Alterations in the Intestinal Morphology, Gut Microbiota, and Trace Mineral Status Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Teff (Eragrostis tef) Seed Extracts

Abstract

The consumption of teff (Eragrostis tef), a gluten-free cereal grain, has increased due to its dense nutrient composition including complex carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, trace minerals (especially Fe), and phytochemicals. This study utilized the clinically-validated Gallus gallus intra amniotic feeding model to assess the effects of intra-amniotic administration of teff extracts versus controls using seven groups: (1) non-injected; (2) 18Ω H2O injected; (3) 5% inulin; (4) teff extract 1%; (5) teff extract 2.5%; (6) teff extract 5%; and (7) teff extract 7.5%. The treatment groups were compared to each other and to controls. Our data demonstrated a significant improvement in hepatic iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentration and LA:DGLA ratio without concomitant serum concentration changes, up-regulation of various Fe and Zn brush border membrane proteins, and beneficial morphological changes to duodenal villi and goblet cells. No significant taxonomic alterations were observed using 16S rRNA sequencing of the cecal microbiota. Several important bacterial metabolic pathways were differentially enriched in the teff group, likely due to teff’s high relative fiber concentration, demonstrating an important bacterial-host interaction that contributed to improvements in the physiological status of Fe and Zn. Therefore, teff appeared to represent a promising staple food crop and should be further evaluated.

Modifications in the Intestinal Functionality, Morphology and Microbiome Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Grape (Vitis vinifera) Stilbenes (Resveratrol and Pterostilbene)

“…The mixture was shaken for 1 min and incubated in a water bath at 24 °C for 20 min, after which the samples were vortexed, kept on Rocker (Labnet Int., Inc., Edison, NJ, USA) for 60 min, and centrifugated (4000× g for 15 min). The supernatants were removed, filtered (0.2 μm Teflon™ syringe filter) and kept at −20 °C [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…The pure resveratrol and pterostilbene were individually diluted in 18 MΩ H 2 O. The intra-amniotic administration followed the methodology previously described [ 17 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. On the 17th day of embryonic development, the eggs with viable embryos ( n = 60) were randomly allocated into 6 groups ( n = 10) with a similar weight frequency distribution.…”

“…After the procedure, the injection sites were sealed with cellophane tape, and the eggs were distributed into six groups: (1) no injection; (2) 18 MΩ H 2 O; (3) 5% inulin; (4) 5% resveratrol; (5) 5% pterostilbene; and (6) synergistic: 4.75% resveratrol and 0.25% pterostilbene. As was included in previous studies [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], inulin was used as a positive control, as it belongs to a class of polysaccharides that have been shown to beneficially modulate the gut microbiome when consumed. The eggs were equally distributed in each incubator location to reduce possible allocation bias.…”

“…RT-PCR was conducted as described [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. The cDNA was created from a 20-µL reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction (BioRad C1000 Touch Thermocycler) and using the Improm-II Reverse Transcriptase Kit (Promega, Madison, WI, USA).…”

Dietary Plant-Origin Bio-Active Compounds, Intestinal Functionality, and Microbiome

“…The fructose consumption by adult rats exposed to dexamethasone in utero changes the phenotype of intestinal epithelial cells and exacerbates intestinal gluconeogenesis [22]. Alterations in the intestinal morphology, gut microbiota, and trace mineral status following intra-amniotic administration (Gallus gallus) of teff (Eragrostis tef) seed extracts [23]. Non-dairy fermented beverages as potential carriers to ensure probiotics, prebiotics, and bio-active compounds arrival to the gut and their health benefits [24].…”