Hemp seed polysaccharides protect intestinal epithelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress

The purpose of this study was to investigate structure of Hemp seed polysaccharide (HSP) and the protective effect of HSP from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in IPEC-1 cells and the possible mechanism of this protection. Analysis of monosaccharide composition and structure of two fractions HSP₀ and HSP_0.2 from polysaccharide of Hemp seed (HSPc) were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that both HSP₀ and HSP_0.2 contain sulfate groups, which are sulfated polysaccharides. In IPEC-1 cells model, the release of LDH and MDA was significantly decreased, and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were significantly increased in HSP₀ and HSP_0.2-treated group. HSP_0.2 dramatically increased the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and phase II detoxification enzymes measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, HSP_0.2 up-regulated the expression level of intracellular transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibited the level of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) with Western blot analysis. Collectively, the present study suggested that HSP_0.2 has the protective effect of IPEC-1 cells against H₂O₂-induecd oxidative stress. This protection mechanism may be related to activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.