Supplementing with vitamin B6 during the active phase can promote digestion, enhance intestinal barrier integrity, and accelerate the maturation of ileum flora in juvenile mice

Micronutrient intake during early life is crucial for supporting healthy intestinal development and function. However, the impact of the timing of vitamin B6 (VB6) intake on intestinal development in young organisms has not been investigated. The study investigated the effects of VB6 (45 mg/kg) intake during the active phase versus the rest phase on intestinal digestion, intestinal barrier, and ileal and colonic microbiota, and used fecal microbiota transplantation to explore the role of the microbiota in VB6-mediated intestinal health. VB6 intake during the active phase increased digestive enzyme activity, intestinal villus height, and mRNA expression of tight junction proteins ( Occludin and ZO-1 ), thereby enhancing digestive function and epithelial barrier integrity. Microbiota analysis revealed that active phase VB6 intake predominantly modulated the ileum microbial community, promoting colonization by beneficial genera such as Ligilactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , and increasing ileum short-chain fatty acid levels. Fecal microbiota transplantation confirmed that VB6 acts through the gut microbiota. Therefore, this study demonstrates that VB6 modulates intestinal development via the gut microbiota, with active phase intake conferring greater benefits on intestinal development than rest phase intake .