ß-Carotene improves intestinal barrier function by modulating proinflammatory cytokines and improving antioxidant capacity in ß-lactoglobulin-sensitized mice.

Increased intestinal permeability due to barrier dysfunction is supposed to cause several gastrointestinal diseases. We have previously demonstrated that a single ß-carotene (BC) dose protects against increase in anaphylactic response in ß-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice with no effect on the epithelial permeability and weak recovery of villi length. Utilizing the same murine ex vivo intestinal model, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different BC doses on BLG-mediated intestinal epithelial barrier disturbances. Jejunum was harvested from BLG-sensitized mice pretreated with either one of three different doses of BC (5, 10 and 20 mg/ kg body weight) and mounted on Ussing Chambers. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and short-circuit current (Isc) were recorded as indicators of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Histopathological analysis of the intestine was carried out for the control and experimental mice. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined in serum using ELISA, and the analysis of antioxidant activity was performed for reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). BC was capable of enhancing the intestinal barrier function, as indicated by the increased TER and the decreased Isc. Intestinal damage characterized by the shortening of villi and infiltration of intestinal lymphocytes was significantly reversed by BC pretreatment. Such effects of BC were accompanied by a reduction in the levels of IL-6 and TBARS and an increase of GSH. TNF-α levels were reduced only at the lowest BC dose. These findings may encourage the use of BC-based therapies for controlling the breakdown of the intestinal barrier in vivo.

Taurine administration prevents the intestine from the damage induced by beta-lactoglobulin sensitization in a murine model of food allergy

Background: Allergy to cow's milk proteins has often been associated with dysfunction of the intestinal mucosa caused by chronic inflammation in infants. This study evaluated the protective effect of taurine on intestinal damage induced by beta-lactoglobulin (Beta-Lg) in Balb/c mice used as an animal model of allergy to cow's milk proteins. Methods: Balb/c mice were treated with taurine administered orally by gavage (3 mmol/kg/day) or intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg/day) for two weeks, then sensitized intraperitoneally with Beta-Lg. The electrophysiological parameters: active ion transport of chloride (Short-circuit current: Isc) and the passive ion permeability (Conductance: G) were measured ex vivo in Ussing chamber by intestine challenge with Beta-Lg. Histological study was used to assess gut inflammation. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured. Serum IgG and IgE anti-Beta-Lg were determined by ELISA. Results: Compared with sensitized mice, Beta-Lg challenge of intestinal epithelium of taurine-pre-treated mice in Ussing chamber did not influence the intensity of Isc, nor produce any changes in the G, reflecting a reduction in the secretory response and epithelial permeability. Histological and morphometric analysis showed that taurine reduced the intestinal damage and limited intestine retraction caused by Beta-Lg sensitization. No statistically significant difference in the serum levels of TNF-α or IL-6 was found after oral or intraperitoneal administration of taurine. Treatment with taurine significantly decreased the IgG (p < 0.001) and IgE anti Beta-Lg levels (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results have for the first time provided evidence that pre-treatment with taurine appears to prevent intestinal damage induced by Beta-Lg

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Taurine administration prevents the intestine from the damage induced by beta-lactoglobulin sensitization in a murine model of food allergy.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to cow's milk proteins has often been associated with dysfunction of the intestinal mucosa caused by chronic inflammation in infants. This study evaluated the protective effect of taurine on intestinal damage induced by beta-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) in Balb/c mice used as an animal model of allergy to cow's milk proteins. METHODS: Balb/c mice were treated with taurine administered orally by gavage (3mmol/kg/day) or intraperitoneally (100mg/kg/day) for two weeks, then sensitized intraperitoneally with ß-Lg. The electrophysiological parameters: active ion transport of chloride (Short-circuit current: Isc) and the passive ion permeability (Conductance: G) were measured ex vivo in Ussing chamber by intestine challenge with ß-Lg. Histological study was used to assess gut inflammation. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured. Serum IgG and IgE anti-ß-Lg were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with sensitized mice, ß-Lg challenge of intestinal epithelium of taurine-pre-treated mice in Ussing chamber did not influence the intensity of Isc, nor produce any changes in the G, reflecting a reduction in the secretory response and epithelial permeability. Histological and morphometric analysis showed that taurine reduced the intestinal damage and limited intestine retraction caused by ß-Lg sensitization. No statistically significant difference in the serum levels of TNF-α or IL-6 was found after oral or intraperitoneal administration of taurine. Treatment with taurine significantly decreased the IgG (p<0.001) and IgE anti ß-Lg levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results have for the first time provided evidence that pre-treatment with taurine appears to prevent intestinal damage induced by ß-Lg.