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Disordered Expression of Tight Junction Proteins Is Involved in the Mo-induced Intestinal Microenvironment Dysbiosis in Sheep

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Abstract

To evaluate the molybdenum (Mo)-induced changes of intestinal morphology and the relationship of intestinal tight junction (TJ) proteins expression and intestinal barrier function, a total of 20 healthy sheep were randomly divided into five groups of four: 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg BW/day Na2MoO4·2H2O were administrated in five groups named control group, Mo 5 group, Mo 10 group, Mo 20 group, and Mo 50 group, respectively. After 28 days of Mo treatment, the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum tissue were collected. The histopathology and the developmental parameters were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin staining. The intestinal epithelial cell DNA damage was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. The intestinal glycoprotein and the goblet cells were analyzed by Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining and PAS staining, respectively. TJ proteins were determined by immunofluorescence technology. Results showed that excessive Mo significantly decreased the small intestinal villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH/CD, and mucosal thickness (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while induced the damage of DNA in small intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, excessive Mo injured intestinal barrier function by decreasing the percent of glycoprotein distribution area (P < 0.05) and the relative density of intestinal goblet cells (P < 0.05). Mo treatment induced decreased (P < 0.01) expression of Zonula Occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1. In conclusion, excessive Mo interfered with the expression of TJ proteins, inhibited intestinal epithelial development, and further aggravated the intestinal barrier function damage, leading to disturbing the small intestinal microenvironment balance.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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Funding

This work is supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31972752).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang, 471023, Henan, People’s Republic of China

    Chen-yu Zhang, Jing Zhao, Ming-xian Mao, Zhan-qin Zhao, Feng-jun Liu & Hong-wei Wang

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  1. Chen-yu Zhang
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  2. Jing Zhao
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  3. Ming-xian Mao
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Contributions

CZ: Performing the experiments, writing the initial draft, preparation of the data presented. JZ, Supervision. MM, Performing the experiments. ZZ, Critical review. FL*, Acquisition of the financial support for the project leading to this publication. HW*: Ideas, creation of models, funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Feng-jun Liu or Hong-wei Wang.

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The experimental design was approved by the Institutional Animal Care Welfare Committee of Henan University of Science and Technology (HAUST-EAW-2021-R00409, Henan, China).

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Zhang, Cy., Zhao, J., Mao, Mx. et al. Disordered Expression of Tight Junction Proteins Is Involved in the Mo-induced Intestinal Microenvironment Dysbiosis in Sheep. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 204–214 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03155-0

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