Metabolomics reveals the hindgut metabolic changes and physiological impacts in weaned piglets subjected to ETEC infection and berberine intervention

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes diarrhea and triggers intestinal inflammation posing a significant threat to children which is a global health concern. Berberine (BBR) has diverse pharmacological properties can alleviate diarrhea and intestinal damage. This metabolomics study analyzed the effects of berberine on the hepatic function, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory responses in weaned piglet model infected with ETEC. A total of 18 piglets were randomly divided into three groups: basal diet (BD) + Saline, BD + ETEC, and BBR + ETEC. Compared with the BD + Saline group, ETEC infection significantly increased the contents of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, globulin, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, interferon γ (IFN-γ), IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and significantly decreased the contents of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the serum of weaned piglets. There were 14 metabolites upregulated and 21 metabolites downregulated after ETEC infection, and total cholesterol, LDL, IL-1β, IL-8, and TGF-β were correlated with fructose and mannose metabolism. Compared with the BD + ETEC group, dietary berberine significantly increased the contents of total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL and significantly decreased the contents of AST, AST/ALT, total protein, globulin, triglycerides, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in the serum of weaned piglets. There were 111 metabolites upregulated and 48 metabolites downregulated after berberine addition, and total protein, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 were correlated with cholinergic synapse. Both ETEC infection and berberine addition can induce changes in taste transduction and affect the physiological functions of weaned piglets through metabolic pathways.