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Soybean meal (SBM) is a key protein source for piglets but contains antigenic proteins (glycinin, β-conglycinin) that harm intestinal health and growth. Lycopene, a natural antioxidant from tomatoes and other red fruits, may protect against such damage, but evidence is limited.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lycopene on SBM-induced intestinal injury in early-weaned piglets and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Methods: Eighteen 21-day-old piglets were divided into three groups: one received a diet based on animal proteins (serving as the negative control), another was fed a soybean meal–based diet (positive control), and the third group received the same SBM diet supplemented with lycopene. On day 31, blood was collected from piglets for serum analysis, after which they were euthanized following standard protocols. Sections of the small intestine were fixed for histological and apoptosis studies, while jejunum tissues were frozen for antioxidant analysis. Colon digesta samples were also frozen for microbial and volatile fatty acid analyses.
Results: The addition of lycopene brought notable improvements. Piglets supplemented with the carotenoid showed higher daily weight gain and feed intake, while the incidence of post-weaning diarrhea decreased. Physiological analyses revealed a stronger antioxidant response, with higher activities of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, lycopene appeared to protect intestinal cells from apoptosis and to reinforce the gut barrier, as indicated by lower serum levels of diamine oxidase, a marker of intestinal damage. Microscopic observations further supported these findings: piglets receiving lycopene exhibited taller intestinal villi and shallower crypts, suggesting improved nutrient absorption and tissue renewal. Interestingly, lycopene also modulated the gut microbiota, promoting beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus while reducing the abundance of potentially harmful microbes.
Conclusion: Together, these results indicate that lycopene supplementation can mitigate the intestinal stress associated with soybean meal diets, contributing to better gut integrity, antioxidant defense, and overall growth performance in piglets.
Zheng S, Li M, Luan X, Tong C, Li J, Zhang Z. The role of lycopene in alleviating soybean meal-induced intestinal injury in an early-weaned piglet model. Front Vet Sci. 2025 Jun 13;12:1552482. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1552482.