Background:The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of dietary tributyrin on intestinal mucosa development,oxidative stress,mitochondrial function and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.Methods:Seven...Background:The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of dietary tributyrin on intestinal mucosa development,oxidative stress,mitochondrial function and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.Methods:Seventy-two pigs were divided into two treatments and received either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg tributyrin.Each treatment has six replicates of six pigs.After 14 days,6 pigs from each treatment were selected and the jejunal samples were collected.Results:Results showed that supplemental tributyrin increased(P<0.05)villus height and villus height:crypt depth of weaned pigs.Pigs fed tributyrin had greater(P<0.05)RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios than pigs on the control group.The mRNA levels of sodium glucose transport protein-1 and glucose transporter-2 in the jejunum were upregulated(P<0.05)in pigs fed the tributyrin diet.Dietary tributyrin supplementation lowered(P<0.05)the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)content in jejunum,enhanced(P<0.05)the mitochondrial function,as demonstrated by decreased(P<0.05)reactive oxygen species level and increased(P<0.05)mitochondrial membrane potential.Furthermore,tributyrin increased(P<0.05)mitochondrial DNA content and the mRNA abundance of genes related to mitochondrial functions,including peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γcoactivator-1α,mitochondrial transcription factor A,nuclear respiratory factor-1 in the jejunum.Supplementation with tributyrin elevated(P<0.05)the phosphorylation level of AMPK and inhibited(P<0.05)the phosphorylation level of mTOR in jejunum compared with the control group.Conclusions:These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with tributyrin promotes intestinal mucosa growth,extenuates oxidative stress,improves mitochondrial function and modulates the AMPK-mTOR signal pathway of weaned pigs.展开更多
Tributyrin,a triglyceride analog of short chain fatty acid butyrate,can act as a prodrug of an anticancer agent butyrate.In view of other reports that demonstrated the improved characteristics of conventional liposome...Tributyrin,a triglyceride analog of short chain fatty acid butyrate,can act as a prodrug of an anticancer agent butyrate.In view of other reports that demonstrated the improved characteristics of conventional liposomes by incorporating small amount of nonphospholipids such as Tween 80,herein we sought to investigate whether the incorporation of tributyrin into the liposomal layers may provide additional advantages for liposomes as an anticancer drug carrier.Liposomes were prepared with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine as a main phospholipid with or without addition of tributyrin.Celecoxib was loaded in liposomes as a model anticancer drug.Tween 80-incorporated liposomes were also prepared for comparison.Tributyrin-incorporated liposomes were ineffective in enhancing the skin permeation of celecoxib compared to Tween 80-incorporated ones.However,tributyrin-incorporated liposomes enhanced the entrapped celecoxib concentration to an extent comparable to Tween 80-incorporated ones.Furthermore,tributyrin-incorporated liposomes exhibited much higher stability compared to Tween 80-incorporated ones.Finally,the cellular uptake of celecoxib loaded in tributyrin-incorporated liposomes into mouse melanoma cells were more than 10-fold higher compared to that loaded in conventional-and Tween 80-incorporated liposomes.Taken together,the incorporation of tributyrin into conventional liposomes loaded with anticancer drugs may provide an advanced anticancer drug carrier delivering both drug and tributyrin.展开更多
The current research aimed to optimize the preparation technology of tributyrin nano-emulsion(TBNE)to improve its digestion properties, which were investigated through digestion models in vitro and in vivo. The conten...The current research aimed to optimize the preparation technology of tributyrin nano-emulsion(TBNE)to improve its digestion properties, which were investigated through digestion models in vitro and in vivo. The content of each component of TBNE was optimized by response surface methodology(RSM) to improve the z-average particle size and stability of TBNE. The optimized TBNE was evaluated for its digestion properties by in vitro and in vivo models. The preparation conditions of TBNE optimized by RSM were as follows: 61.3% of sorbitol, 32.7% of tributyrin, and 6.0% of modified phospholipid(MP). The predicted z-average particle size of TBNE was(246.02 ± 18.10) nm. The results of the verification test showed that the z-average particle size, zeta potential, conductivity, emulsification activity index, and emulsification stability index of TBNE were(250.02 ± 7.18) nm,(-40.23 ± 0.76) m V,(31.80 ± 2.09) μS/cm,(848.00 ± 84.53) min and(1.14 ± 0.02) m^(2)/g, respectively. The in vitro digestion experiment results showed that the TBNE remained stable in the stomach and was released in the intestine, while the size of TBNE in the gastrointestinal tact was significantly smaller than that of tributyrin(P < 0.05), which made it easier to be digested and absorbed. Compared with tributyrin treatment, TBNE significantly promoted the average body weight at the 7th day, average daily feed intake,average daily gain, feed/gain, ileum weight, and organ index of ileum of Hy-Line BROWN chicks(P < 0.05), and the butyric acid content in the ileal chyme from TBNE and tributyrin treatment were172.18 mg/m L and 100.85 mg/m L(P < 0.01). Therefore, the established TBNE technology in this study could be supposed to improve the digestion properties of tributyrin.展开更多
This study aimed to determine whether adding tributyrin to the diet of lambs impacts health, energy metabolism, ruminal environment, and meat quality. Twelve lambs were used;the control group received a basal diet, wh...This study aimed to determine whether adding tributyrin to the diet of lambs impacts health, energy metabolism, ruminal environment, and meat quality. Twelve lambs were used;the control group received a basal diet, while the tributyrin group received a diet with the additive mixed with concentrate (2 g/day/animal). The blood count was used for Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, which were significantly higher in tributyrin-fed animals than in controls. The activity of the enzymes adenylate kinase and pyruvate kinase was higher in the liver and intestine of the tributyrin group than the controls;cytosolic creatine kinase activity was significantly higher in the intestine of lambs fed tributyrin. Glutathione S-transferase activity in the liver was significantly higher in animals in the tributyrin group. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in the intestine, with a lower protein carbonyl concentration in the tributyrin group. Bacterial activity through ruminal fluid collection was significantly lower when tributyrin was consumed, unlike the protozoan count, which was significantly higher in animals in the tributyrin group than in the controls. Tributyrin intake caused lower levels of short-chain fatty acids without changing the proportion of volatile fatty acids. The water retention capacity measured using an external compression method was significantly higher in the meat of the tributyrin group. The treatment affected some fatty acids in the meat, these acids were separated by chromatography where a lower amount of saturated fatty acids and a higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in the group that consumed tributyrin. These findings suggest that tributyrin in lamb diet alters blood and rumen environment biomarkers and improves the fatty acid profile of the meat.展开更多
Butyrate and its derivatives possess various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on dairy calves have not been well characterized.This study evaluated the effects of tributyrin administ...Butyrate and its derivatives possess various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on dairy calves have not been well characterized.This study evaluated the effects of tributyrin administration on blood immune,intestinal immune and barrier functions,and microbial composition of pre-weaned dairy calves.Twenty newborn Holstein bull calves were randomly assigned into a control group(no tributyrin supplementation,CON;n=10)or a treatment group(supplemented with tributyrin at 2 g/L of milk,TRB;n=10).The results showed that diarrhea frequency was decreased significantly by tributyrin administration from d 29 to 56(P<0.001)and the whole period(P=0.003,d 1 to 56)though no significant effects were observed on growth performance.For blood metabolites,tributyrin administration significantly reduced the concentration of interleukin-1b(IL-1b)on d 28(P=0.001)and tended to reduce the concentration of serum amyloid A on d 56(P=0.079),whereas serum oxidative status parameters were not affected.For intestinal development,tributyrin administration increased the villus height(P<0.001)and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth(P=0.046)in the jejunum,and the villus height in the ileum(P=0.074).Furthermore,toll-like receptor 2(TRL2,P=0.045)and IL-1b(P=0.088)gene expressions were downregulated,while claudin-4(P=0.022)gene expression was upregulated in the jejunum following tributyrin administration.In the ileum,claudin-4(P=0.029)and G-protein coupled receptor 41(P=0.019)gene expressions were upregulated in the TRB group compared to CON.No significantly higher abundances of microbiota were found in the jejunum or ileum of calves in the CON group.In the TRB group,supplementing tributyrin significantly increased the abundance of shortchain fatty acid(SCFA)-producing bacteria,including Ruminococcaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Prevotella and Rikenellaceae(LDA>3.5,P<0.05),which was negatively associated with inflammatory gene expression(TLR2 and IL-1b)but positively associated with intestinal barrier genes(claudin-4)and morphological parameters(P<0.05).In conclusion,supplementing tributyrin in milk replacer could improve intestinal development and health of pre-weaned dairy calves by stimulating SCFA-producing bacteria colonization,enhancing intestinal barrier functions and suppressing inflammatory responses.展开更多
This study aimed to determine the effects of tributyrin on growth performance,gastrointestinal tract development,ruminal bacteria and volatile fatty acid(VFA)formation.Thirty healthy weaned SmallTailed Han female lamb...This study aimed to determine the effects of tributyrin on growth performance,gastrointestinal tract development,ruminal bacteria and volatile fatty acid(VFA)formation.Thirty healthy weaned SmallTailed Han female lambs at 3 months old with BW 27.5±4.1 kg(mean±SD)were randomly assigned to five groups of six lambs each,and each group received tributyrin at 0,0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 g/kg in feed.Weights were measured before the start and end of the study.After 15 d adaptation,DMI,feed,faeces and urine were recorded every week.Lambs were sacrificed at d 75.Compared to lambs fed no tributyrin,lambs fed 4.0 g/kg tributyrin had higher average daily BW gain(P=0.04)and DMI(P<0.01).Tributyrin reduced nitrogen(P<0.01),Ca(P<0.01)and P(P<0.01)losses derived from faeces and urine.The mostly important,tributyrin increased dorsal sac thickness(P<0.01),papillae length(P=0.04)and width(P<0.01),ventral sac papillae length(P<0.01)and width(P<0.01),caudodorsal blind sac thickness(P=0.02),papillae length(P<0.01)and width(P<0.01).Furthermore,tributyrin increased thicknesses of both the duodenum(P<0.01)and ileum(P=0.01),and villus heights of the duodenum(P=0.01),ileum(P<0.01),jejunum(P<0.01)and caecum(P=0.02),but tributyrin decreased duodenal(P<0.01)and caecal crypt depths(P<0.01).Tributyrin reduced rumen pH(P<0.01)while promoting total VFA concentration(P<0.01).Tributyrin improved the structure of rumen bacteria by enhancing Clostridium(P=0.04),Butyrivibrio(P<0.01),Streptococcus(P=0.04),Prevotella(P=0.04),Ruminobacter(P=0.02)and Fibrobacter(P=0.03).In conclusion,tributyrin could stimulate gastrointestinal tract development by enhancing colonization of rumen VFA-producing bacteria,and dietary supplementation of tributyrin at 4.0 g/kg of DM was recommended for the weaned lambs.展开更多
研究旨在探讨丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能和腹泻率的影响,运用Meta分析方法进行系统评价。经检索万方、中国知网、维普、Pub Med和Web of Science数据库,搜索丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能影响的文献,按照纳入和排除标准筛选文献、提...研究旨在探讨丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能和腹泻率的影响,运用Meta分析方法进行系统评价。经检索万方、中国知网、维普、Pub Med和Web of Science数据库,搜索丁酸甘油酯对断奶仔猪生长性能影响的文献,按照纳入和排除标准筛选文献、提取资料,用Review Manager 5.4软件进行Meta分析。共纳入12个研究,样本838例。结果显示:丁酸甘油酯组的平均日增重显著高于空白组(P<0.0001,SMD=1.58,95%CI:0.80~2.36),平均日采食量与空白组差异不显著(P=0.30,SMD=-0.44,95%CI:-1.28~0.40),料重比显著低于空白组(P=0.0002,SMD=-0.85,95%CI:-1.29~-0.40),腹泻率显著低于空白组(P=0.0003,SMD=-2.78,95%CI:-4.27~-1.28)。说明饲料中添加丁酸甘油酯可显著提高断奶仔猪的平均日增重,降低料重比和腹泻率,建议丁酸甘油酯添加量为1%~2%。展开更多
在水产养殖中,周期性高温(Periodic high temperature,PHT)对虾类的生物学功能会产生显著影响。鳃作为虾类的呼吸和代谢器官,在维持体内渗透平衡方面具有关键作用,但其功能易受高温等环境变化的干扰。为了探究有效的对虾PHT应对策略,研...在水产养殖中,周期性高温(Periodic high temperature,PHT)对虾类的生物学功能会产生显著影响。鳃作为虾类的呼吸和代谢器官,在维持体内渗透平衡方面具有关键作用,但其功能易受高温等环境变化的干扰。为了探究有效的对虾PHT应对策略,研究了三丁酸甘油酯(Tributyrin,TB)对PHT[(34±1)℃,7 d]胁迫下凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus van-namei)鳃组织形态和生理功能的影响。结果表明,PHT胁迫导致了显著的鳃组织损伤,诱导了氧化应激反应,进而造成内质网应激、细胞凋亡以及渗透调节功能障碍。不同饲喂策略下(胁迫前饲喂三丁酸甘油酯7 d;每天饲喂三丁酸甘油酯;胁迫后饲喂三丁酸甘油酯7 d),鳃组织损伤程度均显著减轻,同时氧化应激水平降低。此外,三丁酸甘油酯还正向调节了PHT诱导的氧化应激、内质网应激、细胞凋亡以及渗透调节基因的相对表达水平。尤其是每天饲喂三丁酸甘油酯能够有效保持鳃组织形态完整和生理功能稳定。展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(31872387)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation(Sodium butyrate promotes restoration of intestinal barrier induced by oxidative stress in piglets through AMPK mediated mitophagy)and Zhejiang Provincal Key R&D Project(2019C02051).
文摘Background:The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of dietary tributyrin on intestinal mucosa development,oxidative stress,mitochondrial function and AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.Methods:Seventy-two pigs were divided into two treatments and received either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg tributyrin.Each treatment has six replicates of six pigs.After 14 days,6 pigs from each treatment were selected and the jejunal samples were collected.Results:Results showed that supplemental tributyrin increased(P<0.05)villus height and villus height:crypt depth of weaned pigs.Pigs fed tributyrin had greater(P<0.05)RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios than pigs on the control group.The mRNA levels of sodium glucose transport protein-1 and glucose transporter-2 in the jejunum were upregulated(P<0.05)in pigs fed the tributyrin diet.Dietary tributyrin supplementation lowered(P<0.05)the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)content in jejunum,enhanced(P<0.05)the mitochondrial function,as demonstrated by decreased(P<0.05)reactive oxygen species level and increased(P<0.05)mitochondrial membrane potential.Furthermore,tributyrin increased(P<0.05)mitochondrial DNA content and the mRNA abundance of genes related to mitochondrial functions,including peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γcoactivator-1α,mitochondrial transcription factor A,nuclear respiratory factor-1 in the jejunum.Supplementation with tributyrin elevated(P<0.05)the phosphorylation level of AMPK and inhibited(P<0.05)the phosphorylation level of mTOR in jejunum compared with the control group.Conclusions:These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with tributyrin promotes intestinal mucosa growth,extenuates oxidative stress,improves mitochondrial function and modulates the AMPK-mTOR signal pathway of weaned pigs.
基金This work was partially supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education,Science and Technology(2012R1A1A2042768)by Grant No.A092018 of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project funded by the Ministry for Health,Welfare&Family Affairs,Republic of Korea.
文摘Tributyrin,a triglyceride analog of short chain fatty acid butyrate,can act as a prodrug of an anticancer agent butyrate.In view of other reports that demonstrated the improved characteristics of conventional liposomes by incorporating small amount of nonphospholipids such as Tween 80,herein we sought to investigate whether the incorporation of tributyrin into the liposomal layers may provide additional advantages for liposomes as an anticancer drug carrier.Liposomes were prepared with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine as a main phospholipid with or without addition of tributyrin.Celecoxib was loaded in liposomes as a model anticancer drug.Tween 80-incorporated liposomes were also prepared for comparison.Tributyrin-incorporated liposomes were ineffective in enhancing the skin permeation of celecoxib compared to Tween 80-incorporated ones.However,tributyrin-incorporated liposomes enhanced the entrapped celecoxib concentration to an extent comparable to Tween 80-incorporated ones.Furthermore,tributyrin-incorporated liposomes exhibited much higher stability compared to Tween 80-incorporated ones.Finally,the cellular uptake of celecoxib loaded in tributyrin-incorporated liposomes into mouse melanoma cells were more than 10-fold higher compared to that loaded in conventional-and Tween 80-incorporated liposomes.Taken together,the incorporation of tributyrin into conventional liposomes loaded with anticancer drugs may provide an advanced anticancer drug carrier delivering both drug and tributyrin.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD1300300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31371782)the Foundation of Henan University of Technology(2020BS008)。
文摘The current research aimed to optimize the preparation technology of tributyrin nano-emulsion(TBNE)to improve its digestion properties, which were investigated through digestion models in vitro and in vivo. The content of each component of TBNE was optimized by response surface methodology(RSM) to improve the z-average particle size and stability of TBNE. The optimized TBNE was evaluated for its digestion properties by in vitro and in vivo models. The preparation conditions of TBNE optimized by RSM were as follows: 61.3% of sorbitol, 32.7% of tributyrin, and 6.0% of modified phospholipid(MP). The predicted z-average particle size of TBNE was(246.02 ± 18.10) nm. The results of the verification test showed that the z-average particle size, zeta potential, conductivity, emulsification activity index, and emulsification stability index of TBNE were(250.02 ± 7.18) nm,(-40.23 ± 0.76) m V,(31.80 ± 2.09) μS/cm,(848.00 ± 84.53) min and(1.14 ± 0.02) m^(2)/g, respectively. The in vitro digestion experiment results showed that the TBNE remained stable in the stomach and was released in the intestine, while the size of TBNE in the gastrointestinal tact was significantly smaller than that of tributyrin(P < 0.05), which made it easier to be digested and absorbed. Compared with tributyrin treatment, TBNE significantly promoted the average body weight at the 7th day, average daily feed intake,average daily gain, feed/gain, ileum weight, and organ index of ileum of Hy-Line BROWN chicks(P < 0.05), and the butyric acid content in the ileal chyme from TBNE and tributyrin treatment were172.18 mg/m L and 100.85 mg/m L(P < 0.01). Therefore, the established TBNE technology in this study could be supposed to improve the digestion properties of tributyrin.
文摘This study aimed to determine whether adding tributyrin to the diet of lambs impacts health, energy metabolism, ruminal environment, and meat quality. Twelve lambs were used;the control group received a basal diet, while the tributyrin group received a diet with the additive mixed with concentrate (2 g/day/animal). The blood count was used for Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, which were significantly higher in tributyrin-fed animals than in controls. The activity of the enzymes adenylate kinase and pyruvate kinase was higher in the liver and intestine of the tributyrin group than the controls;cytosolic creatine kinase activity was significantly higher in the intestine of lambs fed tributyrin. Glutathione S-transferase activity in the liver was significantly higher in animals in the tributyrin group. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in the intestine, with a lower protein carbonyl concentration in the tributyrin group. Bacterial activity through ruminal fluid collection was significantly lower when tributyrin was consumed, unlike the protozoan count, which was significantly higher in animals in the tributyrin group than in the controls. Tributyrin intake caused lower levels of short-chain fatty acids without changing the proportion of volatile fatty acids. The water retention capacity measured using an external compression method was significantly higher in the meat of the tributyrin group. The treatment affected some fatty acids in the meat, these acids were separated by chromatography where a lower amount of saturated fatty acids and a higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acids in the group that consumed tributyrin. These findings suggest that tributyrin in lamb diet alters blood and rumen environment biomarkers and improves the fatty acid profile of the meat.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China,China(2021YFF1000703-03)the Research Innovation Fund for Graduate Students of CAU,China(2021TC116)the grant from Guangdong VTR Biotechnology Co.,Ltd(2017DR05,Guangdong,China).
文摘Butyrate and its derivatives possess various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals,whereas its effects on dairy calves have not been well characterized.This study evaluated the effects of tributyrin administration on blood immune,intestinal immune and barrier functions,and microbial composition of pre-weaned dairy calves.Twenty newborn Holstein bull calves were randomly assigned into a control group(no tributyrin supplementation,CON;n=10)or a treatment group(supplemented with tributyrin at 2 g/L of milk,TRB;n=10).The results showed that diarrhea frequency was decreased significantly by tributyrin administration from d 29 to 56(P<0.001)and the whole period(P=0.003,d 1 to 56)though no significant effects were observed on growth performance.For blood metabolites,tributyrin administration significantly reduced the concentration of interleukin-1b(IL-1b)on d 28(P=0.001)and tended to reduce the concentration of serum amyloid A on d 56(P=0.079),whereas serum oxidative status parameters were not affected.For intestinal development,tributyrin administration increased the villus height(P<0.001)and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth(P=0.046)in the jejunum,and the villus height in the ileum(P=0.074).Furthermore,toll-like receptor 2(TRL2,P=0.045)and IL-1b(P=0.088)gene expressions were downregulated,while claudin-4(P=0.022)gene expression was upregulated in the jejunum following tributyrin administration.In the ileum,claudin-4(P=0.029)and G-protein coupled receptor 41(P=0.019)gene expressions were upregulated in the TRB group compared to CON.No significantly higher abundances of microbiota were found in the jejunum or ileum of calves in the CON group.In the TRB group,supplementing tributyrin significantly increased the abundance of shortchain fatty acid(SCFA)-producing bacteria,including Ruminococcaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Prevotella and Rikenellaceae(LDA>3.5,P<0.05),which was negatively associated with inflammatory gene expression(TLR2 and IL-1b)but positively associated with intestinal barrier genes(claudin-4)and morphological parameters(P<0.05).In conclusion,supplementing tributyrin in milk replacer could improve intestinal development and health of pre-weaned dairy calves by stimulating SCFA-producing bacteria colonization,enhancing intestinal barrier functions and suppressing inflammatory responses.
基金The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Department(project no.2108085MC112)2022 Excellent Young Talent Support Program in colleges and universities of The Working Committee of The CPC Anhui Provincial Committee Education(project no.gxyq2022054)+1 种基金2021 Rural Revitalization Projects of Guzhen County Bureau of Science and Technology(project no.2021GZXCZXKJXM02)talent development program“Young and Middle-aged Subject Leaders Training Object”from personnel department of Anhui Science and Technology University.
文摘This study aimed to determine the effects of tributyrin on growth performance,gastrointestinal tract development,ruminal bacteria and volatile fatty acid(VFA)formation.Thirty healthy weaned SmallTailed Han female lambs at 3 months old with BW 27.5±4.1 kg(mean±SD)were randomly assigned to five groups of six lambs each,and each group received tributyrin at 0,0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 g/kg in feed.Weights were measured before the start and end of the study.After 15 d adaptation,DMI,feed,faeces and urine were recorded every week.Lambs were sacrificed at d 75.Compared to lambs fed no tributyrin,lambs fed 4.0 g/kg tributyrin had higher average daily BW gain(P=0.04)and DMI(P<0.01).Tributyrin reduced nitrogen(P<0.01),Ca(P<0.01)and P(P<0.01)losses derived from faeces and urine.The mostly important,tributyrin increased dorsal sac thickness(P<0.01),papillae length(P=0.04)and width(P<0.01),ventral sac papillae length(P<0.01)and width(P<0.01),caudodorsal blind sac thickness(P=0.02),papillae length(P<0.01)and width(P<0.01).Furthermore,tributyrin increased thicknesses of both the duodenum(P<0.01)and ileum(P=0.01),and villus heights of the duodenum(P=0.01),ileum(P<0.01),jejunum(P<0.01)and caecum(P=0.02),but tributyrin decreased duodenal(P<0.01)and caecal crypt depths(P<0.01).Tributyrin reduced rumen pH(P<0.01)while promoting total VFA concentration(P<0.01).Tributyrin improved the structure of rumen bacteria by enhancing Clostridium(P=0.04),Butyrivibrio(P<0.01),Streptococcus(P=0.04),Prevotella(P=0.04),Ruminobacter(P=0.02)and Fibrobacter(P=0.03).In conclusion,tributyrin could stimulate gastrointestinal tract development by enhancing colonization of rumen VFA-producing bacteria,and dietary supplementation of tributyrin at 4.0 g/kg of DM was recommended for the weaned lambs.
