Dietary pectin Modulate Inflammatory Response by Gut Microbiota-Derived Tryptophan Metabolites

Piglets, along with the dual stimulus of weaning stress and environmental stress, are at a low level of immunity. Pectin has been reported to promote hindgut development in mammals, and our tests have found that pectin can improve the development of the small intestine in weaned piglets, increase intestinal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. In addition, the expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunal mucosa was increased. It also promoted the metabolism of feed-derived tryptophan to indoles-derives, thereby modulating the intestinal mucosal immunity. These research results provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the use of pectin in the diet to improve intestinal health of piglets and thus alleviate weaning stress.