Progress in Mycotoxins Affecting Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function

Abstract

Mycotoxins, which are widely found in feed ingredients and human food, can exert harmful effects on animals and pose a serious threat to human health. As the first barrier against external pollutants, the intestinal mucosa is protected by a mechanical barrier, chemical barrier, immune barrier, and biological barrier. Firstly, mycotoxins can disrupt the mechanical barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, by destroying the morphology and tissue integrity of the intestinal epithelium. Secondly, mycotoxins can cause changes in the composition of mucin monosaccharides and the expression of intestinal mucin, which in turn affects mucin function. Thirdly, mycotoxins can cause damage to the intestinal mucosal immune barrier function. Finally, the microbiotas of animals closely interact with ingested mycotoxins. Based on existing research, this article reviews the effects of mycotoxins on the intestinal mucosal barrier and its mechanisms.

Endotoxin Translocation and Gut Inflammation Are Increased in Broiler Chickens Receiving an Oral Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Bolus during Heat Stress

“…The gut barrier plays a crucial role for endotoxin translocation. Different stressors can lead to a comprised gut barrier; that is, suboptimal diet composition [ 33 ], mycotoxins [ 34 , 35 ], heat stress [ 36 ], and weaning stress in pigs [ 37 ] and cattle [ 38 ]. It also needs to be considered that systemic LPS itself (e.g., resulting from any systemic Gram-negative infection) can impact the gut barrier owing to the stimulation and release of cytokines (e.g., TNF), leading to a vicious circle [ 39 ].…”

EPA and DHA attenuate deoxynivalenol‐induced intestinal porcine epithelial cell injury and protect barrier function integrity by inhibiting necroptosis signaling pathway

“…However, many factors such as stress, infection, and toxins, can lead to gut damage and barrier dysfunction, which can escalate to intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and necrotizing enterocolitis . Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that commonly contaminates food or feed . Ingestion of DON‐contaminated food or feed leads to altered intestinal structure, compromised intestinal epithelial barrier function, and lower nutrient absorption, which can lead to severe bowel disease .…”

“…Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that commonly contaminates food or feed . Ingestion of DON‐contaminated food or feed leads to altered intestinal structure, compromised intestinal epithelial barrier function, and lower nutrient absorption, which can lead to severe bowel disease . Therefore, effective nutritional approaches are urgently needed to maintain intestinal health after intake of food contaminants.…”

Polysaccharides isolated from Cordyceps Sinensis contribute to the progression of NASH by modifying the gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet

“…The increase in serum LPS content in the HFD+CSP group may be due to the transfer of harmful bacteria from the colon to the small intestine, resulting in the excessive proliferation of physical barrier cells in the small intestine and the absorption of LPS and chylomicrons (CMs) by the small intestinal epithelial cells [57,58]. In addition to the intestinal physical barrier, the intestinal tract also includes an immune barrier, a chemical barrier and a biological barrier, which are associated with the composition of microorganisms in the intestinal tract [59,60]. Damage to the biological barrier in the colon can also cause a bacterial product shift.…”