Evaluation of dietary curcumin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles on growth, blood biochemistry, gut barrier integrity and enteric gas emissions in weaned piglets

Weaning stress often impairs growth, metabolic function, gut barrier integrity, and microbial balance in piglets, underscoring the need for effective nutritional interventions to enhance post-weaning health. This study evaluated the effects of dietary curcumin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SL@Cur) on growth performance, serum biochemical profiles, antioxidant capacity, gut epithelial integrity, gut microbial diversity, and fecal noxious gas emissions in weaned piglets. Thirty-six piglets (Duroc × [Yorkshire × Landrace]; 28 ± 1 days of age; 6–7 kg) were randomly assigned to diets containing 0, 30, or 60 mg/kg SL@Cur for 21 days. Piglets fed 30 or 60 mg/kg SL@Cur exhibited significantly higher final body weight, weight gain and average daily gain compared with control diet ( p < 0.05). Myogenic gene expressions such as Pax7, Myf5 and Myf6 were significantly enhanced in piglets fed at 60 mg/kg SL@Cur compared to the control diet ( p < 0.05). Serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced at 30 mg/kg ( p < 0.05). The 30 mg/kg dose of SL@Cur also significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase and increased high-density lipoprotein concentrations than the control diet ( p < 0.05). Serum glucose declined dose-dependently, whereas superoxide dismutase and cortisol remained unaffected. Gut barrier integrity was enhanced, as evidenced by significantly increased expression of tight junction proteins, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-2 concentrations in SL@Cur supplied diets ( p < 0.05). Analyzing the piglets' intestinal microbiomes showed that different dietary treatments lead to variations in their bacterial communities. As a result, the lower dose increased the presence of probiotics and lactic acid bacteria, while the higher dose showed more bacterial taxa and a mixed microbial shift. Additionally, SL@Cur markedly reduced fecal NH₃ and H 2 S gas emissions ( p < 0.05). Overall, SL@Cur supplementation enhanced growth performance, improved metabolic and intestinal health parameters, and reduced enteric gas emissions in weaned piglets.