Melatonin Alleviates T-2 Toxin-Induced Intestinal Injury by Enhancing Gut Barrier Function and Modulating Microbiota...

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Animal Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• T-2 toxin, a Fusarium mycotoxin, poses significant risks to animal health, particularly affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
• Melatonin (MT), a hormone with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has potential therapeutic applications.
• The specific mechanisms by which melatonin mitigates T-2 toxin-induced enterotoxicity require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prophylactic effects of melatonin (MT) against T-2 toxin-induced enterotoxicity in postweaning piglets.
• To explore the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota in melatonin's protective effects.

Main Methods:

• Postweaning piglets were used as a model to assess the impact of T-2 toxin exposure.
• Melatonin (MT) was administered as a prophylactic treatment.
• Evaluations included growth performance, intestinal barrier function, colonic oxidative stress and inflammation markers, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels.

Main Results:

• Melatonin (MT) administration improved growth performance in piglets challenged with T-2 toxin.
• MT enhanced intestinal barrier function and reduced colonic oxidative stress and inflammation.
• These improvements were associated with MT-induced alterations in gut microbiota and increased intestinal SCFA levels.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin (MT) effectively alleviates T-2 toxin-induced intestinal damage in piglets.
• The protective mechanisms involve the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Gut microbiota modulation and increased SCFA production are critical mediators of melatonin's beneficial effects.