Chlorogenic acid alleviates intrauterine growth retardation-induced intestinal damage in piglets.

OBJECTIVES

Intestinal disorder is a crucial contributor to growth lag, decreased disease resistance and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality in newborns suffering from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on IUGR-induced intestinal damage using weaned piglets as a model.

RESEARCH METHODS & PROCEDURES: In total, 24 normal birth weight weaned piglets and 24 IUGR weaned piglets were fed either a basal diet or a basal diet plus 1 g/kg CGA from 26 to 47 days of age.

RESULTS

CGA alleviated IUGR-induced villous atrophy, down-regulated tight junction protein mRNA expression, impaired antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response, impaired mitochondrial ATP production and oxidative metabolism in the intestine, and improved mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy-related protein transcriptional expression.

CONCLUSION

CGA may be a potential nutrient supplement in the alleviation of intestinal damage, and the improvement of growth and disease resistance in IUGR neonates.