Alleviation Effects of GQD, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula, on Diabetes Rats Linked to Modulation of the Gut Microbiome

Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been reported to significantly decrease blood glucose levels, which is suggested to be related to interactions with the gut microbiota. However, the protective effect of GQD on intestinal barrier function with regard to its influence on the gut microbiota has not been explored to date. In this study, we investigated the role of the gut microbiota in mediating the hypoglycemic mechanism of GQD in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding. The T2DM rats were randomly allocated to receive GQD, metformin (Met), or saline for 12 consecutive weeks, and changes in metabolic parameters, intestinal barrier function, and inflammation were investigated. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing from fecal samples, and statistical analyses were performed to correlate microbiota composition with phenotypes of the T2DM rats. GQD administration decreased the levels of blood glucose and inflammatory cytokines, and increased the levels of tight junction proteins. Besides, GQD had a protective effect on islet function, restoring intestinal permeability, and inhibiting inflammation, as evidenced by increases in the levels of serum C-peptide, occludin, and claudin-1 in the colon, and also improved the expression of serum inflammatory factors. In addition, GQD regulated the structure of the gut microbiota by increasing the proportions of short-chain fatty acids-producing and anti-inflammatory bacteria, and decreasing the proportions of conditioned pathogenic bacteria associated with the diabetic phenotype. Overall, these findings suggest that GQD could ameliorate hyperglycemia and protect islet function by regulating the structure of the gut microbiota, thereby restoring intestinal permeability and inhibiting inflammation in T2DM rats. Our study thus suggests that the hypoglycemic mechanism of GQD is mediated by its modulation of the gut microbiota.

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The combined effect of food additive titanium dioxide and lipopolysaccharide on mouse intestinal barrier function after chronic exposure of titanium dioxide-contained feedstuffs

Particle and Fibre Toxicology ◽

10.1186/s12989-021-00399-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yongliang Zhang ◽

Shumin Duan ◽

Ying Liu ◽

Yun Wang

Keyword(s):

Titanium Dioxide ◽

Intestinal Permeability ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Antagonistic Effect ◽

Food Additive ◽

Combined Effect ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Barrier Functions ◽

Intestinal Villi

Abstract Objective Up to 44% of particulates of food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) are in nanoscale, while the effect and combined effect of which with other substances on intestinal barrier haven’t been fully understood yet. This study is aimed to study the effect of two kinds of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs and TiO2 MPs) on intestinal barrier functions, to reveal the combined effect of TiO2 NPs and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on intestinal barrier. Methods Male ICR mice were randomly divided into 18 groups (3 feed types * 3 exposure length * 2 LPS dosage) and were fed with normal or TiO2-mixed feed (containing 1% (mass fraction, w/w) TiO2 NPs or TiO2 MPs) for 1, 3, 6 months, followed by a single oral administration of 0 or 10 mg/(kg body weight) LPS. Four hours later, the transportation of TiO2, the intestinal barrier functions and the inflammatory response were evaluated. Results Both TiO2 notably increased the intestinal villi height / crypt depth ratios after 1 and 3 months of exposure, and increased the expression of ileal tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) after 1 month of exposure. After 6 months of exposure, TiO2 NPs led to reduced feed consumption, TiO2 MPs caused spare microvilli in small intestine and elevated Ti content in the blood cells. The intestinal permeability didn’t change in both TiO2 exposed groups. After LPS administration, we observed altered intestinal villi height / crypt depth ratios, lowered intestinal permeability (DAO) and upregulated expression of ileal ZO-1 in both (TiO2 +LPS) exposed groups. There are no significant changes of ileal or serum cytokines except for a higher serum TNF-α level in LPS treated group. The antagonistic effect was found between TiO2 NPs and LPS, but there are complicated interactions between TiO2 MPs and LPS. Conclusion Long-term intake of food additive TiO2 could alter the intestinal epithelial structure without influencing intestinal barrier function. Co-exposure of TiO2 and LPS would enhance intestinal barrier function without causing notable inflammatory responses, and there is antagonistic effect between TiO2 NPs and LPS. All the minor effects observed might associate with the gentle exposure method where TiO2 being ingested with feed.

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Sauna dehydration as a new physiological challenge model for intestinal barrier function

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94814-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Fernanda Roca Rubio ◽

Ulrika Eriksson ◽

Robert J. Brummer ◽

Julia König

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Intestinal Permeability ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Fatty Acid Binding Protein ◽

Binding Protein ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Acid Binding Protein

AbstractThe intestinal barrier plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health, and an increased permeability has been linked to several intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders. There is an increasing demand for interventions aimed at strengthening this barrier and for in vivo challenge models to assess their efficiency. This study investigated the effect of sauna-induced dehydration on intestinal barrier function (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03620825). Twenty healthy subjects underwent three conditions in random order: (1) Sauna dehydration (loss of 3% body weight), (2) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake, (3) negative control. Intestinal permeability was assessed by a multi-sugar urinary recovery test, while intestinal damage, bacterial translocation and cytokines were assessed by plasma markers. The sauna dehydration protocol resulted in an increase in gastroduodenal and small intestinal permeability. Presumably, this increase occurred without substantial damage to the enterocytes as plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) were not affected. In addition, we observed significant increases in levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), IL-6 and IL-8, while sCD14, IL-10, IFN-ɣ and TNF-α were not affected. These results suggest that sauna dehydration increased intestinal permeability and could be applied as a new physiological in vivo challenge model for intestinal barrier function.

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Probiotic Bacillus cereus Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice through Improvement of the Intestinal Barrier Function, Anti-Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota Modulation

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ◽

10.1021/acs.jafc.1c03375 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kangliang Sheng ◽

Yifan Xu ◽

Xiaowei Kong ◽

Jingmin Wang ◽

Xiangdong Zha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Bacillus Cereus ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Dextran Sulfate ◽

Dextran Sulfate Sodium ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Anti Inflammation

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Modulation of gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function during alleviation of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with Rhizoma Zingiber officinale (Ginger) extract

Food & Function ◽

10.1039/d0fo01536a ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 10839-10851

Author(s):

Zhi-jie Ma ◽

Huan-jun Wang ◽

Xiao-jing Ma ◽

Yue Li ◽

Hong-jun Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Ginger Extract ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

Ginger extract showed beneficial effects on rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and the underlying mechanism might be associated with the recovery of gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function.

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Live Combined B. subtilis and E. faecium Alleviate Liver Inflammation, Improve Intestinal Barrier Function, and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Mice with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Medical Science Monitor ◽

10.12659/msm.931143 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Jie Jiang ◽

Jie Xiong ◽

Jianbo Ni ◽

Congying Chen ◽

Kezhou Wang

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Liver Inflammation ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

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Effects of Dietary Fibres on Acute Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Hyperpermeability in the Elderly: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12071954 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1954

Author(s):

John-Peter Ganda Mall ◽

Frida Fart ◽

Julia A. Sabet ◽

Carl Mårten Lindqvist ◽

Ragnhild Nestestog ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

The Elderly ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Dietary Fibres ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

The effect of dietary fibres on intestinal barrier function has not been well studied, especially in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the potential of the dietary fibres oat β-glucan and wheat arabinoxylan to strengthen the intestinal barrier function and counteract acute non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin)-induced hyperpermeability in the elderly. A general population of elderly subjects (≥65 years, n = 49) was randomised to a daily supplementation (12g/day) of oat β-glucan, arabinoxylan or placebo (maltodextrin) for six weeks. The primary outcome was change in acute indomethacin-induced intestinal permeability from baseline, assessed by an in vivo multi-sugar permeability test. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in: gut microbiota composition, systemic inflammatory status and self-reported health. Despite a majority of the study population (85%) showing a habitual fibre intake below the recommendation, no significant effects on acute indomethacin-induced intestinal hyperpermeability in vivo or gut microbiota composition were observed after six weeks intervention with either dietary fibre, compared to placebo.

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Icariin enhances intestinal barrier function by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathways and modulating gut microbiota in a piglet model

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c9ra07176h ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (65) ◽

pp. 37947-37956

Author(s):

Wen Xiong ◽

Haoyue Ma ◽

Zhu Zhang ◽

Meilan Jin ◽

Jian Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

This study investigated the effects of icariin on intestinal barrier function and its underlying mechanisms.

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2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) Supplementation Improves Gut Barrier Function and Lipid Metabolism in HF-fed Mice

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_058 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 425-425

Author(s):

Sunhye Lee ◽

Michael Goodson ◽

Wendie Vang ◽

Karen Kalanetra ◽

Daniela Barile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Intestinal Permeability ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Gut Barrier ◽

Low Fat ◽

Barrier Integrity ◽

Gut Barrier Function

Abstract Objectives 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), the most predominant oligosaccharide found in human milk, acts as a prebiotic with beneficial effects on the host. The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effect of 2’-FL on intestinal barrier integrity and metabolic functions in low-fat (LF)- and high-fat (HF)-fed mice. Methods Male C57/BL6 mice (n = 32, 8/group; 6 weeks old, JAX, CA) were counter-balanced into four weight-matched groups and fed either a low-fat (LF; 10% kcal fat with 7% kcal sucrose) or HF (45% kcal fat with 17% kcal sucrose) with or without supplementation of 2’-FL in the diet [10% (w/w), 8 weeks; LF/2’-FL or HF/2’-FL; BASF, Germany]. General phenotypes (body weight, energy intake, fat and lean mass), intestinal permeability (ex vivo in Ussing chambers), lipid profiles, and microbial metabolites were assessed. Results 2’-FL significantly attenuated the HF-induced increase in body fat mass with a trend to decrease body weight gain. 2’-FL significantly decreased intestinal permeability in LF-fed mice with a trend for a decrease in HF-fed mice. This was associated with a significant increase in interleukin-22, a cytokine known to have a protective role in intestinal barrier function. Visceral adipocyte size was significantly decreased by 2’-FL in both LF- and HF-fed mice. 2’-FL suppressed HF-induced upregulation of adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c in the liver. Lastly, 2’-FL supplementation led to a significant elevation of lactic acid concentration in the cecum of HF-fed mice, which is known to be a product from beneficial microbes. Conclusions 2’-FL supplementation improved gut barrier integrity and lipid metabolism in mice with and without the metabolic challenge of HF feeding. These findings support the use of 2’-FL in the control of gut barrier function and metabolic homeostasis under normal and abnormal physiological conditions. Funding Sources BASF (Germany).

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