Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma Influences Intestinal Barrier Function, Inflammation, and Diarrhea in Weaned Pigs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion levels of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on postweaning (PW) intestinal barrier function, mucosal inflammation, and clinical indices of gut health in pigs. Ex vivo Ussing chamber studies were conducted to measure Ileal and colonic barrier function in terms of transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of H-3-mannitol and C-14-inulin. Intestinal inflammation was assessed by histological analysis and mucosal levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Dietary inclusion of 2.5 and 5% SDPP reduced colonic paracellular permeability of C-14-inulin compared with controls (0% SDPP) on d 7 PW. Both 2.5 and 5% dietary SDPP reduced ileal H-3-mannitol and C-14-inulin permeability on d 14 PW. The 5% SDPP diet reduced colonic short-circuit current, an index of net electrogenic ion transport, and fecal scores when measured on d 7 and 14 PW compared with the control and 2.5% SDPP groups (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed fewer lamina propria cells in ileum and colon from pigs fed diets containing 2.5 and 5% SDPP on d 7 and 14 PW. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF alpha were reduced in the colon but not ileum from pigs fed the 5% SDPP on d 7 and 14 PW compared with controls (P < 0.05). IFN gamma levels were lower than in controls in both of the SDPP-fed groups in the ileum and colon on d 7 but not on d 14 PW. Overall, this study demonstrated that dietary inclusion of SDPP had beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function, inflammation, and diarrhea in weaned pigs. J. Nutr. 141: 1312-1317, 2011.