Fermented Feed Promotes Gut Development by Enhancing Intestinal Stem Cell Expansion via Activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Fermented feed is extensively used in animal production due to their improved palatability and efficient utilization. This study aimed to explore the effects of fermented feed on growth performance and gut health, particularly through the modulation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Twenty-four 28-da...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Fermentation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/2/52 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Fermented feed is extensively used in animal production due to their improved palatability and efficient utilization. This study aimed to explore the effects of fermented feed on growth performance and gut health, particularly through the modulation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Twenty-four 28-day-old male weaned piglets were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 12): piglets in a control group fed a basal diet, and an experimental group fed a basal diet replaced with 6% fermented mixed feed (FMF) for 28 days. The results indicated that FMF significantly elevated the growth rate, feed intake, and nutrient digestibility of piglets (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, FMF supplementation increased the jejunal villus height, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values, and the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Claudin1) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis revealed that FMF increased the number of Olfm4<sup>+</sup> ISCs and PCNA<sup>+</sup> mitotic cells in jejunal crypts, facilitating the differentiation of ISCs into enterocytes (Villin), goblet cells (MUC2), and enteroendocrine cells (CHGA). Conversely, the protein expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 was decreased in the FMF group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including FZD7 and Active β-catenin, was significantly upregulated in the jejunum after FMF supplementation. Consistent with these findings, intestinal organoids derived from jejunal crypts in the FMF group demonstrated enhanced growth and increased expression of Lgr5, PCNA, KRT20, and β-catenin (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These results suggest that fermented feed promotes intestinal development by enhancing ISC proliferation and differentiation via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2311-5637 |