Linarin alleviates colonic barrier dysfunction induced by enterotoxic

Introduction: Enterotoxigenic Methods: 24 healthy 21-day-old weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large Yorkshire) were randomly assigned to four groups fed a basal diet (BD) or linarin-supplemented diet (LN) with oral infusion of 10 mL nutrient broth (NB) or 10 Results: Linarin supplementation significantly ameliorated colonic crypt hyperplasia, increased goblet cell numbers, and decreased diarrhea incidence following ETEC infusion. It downregulated pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory gene expression while upregulating barrier-associated genes. Linarin also significantly increased the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, valeric, and isovaleric acids) in the colon. Integrated analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that linarin modulated the intestinal microbiota by altering the relative abundance of key bacterial taxa ( Discussion: These findings indicate that linarin restores colonic barrier function and intestinal microbiota homeostasis, enhancing resistance to ETEC infection along with the development and well-being of piglets after weaning. This study offers a new mechanistic understanding of how linarin confers protection against ETEC, which can promote its widespread application as a natural feed additive to replace antibiotics.