Study on the mechanism of enzymatically treated mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) leaf protein relieves liver injury in heat stress rats

ETMLP supplementation effectively reduced liver damage and inflammation induced by heat stress in rats. It decreased AST, ALT, and MDA levels while increasing SOD, CAT, and GSH-px levels. ETMLP also regulated protein expression related to stress response (HSP70, Keap-1, Nrf2, SOD, and HO-1) and suppressed pro-inflammatory proteins (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and NF-κB activation. Furthermore, ETMLP improved intestinal health by enhancing morphology, increasing gene abundance of barrier proteins (Claudin, Occludin, ZO-1), and improving the V/C ratio. It also modulated the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial microorganisms. These findings demonstrate that ETMLP has potential as a feed additive to mitigate heat stress-induced damage, enhance growth performance, and improve intestinal integrity and microbiota interactions. [Display omitted] •ETMLP increased antioxidant enzymes in the liver of heat-stress rats.•ETMLP improves intestinal morphology and increases barrier gene abundance.•ETMLP alleviates heat stress-induced gut microbial disturbances and increases beneficial microbial abundance.•ETMLP relieved the heat-stress induced liver injury through activating Keap1/Nrf2 and and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Heat stress (HS) can lead to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which jeopards animal production. Enzymatically treated mulberry leaf protein (ETMLP) has antioxidant activities and immune regulation. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of ETMLP on mitigate liver injury caused by heat stress in animals. All 25 rats were divided into five groups: control, heat stress, and three ETMLP supplementation groups (HS + 0.4 %, HS + 0.8 %, and HS + 1.2 %). ETMLP supplementation effectively reduced markers of liver damage and increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px). It also regulated protein expression associated with stress response and antioxidant defense and suppressed pro-inflammatory proteins and pathways expression. Moreover, ETMLP improved intestinal morphology and increased the intestinal barrier gene abundance. ETMLP also positively influenced the intestinal microbiota by increasing beneficial microorganisms. Overall, ETMLP reversed heat stress-induced damage, improved growth performance, and regulated the intestinal microbiota in the study animals.