Grape by-products and their efficiency in alleviating the intestinal disorders in post-weaning piglets

Abstract The post-weaning period is very stressful for piglets, leading to a transitory inflammation, alterations in the intestinal barrier, oxidative stress and a higher susceptibility to intestinal diseases with economic losses. The finding of new nutritional alternatives with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant properties is a challenge in post-weaning piglet’s nutrition. Of these strategies, those based on agro-industry wastes rich in bioactive compounds are promising, the increasing number of studies focusing on the use of these wastes as successful modulators of post-weaning – associated disturbances in piglets. This review describes the role of grape by-products in the modulation of inflammation, reinforcement of the intestinal barrier and their role as antioxidant factors. Also, their in-depth intracellular mechanisms of action related to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties are described.