Fructo-oligosaccharides Ameliorate Intestinal Mechanical Barrier Injury in Piglets Induced by Soybean Antigen in vitro and in vivo

Background: Fructose oligosaccharides (FOS) have been shown to reduce soybean antigeninduced hypersensitivity in piglets, but their effects on intestinal epithelial barrier function have not been characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of FOS on intestinal barrier injury induced by soybean antigen in piglets in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We studied the protective effects of FOS against mechanical barrier dysfunction induced using β-conglycinin or glycinin in porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), and measured the serum concentrations of diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, and endotoxin, and the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins, in piglets. Results: We found that FOS concentration dependently increases cell activity, trans-epithelial electrical resistance, and TJ protein expression (P < 0.05) and reduces alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity (P < 0.05) in vitro. In addition, the serum DAO, D-lactic acid, and endotoxin concentrations were reduced by FOS administration in piglets (P < 0.05). Both in vitro and in vivo, the expression levels of TJ proteins (zona occludens 1 and occludin) were increased significantly by FOS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, FOS protect against intestinal injury induced by soybean antigen in piglets, which may provide a basis for the prevention of allergy.