scholarly journals The Role of β-Carotene in Colonic Inflammation and Intestinal Barrier Integrity

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junrui Cheng ◽  
Emilio Balbuena ◽  
Baxter Miller ◽  
Abdulkerim Eroglu

Background: Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments accounting for the brilliant colors of fruits and vegetables. They may display antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in humans besides being precursors to vitamin A. There is a gap of knowledge in examining their role within colonic epithelial cells. We proposed to address this research gap by examining the effects of a major dietary carotenoid, β-carotene, in the in vitro epithelial cell model.Methods: We examined the function of β-carotene in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. We conducted western blotting assays to evaluate expressions of TLR4 and its co-receptor, CD14. We also examined NF-κB p65 subunit protein levels in the model system. Furthermore, we studied the impact of β-carotene on the tight junction proteins, claudin-1, and occludin. We further carried out immunocytochemistry experiments to detect and visualize claudin-1 expression.Results: β-Carotene reduced LPS-induced intestinal inflammation in colonic epithelial cells. β-Carotene also promoted the levels of tight junction proteins, which might lead to enhanced barrier function.Conclusions: β-Carotene could play a role in modulating the LPS-induced TLR4 signaling pathway and in enhancing tight junction proteins. The findings will shed light on the role of β-carotene in colonic inflammation and also potentially in metabolic disorders since higher levels of LPS might induce features of metabolic diseases.

2018 ◽  
Vol 121 ◽  
pp. 42-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Rong Yang ◽  
Ting-Ting Liao ◽  
Zi-Qiang Bao ◽  
Cai-Quan Zhou ◽  
Hong-Yan Luo ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (1) ◽  
pp. L40-L49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie A. Mitchell ◽  
Christian E. Overgaard ◽  
Christina Ward ◽  
Susan S. Margulies ◽  
Michael Koval

Alveolar barrier function depends critically on the claudin family tight junction proteins. Of the major claudins expressed by alveolar epithelial cells, claudin (Cldn)-3 and Cldn-4 are the most closely related by amino acid homology, yet they differ dramatically in the pattern of expression. Previously published reports have shown that Cldn-3 is predominantly expressed by type II alveolar epithelial cells; Cldn-4 is expressed throughout the alveolar epithelium and is specifically upregulated in response to acute lung injury. Using primary rat alveolar epithelial cells transduced with yellow fluorescent protein-tagged claudin constructs, we have identified roles for Cldn-3 and Cldn-4 in alveolar epithelial barrier function. Surprisingly, increasing expression of Cldn-3 decreased alveolar epithelial barrier function, as assessed by transepithelial resistance and dye flux measurements. Conversely, increasing Cldn-4 expression improved alveolar epithelial transepithelial resistance compared with control cells. Other alveolar epithelial tight junction proteins were largely unaffected by increased expression of Cldn-3 and Cldn-4. Taken together, these results demonstrate that, in the context of the alveolar epithelium, Cldn-3 and Cldn-4 have different effects on paracellular permeability, despite significant homology in their extracellular loop domains.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
A N KHLEBNIKOVA

Epidermal barrier insufficiency results in skin dryness and fissures in different chronic dermatoses. Barrier dysfunction is due either to genetic problems or lipid deficiency or damage of tight junction proteins. Here we discuss various abnormalities of epidermal barrier in eczema and psoriasis which necessitate to prescribe pro- tective and moisturizing agents to restore skin barrier. We give our own practice data of using Bariederm cream and balm in combined therapy of dyshidrotic eczema, plantar eczema and palmoplantar psoriasis.


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