Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Milk Fat Globule Membrane Enhances Colonic-Mucus-Barrier Function in a Rat Model of Short-Bowel Syndrome
Zhicai Yu1, Ying Li1, Yang Niu1
1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xin Hua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Clinical research reveals that colon plays an important role in mitigating the effects of short-bowel syndrome (SBS). Previously, we showed that the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) had protective effects on gut barrier integrity in the rat SBS model. Here, we used the same rat model to investigate the effects of enteral MFGM supplementation on gut microbiota and colonic-mucus-barrier function and its related mechanisms.
Methods:
We randomly divided 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats into 3 groups: Sham, SBS (rats with massive small-bowel resection), and SBS+MFGM (SBS rats supplemented with 1.5 g/kg/d MFGM). We then evaluated gut permeability, crypt depth, goblet-cell count, mucin 1 (MUC1), mucin 2 (MUC2), microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and protein expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 6 (NLRP6) pathway of the colon.
Results:
Compared with SBS rats, SBS+MFGM rats exhibited lower intestinal permeability, increased crypt depth, more goblet cells, and more MUC1/MUC2-positive cells. The SBS+MFGM group also had greater Firmicutes abundance and lower acetate concentration (P < .05). Sham rats had significantly lower Bacteroidetes abundance than SBS rats, but SBS+MFGM and SBS groups did not differ. Additionally, the SBS+MFGM group had higher NLRP6 and interleukin (IL)-18 expression but lower IL-1β and Caspase-1 (cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1) expression than the SBS group (P < .05).
Conclusion:
Supplementation of MFGM modulates gut microbiota composition in SBS, possibly through strengthening the colonic mucus barrier and regulation of NLRP6 inflammasome.
Insights
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation improves gut barrier function and modulates microbiota in a rat model of short-bowel syndrome (SBS). This suggests MFGM may be a promising therapeutic for SBS by strengthening the mucus barrier and regulating inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The colon is crucial for mitigating short-bowel syndrome (SBS) effects.
- Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) previously demonstrated protective effects on gut barrier integrity in a rat SBS model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of enteral MFGM supplementation on gut microbiota and colonic-mucus-barrier function in a rat SBS model.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms, including the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 6 (NLRP6) inflammasome pathway.
Main Methods:
- 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Sham, SBS, and SBS+MFGM groups.
- Evaluated gut permeability, crypt depth, goblet cells, mucins (MUC1, MUC2), microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and NLRP6 pathway protein expressions.
Main Results:
- SBS+MFGM rats showed reduced intestinal permeability, increased crypt depth, and more goblet cells compared to SBS rats.
- MFGM supplementation altered gut microbiota composition, increasing Firmicutes abundance and affecting short-chain fatty acid profiles.
- Modulation of NLRP6 inflammasome pathway components, including increased NLRP6 and IL-18, and decreased IL-1β and Caspase-1 expression was observed in the SBS+MFGM group.
Conclusions:
- Enteral MFGM supplementation modulates gut microbiota in SBS.
- MFGM may strengthen the colonic mucus barrier and regulate the NLRP6 inflammasome, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for SBS.
