Oral administration of propionic acid during lactation enhances the colonic barrier function

Abstract

BackgroundPropionic acid is a three-carbon short chain fatty acid (SCFA) that has various effects on colonic functions. Although several studies have shown the effects of propionic acid on intestinal mucosal barrier function, studies of the promotion effect during pre-weaning are rare in the literature as far as we know.MethodsPre-weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats 7 days after birth were given an oral 0.2 mL/10 g of 200 mM propionic acid solution in the propionic acid group or normal saline solution in the control group by gavage twice a day for ten days. The proximal colonic contents were used for extraction and determination of propionic acid by gas chromatographic analysis; the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of colonic tissue was detected by an Ussing chamber; the alterations of ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-8 and Occludin proteins were analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry; and The activity of ERK and p38 MAPK was determined by the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 and p38 with Western blot.ResultsOur results suggested a higher concentration (23.5 ± 1.9 mmol/kg) of propionic acid compared to the physiological concentration (18.1 ± 0.9 mmol/kg) in colonic contents after oral administration increased the value of TER and the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-8 and Occludin compared to the control group. Furthermore, the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were increased in propionic acid group.ConclusionsWe concluded that continuous oral administration of propionic acid during lactation may increase its concentration in the proximal colon and promote epithelial barrier function of proximal colon by enhancing the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-8, Claudin-1 and Occludin via increases in the expression of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK.

Cecal Infusion of Sodium Propionate Promotes Intestinal Development and Jejunal Barrier Function in Growing Pigs

“…However, cecal infusion with propionate had no significant effect on the tight junction gene expression in the colon. These results are inconsistent with the previous study by Xia et al [20], which might be caused by different physiological statuses of animal models. The administration of propionate to normal lactating rats increased the expression of ZO-1 , Claudin, and Claudin-8 in the colonic mucosa by activating ERK1/2 and p38MAPK signaling pathways, which enhanced intestinal barrier function [20].…”

“…These results are inconsistent with the previous study by Xia et al [20], which might be caused by different physiological statuses of animal models. The administration of propionate to normal lactating rats increased the expression of ZO-1 , Claudin, and Claudin-8 in the colonic mucosa by activating ERK1/2 and p38MAPK signaling pathways, which enhanced intestinal barrier function [20]. In addition, a previous study showed that propionate inhibited the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin and improved the intestinal barrier function in mice with DSS-induced colitis [21].…”

“…Furthermore, propionate also showed benefits to gut barrier function. Oral administration of propionate enhanced colonic barrier function in rats [20]. Supplementation with propionate in the water ameliorated DSS (dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis by improving colonic barrier function in mice [21].…”

Metabolic regulation mechanism of fucoidan via intestinal microecology in diseases

“…Intestinal bacterial metabolites such as SCFAs could affect apoptosis and immune cell signaling in breast cancer cells 82 . For example, propionic acid promoted the intestinal mucosal barrier function by enhancing the expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase to increase the production of TJs proteins 83 . In rats with 7,12‐dimethylbenz [a]anthracene‐induced breast cancers, 18 oral fucoidan (200 and 400 mg kg −1 ) activated the extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways and increased the expression of zonula occludens 1, occludin, claudin‐1 and claudin‐8.…”

GC-MS Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Ethanolic Bee Pollen Extracts from Three Species of Malaysian Stingless Bee

“…Propanoic acid has been shown to enhance the colonic barrier function, exert immunosuppressive action, have anti-lipid activity and improve insulin sensitivity. These effects are beneficial in the prevention of obesity and diabetes type 2 (Al-Lahham et al, 2010;Xia et al, 2017). Aparna et al (2012) reported that hexadecanoic acid could inhibit phospholipase A2, which is a precursor of inflammation (Aparna et al, 2012).…”