Fish oil–based lipid emulsion alleviates parenteral nutrition–associated liver diseases and intestinal injury in piglets

Background and aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of fish oil-based lipid emulsion (FO) on enterohepatic injuries and intestinal microbiota in piglets of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Methods Newborn piglets were divided into three groups, including enteral diet (the controls), TPN with 100% FO and TPN with MCT/LCT-based lipid emulsion (MCT/LCT) for 14 days. Serum biochemical indicators, hepatic and intestinal histology, and expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism were measured. The bile acid profiles in serum and the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in different intestinal segments were analyzed. Results Compared to MCT/LCT-piglets, FO reduced inflammation, promoted fatty acid oxidation and decreased oxidative stress in the liver. In the intestine, FO decreased intestinal inflammation and intestinal permeability, leading to reduce lipopolysaccharide entry into the blood circulation relative to MCT/LCT-piglets. TPN groups have dominant contents of Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, while the control group have Firmicutes at the phylum level. FO altered the taxonomic compositions of the gut microbiome in different segments, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae in ileum, and Rikenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae in the colon. FO treatment shifted bile acids (BAs) composition ratio in serum and had a lower ratio of secondary BAs to primary BAs. Conclusion FO alleviates PNLAD and intestinal injury by regulating the homeostasis of BAs' enterohepatic circulation and altering microbiota composition in different intestinal segments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.