β-Carotene prevents weaning-induced intestinal inflammation by modulating gut microbiota in piglets

Abstract

Objective: Weaning is an important stage in the life of young mammals, which is associated with intestinal inflammation, gut microbiota disorders, and even death. β-Carotene displays anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can prevent the development of inflammatory diseases. However, whether β-carotene can affect intestinal microbiota remains unclear. Methods: Twenty-four piglets were distributed into four groups: the normal suckling group (Con), the weaning group (WG), the weaning+β-carotene (40 mg/kg) group (LCBC), and the weaning+β-carotene (80 mg/kg) group (HCBC). The serum, jejunum, colon, and faeces were collected separately from each group. The effects of β-carotene on the phenotype, overall structure, and composition of gut microbiota were assessed in weaning piglets. Results: The results showed that β-carotene improved the growth performance, intestinal morphology and relieved inflammation. Furthermore, β-carotene significantly decreased the species from phyla <i>Bacteroidetes</i> and the genus <i>Prevotella</i>, and <i>Blautia</i>, and increased the species from the phyla <i>Firmicutes</i> and the genera <i>p-75-a5</i>, and <i>Parabacteroides</i> compared to the WG group. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that <i>Prevotella</i> and <i>Blautia</i> were positively correlated, and <i>Parabacteroides</i> and <i>Synergistes</i> were negatively correlated with the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while <i>p-75-a5</i> showed negative correlation with IL-6 in serum samples from piglets. Conclusion: These findings indicate that β-carotene could alleviate weaning-induced intestinal inflammation by modulating gut microbiota in piglets. <i>Prevotella</i> may be a potential target of β-carotene in alleviating the weaning-induced intestinal inflammation in piglets.