Rhodotorula dairenensis Affords Protection against Zearalenone-Induced Enterohepatic Toxicity by Regulating Gut Microbiota-Bile Acid-FXR Signaling Pathway

Zearalenone (ZEN), a common mycotoxin contaminating crops, poses a threat to animal and human health, making efficient prevention and detoxification critical. A previous study from our group identified that Rhodotorula dairenensis ZDY342B (342B) removes ZEN via adsorption and degradation in vitro, but its in vivo protective effect and mechanism remain unclear. Using a mouse model, gavage with 342B and ZEN showed that 342B reduced ZEN accumulation in various organs, regulated gut microbiota composition and bile acid metabolism, and alleviated ZEN-induced intestinal barrier damage and hepatic inflammation. Antibiotic pretreatment and fecal microbiota transplantation confirmed gut microbiota-mediated 342B's protection, and 342B reduced ZEN's enterohepatic circulation. Inhibiting intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) weakened 342B's protective effect, indicating FXR is the key target. In summary, 342B alleviates ZEN-induced intestinal and hepatic damage by regulating intestinal FXR signaling via the intestinal microbiota, providing a new approach for probiotic-based mycotoxin control.