This study explored the effects of different preparations of Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) on the gut microbiota and jejunal transcriptome of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 100 one-day-old broilers were divided into five groups, including control group (Control), LPS injection (LPS), gavage of AKK broth culture plus LPS injection (AKK), gavage of viable AKK suspension plus LPS injection (Active) and gavage of heat-inactivated AKK suspension plus LPS injection (Inactive). Growth performance results showed that LPS significantly reduced the body weight of broilers. Alpha diversity showed no significant group differences. At the phylum level, Firmicutes was significantly lower in groups with AKK gavage. At the genus level, Bacteroides was relatively more abundant, whereas Streptococcus was numerically less abundant in AKK-treated groups. The Active group had the highest abundance of Akkermansia. Transcriptome analysis revealed the Inactive group had significantly lower Occludin. Combined KEGG and GO analyses revealed that the LPS challenge suppressed innate immunity by downregulating the Retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG)-I-like receptor signaling pathway. In response, different interventions distinctly modulated the transcriptome. The AKK group counteracted this suppression by upregulating innate immune and antiviral defense responses. The Active group primarily influenced metabolism, downregulating pathways for drug and glutathione metabolism and xenobiotic responses while upregulating retinol metabolism. In addition, the Inactive group demonstrated an upregulation of ribosome biogenesis, and energy metabolism, suggesting a restoration of core cellular functions. In summary, all gavaged AKK preparations maintained broiler gut microbiome stability, while AKK broth culture demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating LPS-induced jejunal stress.

The diversity and stability of the gut microbiota, along with various microbial and host–microbe interactions, are crucial factors in maintaining a healthy state. In this study, a total of 12 healthy 1–2 years old cats of similar weight were recruited and divided into two groups according to the experimental design and breed: the British shorthair (BS) group and the nulla luctus felis (NLF) group. After 21 days of the same diet, we analyzed and compared the gut microbiota of BS and NLF. Our results showed that the values of the serum biochemical indicators of the BS and NLF selected for this experiment were within the normal range. The Venn diagram showed that the two groups had 310 common operational taxonomic units. Significant differences in beta diversity (P < 0.05), but not in alpha diversity (P > 0.05), distinguished the two groups. Comparative analysis revealed the NLF group was enriched in Lactobacillus and Bacillus, but depleted in Enterococcus at the genus level (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 59 taxa were established as biomarkers based on a linear discriminant analysis score greater than 3.5. According to PICRUSt2 function analyses, the BS group and NLF group had a ratio of 77.11% and 76.55% for metabolism at level 1, respectively. At level 3, the NLF group significantly increased 15 metabolism pathways, while decreasing 13 metabolism pathways (P < 0.05). Finally, NLF-P1, which was screened from the feces of NLF, exhibited a good antibacterial effect on three strains of pet-associated pathogens, and the evolutionary tree was constructed to show that it may be Lactobacillus paracasei or Lactobacillus casei. In conclusion, there were significant differences in intestinal microbiota composition between BS and NLF, and NLF-P1 has research and application potential.