Dietary Ginkgo Biloba Extract Improves Growth Performance and Immunometabolic Homeostasis in Weaned Piglets via Gut Microbiota Modulation
"Weaning piglets is one of the most critical periods in swine management, and the economic losses caused by weaning stress should not be underestimated. To investigate the potential applications of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in weaned piglets, current study evaluated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, gut-microbial composition, and gut metabolites of weaned piglets. A total of 240 weaned piglets averaging 6.96 +- 0.60 kg at 28 days of age were randomly allotted to five dietary treatment groups each with six replicates. The treatments included a control diet and basal diets supplemented with 500, 1000, 2000, or 4000 mg/kg GBE. Dietary supplementation with 1,000-2,000 mg/kg GBE significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) from days 0-14 and reduced the feed-to-gain ratio over days 0-28 compared with the control diet (P < 0.05). GBE supplementation significantly increased serum IgA, IgG, IL-10, and TGF-beta concentrations while decreasing IL-6 and IFN-gamma levels. GBE also enhanced serum and liver antioxidant capacity, evidenced by increased the content of catalase (CAT) in the serum and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GBE supplementation significantly decreased the crypt depth (CD) while increased the villus height (VH)/CD ratio (P < 0.01) of the jejunum. In addition, GBE improved the content of trypsin and sIgA in the jejunal and ileal mucosa, as well as enhanced the relative mRNA expression levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and MUC2 in the ileal and colonic mucosa (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, GBE altered the composition of gut microbiota, significantly increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus (P < 0.01). These microbial changes were accompanied by elevated concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, butyrate, and propionate) (P < 0.05) and lactate (P < 0.01). In summary, GBE may enhance piglet health and growth performance by modulating gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, thereby strengthening intestinal barrier function and supporting its application as a functional feed additive."