Necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells can directly damage the integrity of mucosal barrier and amplify the inflammatory response, further exacerbating NEC.46 A key finding in our study was that L. gasseri FWJL-4 inhibited the phosphorylation of MLKL, preventing ileal necroptosis and protecting goblet cells and enterocytes. This evidence concerns the gene MLKL and necrotizing enterocolitis.