N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the maternal diet modify the postnatal development of nervous regulation of intestinal permeability in piglets
Résumé
The intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) plays a key role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis and the development of the immune system in newborns. The enteric nervous system (ENS), a key regulator of gastrointestinal functions, has been shown to be modulated by nutritional factors. However, it remains currently unknown whether maternal diet, in particular n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), can impact upon IEB in newborn piglets and whether the ENS is involved in this effect. Sows received either a control diet (lard-based) or an n-3PUFA diet (linseed oil-based) during gestation and lactation. Intestinal paracellular permeability was assessed in Ussing chamber on piglets at birth, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-natal days (PND). Basal jejunal permeability increased significantly and similarly in both groups until PND14 and decreased thereafter. However, at PND28, permeability was higher in n-3PUFA animals as compared to controls. In addition, VIP receptor antagonist increased paracellular permeability in controls but not in n-3PUFA piglets. Conversely, atropine and hexamethonium decreased paracellular permeability in the n-3PUFA group but not in the control group. Moreover, the n-3PUFA diet increased the proportion of ChAT-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and decreased the proportion of VIP-IR neurons in the submucosal plexus of piglet jejunum compared to controls. In addition, in primary culture of rat ENS, we showed that 20:5n-3 but not 18:3n-3 increased the proportion of ChAT-IR neurons and decreased the proportion of VIP-IR neurons. In conclusion, supplementation of the maternal diet with n-3PUFA modified intestinal permeability probably via diet-induced neuroplastic changes in the ENS of newborn piglets.