Cranberry products alter immunity after a Salmonella challenge in pigs (P6084)

Abstract

Cranberry products decrease bacterial adhesion and alter some immune functions. Our objective was to determine if feeding 3 different cranberry products to pigs would alter mesenteric lymph node (MLN) or spleen cell (SPL) immune functions, with or without a Salmonella challenge. Pigs were fed 1) whole cranberry powder (1-2 g/d) in dry feed plus free choice water, 2) cranberry fiber (4%) in dry feed with free choice water, 3) control dry feed with cranberry juice (10%) as the only liquid for 10 d post-weaning and 2 d pre-challenge, or 4) control diet with free choice water. Pigs were sampled (MLN and SPL) at weaning (19 days), 10, 17, and 24 days post-weaning. On d 28 post-weaning, an oral 10^5 CFU Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium dose was given, and 24 h and 7 days post-challenge MLN and SPL tissues were collected. CD14 and CD18 expression and ability to phagocytize fluorescently labeled bioparticles was determined by flow cytometry. SPL did not differ before the challenge; phagocytosis by SPL was increased at 24 hours post-challenge by the powder supplement. However, juice decreased phagocytosis by SPL (% and mean fluorescence) and CD14 expression at 14 days post-weaning. In contrast, on d 14 post-challenge, MLN of the powder supplemented pigs expressed more CD14 and CD18. Phagocytosis was not different for any cells on d 14 post-challenge. Cranberry products affected SPL and MLN differentially, but primarily enhanced MLN activation after the challenge.