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Effects of proteinate complex zinc on trace elements concentrations, oxidative stress and immune functions in weaned piglets
Y. She, Q. Huang, Q. Y. Wang, X. S. Piao, and D. F. Li
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre, ALLTECH-MAFIC Research Alliance, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Abstract Text: This study assessed the effects of proteinate complex zinc (Zn) on oxidative stress, trace elements concentrations and immune functions in weaned piglets. Three hundred newly weaned barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), 28 days of age, were randomly allotted to 3 dietary groups of 5 replicate pens per group for 4 weeks of feeding. Experimental diets were: (1) zinc deficient diet (ZnD, 24 mg/kg Zn supplementation from ZnSO4), (2) inorganic Zn diet supplemented by 120 mg/kg of Zn from Zn sulfate (ZnSO4), and (3) organic Zn diet supplemented by 120 mg/kg of Zn from proteinate complex Zn (PC-Zn). The Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations in the spleen and liver were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology. The activities of serous alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured with a biochemical autoanalyzer. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined according to the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and the activity of Mn and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the spleen and liver were analyzed according to the xanthine oxidase and ammonium molybdate chromogenic methods, respectively. The hepatic MT content was examined by the Cd/hemoglobin affinity assay The levels of splenic interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ were determined by IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, respectively. The proportions of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte were analyzed with ELISA methods. The results showed that the accumulation of Zn in the spleen, levels of SOD, GSH-Px, IL-4, IL-10, the proportions of CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte, and the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ T lymphocyte were increased by organic Zn supplementation, while the levels of MDA, IFN-γ, and proportion of CD8+T lymphocyte were lowered. These findings indicate that Zn can improve the antioxidant potential and immune functions related to T lymphocyte production in the spleen of weaned piglets.
Keywords: proteinate complex zinc, immune functions, weaned piglets