Lactobacillus_reuteri improves intestinal damage caused by selenium deficiency in mice by altering intestinal flora

Abstract

Background Selenium is an indispensable micronutrient in the physiological activities of humans and animals. Due to the different distribution of selenium worldwide, people and animals in some areas have been in a state of selenium deficiency for a long time. Studies have found that chronic selenium deficiency can cause intestinal damage, closely related to changes in intestinal microbes. However, its regulation mechanism by intestinal microbes has yet to be explored. Results In this study, we found that chronic selenium deficiency can cause changes in the microecology of intestinal flora and intestinal damage in mice. After supplementation of probiotic Lactobacillus_reuteri, the intestinal flora structure of selenium-deficient mice was adjusted. The intestinal damage was improved. Histological analysis showed that the LSeJ group's intestinal structure was changed after ingestion of Lactobacillus_reuteri. Although the intestinal villi in LSeJ group were shorter or even broken, the intestinal crypts in LSeJ group were more numerous, the muscular layer was thicker, and the intestinal villi arrangement was denser than that in LSeN group. We examined mRNA and protein expression levels of small intestine genes related to inflammation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, tight junction, and smooth muscle contraction. The results showed that after treatment with Lactobacillus_reuteri, the expression level of inflammatory factors in selenium-deficient mice decreased. The degree of autophagy was reduced, endoplasmic reticulum stress was reduced, apoptosis level was decreased, tight junctions were restored, and smooth muscle contraction was improved. It suggests that changes in the relative abundance of intestinal flora across species are associated with inflammation of intestinal tissue cells, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, tight junctions, and abnormal smooth muscle contraction. Conclusions Lactobacillus_reuteri can improve intestinal tissue inflammation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, tight junction, and abnormal smooth muscle contraction caused by selenium deficiency. Intestinal flora plays an important role in the mechanism of chronic intestinal injury caused by selenium deficiency. It suggests potential intervention strategies based on intestinal injury caused by selenium deficiency.