Early Intervention Maintains Gut Microbiome Structure and Promotes Gut Mucosal Barrier Function in Early-Weaned Rats.

Early weaning leads to the disorder of the gut microbiome and gut mucosal barrier injury. Early intervention of gut microbiome colonization contributes to the development of the gut microbiome and gut function. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of () early intervention on the gut microbiome structure and gut mucosal barrier function of early-weaned rats. The results showed that early intervention improved growth performance along with a decrease in pathogenic bacteria, an increase in beneficial bacteria, a stable and complex microbiome, and a high level of microbial metabolism. Moreover, upregulated the mucosal barrier function including goblet cells and relative gene expression, tight junction, and sIgA level. Furthermore, suppressed the inflammatory response and promoted the anti-inflammatory response. Our study may provide a possible early intervention strategy for preventing an early weaning-induced disorder of the gut microbiome and loss of gut mucosal barrier function.