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Review
. 2019 Nov 29;9(12):1045.
doi: 10.3390/ani9121045.

Nutritional Regulation of Gut Barrier Integrity in Weaning Piglets

Silvia Clotilde Modina  1 , Umberto Polito  2 , Raffaella Rossi  2 , Carlo Corino  2 , Alessia Di Giancamillo  2
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional Regulation of Gut Barrier Integrity in Weaning Piglets

Silvia Clotilde Modina et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

Weaning is very stressful for piglets and leads to alterations in the intestinal barrier, a reduction in nutrient absorption and a higher susceptibility to intestinal diseases with heavy economic losses. This review describes the structures involved in the intestinal barrier: the epithelial barrier, immune barrier and the enteric nervous system. Here, new insights into the interactions between feed components and the physiology and morphology of the epithelial barrier are highlighted. Dietary strategies focused on improving gut health are also described including amino acids, phytochemicals and organic acids.

Keywords: amino acids; gastrointestinal tract (GIT), intestine; morphology and physiology; organic acids; phytochemicals; pig; weaning.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The intestinal epithelial cells of the mucosal lining (enterocytes) and the components of the immune system within the intestinal barrier.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The nervous system that regulates the barrier function. MP: myenteric plexus or Auerbach’s plexus between the longitudinal and circular layers of the muscularis externa; SP: submucosal plexus or Meissner’s plexus in the submucosa.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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