Effects of proteinate complex zinc on growth performance, hepatic and splenic trace elements concentrations, antioxidative function and immune functions in weaned piglets.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of proteinate complex zinc (PC-Zn) on growth performance, antioxidative function, trace element concentrations and immune function in weaned piglets.
METHODS: Three hundred newly weaned barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire), 28 days of age, were randomly allotted to 3 dietary groups of 5 replicate pens per group for 4 weeks of feeding. Experimental diets were: i) zinc deficient diet (ZnD, 24 mg/kg Zn supplementation from ZnSO4), ii) inorganic Zn diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg of Zn from Zn sulfate (ZnSO4), and iii) organic Zn diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg of Zn from PC-Zn. The body weight of pigs were recorded at the beginning, at the middle and at the end of the experiment, and the amount of feed supplied each day was recorded. Five barrows from each dietary treatment group were selected to be anesthetized and euthanized at the end of the trial to determine the Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations, the hepatic metallothionein content, the levels of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), Mn, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the spleen, the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocyte.
RESULTS: The accumulation of Zn in the spleen, levels of SOD, GSH-Px, IL-4, IL-10, the proportions of CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte were increased by organic Zn supplementation compared to ZnD, while the levels of MDA, IFN-γ, and proportion of CD8+ T lymphocyte were lowered.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Zn can improve the antioxidant potential and immune functions of weaned piglets.

INTRODUCTION

Zinc (Zn) is an important trace element involved in forming more than 300 kinds of metalloenzymes that affect biochemical processes of the whole body. Known functions of Zn include: regulating immune response, improving gastrointestinal digestion and interacting with the nervous system [1]. Many studies demonstrated Zn deficiency is common in several psychiatric disorders including induction of Alzheimer’s disease [2]. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) is one of the conventional supplemental forms of Zn in diets for pigs. However, organic Zn sources, such as proteinate complex Zn (PC-Zn), can reduce interactions between Zn and other minerals before and at the absorption site in the small intestine, which may result in higher bioavailability through protection from antagonists [3]. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies have suggested that improved growth performance of pigs may result from the role of Zn as a crucial component in the systemic antioxidative and immune network [4]. Work from our lab has demonstrated that inorganic Zn can reduce the incidence of diarrhea and ameliorate apoptosis in the small intestine of newly weaned piglets [5]. However, there is little published research on the effect of PC-Zn on growth performance, antioxidative and immune functions in pigs.

The liver is the primary storage organ of Zn and is the most responsive organ for antioxidative function and is sensitive to Zn deficiency. Recent study highlight Zn deficiency as one of the most consistent nutritional/biochemical reasons for liver diseases and Zn supplementation can protect liver from external and internal injury [6]. However, the mechanism of hepatoprotective properties of Zn has not been fully elucidated. In recent years, the availability of organic Zn sources for dietary supplementation has increased, but there exists controversy in the comparison of PC-Zn and ZnSO4 related to liver functions in humans and animals. Ma et al [7] demonstrated that PC-Zn could improve hepatic antioxidant capacity and immune functions in weaned piglets compared with ZnSO4, whereas Hill et al [8] found there were no differences in the antioxidative function of the liver between ZnSO4 and PC-Zn. Moreover, the splenic T lymphocyte is the primary component of the immune reaction in spleen. Therefore, alterations of antioxidative function and T lymphocyte production in response to Zn supplementation can be reflective of the immunological effect of Zn, which has not yet been studied.

The immune system is one of the main systems improved by Zn supplementation, and is considered to be one of the main reasons for effects of supplemental Zn on growth promotion. In the immune system, the spleen is the largest peripheral immune organ of the pig and plays a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis [9]. Studies have shown that Zn is associated with antioxidative and immune functions in the liver and serum, but it is less well known whether Zn has an immunoenhancement effect on the spleen [8]. Interleukin (IL) and interferon (IFN) cytokines play important roles in regulating splenic immune reactions and suppression of these can induce immune-mediated inflammatory diseases [10]. Therefore, it is necessary to test the effect of Zn supplementation and form on cytokine secretion in order to understand possible effects of Zn on immune function of the spleen.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of PC-Zn on growth performance, trace mineral concentrations, levels of serous alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), antioxidative function – such as Mn and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and metallothionein (MT) concentration, and the immune functions of splenic T lymphocyte of piglets – such as the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ, the proportions of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes. Results from this study can provide a useful reference to understand the role of Zn in antioxidative function and immune response and reduce inorganic Zn environmental pollution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals and experimental design

The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use and Care of Animals, China Agricultural University (Beijing, China). Three hundred post-weaning barrows (28 days of age, Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with an initial body weight of 7.19±0.19 kg were allotted to a completely randomized design with 3 dietary groups; each treatment was replicated 5 times with 20 pigs per replicate. Piglets were housed in partially steel-slatted concrete floored pens (3.1 m×2.4 m×0.8 m) and each pen was equipped with a stainless steel self-feeder and a nipple waterer. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. Piglets had free access to both feed and drinking water throughout the trial. Three diets were formulated: A Zn deficient diet (24 mg/kg Zn supplementation) mainly based on corn, soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and whey powder was used as the control group (ZnD). The other 2 diets were formulated based on the basal diet (without Zn) additionally supplemented with 120 mg/kg Zn as ZnSO4 or 120 mg/kg Zn as proteinate complex Zn (PC-Zn). The ZnD diet contained 26.50 mg/kg of Zn. The PC-Zn, containing 16.7% of Zn, was supplied by Alltech Biotechnology, Inc. (Nicholasville, KY, USA). The basal diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement recommended by the National Research and Council (NRC) 2012 [11] except Zn (Table 1).

Table 1

Chemical composition and nutrient levels of the basal diet (as-fed basis)1)

Items	Percent
Ingredient
Corn	63.99
Soybean meal, 48% crude protein	13.00
Soy protein concentrate, 63% crude protein	10.00
Whey powder	5.00
Glucose	3.00
Soybean oil	1.00
Dicalcium phosphate	1.30
Calcium carbonate	0.90
Vitamin-mineral premix2)	0.50
Salt	0.30
L-lysine-HCl (78%)	0.40
DL-methionine	0.26
L-threonine	0.27
L-tryptophan	0.08
Nutrient levels3)
Digestible energy (kcal/kg)	3,397
Crude protein	18.43
Lysine	1.30
Methionine	0.54
Threonine	0.96
Tryptophan	0.28
Calcium	0.72
Total phosphorus	0.60
Zinc (mg/kg)	26.50

The other two diets were provided based on this diet without supplying Zn at the expense of corn.

Supplied per kilogram diet: Vitamin A, 9,000 IU; vitamin D3, 3,000 IU; vitamin E, 64 IU; vitamin K3, 3 mg; vitamin B12, 12 μg; riboflavin, 5.5 mg; pantothenic acid, 15 mg; niacin, 40 mg; choline chloride, 551 mg; folacin, 0.8 mg; thiamine 1.5 mg; pyridoxine 3 mg; biotin, 100 μg; Mn, 40 mg; Fe, 100 mg; Cu, 150 mg; I, 0.3 mg; Se, 0.3 mg

All of the data are analyzed values except for digestible energy.

Growth performance

The body weight of pigs were recorded at the beginning, at the middle and at the end of the experiment, and the amount of feed supplied each day was recorded.

Sample collection and preparation

Blood samples were obtained from the anterior vena cava at the end of the trial, centrifuged (3,000×g) for 15 min at 4°C to collect serum. Serum samples were kept at −70°C until analyzed. Five barrows (weighing closest to the average body weight for each pen) from each dietary treatment group (one barrow per pen) were selected to be anesthetized and euthanized at the end of the trial. The liver and spleen were removed immediately and rinsed with cold phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4). The samples were flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, and were stored at −70°C before trace element and antioxidant enzyme activity analysis.

Determination of mineral concentrations

After thawing, liver and spleen samples were ground through an industrial meat grinder using a number 12 die before the samples were mixed and reground. The grinder was washed and dried between samples. Samples of 0.5 g each were wet digested according to the microwave digestion method of Hepp et al [12]. The Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emissions spectrometry technology (Optima 8000, PerkinElmer Co., Berlin, Germany).

Determination of hepatic enzyme activity and metallothionein

The activities of ALP, ALT, and AST in serum were measured with a biochemical autoanalyzer (Hitachi 747, Hitachi Co., Tokyo, Japan). Liver samples were homogenized (Virtis homogenizer), diluted with 20-mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) and 0.1% peroxide-free Triton X-100 and centrifuged (2,000×g) for 15 min at 4°C. The supernatant was collected for the measurement of antioxidant enzymes activities. The hepatic MT content was examined by the Cd/hemoglobin affinity assay following the method of Eaton and Toal [13].

Determination of antioxidant enzyme activity

Spleen samples were homogenized (Virtis homogenizer), diluted with 20-mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) and 0.1% peroxide-free Triton X-100 and centrifuged (2,000×g) for 15 min at 4°C. The supernatant was collected for the measurement of antioxidant enzyme activities. The levels of MDA, Mn, and Cu/Zn SOD, and GSH-Px in the spleen were determined by commercial kits (Jiancheng Biochemical Reagent Co., Nanjing, China) using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay, xanthine oxidase method, and ammonium molybdenate chromogenic method, respectively.

Determination of immunological parameters

Preparation of splenic lymphocyte suspensions were accomplished according to the method of She et al [14]. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the culture supernatants were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Beijing Puerweiye Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Beijing, China). The ELISA method used to analyze the proportions of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocyte.

Statistical analysis

Data were expressed as least square mean±standard deviation. One-way analysis of variance procedure in SPSS 21.0 software (SPSS Incorporated, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to assess statistical significances among treatments. A pen of pigs was served as the experimental unit for growth performance; individual pig was served as the experimental unit for other indexes. Statistical significance was determined by Duncan’s test. Probability values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant and p<0.10 considered a trend.

RESULTS

Table 2 shows the effects of Zn on nursery pig performance at 28 d postweaning. During d 0 to 14, d 14 to 28, and d 0 to 28, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or feed conversion ratio did not differ among treatments.

Table 2

Effect of zinc (Zn) on growth performance of weaned piglets (least square mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item	ZnD1)	ZnSO4	PC-Zn
BW (kg)
d 0	7.1±0.5	7.3±0.3	7.2±0.7
d 14	9.2±0.5	9.2±0.8	9.4±1.2
d 28	14.0±1.9	14.3±1.6	14.6±1.9
ADG (g)
0 to 14 d	146.9±12.1	150.8±15.4	154.6±10.4
14 to 28 d	393.1±33.4	385.9±35.0	389.9±30.2
0 to 28 d	256.8±16.9	265.9±18.5	278.0±16.6
ADFI (g)
0 to 14 d	231.6±22.0	241.2±15.4	236.1±20.4
14 to 28 d	422.2±38.4	417.9±38.2	430.8±39.3
0 to 28 d	369.4±27.7	354.5±21.5	358.2±22.8
FCR
0 to 14 d	1.6±0.3	1.6±0.3	1.6±0.4
14 to 28 d	1.1±0.2	1.1±0.2	1.2±0.3
0 to 28 d	1.5±0.1	1.4±0.1	1.4±0.2

BW, body weight; ADG, average daily gain; ADFI, average daily feed intake; FCR, feed conversion ratio.

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Hepatic and splenic mineral concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn

The splenic Zn concentration in PC-Zn was greater (p<0.05) than in ZnD and ZnSO4 (Table 3). There were no differences between ZnD and PC-Zn in the concentrations of Cu and Fe in the spleen, whereas both were decreased (p<0.05) in ZnSO4. The Mn concentration in the spleen of ZnSO4 and PC-Zn animals was greater (p<0.05) than in ZnD animals. The hepatic Zn, Cu, and Fe concentrations in PC-Zn group were greater (p<0.05) than those in ZnSO4 and ZnD groups (Table 3). The Mn concentration in PC-Zn group was greater (p<0.05) than that in ZnD group.

Table 3

Effect of zinc (Zn) on mineral concentrations of weaned piglets (least square mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item1)	Zn (mg/kg)	Cu (mg/kg)	Fe (mg/kg)	Mn (mg/kg)
Spleen
ZnD	46.9±4.9c	15.19±0.86a	540.7±28.1a	2.40±0.11b
ZnSO4	160.3±10.4b	7.24±0.71b	403.3±28.0b	3.10±0.18a
PC-Zn	195.2±11.4a	14.44±0.78a	498.4±31.5a	3.54±0.28a
Liver
ZnD	47.47±4.62c	8.48±0.55a	145.42±8.73a	2.14±0.20b
ZnSO4	67.88±4.14b	6.39±0.49b	122.29±10.02b	2.42±0.22ab
PC-Zn	80.22±5.85a	8.29±0.96a	139.10±8.74a	2.65±0.23a

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column in the same organ (p<0.05).

Activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase

The ALP content in PC-Zn group was greater (p<0.05) than that in ZnSO4 and ZnD groups (Table 4). No differences were observed in ALT or AST content among different treatments.

Table 4

Effects of zinc (Zn) on hepatic enzyme activities in weaned piglets (mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item1)	ALP (IU/L)	ALT (IU/L)	AST (IU/L)
ZnD	23.46±2.18c	23.55±1.12	18.34±1.42
ZnSO4	26.78±1.15b	23.07±1.59	18.77±1.82
PC-Zn	32.43±2.06a	26.09±2.29	20.66±1.85

ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate transaminase.

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column (p<0.05).

The methane dicarboxylic aldehyde level and activities of antioxidant enzymes

The splenic MDA concentration in PC-Zn was less (p<0.05) than in ZnD or ZnSO4 (Table 5). Supplementation with Zn decreased the hepatic MDA level (p<0.05) below the ZnD level (Table 5). Supplementation with Zn increased the splenic Mn SOD activity (p<0.05) above ZnD. Activities of Cu/Zn SOD and GSH-Px were greater in PC-Zn than in ZnD and ZnSO4 (p<0.05) in the spleen. The activities of hepatic Mn-SOD and GSH-Px in PC-Zn group were greater (p<0.05) than those in ZnSO4 and ZnD groups. The hepatic Cu/Zn SOD activity in Zn supplemented groups was greater (p<0.05) than that in ZnD group (Table 5).

Table 5

Effect of Zinc (Zn) on methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), Mn and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH)-Px levels of weaned piglets (least square mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item1)	MDA (nmol/mL)	Mn SOD (U/mL)	Cu/Zn SOD (U/mL)	GSH-Px (U/mL)
Spleen
ZnD	5.02±0.34a	3.42±0.31b	77.95±6.12b	119.02±6.54b
ZnSO	4.73±0.24a	4.06±0.31a	82.77±6.69b	122.18±4.07b
PC-Zn	2.12±0.14b	4.30±0.23a	96.42±5.57a	136.35±5.22a
Liver
ZnD	4.34±0.28a	10.23±0.67b	45.50±3.41b	121.51±4.50b
ZnSO4	4.29±0.30a	11.92±0.93b	53.41±2.39a	122.52±8.49b
PC-Zn	2.26±0.30b	14.06±0.92a	56.47±2.39a	136.71±8.47a

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column in the same organ (p<0.05).

The metallothionein concentration

The MT concentration in PC-Zn group was greater (p<0.05) than that in the other groups in the liver (Table 6).

Table 6

Effects of zinc (Zn) on metallothionein (MT) concentrations in weaned piglets (mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group).

Item1)	MT (μg/g liver)
ZnD	315.05±22.66c
ZnSO4	516.03±37.29b
PC-Zn	706.29±18.62a

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column (p<0.05).

Levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon-γ

There was little evidence of differences in IL-2 concentrations between treatment groups (Table 7). Regardless of source, Zn supplementation increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels (p<0.05). The IFN-γ level in PC-Zn was less than in ZnD and ZnSO4 (p<0.05).

Table 7

Effect of zinc (Zn) on splenic interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ levels of weaned piglets (least square mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item1)	IL-2 (pg/mL)	IL-4 (pg/mL)	IL-10 (pg/mL)	IFN-γ (ng/mL)
ZnD	600.57±19.24	90.45±4.50c	84.56±4.53b	1.20±0.05a
ZnSO4	615.82±24.60	100.36±5.92b	93.33±3.79a	1.12±0.06a
PC-Zn	619.17±20.08	112.94±6.64a	95.52±6.15a	1.02±0.04b

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column (p<0.05).

Proportions of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte

Proteinate complex Zn supplementation increased (p<0.05) the proportions of CD3+ and CD4+ and decreased proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes compared to ZnD and ZnSO4 (Table 8). Therefore, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes was also increased in PC-Zn versus ZnD and ZnSO4.

Table 8

Effect of zinc (Zn) on CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes proportions and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes of weaned piglets (least square mean±standard deviation, n = 5 per group)

Item1)	CD3+ (%)	CD4+ (%)	CD8+ (%)	CD4+/CD8+
ZnD	42.44±2.03b	25.77±2.37c	24.68±0.94a	1.04±0.10c
ZnSO4	46.08±3.45b	31.35±2.58b	22.07±1.06a	1.42±0.09b
PC-Zn	58.99±2.26a	39.28±2.67a	19.73±1.02b	1.99±0.05a

ZnD, zinc deficient group; ZnSO4, zinc sulfate group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of ZnSO4); PC-Zn, proteinate complex zinc group (supplemented 120 mg/kg of PC-Zn).

Values with different letters mean significant difference in the same column (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION

The nutritional importance of Zn is well recognized [15]. However, several mechanisms related to dietary Zn effects in the spleen and liver are still unclear, particularly for PC-Zn. Here, we have investigated retentive mineral concentrations, serum biochemistry parameters related to hepatic enzyme activity, splenic and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity, hepatic MT level, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, T lymphocyte subsets and the interactions of Zn with other ions in order to better understand the positive effects of Zn on liver function in piglets.

Dietary Zn supplementation in this experiment was within the range of optimal doses reported by recent publications [7,8]. The current study demonstrated that Zn concentration in the spleen was greater after Zn supplementation. Furthermore, Zn deposition in the spleen was greater from the PC-Zn than from ZnD and ZnSO4. It has been adequately verified that there is antagonism between Zn and Cu and Zn and Fe [16]. Noticeably, Cu and Fe were poorly absorbed after supplementing ZnSO4 in this experiment. Interestingly, deposition of Cu and Fe in the spleen did not differ between PC-Zn and ZnD groups, suggesting that the uptake of PC-Zn did not antagonize Cu or Fe absorption. Specifically, organic Zn sources, such as proteinates and amino acid chelates, can protect Zn from interactions before and at the absorption site of the other minerals in the small intestine, which may result in higher bioavailability and reduced antagonisms [17].

Zn homeostasis influences the metabolism of the other trace elements, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se. The liver represents a fast-exchangeable Zn pool with a key role in the metabolism of Zn and the other trace elements [18]. The current study showed that Zn concentration in liver was greater after Zn supplementation. Furthermore, Zn retention in liver was greater from PC-Zn than from ZnSO4. Differential absorption and transport between PC-Zn and ZnSO4 sources has been proposed [19], but further studies are still needed to test the specifics of PC-Zn transport. Copper is an essential trace element encountered in many proteins such as Cu/Zn SOD and MT. Liver represents an important Cu pool. It has been demonstrated there is antagonism between Zn and Cu and Zn and Fe [20]. Our data indicate Fe and Cu were poorly absorbed after supplementing ZnSO4. It is interesting that retention of Cu and Fe in liver did not differ between PC-Zn group and ZnD group, suggesting that the uptake of PC-Zn did not antagonize Cu or Fe absorption. This implies a better utilization of Zn, Cu, and Fe from the PC-Zn compared with ZnSO4.

The ALP is a Zn-dependent enzyme which is mainly synthesized by liver and bone. The ALP plays a key role in skeletal development and, therefore, has direct effects on growth performance of animals [16]. Sun et al [21] reported ALP activity in the plasma of Zn deficient rats was significantly decreased compared with Zn supplemented rats. It has also been reported that the ALP activity of pigs fed dietary chitosan-Zn chelate was greater than the activity in pigs fed Zn deficient diets [7]. In this study, the ALP activity in the PC-Zn group was greater than in the other groups. This may be because that Zn is an essential component of ALP. Since there is a strong correlation between Zn concentration and ALP activity, our data imply a positive effect of PC-Zn on ALP secretion. It has been demonstrated that increased ALP in response to Zn supplementation could enhance the osteoblast proliferation and bone forming capacity of bone marrow, which may consequently improve the retention of calcium and phosphorus in the bone [22]. Additionally, it is well documented that Zn deficiency can result in reduced synthesis of ALP from sialaden, which may subsequently lead to appetite suppression [23] thus reducing growth performance.

Weaning is known to cause significant stress and supplementing Zn into the diet can improve enzyme activities against oxidative stress. Malondialdehyde is an index of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which can reflect the degree of hepatocyte membrane damage and LPO in the liver. A recent study showed that MDA levels in serum and liver were reduced in broilers fed diets containing organic zinc nanoparticles compared to broilers in the Zn deficient group [4]. Our findings suggest a role of PC-Zn in reducing LPO in piglets. Since evidence indicates that hepatic LPO plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic diseases of rats such as fibrogenesis and that Zn mitigates the process of LPO [24], this supports our hypothesis that PC-Zn contributes to inhibition of LPO in piglets. Additionally, our result also implies Zn deficiency by itself could result in greater LPO in piglets, which indirectly suggests an enhanced production of oxygen free radicals in piglets.

Improving oxidative resistance is one of the routes that Zn is known to benefit the immune system and health of piglets [7,8]. Malondialdehyde can exacerbate the degree of T-cell membrane damage and can indirectly reflect the antioxidant capacity of the spleen. Our current study showed that supplementation with PC-Zn reduced MDA concentration in the spleen, in agreement with previous studies carried out on serum and liver [7]. The ZnSO4 supplementation did not decrease splenic MDA concentration, perhaps due to the competition between Zn and Fe for transferrin, which resulted in increased concentrations of Fe2+ in the spleen, increasing LPO. Activity levels of Cu/Zn SOD and GSH-Px were greater in PC-Zn compared to ZnD and ZnSO4 groups, suggesting that PC-Zn can improve oxidative resistance more efficiently than inorganic Zn, consistent with the observations of Hill et al [8].

There is still controversy whether hepatic SOD and GSH-Px levels differ after PC-Zn or ZnSO4 supplementation in piglets. Ma et al [7] found that dietary Chitosan-Zn chelate showed higher Cu/Zn SOD and GSH-Px activities in liver compared with zinc deficient group, while Hill et al [8] and Martin et al [25] reported there was no difference in antioxidative function in liver between ZnSO4 and PC-Zn. Our study showed that the hepatic Mn- and Cu/Zn SOD activities in PC-Zn group were greater than those in ZnSO4 and ZnD groups. Also, the Mn and Zn retention in liver was greater in PC-Zn group than in ZnD group. The O2·− is a type of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and highly increased ROS concentrations play pathophysiological roles in the processes of liver diseases. The dismutation reaction of superoxide is catalyzed by SOD and Mn and Cu and Zn are essential components of Mn- and Cu/Zn SOD, respectively. Decreased activity of SOD in the ZnD group observed in this study may be due to the depletion of this enzyme in dismutation reactions. Glutathione is considered to be a crucial biomarker in LPO and is important in maintaining the normal cellular redox state [4,7]. The hepatic GSH-Px activity depends on the balance between the contents of GSH and glutathione disulfide, which can scavenge excess hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides in response to antioxidative function [26]. Our study suggests beneficial effects due to GSH-Px activity in liver may be one of the antioxidative function mechanisms resulting from PC-Zn supplementation for piglets. In this respect, we extrapolated that the increased activities of SOD and GSH-Px after PC-Zn supplementation observed in this experiment may serve to reduce active ROS, which has a significant effect on improving antioxidative function.

Metallothionein is the most abundant Zn storage protein and is mainly involved in Zn ion homeostasis, detoxification of heavy metals and antioxidative function [27]. In the current study, the MT concentration in PC-Zn group was greater than that in the other treatments. This demonstrated the role of MT in capturing PC-Zn in liver, which agrees with reports from previous investigations [8]. Metallothionein is an excellent scavenger of ROS, such as hydroxyl radicals, which firstly damage the MT molecule and thus it protects the sensitive parts of the cell.

Splenic T lymphocyte concentration is an essential factor in maintaining immune homeostasis of the spleen and the fluctuations can indicate cellular immunologic status. Therefore T lymphocyte concentration was measured in this study to evaluate the splenic immune status of piglets following Zn supplementation. Interleukin-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ are typical multi-functional cytokines in the regulation of immune reaction and inflammation. Interleukin-4 and IL-10 are anti-inflammatory cytokines which are mainly secreted by activated T lymphocytes [28]. So far, no study has assessed the effects of Zn on the splenic IL-4 or IL-10 secretion of pigs. For the first time, this study has shown that Zn supplementation increased the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10. Increased production of IL-4 and IL-10 implies better protection from potential causes of inflammation. In addition, it has been recognized that Zn can contribute to expediting wound healing and we deduced that it may be due to a functional association with IL-4 and IL-10 secretion, which can inhibit infection of the wound. Furthermore, antioxidative function was correlated to faster and better wound healing in the body. Therefore, we extrapolated that improved antioxidative function and IL-4 and IL-10 levels after Zn supplementation cooperated in improving healing. Moreover, IL-4 and IL-10 are considered as important growth factors for antigen-activated T lymphocytes and are key cytokines in T lymphocyte proliferation cycle. Our result revealed that Zn supplementation increased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Therefore, we deduced that the increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels in Zn supplementation groups might be associated with an enhancement of T lymphocyte proliferation. This phenomenon formed a positive feedback regulatory mechanism, indicating a strong function of Zn supplementation on the immune system.

Compared with IL-4 and IL-10, IFN-γ is a proinflammatory cytokine and is also secreted by activated T lymphocytes. Our experiment indicated that Zn supplementation decreased IFN-γ level. Recent data, however, showed that Zn has a stimulative effect on the production of IFN-γ in the serum of rats. This contradiction may be due to the immune response of IFN-γ in models of inflammation, as opposed to this study where inflammation was not a pathological condition. It has been shown IFN-γ can modulate chemokine secretion in response to the other cytokines and affect cellular adhesion and transmigration. Thus, our result suggests that the reduced level of IFN-γ after Zn supplementation can decrease the risk of inflammation. Also, IFN-γ can downregulate the expression of surface adhesion factors in lymphocytes. The decreased level of IFN-γ in PC-Zn group suggests that Zn can improve the migration and adhesion abilities of T lymphocytes indirectly.

The CD3+ molecule reacts with all mature T-cells and it is a common surface marker for T lymphocytes. Thus, the increased proportion of CD3+ T lymphocytes in the PC-Zn supplementation group reflects the rising total number of periphery mature T lymphocytes. Liu et al [19] reported that the proportion of jejunal epithelium CD3+ T-cells of piglets increased gradually with PC-Zn supplementation, which is reflected in our result. This may indicate the maturation of splenic T lymphocyte related immune mechanisms after Zn supplementation, which is essential for normal T-cell function. T helper (Th) cells, such as CD4+ T lymphocytes, play a key role in the intermediate processes of the immune response and affect the activation of immunocytes; this kind of enhancement implied that the immunocyte would be activated following Zn supplementation. T helper cells differentiate into Th1 and Th2 effector cells after activation. The Th1 subsets mainly include CD4+ T lymphocytes, which secrete inflammation related cytokines (such as IL-2 and IFN-γ). Th2 subsets differentiate by secreting cytokines include IL-4 and IL-10. Both Th1 and Th2 subsets induce cell-mediated immunoreaction [29]. Accordingly, the rise of CD4+ T lymphocyte proportions with Zn supplementation reflected the increases of IL-2 and that was why the enhancement of CD4+ T lymphocytes was in line with IL-2. CD8+ T lymphocyte is mainly a cytotoxic T lymphocyte, which can kill the target cells directly. Hence, the decreased proportion of CD8+ T lymphocyte in PC-Zn suggests less cytotoxin accumulated and positive effects of Zn on cellular immunity. Notably, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte can reflect cellular immune state of animals and the increased ratio in PC-Zn indicated a state of promotion of immunity in this study.

In our study, Zn supplementation, especially for PC-Zn, increased the proportions of CD3+, CD4+ T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes, while the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocyte decreased. These results demonstrated that Zn supplementation improved the maturity of T lymphocytes and stabilized the dynamic balance among T lymphocyte subsets. In addition, activated CD4+ T lymphocytes are considered to produce IL-4 that can drive Th2 differentiation in some settings [30]. As this early IL-4 is the key determinant for the differentiation of Th2 cells, higher production of IL-4 following Zn supplementation in our experiment could be tightly regulated so as to avoid biased Th2 responses. This may also benefit cellular immunity of weaned piglets. Furthermore, glutathione is known to enhance the production and synthesis of Th1 associated cytokines. This may be the reason that the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased as GSH-Px level increased in Zn supplementation group in our experiment.

In conclusion, PC-Zn supplementation improved splenic T lymphocyte immune functions of weaned piglets, increased the retention of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in the spleen, increased antioxidative function and the proportions of T lymphocyte subsets, indicating that PC-Zn supplementation favors the splenic antioxidative and cellular immune states of piglets. Also, PC-Zn supplementation improved scavenging of hepatic free radicals resulting in increased antioxidative function. The mechanism of hepatoprotective properties of Zn can be attributed to the following: zinc can improve ALP level, inhibit LPO, increase the antioxidant enzyme activities and MT concentration in hepatic cells, and elevate essential trace mineral components of Mn- and Cu/Zn SOD.