Dietary Tributyrin Attenuates Intestinal Inflammation, Enhances Mitochondrial Function, and Induces Mitophagy in Piglets Challenged with Diquat

The study evaluated the effects of butyric acid, in the form of tributyrin on the oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial function in diquat-challenged pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were allocated to four treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with the main effects tributyrin supplementation and diquat challenge. The results showed that supplemental tributyrin increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake of diquat-challenged pigs. Tributyrin elevated (P < 0.05) the activities of total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase, reduced (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde content, increased (P < 0.05) mRNA levels of copper and zinc superoxide dismutase and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase of diquat-challenged pigs. Tributyrin relieved (P < 0.05) intestinal inflammation reflected by decreased mRNA abundances of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-6 in intestine. Tributyrin reduced (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate content, increase...