ALP1 polysaccharide promotes porcine intestinal epithelial proliferation through a CDK4–Cyclin E-dependent G1/S transition

ALP1 is a structurally defined polysaccharide isolated from Amomum villosum T.L. Wu fruits with an average molecular weight of 26.1 kDa. Previous studies have demonstrated that ALP1 promotes growth performance of piglet by regulating proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains incompletely understood. In the present study, the absorbability of ALP1 by porcine small intestine epithelial cells and regulating mechanism of ALP1 on cell proliferation were investigated. The results showed that ALP1 resists gastrointestinal degradation and is efficiently absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells via endocytosis. Furthermore, ALP1 facilitates cell cycle progression through upregulating expressions of cdk4 and cyclin e , resulting in an increased proportion of cells in the S and G2/M phases. These findings provide insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying the growth-promoting effects of ALP1 and highlight the potential of dietary polysaccharides as functional agents for enhancing animal growth and gut health.