and d 1, 3, and 7 after weaning. Productive performance and immune responses of sows and their piglets were measured. There was a trend of less body weight loss in sows supplemented with SDP (p < 0.10) during the lactation period and a trend of greater (p < 0.10) average daily gain in SDP piglets compared to those in the CON group. Sows in the SDP group tended to have lower (p < 0.10) serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and cortisol on d 3 and lower serum concentration of TNF-α on d 7 compared with sows in CON group. In comparison with CON piglets, piglets from SDP sows tended to have lower (p < 0.10) serum concentrations of TNF-α, TGF-β1, and cortisol on d 7 after birth, lower (p < 0.10) serum TNF-α and C-reactive protein on d 3 and 7 after weaning, and greater (p < 0.10) average daily gain after weaning. Moreover, weaned pigs from sows fed SDP had significantly lower (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of cortisol and TGF-β1 on d 3 and 7 postweaning, respectively, than CON piglets. In conclusion, SDP supplementation in sow diets from late gestation to weaning improved the productive performance of sows and their offspring; the beneficial effects of SDP may be mediated in part through modulation of immune responses of both sows and piglets.

BackgroundStress causes inflammation that impairs intestinal barrier function. Dietary spray-dried plasma (SDP) has recognized anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of gut barrier function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary SDP on intestinal morphology of mated female mice under stress condition.ResultsVillus height, width, and area of small intestines were low on gestation day (GD) 3 or 4 under stress conditions, and higher later (Time, P

This study evaluated whether dietary spray-dried plasma (SDP) can ameliorate inflammation, lethargic behaviors, and impairment of reproduction caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge during late pregnancy. Two experiments were conducted with 125 mated female mice (C57BL/6 strain) in each experiment. All mice were shipped from a vendor on the gestation day (GD) 1 and arrived at the laboratory on GD 3. Mice were randomly assigned to dietary treatments with or without 8% SDP in the diet. On GD 17, mice determined pregnant by BW and abdomen shape were randomly assigned to intraperitoneal injections with or without 2 μg LPS. In experiment 1, 17 mice (26.7 ± 1.7 g BW) were identified pregnant and euthanized 6 h after the LPS challenge to measure inflammatory responses in uterus and placenta. In experiment 2, 44 mice (26.0 ± 1.6 g BW) were identified pregnant and euthanized 24 h after the LPS challenge to assess behavior and late-term pregnancy loss. Growth performance and reproductive responses, such as loss of pregnancy, percentage of fetal death, and etc., were measured in all pregnant mice. The LPS challenge increased (P < 0.05) uterine and placental tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, late-term pregnancy loss, and lethargy score, and decreased (P < 0.05) uterine transforming growth factor-β1, moving time and number of rearing, and growth and feed intake. The SDP decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or both tissues, and the lethargy score, and increased (P < 0.05) moving time and number of rearing, growth of pregnant mice, and fetal weight. However, the SDP did not affect late-term pregnancy loss caused by the LPS challenge. Consequently, dietary SDP attenuated acute inflammation and lethargic behaviors of pregnant mice caused by the LPS challenge, but did not affect late-term pregnancy loss after the acute inflammation.

Simple Summary: An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that pigs fed a low-protein diet containing 6% spray-dried plasma during phase 1 have improved growth performance and intestinal health if fed a low-protein diet during phase 2 containing spray-dried plasma. Low-protein phase 1 diets contained 0 or 6% spray-dried plasma, whereas low-protein, as well as normal-protein, phase-2 diets contained 0 or 2.5% spray-dried plasma. Including spray-dried plasma in low-protein diets improved growth performance during the initial 14 d post-weaning, but not during the combined phase 1 and phase 2 periods. Pigs fed a low-protein diet with spray-dried plasma in phase 1 and then a normal protein diet with spray-dried plasma in phase 2 had an improved growth performance compared with pigs fed a diet without spray-dried plasma, and the villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio in the jejunum was reduced. Diarrhea and pro-inflammatory cytokines were lower in pigs fed diets with spray-dried plasma or diets low in protein compared with pigs fed diets without spray-dried plasma and with normal protein, indicating less intestinal inflammation. The hypothesis that pigs fed a low crude protein (CP) diet with 6% spray-dried plasma (SDP) in phase 1 will have improved growth and intestinal health if the phase-2 diet contains 2.5% SDP was tested. Three hundred weaned pigs were used. Growth performance, feces, blood, and intestinal tissue were evaluated. Pigs fed 6% SDP in phase 1 had improved average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (BW), but had reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio in phase 2 if 2.5% SDP was included in the normal-CP diet (p < 0.05), but not in the low-CP diet. Diarrhea incidence was less (p < 0.05) with 2.5% SDP in the phase 2 diet and for the low-CP diet. Ileal mucosa interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-1β decreased (p < 0.05) for pigs fed the phase-1 diet with 6% SDP compared with pigs fed the diet without SDP. Addition of 2.5% SDP in phase 2 reduced (p < 0.05) IL-1β compared with the diet without SDP. Although the combination of SDP and low CP did not affect intestinal health in phase 2, diarrhea incidence and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced in pigs fed SDP in phase 1 or phase 2 or if a low-CP diet was fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated intestinal barrier function during inflammation as well as the effects of dietary supplementation with porcine spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) proteins and porcine immunoglobulin concentrate (IC). Wistar Lewis rats were fed from d 21 (weaning) until d 34 or 35 either a control diet or a diet containing SDAP or IC. On d 30 and d 33, rats received an intraperitoneal dose of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB; 0.5 mg/kg body wt; groups SEB, SEB-SDAP, and SEB-IC). SEB reduced the potential difference across the jejunum by 60%, the short-circuit current by 70%, and Na-K- ATPase activity in intestinal mucosa (all P < 0.05). The fluxes of dextran flux (4 kDa) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP, 40 kDa) across the intestinal wall also increased in SEB-treated rats (P < 0.01, P = 0.068, respectively). SEB also increased HRP flux across the paracellular space (P < 0.05). Moreover, SEB-treated rats had a reduced expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1 (10% reduction; P < 0.05) and [beta]-catenin (20% reduction; P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with SDAP or IC prevented dextran (P < 0.05) and HR P (P < 0.05) paracellular flux across the intestinal epithelium. SDAP supplementation also prevented SEB effects on Na-K-ATPase activity (P < 0.05). In our model of SEB-induced intestinal inflammation, the increased permeability across the intestinal mucosa was due to the lower expression of tight junction proteins, an effect that can be prevented by both SDAP and IC supplementation.

We investigated the intestinal transport of o-glucose (D-GIc) and 3 essential amino acids in a model of intestinal inflammation, and the effects of dietary supplementation with animal plasma proteins on this function. Wistar Lewis rats were fed a diet containing an isonitrogenous amount of milk protein (control group) or a diet supplemented with either spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) or immunoglobulin concentrate (IC) from porcine plasma, from d 21 of life (weaning) until d 35. On d 30 and 33, rats were challenged intraperitoneally with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB; groups SEB, SEB-SDAP, and SEB-IC) and on d 35, brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) were prepared and used for transport and binding studies. Administration of SEB reduced D-GIc transport across sodium glucose transporter 1 [SGLT1; 20% reduction in maximal transport rate ([V.sub.max]); P < 0.05], without affecting the Michaelis constant (Kin). The results from specific phlorizin binding, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry supported the view that the effects of SEB are due to reduced expression of D-GIc transporters in the apical membrane. SEB increased the passive diffusion constant ([K.sub.d]) for D-GIc 3-fold (P < 0.05). SEB did not affect mediated or passive amino acid fluxes of L-leucine, L-methionine, or L-lysine. Dietary SDAP increased the D-GIc [V.sub.max] in the SEB group without affecting the passive component. Changes in D-GIc [V.sub.max] due to SEB and to the dietary treatments were correlated with changes in the number of SGLT1 transporters present in the BBMVs (r = 0.9468; P < 0.05). Dietary IC had no observed effect. We estimate that, in rats challenged with SEB, SDAP supplementation can increase glucose absorption by 8-9% during the interdigestive periods. J. Nutr. 135: 1653-1658, 2005. KEY WORDS: * Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B * intestinal inflammation * glucose transport * spray-dried porcine plasma * immunoglobulin concentrate

The aim of this study was to determine the potential modulatory effects of diets supplemented with spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) or immunoglobulin concentrates (IC) on the immune response of rats challenged with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). Lewis rats were fed diets containing 80 g of SDAP/kg diet, 22.7 g of IC/kg diet, or milk proteins (Control diet) from postnatal d 21 (weaning) for 14 d. On d 30 and 33, rats were given SEB (0.5 mg/kg body weight; i.p.). Organized gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) populations, intestinal secretion, mucosal and serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and neutrophil infiltration were studied. On d 35, blood was collected under anesthesia and samples of intestinal mucosa, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and spleen were taken. SEB increased the water content of feces, which was prevented by diets containing either SDAP (P < 0.002) or IC (P < 0.001), indicating that plasma protein-supplemented diets can reverse the SEB-induced secretory response. In Peyer's patches, the diet containing SDAP partially prevented the SEB-induced increase in T lymphocytes (P < 0.1) and reduced the percentage of activated T helper cells (P < 0.05). In MLN, activated T lymphocytes were increased by SEB but they were not affected by diet. No effects of SEB or dietary supplementation on mucosal IgA and serum IgA and IgG were observed. The effects of SDAP supplementation on the lymphocyte populations of GALT in rats challenged with SEB support the view that SDAP can modulate the immune response and suggest that plasma protein supplementation can prevent GALT from possible activation by luminal bacterial superantigens. KEY WORDS: * spray-dried plasma * immunoglobulin concentrates * intestinal inflammation * rat * Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B

Putative Vibrio fischeri rpoN gene, which encodes (sigma) (super 54) and controls motility, biofilm development, bioluminescence and colonization, is described. The symbiotic association of V. fischeri with juveniles of the squid Euprymna scolopes could be initiated by rpoN.

We determined the effects of lignosulfonate (LS) on nutrient digestibility and on hindgut fermentation characteristics using 80 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a control diet or a diet containing 3% (dry matter basis) of seven selected LS fractions. Lignosulfonate fractions were divided into three categories: two fractionated whole calcium spent sulfite liquors (CaSSL) and one low-molecular-weight permeate of CaSSL designated as WholeLS 1, 2, and 3, respectively; two extracted sodium LS (NaLS) fractions denoted as HighLS 1 and 2 (high percentage of NaLS); and two concentrated sugar solutions designated as LowLS 1 and 2 (low percentage of NaLS). All diets containing LS were less digestible (P < .001) than the control diet. Lignosulfonate treatment had a variable effect on short-chain fatty acid concentration except for LowLS 1, which tended to enhance butyrate concentration. Cecal organ weights were greater (P < .001) for LS treatments, but there was no difference in colonic organ weights. All cecal and colonic pH values, except the cecal pH for HighLS 2, were lower (P < .001) for LS treatment groups. Colonic Bifidobacterium increased (P < .005) with WholeLS 1 and 3 and HighLS 2 treatments. Cecal Lactobacillus levels were increased (P < .001) by WholeLS 1 and 2, LowLS 2, and HighLS 2. Results show that ingestion of selected LS fractions can modify digestive physiology and gastrointestinal tract characteristics of rats. Key Words: Lignosulfonates, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Cecum, Colon

Certain indigestible oligosaccharides may benefit gastrointestinal tract health via fermentation and proliferation of desirable bacterial species. The purpose of this study was to elucidate effects of selected oligosaccharides on cecal and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration, pH, total large bowel wet weight and wall weight, and gut microbiota levels in rats. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five treatments: 1) control diet; 2) control diet + 5% microcrystalline cellulose (5% CC); 3) control diet + 5% CC + 6% fructooligosaccharides; 4) control diet + 5% CC + 6% oligofructose; or 5) control diet + 5% CC + 6% xylooligosaccharides. The control diet consisted of (dry matter basis) 20% protein, 65% carbohydrate, 10.5% fat, vitamin and mineral mixes. The duration of the study was 14 d. The oligofructose- and fructooligosaccharide-containing diets resulted in higher cecal butyrate concentrations compared with the control, cellulose and xylooligosaccharide diets. Generally, total cecal SCFA pools were higher while pH was lower from ingesting oligosaccharide-containing diets compared with control or cellulose diets. Cecal total weight and wall weight were higher from oligosaccharide consumption, whereas colonic total wet weight was higher for rats consuming xylooligosaccharides compared with other treatments; colon wall weight was unaffected by treatments. Cecal bifidobacteria and total anaerobes were higher whereas total aerobes were lower in rats fed oligosaccharide diets compared with those fed the control diet. Cecal lactobacilli levels were unaffected by treatment. Dietary incorporation of fermentable, indigestible oligosaccharides, by providing SCFA, lowering pH, and increasing bifidobacteria, may be beneficial in improving gastrointestinal health. J. Nutr. 127: 130-136, 1997. KEY WORDS: oligosaccharides short-chain fatty acids bifidobacteria rats

Evidence supports a pathogenic role of arachidonic acid - derived inflammatory mediators within the gastrointestinal tract of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an ulcerative colitis nutritional formula (UCNF) containing oligosaccharides, fish oil, gum arabic and antioxidants on plasma and colonic phospholipid fatty acid and prostaglandin profiles in pigs. Twenty-four growing barrows in two replications were equally randomized among four killing times (d 0, 7, 14 and 21), and one of two diets, a control and the UCNF. Diets contained comparable levels of protein, fat, and nonstructural carbohydrate and met 100% of the energy requirements of the pig. Intake and body weight were recorded daily while blood, urine and tissue samples were collected at time of kill. Within 1 wk of ingestion of the UCNF, the composition of plasma phospholipid fatty acids showed an increase in 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3) (P < 0.0001) and a decrease in 20:4(n-6) and 18:2(n-6) (P < 0.0001). Similar effects were observed for the phospholipids in the colonic and cecal mucosa. Plasma prostaglandin E was unaffected by treatment, whereas thromboxane [B.sub.2] and 6-ketoprostaglandin [F.sub.1[Alpha]] levels were significantly decreased after 7 d of UCNF ingestion. Ingestion of the UCNF resulted in a suppression in the synthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins by cecal and colonic mucosal cells. Levels of colonic and cecal prostaglandin E, 6-ketoprostaglandin [F.sub.1[Alpha]] and thromboxane [B.sub.2] were significantly decreased after 7 d of UCNF ingestion. These changes may have been mediated by rapid increases of (n-3) fatty acids into cellular phospholipids. Dietary supplementation with the UCNF may prove beneficial for patients with ulcerative colitis by modulating colonic prostaglandin synthesis. J. Nutr. 127: 137-145, 1997. KEY WORDS: fish oil oligosaccharides pigs inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis

Because a yellow color has been observed in the fat pads of Mongolian gerbils fed a nonpurified diet, we designed the current study to determine whether adult male gerbils would absorb Beta-carotene intact from a test meal. Thirty-five gerbils (80-90 g) were adapted to the laboratory and fed a standard purified diet free of Beta-carotene for 16-19 d. Gerbils were then fed a test meal consisting of 279 nmol of Beta-carotene as 10% water-soluble beadlets suspended in 0.5 mL of Ensure (TM). Gerbils (n = 5) were killed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 or 72 h after the test meal, blood was obtained by cardiac puncture, and tissues were taken for Beta-carotene analysis. No Beta-carotene was detected in serum at 0 or 72 h, whereas Beta-carotene was present at all other sampling times. Serum Beta-carotene peaked at 4 h, at a level of 88 nmol/L. Beta-Carotene was detected in the liver of all groups; however, the concentration increased from approximately 34 pmol/g to a maximum concentration of 926 pmol/g at 24 h after the test meal. Other tissues also contained Beta-carotene. The results demonstrate that Mongolian gerbils, like ferrets and preruminant calves, absorb Beta-carotene intact when Beta-carotene is provided at a physiological level in a test meal. This species may be particularly useful for evaluation of the role of antioxidants, such as Beta-carotene, in LDL oxidation.

Abstract Background Intake of colostrum after birth is essential to stimulate intestinal growth and function, and to provide systemic immunological protection via absorption of Immunoglobulin G (IgG). The birth order and weight of 745 piglets (from 75 litters) were recorded during a one-week period of farrowing. Only pigs weighing greater than 0.68 kg birth weight were chosen for the trial. Sow colostrum was collected during parturition, and piglets were bled between 48 and 72 hours post-birth. Piglet serum IgG and colostral IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunodiffusion. Results Sow parity had a significant (P < 0.001) effect on sow colostral IgG concentration, being 5% higher in multiparous females. Sow colostral IgG concentration explained 6% and piglet birth order accounted for another 4% of the variation observed in piglet serum IgG concentration (P < 0.05); however, birth weight had no detectable effect. Piglet serum IgG concentration had both a linear (P < 0.05) and quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on % survival. Piglets with 1,000 mg/dl serum IgG or less (n=24) had a 67% survival; whereas, piglets with IgG concentrations between 2250 to 2500 mg/dl (n=247) had a 91% survival. Birth order had no detectable effect on survival, but birth weight had a positive linear effect (P < 0.05). Piglets weighing 0.9 kg (n = 107) at birth had a 68% survival rate, and those weighing 1.6 kg (n = 158) had an 89% survival. Conclusion We found that the combination of sow colostrum IgG concentration and birth order can account for 10% of the variation of piglet serum IgG concentration and that piglets with less than 1,000 mg/dl IgG serum concentration and weight of 0.9 kg at birth had low survival rate when compared to their larger siblings. The effective management of colostrum uptake in neonatal piglets in the first 24 hrs post-birth may potentially improve survival from birth to weaning.

Functional foods have been described as foods that provide benefits beyond basic nutrition and may prevent disease or promote health. A functional food ingredient that has received much attention is fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Fructooligosaccharides occur naturally in many plants (Mitsuoka et al. 1987, Spiegel et al. 1994, Tashiro et al. 1992) and have been shown to exhibit beneficial health effects by stimulating the growth of bifidobacteria in the human colon, by suppression of putrefactive pathogens and by reduction of serum cholesterol concentrations (Gibson and Roberfroid 1995, Hidaka et al. 1986, Tomomatsu, 1994). Although the health benefits derived from the colonic fermentation of FOS in humans are well documented (Gibson and Roberfroid 1995), little is known of a potentially similar role in companion animals. Research with another group of oligosaccharides (i.e., lactosucrose) has shown positive changes in the colonic bacterial population and significant reductions in the concentrations of fecal odor components in dogs (Terada et al. 1992) and cats (Terada et al. 1993) as a result of lactosucrose supplementation. Dietary supplementation of FOS, if proven effective in promoting a more remedial colonic bacterial population and in decreasing fecal odor components, will depend on FOS contribution from pet-food ingredients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a database on the concentrations of FOS in 25 pet-food ingredients. Lewis (1993) defined FOS as a mixture of 1-ketose (1-kestotriose; [GF.sub.2]), nystose (1,1-kestotetraose; [GF.sub.3]), and [1.sup.F]-fructofuranosyl-nystose (1,1,1-kestopentaose; [GF.sub.4]). These oligosaccharides [ILLUSTRATION FOR FIGURE 1 OMITTED] consist of short chains of fructose units linked by (2[right arrow]l)-[Beta] - glucosidic bonds and carry a single D-glucosyl unit at the nonreducing end of the chain linked (1[right arrow]2)-[Alpha]-as in sucrose. Materials and methods. Ingredients. A total of 25 pet-food ingredients (alfalfa meal, barley, beet pulp, brewer's rice, canola meal, corn, corn distiller's solubles, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, hominy, milo, oats, oat groats, peanut hulls, rice bran, brown rice, white rice, rice hulls, seaweed, soybean hulls, soybean meal, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ and wheat middlings) were obtained from local commodity stores and ground through a 2-mm screen. Samples were dried (AOAC 1984) to allow expression of FOS content on a dry matter (DM) basis. Sample preparation. Approximately 10 g of the ground sample was blended (Waring blender, Waring Products Division, New Hartford, CT) with 50 mL of water for 5 min. The blended mixture then was filtered through a Buchner funnel containing a Whatman # 1 filter paper and the filtrate was subjected to further centrifugal filtration using a 10 Da cut-off filter (AMICON, Beverly, MA). FOS separation. The FOS content of the samples was determined by HPLC. Each sample (25 [[micro]liter]) was injected into a Dionex BioLC HPLC (Dionex, Sunnyvale, CA) fitted with a CarboPac PAl (4 x 250 mm) analytical column and a CarboPac PAl (4 x 50 mm) guard column (Dionex). The degassed mobile phase, consisting of 100 mmol NaOH/L, was initially run for 8 min. From 8 to 30 min, the proportion of 100 mmol NaOH/L and 100 mmol NaOH/L:600 mmol NaOAc/L was altered linearly to a final ratio of 88% 100 mmol NaOH/L and 12% 100 mmol NaOH/L:600 mmol NaOAc/L. This concentration was maintained for 6 min and then the eluants were changed to a concentration of 50% 100 mmol NaOH/L and 50% 100 mmol NaOH/L:600 mmol NaOAc/L, which was maintained for 5 min to clean the column. The column then was reequilibrated for 19 min with 100 mmol NaOH/L. All eluants were prepared with carbonate-free water and purged with helium. The flow rate was constant at 1 mL/min and the elution was conducted at room temperature. Eluted FOS units were detected using a Dionex Pulsed Electrochemical Detector (Dionex) equipped with a gold working electrode. The detector was operating in the integrated amperometry mode. Total run time was 60 min per sample. Appropriate dilutions of a solution containing each of the [GF.sub.n] units (Wako Pure Chemical, Osaka, Japan) were used as the calibration standards. Chromatographic peaks were identified by comparing sample retention times to those of known standard mixtures. Calculations. Components of FOS ([GF.sub.n] units) were quantified by measuring peak areas and comparing them with standard curves generated by plotting area counts against concentration of standards (0-250 [[micro]gram]/mL). Linear regression was used to calculate the calibration curve and the coefficient of determination ([r.sup.2]). The [r.sup.2] value was 0.98 for all [GF.sub.n] units. All samples were analyzed in duplicate with and without spike, thus allowing recoveries to be calculated. The percentage of recovery was calculated as follows: % recovery = [(C1 - C2)/S] x 100 where C1 is the concentration of sample with spike, C2 is the concentration of sample without spike and S is the concentration of spike. Results and discussion. No FOS were detected in corn, corn distiller's solubles, hominy, milo, brown rice, white rice, brewer's rice, rice hulls, seaweed, or soybean meal. Wheat coproducts contained the highest concentrations of total FOS, followed by peanut hulls, alfalfa meal, barley and wheat. The remaining ingredients contained low concentrations of FOS (Table 1). The proportions of [GF.sub.4] (percentage of total FOS) were highest in alfalfa meal, peanut hulls, and wheat germ (96, 83 and 50%, respectively). The proportions of [GF.sub.2] (percentage of total FOS) were 100% for ingredients containing low concentrations of FOS (i.e., beet pulp, canola meal, oats, oat groats, rice bran and soybean hulls). The proportions of [GF.sub.2] in ingredients containing high concentrations of FOS (i.e., wheat bran, wheat germ, wheat middlings and barley) were 95, 46, 100 and 76%, respectively. The proportions of [GF.sub.3] (percentage of FOS) were very low in all ingredients except for barley (22%), corn gluten meal (56%) and corn gluten feed (78%) (Table 1). The ranges for percentage recovery of FOS in the 25 ingredients evaluated in this study were 84 to 122% for [GF.sub.2], 89 to 107% for [GF.sub.3] and 85 to 119% for [GF.sub.4]. The majority of the percentage recovery values were 100 [+ or -] 10%. In summary, accurate quantification of FOS in pet-food ingredients will allow more precise nutritional formulation to be developed such that dogs and cats might derive maximal benefit from the inclusion of FOS-containing ingredients in their diets. KEY WORDS: fructooligosaccharides; companion animals; HPLC; ion exchange chromatography

The aim of this study was to determine the potential modulatory effects of diets supplemented with spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) or immunoglobulin concentrates (IC) on the immune response of rats challenged with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). Lewis rats were fed diets containing 80 g of SDAP/kg diet, 22.7 g of IC/kg diet, or milk proteins (Control diet) from postnatal d 21 (weaning) for 14 d. On d 30 and 33, rats were given SEB (0.5 mg/kg body weight; i.p.). Organized gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) populations, intestinal secretion, mucosal and serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and neutrophil infiltration were studied. On d 35, blood was collected under anesthesia and samples of intestinal mucosa, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and spleen were taken. SEB increased the water content of feces, which was prevented by diets containing either SDAP (P < 0.002) or IC (P < 0.001), indicating that plasma protein-supplemented diets can reverse the SEB-induced secretory response. In Peyer's patches, the diet containing SDAP partially prevented the SEB-induced increase in T lymphocytes (P lt; 0.1) and reduced the percentage of activated T helper cells (P < 0.05). In MLN, activated T lymphocytes were increased by SEB but they were not affected by diet. No effects of SEB or dietary supplementation on mucosal IgA and serum IgA and IgG were observed. The effects of SDAP supplementation on the lymphocyte populations of GALT in rats challenged with SEB support the view that SDAP can modulate the immune response and suggest that plasma protein supplementation can prevent GALT from possible activation by luminal bacterial superantigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we demonstrated that the putative Vibrio fischeri rpoN gene, which encodes σ54, controls flagellar biogenesis, biofilm development, and bioluminescence. We also show that rpoN plays a requisite role initiating the symbiotic association of V. fischeri with juveniles of the squid Euprymna scolopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the potential modulatory effects of diets supplemented with spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) or immunoglobulin concentrates (IC) on the immune response of rats challenged with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). Lewis rats were fed diets containing 80 g of SDAP/kg diet, 22.7 g of IC/kg diet, or milk proteins (Control diet) from postnatal d 21 (weaning) for 14 d. On d 30 and 33, rats were given SEB (0.5 mg/kg body weight; i.p.). Organized gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) populations, intestinal secretion, mucosal and serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and neutrophil infiltration were studied. On d 35, blood was collected under anesthesia and samples of intestinal mucosa, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and spleen were taken. SEB increased the water content of feces, which was prevented by diets containing either SDAP (P < 0.002) or IC (P < 0.001), indicating that plasma protein-supplemented diets can reverse the SEB-induced secretory response. In Peyer's patches, the diet containing SDAP partially prevented the SEB-induced increase in T lymphocytes (P lt; 0.1) and reduced the percentage of activated T helper cells (P < 0.05). In MLN, activated T lymphocytes were increased by SEB but they were not affected by diet. No effects of SEB or dietary supplementation on mucosal IgA and serum IgA and IgG were observed. The effects of SDAP supplementation on the lymphocyte populations of GALT in rats challenged with SEB support the view that SDAP can modulate the immune response and suggest that plasma protein supplementation can prevent GALT from possible activation by luminal bacterial superantigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis that pigs fed a low crude protein (CP) diet with 6% spray-dried plasma (SDP) in phase 1 will have improved growth and intestinal health if the phase-2 diet contains 2.5% SDP was tested. Three hundred weaned pigs were used. Growth performance, feces, blood, and intestinal tissue were evaluated. Pigs fed 6% SDP in phase 1 had improved average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (BW), but had reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio in phase 2 if 2.5% SDP was included in the normal-CP diet ( p < 0.05), but not in the low-CP diet. Diarrhea incidence was less ( p < 0.05) with 2.5% SDP in the phase 2 diet and for the low-CP diet. Ileal mucosa interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-1β decreased ( p < 0.05) for pigs fed the phase-1 diet with 6% SDP compared with pigs fed the diet without SDP. Addition of 2.5% SDP in phase 2 reduced ( p < 0.05) IL-1β compared with the diet without SDP. Although the combination of SDP and low CP did not affect intestinal health in phase 2, diarrhea incidence and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced in pigs fed SDP in phase 1 or phase 2 or if a low-CP diet was fed.

The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for a multitude of digestive and immune functions which depend upon the balanced interaction of the intestinal microbiota, diet, gut barrier function, and mucosal immune response. Disruptions in one or more of these factors can lead to intestinal disorders or enteropathies which are characterized by intestinal inflammation, increased gut permeability, and reduced capacity to absorb nutrients. Enteropathy is frequently associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune enteropathy, radiation enteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where pathologic changes in the intestinal tract lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, abnormal bowel function (e.g., diarrhea, urgency, constipation and malabsorption). Unfortunately, effective therapies for the management of enteropathy and restoring intestinal health are still not available. An accumulating body of preclinical studies has demonstrated that oral administration of plasma- or serum-derived protein concentrates containing high levels of immunoglobulins can improve weight, normalize gut barrier function, and reduce the severity of enteropathy in animal models. Recent studies in humans, using serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate, demonstrate that such protein preparations are safe and improve symptoms, nutritional status, and various biomarkers associated with enteropathy. Benefits have been shown in patients with HIV infection or diarrhea-predominant IBS. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies with plasma/serum protein concentrates and describes the effects on host nutrition, intestinal function, and markers of intestinal inflammation. It supports the concept that immunoglobulin-containing protein preparations may offer a new strategy for restoring functional homeostasis in the intestinal tract of patients with enteropathy.

In this study, we demonstrated that the putative Vibrio fischeri rpoN gene, which encodes sigma(54), controls flagellar biogenesis, biofilm development, and bioluminescence. We also show that rpoN plays a requisite role initiating the symbiotic association of V. fischeri with juveniles of the squid Euprymna scolopes.