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Published on: January 5, 2017
Protective Effects of Natural Polysaccharides on Intestinal Barrier Injury: A Review
Jiaying Huo1,2,3, Ziyan Wu1,4, Weizheng Sun3
1Key Laboratory of Brewing Molecular Engineering of China Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Owing to their minimal side effects and effective protection from oxidative stress, inflammation, and malignant growth, natural polysaccharides (NPs) are a potential adjuvant therapy for several diseases caused by intestinal barrier injury (IBI). More studies are accumulating on the protective effects of NPs with respect to IBI, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this review aims to represent current studies that investigate the protective effects of NPs on IBI by directly maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity (inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, and increasing tight junction protein expression) and indirectly regulating intestinal immunity and microbiota. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying IBI development are briefly introduced, and the structure-activity relationships of polysaccharides with intestinal barrier protection effects are discussed. Potential developments and challenges associated with NPs exhibiting protective effects against IBI have also been highlighted to guide the application of NPs in the treatment of intestinal diseases caused by IBI.
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