Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Different Zinc Sources on Diquat-Induced Oxidant Stress in a Piglet Model

Zinc (Zn) plays a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress and diarrhea in postweanling piglets. This study is aimed at comparing the effects of zinc chelate of 2-hydroxy-4 methyl-thio butanoic acid (HMZn) and ZnSO(4) on the oxidative stress in weaned piglets. A total of 32 piglets were randomly divided into 4 treatments: CON: basal diet+80 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO(4); DIQ: basal diet+80 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO(4); HMZn: basal diet+200 mg/kg Zn as HMZn; and ZnSO(4): basal diet+200 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO(4). On day 15, the DIQ, HMZn, and ZnSO(4) groups were injected intraperitoneally with diquat except for the CON group. The trial lasted 21 days. The results showed that zinc sources did not influence the growth performance during the first 14 days. But HMZn increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum (P < 0.05). After diquat injection, the fecal score was decreased in the HMZn group. Both HMZn and ZnSO(4) increased the activities of GPX and T-AOC in serum and the relative mRNA expressions of hepatic and renal Nrf2, SOD1, and GPX compared with the DIQ group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the small intestine, liver, and kidney was downregulated; the phosphorylation of NF-κB protein was inhibited in the HMZn group compared with the DIQ and ZnSO(4) groups (P < 0.05). In general, HMZn showed notable advantage over ZnSO(4) in reducing diarrhea and improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ability in piglets challenged with diquat.