The results showed that the protein expressions of both p‐AKT and HIF1a were higher in the NEC group than those in the control group (p < 0.05), whereas supplementation of the NEC group with succinate significantly increased the expression of p‐AKT and HIF1a (p < 0.05); however, their expression levels obviously decreased in the NEC+Succi+LY group (p < 0.05 and Figure 8n–p). This evidence concerns the gene HIF1A and necrotizing enterocolitis.