Abstract
Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) protects against intestinal barrier dysfunction and can ameliorate some intestinal diseases. However, whether PHGG has a role in protecting intestinal barrier function (IBF) during sepsis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role and probable mechanism of PHGG in the intestinal mucosa in sepsis. A rat sepsis model was constructed using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). FITC-dextran 4 (FD-4) flux, serum inflammatory mediator levels, tight junction (TJ) levels, jejunum mucosa pathology, and epithelial intercellular junction ultrastructure were monitored to evaluate the effect of PHGG on IBF. Caco-2 monolayers were used to study the impact and mechanism of PHGG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced barrier dysfunction in vitro. The expression of zonula occludens protein-1 and occludin and the location of P65 were studied by immunofluorescence. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and myosin light chain kinase 3 (MLCK) pathway-related protein expression was verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction or western blotting. The results indicated that the jejunal mucosa structure was destroyed, the villi were disrupted and shortened, and neutrophil infiltration was evident in the septic rats. Compared to Sham group, spetic rats had increased Chiu’s score, serum inflammatory mediator levels, and FD-4 flux but decreased TJ and gap junction density. In addition, the expression of MLCK, p-MLC, and TJ proteins and the expression of P65 in the nucleus were increased in septic rats. Furthermore, compared to those in the Control group, LPS-treated Caco-2 cells showed lower cell viability and transepithelial electrical resistance, while had higher FD-4 flux and the expression of MLCK, p-MLC, TJ proteins and P65 in the nucleus. PHGG pretreatment reversed the above effects induced by CLP or LPS treatment. Moreover, SN50, an NF-κB inhibitor, attenuated the above effects of LPS on Caco-2 cells. Overall, PHGG reduced inflammation, increased TJ protein expression and localization, and relieved damage to the TJ structure and intestinal permeability through suppression of the NF-κB/MLCK pathway. This study provides new insights into the role of PHGG in sepsis therapy.
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This work was supported by the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation [grant number 320.6750.2022-2-25]; the Guangdong Clinical Research Center for Critical Care Medicine [grant number 2020B1111170005], the Sun Yat sen University Clinical Research Program 5010 [grant number 2019002].
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ZT, YZ, CC, and XG contributed to the study conception and design and drafted the manuscript. ZT and YZ contributed to animal experiment. XH and KL contributed to cell experiment. ZT, XS and SL analyzed and interpreted the data. ZT and YZ are joint first authors. CC and XG are joint senior authors. All the authors revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, read and approved the final manuscript.
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All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Institutes of Health). All experiments and procedures were reviewed and approved by the ethics committee of the Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital (Guangzhou, China). All efforts were made to minimize the suffering of the animals during experiments.
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Tang, Z., Zhu, Y., Hu, X. et al. Improving Intestinal Barrier Function in Sepsis by Partially Hydrolysed Guar Gum via the Suppression of the NF-κB/MLCK Pathway. Mol Biotechnol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-024-01180-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-024-01180-z