Artemisinin supplementation improves growth, lipid metabolism, and intestinal microbiota of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) fed high cottonseed meal diets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of artemisinin supplementation to high cottonseed meal (CSM) diet on the growth, lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). Five diets were formulated, including the control (CM, with CSM replacing 16 % of fishmeal) and experimental groups (CA0, CA2, CA4, and CA8, with CSM replacing 36 % of fishmeal and supplemented with 0 %, 0.20 %, 0.40 %, and 0.80 % of artemisinin, respectively). 375 fishes (initial weight 22.45 ± 0.07 g) were randomized into five groups of triplicates each and fed in tanks for 8 weeks. Results indicated that 0.8 % artemisinin improved final weight, weight gain rate and specific growth rate, reduced the serum lipid levels under the condition of 36 % fishmeal replaced with CSM. In the liver, artemisinin supplementation alleviated hepatocyte vacuolization and lipid deposition induced by the high level CSM replacement fishmeal diet, reduced the activity of lipogenesis-related enzymes and increased lipolysis-related enzyme activity. In the intestine, supplementation with 0.8 % artemisinin significantly increased the activities of intestinal digestive enzymes. Supplementation with 0.8 % artemisinin significantly increased the diversity and stability of the intestinal microbiota of the golden pompano, while also reducing the abundance of potentially harmful Vibrio associated with high CSM levels. In conclusion, 0.8 % artemisinin supplementation mitigated the negative effects of high CSM diets on growth, lipid metabolism, and liver health in golden pompano by enhancing lipid metabolism, intestinal digestive enzyme activity, and modulating intestinal microbiota. •0.8 % artemisinin mitigated CSM's growth impact by increasing digestive enzyme activity.•Artemisinin protects against dyslipidaemia and liver injury induced by high cottonseed meal diets.•Artemisinin reduces Vibrio in the intestine, but inhibition weakens at higher CSM levels.•0.8 % artemisinin increased intestinal proteobacteria, enhancing metabolism and absorption.