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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
Effects of oral florfenicol on intestinal structure, function and microbiota in mice
Shiyu Yun1,2, Yurong Guo1, Lan Yang1
1College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
Abstract:
Many kinds of antibiotics have effects on intestinal structure and function. In the current experimental study, we evaluate the effect of oral florfenicol on intestinal barrier in mice. Thirty adult male mice were randomly divided into two groups, the group none (N) and the group florfenicol (F), the mice in group F were orally administered florfenicol 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 7 days. At day 8, mice were euthanized and sampled for the analysis of alterations in genes and proteins from jejunum, jejunum morphology and microbiota analysis. Administration of florfenicol caused higher liver index (P < 0.05). In the jejunum, mucosa injury and villus rupture, compared with the group N, the villus length and V/C (villus length/crypt depth) in group F were marked decrease (P < 0.01). The transcription level of Muc2 and occludin in group F were significantly lower than those in group N (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The expression of APRIL, IL-17, IL-22, BAFF and sIgA on protein level were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while the expression of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6, IL-4 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01) in group F. The abundances of bacteria in Firmicutes and Lactobacillus decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in group F. Our results indicated that oral administration of florfenicol might have a negative impact on functions of intestinal mucosal barrier, immune system and the intestinal microbiota.
Insights
Oral florfenicol negatively impacts the intestinal barrier in mice, causing mucosal injury and altering immune responses. This antibiotic also disrupts the gut microbiota composition, affecting beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Antibiotics can significantly alter intestinal structure and function.
- Understanding the specific effects of florfenicol on the gut barrier is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of oral florfenicol on the intestinal barrier in a mouse model.
- To investigate changes in jejunum morphology, gene and protein expression, and microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Adult male mice were divided into control and florfenicol-treated groups.
- Florfenicol was administered orally at 100 mg/kg BW for 7 days.
- Analysis included liver index, jejunum morphology, gene/protein expression (Muc2, occludin, cytokines, sIgA), and microbiota profiling.
Main Results:
- Florfenicol administration led to increased liver index and jejunum mucosal injury with villus rupture.
- Significant decreases in villus length, Muc2, occludin, Firmicutes, and Lactobacillus were observed.
- Immune markers showed down-regulation of APRIL, IL-17, IL-22, BAFF, sIgA and up-regulation of IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6, IL-4.
Conclusions:
- Oral florfenicol administration negatively affects the intestinal mucosal barrier function in mice.
- Florfenicol disrupts the intestinal immune system and alters the gut microbiota composition.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences and potential mitigation strategies.
