Effects of diosmectite-Lactobacillus acidophilus on growth performance, intestine microbiota, mucosal architecture of weaned pigs

•DS-L. acidophilus protected L. acidophilus from simulated gastrointestinal juices.•DS-L. acidophilus was effective in enhancing the growth, intestine microflora and mucosal architecture of weaned pigs.•DS-L. acidophilus had better effects than DS, L. acidophilus or DS + L. acidophilus.

Diosmectite-Lactobacillus acidophilus composite (DS-L. acidophilus) was prepared by immobilization of L. acidophilus onto DS. The surival rate of L. acidophilus in DS-L. acidophilus were determined after simulated gastric juice and intestinal fluid. A total of 180 piglets, weaned at 21 ± 1 d age, were used to investigate the effects of DS-L. acidophilus in intestinal function. The vivo trial included five groups: (1) control; (2) L. acidophilus; (3) DS; (4) DS-L. acidophilus; (5) The mixture of diosmectite and L. acidophilus (DS + L. acidophilus). The amount of DS or L. acidophilus in each group was equivalent. The results in vitro showed that DS-L. acidophilus increased (P < 0.05) the survival rate of L. acidophilus in simulated gastric juice for 80 min and intestinal fluid for 240 min, as compared with the free L. acidophilus. The results in vivo showed that, as compared with control, DS-L. acidophilus increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, intestinal Lactobacillus, the ratio of villus height and crypt depth, the jejunal and colonic transepithelial electrical resistance. The DS-L. acidophilus addition decreased (P < 0.05) the paracellular permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4 kDa in jejunum and colon. However, DS, L. acidophilus or DS + L. acidophilus had no (P > 0.05) effect. The results indicated that DS-L. acidophilus was more effective in improving growth performance and intestinal function of weaned pigs than DS, L. acidophilus or DS + L. acidophilus.