Effects of spermine supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, amino acid profile and ileum expression of amino acid transporters in piglets

The effects of spermine supplementation and extended spermine supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, serum amino acid profile and ileum expression of amino acid transporters in piglets were examined in this study. Piglets were fed adequate nutrient intake supplemented or not with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg body weight) for 7 h or 3, 6 or 9 days. Spermine supplementation significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase activity and albumin content, but decreased triglyceride level in serum (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in levels of arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, valine, alanine, asparagine, serine, proline, taurine and tyrosine (P<0.05) in the spermine-treated groups. Spermine significantly increased the mRNA levels of SLC1A1, SLC1A5, SLC7A1, SLC7A7, SLC7A9, SLC5A1, SLC6A19 and SLC15A1 in ileum (P<0.05). The extended spermine supplementation exerted different effects on the blood biochemical parameters, amino acid profile and ileum expression of amino acid transporters in comparison to the 7-h group (P<0.05). In summary, spermine supplementation can affect biochemical parameters and amino acid profile in serum and may enhance the ileum absorption of amino acids by increasing the expression of amino acid transporters in piglets.