MF-06 alleviates intestinal mucosal barrier from damage in chicks infected with via activating the Wnt/-catenin pathway.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the protective efficacy of MF-06 as a potential alternative to antibiotics in mitigating intestinal mucosal damage in chicks infected with .

Methods: A total of 150 one-day-old SPF chicks were selected and randomly divided into five groups: control group (CK), probiotics group (EM), probiotics treatment group (PT), antibiotic treatment group (AT), group (SI), CK, AT and SI groups were fed a basal diet, EM and PT groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 10 CFU/g ; PT, AT and SI groups were gavaged with 1.0 × 10 CFU/0.5 mL at 7 days of age; AT group were fed with 0.375 g/kg neomycin sulfate in the basal diet from days 7-14.

Results: Subsequently, the study evaluated alterations in growth performance, the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, cytokines associated with the Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway, and gut microbiota composition. The results revealed that the administration of MF-06 significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio of chicks ( < 0.05), and significantly increased the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake in chicks challenged with ( < 0.05). Furthermore, MF-06 treatment diminished the presence of colonies in the intestinal tract. Additionally, the administration of MF-06 restored levels of (Diamine oxidase) DAO and (D-lactic acid) D-LA levels, as well as the levels of tight junction protein, including , , , , and ( < 0.05). The study noted a significant decrease in cell apoptosis ( < 0.05) and a significant increase in the expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) ( < 0.05), which activated the Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway. Analysis through 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the intake of MF-06 led to a significant decrease in the relative abundance of , , and ( < 0.05).

Discussion: Collectively, the MF-06 may provide a protective effect against infection in chicks by enhancing growth performance, strengthening the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and stabilizing the gut microbiota.