Search Results (40)

Oxidative stress (OS) is known to cause severe liver injury in weaning piglets; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed a diquat (DQ)-induced OS model in weanling piglets and performed single-cell transcriptome sequencing of liver tissue to elucidate the key molecular and cellular events involved in OS-induced hepatic damage. First, piglets were treated with 12 mg/kg DQ and the same amount of saline, and the histopathology, biochemical indicators, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of piglets were analyzed. Mouse hepatocytes were used to verify the mechanism of differentially expressed genes, including STAT3 knockdown/overexpression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and apoptosis assay. DQ exposure caused significant oxidative damage in the liver of piglets, which was manifested as decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.05), glutathione (GSH) consumption (p < 0.05) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05). Cell type-specific responses were revealed by scRNA-seq, with hepatocytes showing the most pronounced transcriptomic alterations (752 genes up-regulated and 918 genes down-regulated). The expression of STAT3 was up-regulated in hepatocytes (p < 0.05) and down-regulated in B cells. The functional enrichment of macrophages involved FOXO/MAPK signaling and OS pathways. In vitro experiments showed that DQ treatment (IC50 = 125.8 μmol/L) led to an increase in ROS content and apoptosis, STAT3 silencing aggravated ROS and apoptosis (p < 0.05), and STAT3 overexpression alleviated ROS and apoptosis (p < 0.05). STAT3 activation increases HO-1 and Bcl-2, while inhibiting Bax and shifting the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio toward cell survival. It has been shown that DQ induces OS and apoptosis in a cell type-dependent manner, in which STAT3 plays a key regulatory role in antioxidant defense and cell survival. Targeting STAT3 may be a therapeutic strategy for DQ-induced hepatotoxicity. Full article

Background: The spleen is the primary reservoir of immune cells in mammals. Diverse stimuli can disrupt spleen homeostasis, resulting in spleen injury and immune dysfunction. This study employed a porcine model to assess the therapeutic potential of salvianolic acid B (SAB) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced splenic injury. Methods: Seventy-two male weanling piglets were randomly assigned to one of four groups: CON-SS, SAB-SS, CON-LPS, and SAB-LPS. The CON-SS and CON-LPS groups received a basal diet, while SAB-SS and SAB-LPS groups received a SAB-supplemented diet. After 14 d, the CON-SS and SAB-SS groups received an intraperitoneal injection of sterile saline, whereas the CON-LPS and SAB-LPS groups were injected with LPS. Blood and spleen tissues were harvested 6 h post-injection for biochemical analysis. Results: LPS induced systemic immune disorders in piglets, as evidenced by increased immune organ indices and decreased white blood cell, lymphocyte, and basophil counts in blood (p < 0.05). LPS also caused histoarchitectural disruption, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the spleen (p < 0.05). Conversely, SAB improved splenic histopathology and reduced splenic apoptosis and pro-inflammatory mediators in piglets (p < 0.05). SAB significantly mitigated peroxidation accumulation by facilitating the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and strengthening the antioxidant system, and inhibited nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, SAB attenuated LPS-induced splenic oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation by restoring mitochondrial structure and function (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This research unveils that SAB alleviates LPS-induced spleen disorder by reinforcing antioxidant system and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome, highlighting SAB’s potential as a prospective therapeutic agent for spleen disorders. Full article

Rotavirus (RV) is a significant contributor to diarrhea in both young children and animals, especially in piglets, resulting in considerable economic impacts on the global pig industry. Isoleucine (Ile), a branched-chain amino acid, is crucial for regulating nutrient metabolism and has been found to help mitigate diarrhea. This study aimed to assess the impact of isoleucine supplementation in feed on colonic barrier function, colonic microbiota, and metabolism in RV-infected weanling piglets. A total of thirty-two weaned piglets, aged 21 days, were randomly assigned to two dietary groups (each further divided into two subgroups, with eight replicates in each subgroup), receiving diets with either 0% or 1% isoleucine for a duration of 14 days. One group from each treatment was then challenged with RV, and the experimental period lasted for 19 days. The results showed that dietary Ile significantly increased the secretion of IL-4, IL-10, and sIgA in the colon of RV-infected weanling piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, Ile supplementation notably increased the expression of tight junction proteins, including Claudin-3, Occludin, and ZO-1 (p < 0.01), as well as the mucin protein MUC-1 in the colon of RV-infected weanling piglets (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that dietary Ile increased the relative abundance of Prevotella and decreased the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae in the colons of RV-infected weanling piglets. Compared with the RV+CON, metabolic pathways in the RV+ILE group were significantly enriched in vitamin digestion and absorption, steroid biosynthesis, purine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis, as well as fatty acid biosynthesis, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. In conclusion, dietary Ile supplementation can improve immunity, colonic barrier function, colonic microbiota, and colonic metabolism of RV-infected weaned piglets. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of isoleucine in the prevention and control of RV. Full article

The nonprotein amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can enhance intestinal function in piglets; however, the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood. To explore the effects of GABA and its underlying mechanisms, weanling piglets were randomly assigned to three groups, receiving either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with GABA (80 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg). The results demonstrated that dietary GABA improved growth performance and reduced diarrhea incidence (p < 0.05). Additionally, GABA supplementation decreased the serum and intestinal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05), and improved intestinal morphology. Multi-omics analyses were employed to explore the alterations caused by GABA supplementation and elucidate the related mechanisms. Microbiota profiling revealed improved beta-diversity and changes in the composition of ileal bacteria and fungi. Amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and digestive processes were primarily enriched in the GABA group according to metabolomics analysis. A transcriptome analysis showed significant enrichment in ion transmembrane transport and nutrition absorption and digestion pathways in the ileum. Furthermore, increased lipase and trypsin activity, along with the elevated expression of tight junction proteins confirmed the beneficial effects of GABA on intestinal nutrient metabolism and barrier function. In conclusion, dietary 80 mg/kg GABA supplementation improved nutrient digestion and absorption and intestinal function in weanling piglets. Full article

The potentials of ABO replacer of ENZ and DFM on growth performance, AID, colonic VFAs, gut morphology, fecal score and diarrhea incidence were evaluated. We randomly assigned 120 piglets to four experimental diets that included: (1) control diet (CON), fed the basal ration; (2) ABO was added at 250 ppm of in-feed ABO; (3) ENZ was added at a rate of 3 kg/ton feed; (4) DFM was added with 50 × 10⁶ cfu/g of Bacillus subtilis and 2 × 10⁶ cfu/g of Lactobacillus spp. at a rate of 1.2 kg/ton feed. A complete randomized design used six pens per treatment with five pigs per pen. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the 6-week trial. Feed intake and BW were recorded on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6, as well as fecal scores and diarrhea incidences (visually recorded and calculated). At weeks 2 and 4, a sub-sample of pigs (n = 6) was sacrificed for intestinal morphology, enzyme activity and VFAs. The results of the study demonstrated that DFM piglets showed increased final BW (3 kg) (p < 0.001) vs. CON. Likewise, ADG was positively affected by the incorporation of ABO, ENZ and DFM in the diets, with an average increase of 8 to 17% on ADG compared with CON (p < 0.001). The AID of gross energy, organic matter, CP and EAAs in piglets fed ENZ and DFM were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of CON and ABO at weeks 2 and 4. Inclusion of DFM increased intestinal morphology, enzymatic activities and propionic and butyric acid more than in pigs fed CON, ABO and ENZ (p < 0.05). The fecal score and diarrhea incidence generally decreased over time in pigs fed DFM (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with DFM has better effects at any period on growth performance, CP and AA digestibility and beneficially altered the intestinal health in weanling piglets. Full article

In order to study the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation on growth performance and immune status in weanling piglets, a single factorial randomized block design trial was conducted with six diets supplemented with FA at 0, 0.30, 3.00, 6.00, 9.00 or 15.00 mg/kg. A total of 108 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire) castrated weanling piglets (at 21 d of age) were allocated by body weight into 36 feeding cages (3 piglets/cage), which were allotted randomly into six dietary groups (six cages/group). Piglets were fed ad libitum for 24 days. Blood samples were collected on the 24th day. The growth performance and immune parameters were measured. Results showed that FA supplementation increased the serum FA level of weaned piglets (p < 0.01) and tended to increase the body weight (BW) at 45 d of age (p < 0.1) and the average daily gain (ADG) from 29 d to 45 d of age (p < 0.1). FA addition improved the feed efficiency (G/F) from 21 to 45 d of age (p < 0.01) with supplementary FA levels of 0.3, 3.0, and 9.0 mg/kg compared with the control group with no FA supplementation. FA supplementation showed a trend (p < 0.1) to increase the peripheral blood CD3⁺CD8⁺ lymphocyte subpopulation and a tendency (p < 0.1) to decrease the CD3⁺CD4⁺/CD3⁺CD8⁺ ratio; in particular FA supplementation of 0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg showed significant differences in comparison to the non-supplemented control group. Moreover, FA addition increased the serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level (p < 0.05) and tended to reduce the ratio of tumor necrosis factor-α to interleukin-4 (TNF-α/IL-4, p < 0.1) and immunoglobulin G (IgG, p < 0.1) in serum, but had no significant effect on serum IL-4, TNF-α, and nitric oxide. In conclusion, FA supplementation up to 3 mg/kg to the diet showed a tendency to improve immune function, while FA supplementation of up to 9 mg/kg improved feed efficiency, which resulted in a trend for higher growth in weaned piglets between 7 to 11 kg BW. Full article

Maternal nutrition exerts a profound effect on the postnatal performance of offspring, especially during the weaning period. The multifunctional bioactive component magnolol (MAG) has shown promise as a dietary supplement. This study aimed to explore the effects of maternal MAG supplementation on the antioxidant capacity, gut health, gut microbiome, and metabolome composition of weanling piglets. Fifty pregnant sows were randomly divided into two equally sized groups, the control group and the group supplemented with 100 g/t MAG during the gestation and lactation periods, and 7 days postweaning, the pups were euthanized. The microbiome and metabolome features of weanling piglet colons were compared. Our results revealed that maternal MAG supplementation modified the serum redox status of weanling piglets by decreasing malondialdehyde concentration and increasing superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the decreased indicators of diarrhea were accompanied by improved gut barrier function, in which serum diamine oxidase concentration was decreased, and expressions of zona occludens-1, claudin-1, and intestinal alkaline phosphatase were increased in the colon of weanling piglets from sows supplemented with MAG. Further analysis of the gut microbiota indicated that maternal MAG supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the colon of weanling piglets, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Oscillospira. Metabolome analysis identified 540 differential metabolites in the colon of piglets from MAG-fed dams, of which glycerophospholipid classes were highly correlated with progeny gut health and key beneficial bacteria. Our findings indicated that maternal MAG supplementation can improve the oxidative status and gut health of weanling piglets, possibly due to alterations in the gut microbiota and metabolites. Full article

Animals with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) usually undergo injured postnatal growth and development during the early period after birth. Equol (Eq), an isoflavan produced by gut bacteria in response to daidzein intake, has various health benefits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether Eq supplementation can influence the growth performance, redox status, intestinal health and skeletal muscle development of weanling piglets with IUGR. A total of 10 normal-birth-weight (NBW) newborn female piglets and 20 newborn female piglets with IUGR were selected. After weaning at the age of 21 d, 10 NBW piglets and 10 IUGR piglets were allocated to the NBW group and IUGR group, respectively, and offered a basal diet. The other 10 IUGR piglets were allocated to the IUGR + Eq group and offered a basal diet with 50 mg of Eq per kg of diet. The whole trial lasted for 21 d. At the end of the feeding trial, all piglets were sacrificed for the collection of serum, intestinal tissues and skeletal muscles. Supplementation with Eq increased the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), duodenal villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C), jejunal villus height and V/C, but reduced the duodenal crypt depth in neonatal piglets with IUGR. Meanwhile, Eq supplementation elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the serum and duodenum and the activity of SOD in the jejunum, but lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum, jejunum and ileum of piglets with IUGR. In addition, supplementation with Eq reduced diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and the levels of D-lactate and endotoxin in serum, and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level in jejunum and ileum, whereas the concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the mRNA levels of intestinal barrier-related markers in jejunum and ileum of IUGR piglets were increased. Furthermore, supplementation with Eq elevated the percentage of fast-fibers and was accompanied with higher mRNA expression of myosin heavy chain IIb (MyHC IIb) and lower mRNA levels in MyHC I in the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of IUGR piglets. In summary, Eq supplementation can promote antioxidant capacity, maintain intestinal health and facilitate skeletal muscle development, thus resulting in the higher growth performance of IUGR piglets. Full article

Since citrus flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it was hypothesized that these compounds would become a suitable alternative to the use of therapeutic doses of zinc oxide at weaning. A total of 252 weaned pigs ([LargeWhite × Landrace] × Pietrain) were distributed according to BW (5.7 kg ± 0.76) into 18 pens (6 pens per diet, 14 pigs/pen). Three experimental diets for the prestarter (0–14 d postweaning) and starter (15–35 d postweaning) period were prepared: (i) a nonmedicated (CON) diet, (ii) a CON diet supplemented with zinc oxide at 2500 mg/kg, amoxicillin at 0.3 mg/kg and apramycin at 0.1 mg/kg (ZnO), and (iii) CON diet with the addition of a commercial citrus flavonoid extract at 0.3 mg/kg and amoxicillin at 0.3 mg/kg (FLAV). Pig BW, ADG, ADFI, and FCR were assessed on d7, d14, and d35. Samples of intestinal tissue, cecal content, and serum were collected on day seven (18 piglets). FLAV treatment achieved greater BW and ADG during the starter and for the entire experimental period compared with the CON diet (p < 0.05), whereas ZnO pigs evidenced intermediate results. Jejunum tissue analysis showed that pigs fed the FLAV diet overexpressed genes related to barrier function, digestive enzymes, and nutrient transport compared to those pigs fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). An increase in the abundance of bacterial genera such as Succinivibrio, Turicibacter, and Mitsuokella (p < 0.05) was observed in the FLAV compared with the CON and ZnO piglets. ZnO and FLAV increased the expression of TAS2R39, while ZnO pigs also expressed greater TAS2R16 than CON (p < 0.05) in the intestine. FLAV treatment improved the gut function, possibly explaining a higher performance at the end of the nursery period. Consequently, citrus flavonoids supplementation, together with amoxicillin, is a promising alternative to the use of zinc oxide plus amoxicillin and apramycin in weanling pigs, minimizing the use of antibiotics. Full article

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplementing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) combined or not with live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc 47 on weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli F4⁺. We allocated ninety-six piglets to four experimental diets: control (CTR); supplemented with scFOS (5 g/kg Profeed^® P95) (scFOS); S. cerevisiae Sc 47 (1 g/kg Actisaf^® Sc 47 HR +) (YEA); or both (SYN). Parameters included: performance; E. coli F4⁺ detection; fermentation activity; inflammatory biomarkers; and ileal histomorphology. Our results showed that supplementing scFOS was able to reduce the incidence of diarrhea, and both supplements were able to lower counts of EHEC along the gut. Supplementing scFOS was mostly associated with changes in the gut ecosystem and increases in the lactobacilli population, while S. cerevisiae Sc 47 registered increases in the numbers of ileal intraepithelial lymphocytes. The synbiotic mixture showed the lowest diarrhea incidence and fecal scores, benefiting from complementary modes of action and possible synergistic effects due to a hypothesized yeast–LAB cross-feeding phenomenon in the foregut. In conclusion, our results evidence that supplementing scFOS or Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc 47 is efficacious to fight post-weaning colibacillosis, and combining both could be beneficial in high-risk scenarios. Full article

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of glycine on intestinal injury caused by oxidative stress in piglets. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment with diets (basic diet vs. 1% glycine diet) and oxidative stress (saline vs. diquat) was conducted on 32 weanling piglets. On day 21, all piglets received an injection of either saline or diquat. After 7 days, all pigs were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected. Dietary glycine supplementation improved intestinal mucosal morphology, increased the activities of disaccharidases and enhanced intestinal mucosal antioxidant capacity, while regulating the expression of ferroptosis mediators in the piglets under oxidative stress. These findings suggested that dietary glycine supplementation improved the morphology and function of the intestinal mucosa, which was involved in regulating antioxidant capacity and ferroptosis. Full article

Frequent occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) causes huge economic losses in the pig industry. Accelerated catch-up growth (CUG) in the early stage of life could restore multiple adverse outcomes of IUGR offspring; however, there is little knowledge about this beneficial phenomenon. We previously found that nutrient absorption related to intestinal function was globally promoted in CUG-IUGR piglets before weaning, which might be the dominant reason for CUG, but what this alteration could lead to in subsequent liver metabolism is still unknown. Firstly, a Normal, CUG, and non-catch-up growth (NCUG) piglet model before weaning was established by dividing eighty litters of newborn piglets into normal birth weight (NBW) and IUGR groups according to birth weight, and those piglets with IUGR but above-average weanling body weight were considered CUG, and the piglets with IUGR still below average body weight were considered NCUG at weaning day (d 26). Liver samples were collected and then systematically compared in glycolipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, antioxidant status, and inflammatory status among these three different growth models. Enhanced hepatic uptake of fatty acids, diminished de novo synthesis of fatty acids, and increased oxidation of fatty acids were observed in CUG livers compared to Normal and NCUG. In contrast, the NCUG liver showed enhanced glucose uptake and gluconeogenesis compared to Normal and CUG. We also observed deteriorating hepatic vacuolation in NCUG piglets, while increasing hepatic lipid deposition in CUG piglets. Besides, the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism and biogenesis was reduced in CUG piglets and the phosphorylation level of AMPK was significantly higher compared to Normal (p < 0.05). Moreover, NCUG liver showed decreased T-AOC (p < 0.01) and GSH-PX (p < 0.05), increased MDA concentrations (p < 0.01), upregulated phosphorylation levels of ERK and NF-κB (p < 0.05), and elevated pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α (p < 0.05) compared to Normal. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between glucose metabolism and inflammatory factors, while a negative correlation between mitochondrial function-related genes and fatty acid transport. NGUG piglets showed simultaneous enhancement of glucose uptake and gluconeogenesis, as well as reduced antioxidant capacity and increased inflammatory status, whereas CUG comes at the expense of impaired hepatic mitochondrial function and pathological fat accumulation. Full article

Butyrate provides energy for colonocytes and is a functional metabolite that mitigates weanling piglet stress. However, its effects and mechanisms remain largely unknown. We established a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory stress piglet model to examine how butyrate mechanisms impacted piglet intestinal histology, microbiota, and inflammation. We randomly assigned 18 crossbred male piglets to three treatment groups: CON, LPS, and BT-LPS. Coated butyrate was supplemented in the BT-LPS feed for 21 days. On days 19 and 21, piglets in LPS and BT-LPS groups were challenged with LPS at 100 μg/kg body weight. Dietary butyrate improved LPS-injured intestinal histology by significantly increasing jejunal and ileal villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratios, and decreasing histological scores. LPS challenge activated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and nuclear factor-κB, and enhanced interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-α, and also downstream inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, but decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-13). Most molecule levels were significantly reversed by butyrate administration. When compared with the CON or LPS groups, the BT-LPS group had a higher relative abundance of jejunal Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridiaceae, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella but a lower abundance of Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia–Shigella. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states and correlation analyses suggested these bacteria contributed to butyrate-alleviating jejunal inflammation and infectious diseases. Butyrate-based diets significantly reduced apoptosis via mitochondrial pathways by downregulating apoptotic caspase 3 mRNA levels. Diets also altered enterocyte metabolism in the jejunum by upregulating peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor α expression but downregulating carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 level when compared with CON or LPS groups. Butyrate supplementation improved immunity homeostasis, generated beneficial shifts in microbial communities, improved enterocyte energy metabolism, and prevented apoptosis to protect intestinal histology from LPS-induced injury. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the effect that feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LSB) to lactating sows and their progeny has on inflammatory response and mucosal immunity after vaccination against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Sixty-seven Danbred sows were allotted into two treatments when they entered the farrowing room seven days before the expected farrowing date: control (CON: lactation diet) and LSB (CON + 12 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU)/d until weaning). At weaning, piglets were equally allotted into two experimental diets according to sow diet: control (CON: 2-phase post-weaning diets) and LSB (CON + 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg in phases 1 and 2, respectively). The piglets were vaccinated at days 26 and 49 post-weaning. Growth performance and number of IgA producing cells and cytokine’s gene expression in lung, lymph node, and intestine samples at day 70 post-weaning were assessed and analyzed in SPSS Statistics 26: performance with a general linear model with sex, room, sow diet, piglet diet, and their interactions as main effects, and immunity with a Kruskal–Wallis test for k unrelated samples. Piglets from LSB-fed sows displayed a higher average daily gain (ADG; p < 0.01) and a heavier body weight (BW; p < 0.05) during lactation, tended (p < 0.1) to be heavier at day 49, and to have a higher ADG between days 26 and 49; had fewer number of IgA producing cells in the lymph node (p < 0.05); and all the cytokines studied were significantly under-regulated (p < 0.05) in the lung. It is concluded that feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 to sows improved piglet performance during lactation and showed a clear reduction in the inflammatory status of the lungs after vaccination against A. pleuropneumoniae, suggesting that there was a maternal imprinting effect on mucosal protection and a cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the lung. Full article

Polyphenols sourced from Ilex latifolia Thunb. (PIT) contain high levels of phenolic acids, tannic acids, triterpenoids and so on, which play important roles in antioxidant function. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of PIT against intestinal injury in piglets under oxidative stress. Thirty-two weanling piglets were arranged by a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with diets (basal diet vs. PIT diet) and oxidative stress (saline vs. diquat). All piglets were injected with saline or diquat on d 21, respectively. After 7 days, all pigs were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected. PIT enhanced jejunal villus heights and crypt depth in the piglets under oxidative stress. PIT increased the activities of intestinal mucosal lactase, sucrase and maltase in the challenged piglets. PIT also increased the jejunal ratio of protein to DNA and ileal protein content. PIT increased the jejunal activities of GSH-PX and GSH content and reduced the ileal MDA amounts. Furthermore, PIT regulated the expression of ferroptosis mediators, such as TFR1, HSPB1, SLC7A11 and GPX4. These results indicate that dietary PIT supplementation enhances the histological structure and function of the intestinal mucosa, which is involved in modulating antioxidant capacity and ferroptosis. Full article