Bisphenol A increases intestinal permeability through disrupting intestinal barrier function in mice

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Gastroenterology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Intestinal permeability and gut barrier function are crucial for health.
• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread environmental pollutant.
• Previous studies linked BPA to disrupted intestinal barrier function in human cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dietary BPA on colonic barrier function and intestinal permeability in mice.
• To assess the impact of BPA on gut morphology, barrier integrity, and microbial communities.

Main Methods:

• Mice were fed a diet containing BPA.
• Evaluated colonic morphology, pathology scores, and levels of biomarkers (endotoxin, D-lactate, diamine peroxidase, zonulin).
• Assessed goblet cell counts, Mucin 2 expression, tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1), and gut microbial diversity and function.

Main Results:

• Dietary BPA destroyed colonic epithelium morphology and increased pathology scores.
• Elevated levels of endotoxin, diamine peroxidase, D-lactate, and zonulin were observed.
• Reduced goblet cells, Mucin 2 expression, tight junction proteins, and microbial diversity were noted, alongside altered microbial function.

Conclusions:

• Dietary BPA significantly increases colonic permeability in mice.
• BPA disrupts intestinal physical, chemical, and biological barrier functions.
• These disruptions are linked to alterations in gut microbiota and epithelial integrity.