Dietary Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Supplementation Modulates Serum Metabolomic Profiles and Gut Microbiota in Felines

Abstract

Simple Summary Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is a natural bioactive polysaccharide with potential nutritional and microbiota-modulating effects. In this exploratory study, healthy adult cats were fed diets supplemented with different levels of LBP for eight weeks. LBP supplementation did not adversely affect body weight, feed intake, clinical scores, hematological indices, or serum biochemical parameters. Serum metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing suggested changes in lipid- and amino-acid-related metabolic profiles and gut microbial composition. These preliminary findings support further investigation of LBP as a functional ingredient in adult feline diets.