Amomum longiligulare polysaccharide 1 supplementation promotes the proliferation of jejunal epithelial cells in piglets by regulating the cell cycle and intestinal metabolites

Although nonstarch polysaccharides often have growth-promoting effects in animals, little is known about how polysaccharides act when administered as feed additives. Here, we demonstrate that Amomum longiligulare polysaccharide 1 (ALP1) improves the growth performance of piglets by promoting the proliferation of jejunal epithelial cells. ALP1 can be absorbed by jejunal epithelial cells via endocytosis and increases the ratio of cells in the S and G2/M phases by increasing the expression of CDK4 and Cyclin E, which increases the number of proliferating cells. The gut microbiota is an important regulatory target of polysaccharides. ALP1 supplementation can increase the abundance of Lactobacillus in the jejuna of piglets, resulting in a high abundance of 11Z-eicosenoic acid (EA). In addition, EA increases the villus length in the jejunum by promoting cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that oral ALP1 supplementation promotes growth by direct (acting on jejunal epithelial cells) and indirect (acting on jejunal microbiota) mechanisms.