[Effect of fish oil on intestinal Paneth cells in mouse with abdominal infection]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Intestinal Paneth cells are crucial for innate immunity, producing antimicrobial peptides like lysozyme.
• Abdominal infection, such as sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), severely impairs Paneth cell function and intestinal barrier integrity.
• Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit gut health during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the protective effects of fish oil on intestinal Paneth cells in a mouse model of abdominal infection.
• To investigate the impact of fish oil on the expression of key Paneth cell markers and intestinal mucosal pathology post-infection.

Main Methods:

• C57BL/6J mice were subjected to CLP and treated with fish oil (FO) or long-chain triglyceride (LCT) soybean oil.
• Control, sham, infection, FO, and LCT groups were established (n=10 each).
• Terminal ileum tissues were collected on day 4 post-operation for analysis of lysozyme, cryptdin 4, and secreted phosphatidase A2 (sPLA2) mRNA and protein levels, alongside pathological examination.

Main Results:

• Cecal ligation and puncture significantly reduced body weight, lysozyme, cryptdin 4, and sPLA2 levels, and caused intestinal villi damage.
• Fish oil treatment upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of lysozyme in Paneth cells.
• Fish oil significantly alleviated mucosal injury compared to the infection and LCT groups.

Conclusions:

• Cecal ligation and puncture critically impairs intestinal Paneth cell function and leads to significant mucosal damage.
• Fish oil demonstrates a protective effect, ameliorating Paneth cell dysfunction and reducing intestinal injury in the context of abdominal infection.