Melatonin promotes gut anti-oxidative status in perinatal rat by remodeling the gut microbiome

Gut health is important for nutrition absorption, reproduction, and lactation in perinatal and early weaned mammals. Although melatonin functions in maintaining circadian rhythms and preventing obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections, its impact on the gut microbiome and its function in mediating gut health through gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the microbiome of rats was monitoring after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and foster care (FC). The results showed that FMT and FC increased intestinal villus height/crypt depth in perinatal rats. Mechanistically, the melatonin-mediated remodeling of gut microbiota inhibited oxidative stress, which led to attenuation of autophagy and inflammation. In addition, FMT and FC encouraged the growth of more beneficial intestinal bacteria, such as Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibaculum, which produce more short-chain fatty acids to strengthen intestinal antioxidation. These findings suggest that melatonin-treated gut microbiota increase the production of SCFAs, which improve gut health by reducing oxidative stress, autophagy and inflammation. The transfer of melatonintreated gut microbiota may be a new and effective method by which to ameliorate gut health in perinatal and weaned mammals.

Automated summary

Gut health is crucial for perinatal and early weaned mammals, and melatonin may play a role in maintaining gut health through its impact on the gut microbiome. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of melatonin on the gut microbiota and its role in mediating gut health.