Melatonin increased antioxidant capacity to ameliorate growth retardation and intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in diquat‐challenged piglets

Abstract BACKGROUND Diquat is a common environmental pollutant, which can cause oxidative stress in humans and animals. Diquat exposure causes growth retardation and intestinal damage. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effects of melatonin on diquat‐challenged piglets. RESULTS Dietary supplementation with 2 mg kg −1 melatonin significantly increased the average daily gain and feed conversion rate in piglets. Melatonin increased antioxidant capacity, and improved intestinal epithelial barrier function of duodenum and jejunum in piglets. Moreover, melatonin was found to regulated the expression of immune and antioxidant‐related genes. Melatonin also alleviated diquat‐induced growth retardation and anorexia in diquat‐challenged piglets. It also increased antioxidant capacity, and ameliorated diquat‐induced intestinal epithelial barrier injury. Melatonin also regulated the expression of MnSOD and immuner‐elated genes in intestinal. CONCLUSION Dietary supplementation with 2 mg kg −1 melatonin increased antioxidant capacity to ameliorate diquat‐induced oxidative stress, alleviate intestinal epithelial barrier injury, and increase growth performance in weaned piglets. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.