Effects of Prefeeding a Prebiotic on Diarrhea and Colonic Cell Proliferation in Piglets Fed Lactulose

Abstract

Objectives: Severe lactulose malabsorption causes osmotic diarrhea and decreased cecal cell proliferation. We tested the hypothesis that prefeeding with inulin, a prebiotic, would attenuate these effects. Methods: Piglets aged 10 days were randomized to 3 feeding groups (n = 6 each group): Control (CON), fed sow-milk replacement formula (SMR; lactose, 60 g/L) for 14 days; a lactulose-challenged group (LAC) that was fed SMR for 7 days and then a formula containing lactose (30 g/L) and lactulose (60 g/L) for 7 days; and a group prefed SMR containing inulin (3 g/L) for 7 days and then fed the lactulose-supplemented formula (INULIN). Groups CON and INULIN were pair-fed to LAC. Then, cecal tissue was collected for histology, determination of crypt cell proliferation index, apoptosis, and Western blot determination of expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein. Results: The fraction of days when diarrhea was present (mean ± SD) was greater for LAC (0.87 ± 0. 14; p = .004) than CON (0.28 ± 0.22; INULIN: 0.52 ± 0.44; p = . 058 vs LAC). Cell proliferation index for the total crypt was less for LAC (0. 12 ± 0.04; p = .016) compared with CON (0.20 ± 0.04; INULIN: 0.15 ± 0.04; p = .06 vs LAC). BAX protein expression and apoptosis were similar in the 3 groups. Conclusions: We observed trends consistent with the hypothesis that prefeeding inulin attenuates diarrhea and the reduction in cell proliferation caused by lactulose.