The Efficacy of Encapsulated Gamma-Cyclodextrin/Tributyrin on Growth and Inflammation in a Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Challenge Piglet Model

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory bowel diseases are common in adults, and their incidence is increasing in children. Butyrate, a short chain fatty acid, can improve gut health, but its bitterness limits incorporation into foods. Herein, the efficacy of tributyrin (TB), a butyrate analog, encapsulated with ɣ-cyclodextrin (ɣ-CD) on growth and intestinal inflammation in a piglet model of dextran-sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis was investigated. METHODS: Two-day-old piglets were randomized to three diets: control (formula alone, CON, N = 41), CD (CON + 9.0 mM ɣ-CD, N = 41), or CDTB (CON + 9.0 mM ɣ-CD/TB, N = 43). Half of the piglets in each group received DSS (1.25 g/kg body weight) from postnatal day (PND) 14 to 18. Blood and intestinal samples were collected on PND 19 and 27. IL-6 and TNF-α concentration in serum and colon mucosa were assessed by ELISA and IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 and IFN-γ gene expression in colonic tissue were measured by qPCR. A quantitative histological grading system was used to assess 4 independent parameters: epithelial lining, cell infiltration, crypt damage and extent of the intestinal section affected. RESULTS: Average daily weight gain (WG) between PND2-10 and 10–19 were affected by diet (P < 0.05), while colitis led to lower WG from PND19-27. A diet and colitis interaction indicated that after PND22 CDTB-COL piglets weighed less than CON and CD (P = 0.051). Diet had no impact on the descending colon (DC) morphology in the colitis animals, but the severity of the DC inflammation increased from PND19 and 27 (P < 0.0001). TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were elevated in the ascending colon (AC) at PND19, but by PND27 concentrations were similar to non-colitis levels. A similar pattern was found in the DC, except that IL-6 remained elevated on PND27. IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ gene expression were significantly higher in the DC of colitis vs. non-colitis animals on PND27. Diet and colitis had no effect on serum TNF-α and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: The piglet as a model of DSS colitis is a feasible alternative to rodents. Dietary ɣ-CD/TB reduced growth rate and did not ameliorate the inflammatory process of DSS-induced colitis in neonatal pigs. Herein, oral administration of encapsulated TB did not reduce DSS-induced tissue damage or inflammation, however, additional studies are needed to confirm these observations. FUNDING SOURCES: NIFA, ISDA 2017–67,017-26,519.