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In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
Published on: October 19, 2018
Methyl donor deficiency affects small-intestinal differentiation and barrier function in rats.
Aude Bressenot1, Shabnam Pooya1, Carine Bossenmeyer-Pourie1
1Inserm U-954, Molecular and Cellular Pathology in Nutrition, Faculté de Médecine, CHU Nancy, Nancy-Université, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, BP 184, Nancy, 54500 Vandoeuvre, France.
The British Journal of Nutrition
|July 17, 2012
Summary
Maternal methyl-deficient diet (MDD) during gestation and lactation impairs rat pup small intestine development. This diet causes reduced enterocyte differentiation and compromised intestinal barrier function in offspring.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary methyl donors are linked to Crohn's disease risk.
- The impact of maternal methyl-deficient diets (MDD) on offspring intestinal development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a maternal methyl-deficient diet (MDD) on the development and function of the small intestine in rat pups.
Main Methods:
- Rat dams were fed either a standard diet or an MDD (lacking vitamin B12, folate, choline) during gestation and lactation.
- Offspring small intestine development, enterocyte differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and barrier function were assessed at 1 month.
Main Results:
- MDD induced global wall hypotrophy in the distal small bowel with increased crypt apoptosis and reduced enterocyte differentiation.
- Decreased proliferation was observed in proximal small bowel crypts, alongside impaired β-catenin signaling.
- The intestinal barrier was compromised, evidenced by reduced Paneth and goblet cell numbers and decreased mucus production.
Conclusions:
- Maternal MDD during gestation and lactation has dual detrimental effects on rat offspring small intestine development.
- These effects include impaired enterocyte differentiation and compromised intestinal barrier integrity, highlighting the critical role of maternal nutrition.
