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Beneficial effects of Rifaximin in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome mouse model beyond gut microbiota
Yu Jin1, Xiaoyang Ren2, Gangping Li1
1Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Background And Aims:
Rifaximin is a minimally absorbed antibiotic, which has shown efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. However, the mechanism on how it effects in IBS is still incompletely defined. In this study, Trichinella spiralis-infected post-infectious (PI) IBS mouse model was used, to assess the action of rifaximin on visceral hypersensitivity, barrier function, gut inflammation, and microbiota.
Methods:
Post-infectious IBS model was established by T. spiralis infection in mice. Rifaximin were administered to PI-IBS mice for seven consecutive days. The abdominal withdrawal reflex and threshold of colorectal distention were employed to evaluate visceral sensitivity. Smooth muscle contractile response was recorded in the organ bath. Intestinal permeability was measured by Ussing chamber. Expression of tight junction protein and cytokines were measured by Western blotting. Ilumina miseq platform was used to analyze bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA.
Results:
Post-infectious IBS mice treated with rifaximin exhibited decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex score, increased threshold, reduced contractile response, and intestinal permeability. Rifaximin also suppressed the expression of interleukin-12 and interleukin-17 and promoted the expression of the major tight junction protein occludin. Furthermore, rifaximin did not change the composition and diversity, and the study reavealed that rifaximin had a tiny effect on the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in this PI-IBS model.
Conclusions:
Rifaximin alleviated visceral hypersensitivity, recovered intestinal barrier function, and inhibited low-grade inflammation in colon and ileum of PI-IBS mouse model. Moreover, rifaximin exerts anti-inflammatory effects with only a minimal effect on the overall composition and diversity of the gut microbiota in this model.
Insights
Rifaximin treatment reduced visceral hypersensitivity and improved gut barrier function in a mouse model of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This antibiotic demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects with minimal impact on gut microbiota composition.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder.
- The precise mechanisms of rifaximin's efficacy in IBS remain unclear.
- A post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) mouse model induced by Trichinella spiralis infection was utilized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of rifaximin on visceral hypersensitivity in a PI-IBS mouse model.
- To assess rifaximin's impact on intestinal barrier function.
- To evaluate rifaximin's influence on gut inflammation and microbiota composition.
Main Methods:
- PI-IBS mice were treated with rifaximin for seven consecutive days.
- Visceral sensitivity was measured using abdominal withdrawal reflex and colorectal distention thresholds.
- Intestinal permeability, smooth muscle contractility, tight junction protein expression, cytokine levels, and gut microbiota were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Rifaximin treatment decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and increased visceral sensitivity thresholds.
- The antibiotic reduced intestinal permeability and smooth muscle contractile responses.
- Rifaximin suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-17) and increased occludin expression, with minimal changes to gut microbiota diversity and abundance.
Conclusions:
- Rifaximin effectively alleviates visceral hypersensitivity and restores intestinal barrier function in a PI-IBS mouse model.
- The drug exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in the colon and ileum.
- Rifaximin's therapeutic benefits are achieved with limited alterations to the gut microbiota's overall composition and diversity.
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