Dietary alpha-ketoglutarate enhances intestinal immunity by Th17/Treg immune response in piglets after lipopolysaccharide challenge

Abstract Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is important for improving intestinal and systemic immune function. This study aimed to explore whether AKG enhances gut immunity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets by modulating the immune-related helper T cells 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance pathway. A 2 × 2 factor design was used on 24 pigs, with the major factors being diet (basal diet or 1% AKG diet) and immunological challenge (saline or LPS). Piglets were fed with a basal or AKG diet for 21 d and then received intraperitoneal injection of LPS or saline. The results demonstrated that AKG supplementation enhanced growth performance compared with the control group (P < 0.05). AKG improved the ileal morphological structure (P < 0.01). Finally, AKG supplementation increased interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor beta-1, forkhead box P3, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 genes expression whereas decreasing IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17, IL-21, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and rar-related orphan receptor c genes expression (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that dietary AKG can improve the growth performance of piglets. Meanwhile, dietary AKG can alleviate LPS-induced intestinal inflammation through Th17/Treg immune response signaling pathway.