Fecal microbiota transplantation from healthy piglets ameliorates intestinal inflammation in mice by modulating recipient metabolism

Research in livestock indicates that the gut microbiota of healthy piglets plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal immune development. However, the potential of Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) derived from healthy piglets to alleviate intestinal inflammation in recipients and the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. This study utilized FMT from healthy piglets to intervene in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal inflammation model in germ-free Kunming mice, investigating its effects on intestinal barrier function and inflammatory levels. As anticipated, the results demonstrated that FMT significantly alleviated DSS-induced intestinal inflammation. This was evidenced by reduced weight loss and lower disease activity index scores. Furthermore, FMT improved intestinal barrier integrity, maintained homeostasis of host inflammatory cytokines, and markedly attenuated oxidative stress. Untargeted metabolomics analysis further revealed that FMT significantly increased the abundance of multiple metabolites, including 3-Methoxytyramine-betaxanthin and Sialorphin, downregulated several inflammation-related metabolites, including Cholic acid, and modulated host metabolic pathways (e.g., the betalain biosynthesis pathway). Correlation analysis revealed that the differential metabolites in the FMT group exhibited positive and negative associations with inflammatory markers. This study provides novel insights into the mechanism by which pig-derived gut microbiota alleviates host intestinal inflammation through modulation of host metabolism.