Dietary taurine alleviated liver and intestinal damage, as well as inflammation, in piglets with acute oxidative stress induced by paraquat

Paraquat (PQ), a commonly used herbicide, is frequently found in the environment and, when ingested, can induce significant oxidative stress and physiological disruptions in young animals. This exposure often damages the intestinal barrier, disrupts gut-liver axis integrity, and contributes to inflammation, impaired nutrient absorption, and metabolic dysregulation. Taurine (Tau), a naturally occurring free amino acid, is known for its various biological roles. The present study employed weaned piglets as a model to assess the impact of dietary Tau (0% or 0.4%) on PQ-induced oxidative stress and its effects on the regulation of the gut-liver axis and overall health. Biomolecular markers related to mucosal healing, liver injury, antioxidant and immune pathways in the gut, liver, and serum were examined, alongside an analysis of gut microbiota composition.