Effect of 3-caffeoylquinic acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs

Phenolic acid like with the 3-caffeoylquini acid (3-CQA) is formed by caffeic acid and qunic acid?Impact-insert-end?. This study was conducted to explore the effect of 3-CQA on growth performance and intestinal functions in weaned pigs. A total of 180 weaned pigs were randomly allocated into five treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment (6 pigs per pen). Pigs in the control group (CON) were fed with basal diet (BD), and the others in the experimental groups were fed with BD and supplemented with 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg 3-CQA. On day 43, the blood sample-collected pigs in the CON and optimal-dose group (only based on growth performance) were picked, and housed in metabolism cages (a total of 12 pigs, N= 6). 3-CQA increased the feed efficiency from days 21 to 42 of the trial and throughout the trial (P< 0.05). 3-CQA increased the serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, and total cholesterol (P< 0.05). Moreover, 3-CQA supplementation at 25 mg/kg increased the apparent digestibility of DM, energy, and ash (P< 0.05). Interestingly, 3-CQA decreased the crypt depth but increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum (P< 0.05). Moreover, 3-CQA also increased the activities of sucrase, lactase, and catalase in the jejunal mucosa, and increased the activities of alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase in the ileal mucosa (P< 0.05). 3-CQA also increased the abundance of secretory immunoglobulin A in the ileal mucosa (P< 0.05). Importantly, 3-CQA not only elevated the expression levels of critical functional genes such as the zonula occludens-1 , occludin, solute carrier family 7 , and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)in the duodenum but also elevated the expression levels of divalent metal transporter-1and Nrf2in the jejunum (P< 0.05). These results suggested a positive effect of 3-CQA supplementation on the growth and intestinal functions of weaned pigs. The mechanisms of action may be associated with elevated anti-oxidant capacity and improved intestinal barrier functions.Dietary 3-CQA supplementation could improve the growth performance and enhance the intestinal functions in weaned pigs.?Impact-insert-end?.In last decades?Impact-insert-end?, swine producers used antibiotics as growth promoter added into diet. However, the pharmaceutical use of antibiotics is prohibited by the legislation of several countries due to potential health and environmental concerns. Therefore, the development of substitutes for traditionally used antibiotics has attracted considerable research interest worldwide. Natural phnolic acid like with the 3-CQA is an important component of biologically active phenols isolated from various natural plants?Impact-insert-end?. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of 3-CQA on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal functions in pigs. Results indicated that dietary 3-CQA supplementation improved the growth performance, nutrients digestibility in weaned pigs. The beneficial effects of 3-CQA supplementation on growth and intestinal functions suggested that it could serve as a natural potent substitute for antibiotics.