Chitosan Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mice by Enhancing Intestinal Barrier Function and Improving...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Immunology
• Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease impacting intestinal barrier function and gut microbiota.
• Chitosan (CS) has shown promise as a therapeutic agent for UC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chitosan (CS) on intestinal microflora and barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CS in mitigating UC.

Main Methods:

• UC was induced in Kunming mice using DSS.
• Mice were treated with varying doses of CS.
• Evaluated clinical signs, body weight, colon length, histology, gut microbiota composition (PCR-DGGE), and protein expression (Western blotting for TNF-α and tight junction proteins).

Main Results:

• CS treatment significantly improved UC symptoms, including increased body weight and colon length, and reduced disease activity index and histological damage.
• CS reduced pro-inflammatory TNF-α expression and increased tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1), enhancing intestinal barrier function.
• CS modulated gut microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria like Blautia and Lactobacillus, and mitigating DSS-induced dysbiosis.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan effectively ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.
• CS exerts its therapeutic effects by restoring intestinal barrier integrity and rebalancing gut microbiota.
• CS demonstrates potential as a food and healthcare product for UC prevention and treatment.