ARTICLE 52 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2023 example that expression of proteins involved in tight junction (ZO-1) was positively affected in 92% of trials with high ZnO and in 78% of the studies with medium ZnO. Improving gut integrity is a key mode of action of ZnO and reduces passive transcellular absorption while preventing uncontrolled transport of potentially harmful agents (ex: endotoxins). A study published with Ghent university revealed that nutritional dose of potentiated zinc (HiZox®) performs at least as good as pharmacological ZnO on gut integrity (see figure 2). TEER is a marker of gut integrity: the permeability of the mucosa decreases when TEER increases. TIPS 4: TARGET ZINC SOURCE DESIGNED TO MITIGATE GUT INFLAMMATION A second literature review gathered 26 published papers focusing on inflammatory markers. It revealed the beneficial effects of medium Zn level (200-1000 ppm Zn including potentiated zinc HiZox®) or high zinc levels (> 2000 ppm) from ZnO. These papers studied gene expression in intestinal mucosa or quantification in blood of the following inflammatory biomarkers: interleukin 1 family (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). All of these biomarkers produced by the cells of the immune system have ability to initiate inflammatory response. According to this literature review, high or medium levels of ZnO supplementation can reduce the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It was found that pharmacological levels of ZnO can significantly decrease the gene expression and/or the concentration of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. SUMMARY The multifunctional effects of pharmacological zinc oxide are not anymore available for European piglets’ producers. Nevertheless, many universities and research program keep on studying its mode of action to better understand which alternatives are the best. Among the key mechanisms to focus on zinc bioavailability, its ability to manage gut integrity and indirectly to modulate inflammation or microbiota are probably the most important to keep in mind. There is a source of potentiated zinc available on the market that can address all of these mechanisms.
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