Integrative multi-omics and bioinformatics analysis of the effects of BaiRui YuPingFeng Powder on intestinal health in broilers

Haonan Xu¹Fang Zhang²Yan Che²Yu Cui¹Qisheng Yao³Yueqin Guan³Hao Chen^4*YuYing Huang^4*

• ¹College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, China
• ²College of Food Engineering, Anhui Science and Technology University, Anhui, China
• ³Jiuhua Huayuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Chuzhou, China
• ⁴College of life and Health Sciences, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, China

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms behind the impacts of BaiRui YuPingFeng Powder (TCYP) on intestinal health in broilers using combined metabolomics, bioinformatics analysis, and 16S rRNA sequencing. In a 42-day feeding trial, 300 one-day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups (six replicates per group; 10 broilers per replicate) fed a basal diet with or without supplements: control (CON), antibiotic (ATB), and TCYP at 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg.The results demonstrated that, compared with the CON group, TCYP administration dose-dependently reduced the F/G and ADFI while increasing ADG, with the high-dose TCYP showing more pronounced effects. Serum biochemical analysis revealed that TCYP treatment significantly decreased serum levels of T-CHO, TG, LDH, and ALT in a dose-dependent manner, while elevating ALB content. These beneficial effects were particularly marked in the high-dose TCYP group .Histopathological examination indicated that high-dose TCYP significantly enhanced villus height and the V/C in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum compared to the CON group. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that TCYP treatment significantly modified the β-diversity of cecal microbiota. Compared to the CON group, ATB treatment increased the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_unclassified but reduced Ruminococcaceae_unclassified and Firmicutes_unclassified.Notably, dietary TCYP supplementation maintained gut microbiota profiles similar to the CON group, demonstrating its stabilizing effect on microbial community structure in broilers. Metabolomic analysis identified differential metabolites primarily involved in lipid and lipid-like molecules, organic heterocyclic compounds, and organic acids and derivatives. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between Lachnospiraceae_unclassified and metabolites such as Gly-Leu, fumarate, and phenylpyruvic acid. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that TCYP may improve intestinal health by regulating key targets, including MMP9,TGFB1,and PPARG, as well as the PPAR signaling pathway. qPCR results showed that, compared to the CON group,TCYP dose-dependently significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of PPARG, PDPK1, and Bcl2 in jejunal tissues, while significantly downregulating the expression of MMP1 and Bax . In summary, TCYP enhances growth performance and intestinal health in broilers through multiple mechanisms, including maintaining cecal microbial homeostasis, modulating lipid and amino acid metabolism, with potential involvement of the PPAR signaling pathway based on bioinformatics and gene expression analysis.