Linarin alleviates enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-induced small intestinal mucosal barrier damage in a piglet model by modulating the gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of dietary linarin supplementation on Enterotoxigenic coli (ETEC) induced small intestinal barrier dysfunction in weaned piglets via gut microbiota modulation. RESULTS: Twenty-four weaned piglets were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The four treatments were as follows: BD + NB (basal diet and orally administered nutrient broth), LN + NB (basal diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg linarin, and orally administered nutrient broth), BD + ETEC (basal diet and orally administered ETEC), LN + ETEC (basal diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg linarin, and orally administered ETEC). The results showed that linarin lowers the serum levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), endotoxin, and D-lactate (P < 0.05). Linarin significantly increased villus height and villus/crypt ratio (P < 0.01), while decreasing crypt depth in the duodenum. jejunum, and ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, Linarin increased the number of goblet cells within villus-crypt units in the duodenum. jejunum, and ileum (P < 0.05). Linarin significantly enhanced intestinal barrier function, upregulated detoxification pathways, reduced epithelial apoptosis, and improved nutrient transporter expression in the small intestine." Linarin decreased the relative abundances of Actinobacillus, Romboutsia, Enterococcus, and Terrisporobacter, consequently modulating key metabolic pathways, including arginine and proline metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary linarin supplementation mitigates ETEC-induced intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and enhances nutrient assimilation via targeted modulation of microbial communities and associated metabolic networks, thereby providing a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of ETEC diarrhea.