Exogenous Catalase Supplementation Alleviates Fusarium graminearum Mycotoxins-Induced Oxidative Stress in Weaned Piglets

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of exogenous catalase (CAT) on antioxidant properties, as well as on hepatic and intestinal health, in piglets exposed to Fusarium graminearum mycotoxins (FGM). Forty female weaned piglets were divided into five groups (eight replicates per group). The pre-feeding period was 3 days, followed by a 28-day experimental period. The piglets in the control (CON) group were fed a diet without FGM contamination, while those in the FGM-exposed (TOX) group were fed a diet with FGM contamination. The LCAT, MCAT, and HCAT groups received an FGM-contaminated diet supplemented with 100, 200, and 400 U/kg of CAT, respectively. The results indicated that 400 U/kg CAT supplementation inhibited ( p < 0.05, linear p < 0.05, quadratic p < 0.05) the decreases in average daily gain and average daily feed intake of piglets exposed to FGM. Moreover, all doses of supplemental CAT suppressed ( p < 0.05) the increases in diarrhea rate and diarrhea index of FGM-exposed piglets. Additionally, supplemental CAT reversed ( p < 0.05, linear and quadratic p < 0.05 in ileal tissue, quadratic p < 0.05 in ileal chyme) the decrease in ileal tissue and increase in ileal chyme of reactive oxygen species of piglets exposed to FGM. Supplemental CAT also enhanced the activities of ileal CAT ( p < 0.05, quadratic p < 0.05) coupled with hepatic superoxide dismutase and CAT ( p < 0.05, linear p < 0.05, quadratic p < 0.05) and elevated ( p < 0.05) the expression of ileal and hepatic antioxidation-related genes of FGM-exposed piglets. Furthermore, the CAT supplementation increased ( p < 0.05) the expression of Occludin and Claudin - 1 in the ileum and colon of piglets exposed to FGM. The FGM-induced increase in the genus Staphylococcus and decrease in the genus Lactobacillus in the ileum of piglets were inhibited ( p < 0.05) by supplemental 400 U/kg CAT, which also modulated the metabolite profiles involved in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in hepatic portal vein blood. Exogenous CAT mitigates oxidative stress induced by FGM, along with improving intestinal and hepatic health of piglets, which can be associated with its ability to enhance intestinal microbiota and regulate hepatic glycerophospholipid metabolism, aside from its direct ability to scavenge oxygen radicals. The appropriate amount of supplemental CAT was 400 U/kg.