AMPK Signaling Axis-Mediated Regulation of Lipid Metabolism: Ameliorative Effects of Sodium Octanoate on Intestinal Dysfunction in Hu Sheep.

At the present stage, heavy metal pollution, led by environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd), has caused incalculable losses in animal husbandry. The potential value of caprylic acid as a medium- and long-chain fatty acid with a unique role in regulating lipid metabolism has attracted much attention. Our previous study found that octanoic acid levels were significantly reduced under Cd-exposed conditions in Hu Sheep, on the basis of which we investigated the protective effect of sodium octanoate, a derivative of octanoic acid, against Cd exposure in Hu Sheep in the present study. In this study, an animal model of Cd exposure in Hu Sheep was established. Comprehensive assessment of Cd-induced intestinal injury using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunostaining and carried out in-depth analyses combined with lipid metabolomics and transcriptomics. The results showed that Cd exposure triggered intestinal inflammation, barrier function damage and oxidative stress imbalance. Lipid metabolomics analysis showed that Cd exposure severely disrupted lipid metabolic processes, especially the glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, suggesting that lipid metabolic disorders are closely related to intestinal injury. Notably, sodium octanoate could partially reverse the lipid metabolism abnormality by regulating the Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, effectively alleviating the Cd toxicity, which provides a brand-new prevention and control strategy for Cd-induced intestinal injury in the livestock industry pollution-mediated disease.