Icariin modulates Catenibacterium-induced gut microbiota imbalance to alleviate hepatic lipid deposition in IUGR males

Male IUGR offspring require earlier intervention than females due to more severe hepatic lipid metabolism abnormalities. While icariin (ICA) significantly regulates hepatic lipid metabolism in male IUGR piglets, the role of gut microbiota in this process remains unclear. Compare dynamic changes in the fecal and intestinal microbial composition of IUGR piglets under ICA intervention. Explore the link between microbial composition alterations and hepatic lipid metabolism via fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Confirm the effect of ICA on Catenibacterium in vitro and investigate its impact on microbial composition and its association with hepatic lipid metabolism in vivo. ICA intervention reshapes the fecal, ileal, and colonic microbiota in male IUGR piglets, enhancing gut morphology and barrier function, while restoring the abnormal expression of hepatic PPAR signaling pathway-related genes. FMT from IUGR piglets impaired intestinal barrier function and induced hepatic lipid deposition, whereas FMT from IUGR+ICA piglets showed no significant pathological changes. Notably, increased abundance of Catenibacterium correlated with abnormal phenotypes. Mechanistically, ICA inhibits ATP synthesis in Catenibacterium, remodeling gut microbiota, improving gut morphology and barrier function, reducing LPS translocation, and ultimately activating the hepatic PPARalfha/CD36 axis to regulate lipid metabolism in male IUGR piglets.