Mechanisms of Prevotella copri Induced Intestinal Damage in Piglets and Modulation by Protocatechuic Acid
Description
Gut microbiota has been reported to play an important role in weaned piglets. Our previous study demonstrated a notable enrichment of intestinal Prevotella in weaned piglets experiencing diarrhea, although the mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we elucidated the mechanism of Prevotella copri (P. copri) in causing diarrhea, and the protective effect by protocatechuic acid (PCA). A total of 108 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets, aged 21 d, were randomly assigned into 3 groups, with 6 replicates and 6 piglets per replicate. The piglets were fed a basal diet, a basal diet containing 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg P. copri or 1.0 × 108 CFU/kg P. copri + 400 mg/kg PCA for 28 d. Results showed that P. copri decreased the final body weight and average daily gain (ADG), while increased the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) , with increased serum levels of interleukin (IL) -2 and IL-8 in piglets (P < 0.05), and reduced the expression of intestinal tight junction protein (P < 0.05). In vitro experiments indicated that argininosuccinic acid, indole-3-aldehyde, and N-acetylpurine are the primary virulence factors of P. copri in inducing inflammation. PCA suppressed inflammatory cytokines both in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05), and enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins in piglets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, P. copri can reduce the growth performance of weaned piglets by inducing intestinal inflammation, while argininosuccinic acid, indole-3-aldehyde, and N-acetylpurine are the primary virulence factors, and PCA has shown a protective effect.