Ferulic acid improves growth performance and lipid metabolism and bile acid level partially by activating the PPAR and CYP7A1 pathways in broilers

Abstract BACKGROUND High‐energy and high‐protein diets promote excessive fat deposition in broilers, increasing their susceptibility to metabolic disorders. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid with multiple biological functions and has potential application value. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary FA on the growth performance, lipid metabolism, bile acid synthesis and gut microbiota in broilers. In total, 640 male broilers were allocated to five groups at 1 day of age, and fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 50, 100, 150 or 200 mg kg −1 FA for 42 days. RESULTS FA administration linearly and quadratically increased the average daily gain. At 42 days, dietary FA linearly reduced hepatic levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. It also up‐regulated the gene and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)γ and adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver. Additionally, FA enhanced the expression of CYP7A1 protein, increasing the levels of bile acids in both the liver and serum. The results of the Kruskal–Wallis H test for 16S rRNA sequences indicated significant increases in Blautia and Eisenbergiella , as well as significant decreases in Enterococcus and Bacillus . Moreover, cecal metabolomics analysis revealed differences in metabolites between the 100 mg kg −1 FA and control groups, which were enriched in the signaling pathways related to lipid and amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSION FA appears to enhance average daily gain, improve lipid metabolism partially by activating the AMPK/PPAR pathway, and increase bile acid levels by activating CYP7A1. FA doses at 100 mg kg −1 are recommended in commercial broilers. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.