Arula-7 powder improves diarrhea and intestinal epithelial tight junction function associated with its regulation of intestinal flora in calves infected with pathogenic Escherichia coli O1

Abstract

Background: The effects of Arula-7 powder (ASP) on diarrhea and intestinal barrier function associated with its regulation of intestinal microflora in calves infected with pathogenic Escherichia coli O₁ (E. coli O₁) were studied.

Method: Twenty Holstein calves were randomly divided into four treatment groups: normal control (NC), model control (MC), 0.5 mg/kg ciprofloxacin (CIP) and 2.50 g/kg ASP groups.

Results: ASP inhibited the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Selenomonadales, and Enterobacteriales, and increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Alloprevotella. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first time that the ASP and CIP promoted weight gain, reduced the diarrhea rate (P < 0.05), and enhanced antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05) due to the increase in average daily gain (ADG), total protein (TP), and albumin (ALB). In addition, ASP and CIP increased the expression of Zunola occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the ileum (P < 0.05), and improved immunity due to increase levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the serum, strengthened CD4⁺T levels in the ileal mucosa and reducing CD8⁺T and CD11c⁺T (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Hence, The intestinal microbiota environment formed by early intervention of ASP powder has a protective effect on the intestinal mucosal function of calves infected with pathogenic E. coli. Video Abstract.

Keywords: Arula-7 powder; Calf; Diarrhea; Intestinal barrier function; Intestinal flora; Pathogenic Escherichia coli O1.