Alteration of intestinal barrier function during activity-based anorexia in mice

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Animal Models

Background:

• Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder with poorly understood pathophysiology.
• Chronic food restriction may lead to gut barrier dysfunction, contributing to disease complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize intestinal barrier function in mice with activity-based anorexia (ABA), an animal model for anorexia nervosa.
• To investigate the link between anorexia nervosa and gut barrier integrity.

Main Methods:

• Male C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to activity-based anorexia (ABA) or limited food access (LFA) for 17 days.
• Food intake, weight loss, colonic histology, and colonic/jejunal permeability were assessed.
• Gene expression of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin) was analyzed.

Main Results:

• ABA mice exhibited lower food intake and greater weight loss compared to LFA controls.
• Colonic histology revealed decreased muscularis layer thickness in ABA mice.
• Increased colonic permeability and reduced claudin-1 expression were observed in ABA mice.

Conclusions:

• Intestinal barrier dysfunction, including increased colonic permeability and histological changes, occurs in ABA mice.
• These findings suggest a potential role for gut barrier alterations in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa.
• Further research is warranted to evaluate the impact of these alterations.