Effects of dietary tributyrin on intestinal mucosa development, mitochondrial function and AMTK-mTOR pathway in weaned pigs

Abstract

Piglets are often subjected to nutritional, physiological and immunological stresses during the weaning process. It has been determined that weaning can quickly lead to the intestinal-mucosal injury, such as villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia and further impair intestinal absorption function. Butyrate, as a SCFA (short chain fatty acid), has gained much attention due to its rewarding effects on cellular energy metabolism and intestinal homeostasis.