Cordyceps militaris Modulates Intestinal Barrier Function and Gut Microbiota in a Pig Model

Hongmei Zheng; Haigang Cao; Deming Zhang; Jiahe Huang; Jinshu Li; Shaoying Wang; Junfeng Lu; Xiao Li; Gongshe Yang; Xin'e Shi

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.810230

Cordyceps militaris Modulates Intestinal Barrier Function and Gut Microbiota in a Pig Model

Front Microbiol. 2022 Mar 17:13:810230. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.810230. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Affiliation

¹ Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris (CM) on intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota in a pig model. A total of 160 pigs were randomly allocated to either a control group (fed the basal diet) or a CM group (fed the basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg CM). CM improved intestinal morphology and increased the numbers of goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. CM also elevated the expression of zona occluden-1, claudin-1, mucin-2 and secretory immunoglobulin A. Furthermore, the mucosal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated while the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in the CM group. Mechanistically, CM downregulated the expression of key proteins of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, CM altered the colonic microbial composition and increased the concentrations of acetate and butyrate. In conclusion, CM can modulate the intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota, which may provide a new strategy for improving intestinal health.

Keywords: Cordyceps militaris; gut microbiota; immunity; intestinal barrier; pig.