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Baicalin Alleviates Short-Term Lincomycin-Induced Intestinal and Liver Injury and Inflammation in Infant Mice
Shunfen Zhang1, Ruqing Zhong1, Shanlong Tang1
1State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Abstract:
The adverse effects of short-term megadose of antibiotics exposure on the gastrointestinal and liver tissue reactions in young children have been reported. Antibiotic-induced intestinal and liver reactions are usually unpredictable and present a poorly understood pathogenesis. It is, therefore, necessary to develop strategies for reducing the adverse effects of antibiotics. Studies on the harm and rescue measures of antibiotics from the perspective of the gut-liver system are lacking. Here, we demonstrate that lincomycin exposure reduced body weight, disrupted the composition of gut microbiota and intestinal morphology, triggered immune-mediated injury and inflammation, caused liver dysfunction, and affected lipid metabolism. However, baicalin administration attenuated the lincomycin-induced changes. Transcriptome analysis showed that baicalin improved immunity in mice, as evidenced by the decreased levels of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and expression of genes that regulate Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell differentiation, and inhibited mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis pathways. In addition, baicalin improved liver function by upregulating the expression of genes involved in bile acid secretion and lipid degradation, and downregulating genes involved in lipid synthesis in lincomycin-treated mice. Bile acids can regulate intestinal immunity and strengthen hepatoenteric circulation. In addition, baicalin also improved anti-inflammatory bacteria abundance (Blautia and Coprobacillus) and reduced pathogenic bacteria abundance (Proteobacteria, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter) in lincomycin-treated mice. Thus, baicalin can ameliorate antibiotic-induced injury and its associated complications such as liver disease.
Insights
Antibiotic exposure harms the gut and liver, but baicalin treatment offers protection. Baicalin restores gut microbiota, reduces inflammation, and improves liver function, mitigating antibiotic-induced damage.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal and liver damage in children is poorly understood.
- There's a need for strategies to mitigate antibiotic side effects on the gut-liver axis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of baicalin against lincomycin-induced gut-liver injury in mice.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying baicalin's protective actions.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to lincomycin, with some receiving baicalin treatment.
- Analysis included body weight, gut microbiota composition, intestinal morphology, liver function tests, and transcriptome analysis.
Main Results:
- Lincomycin reduced body weight, altered gut microbiota, damaged intestinal morphology, and impaired liver function.
- Baicalin treatment reversed these effects, decreasing inflammatory cytokines and improving gene expression related to immunity, bile acid secretion, and lipid metabolism.
- Baicalin modulated gut bacteria, increasing beneficial species and decreasing harmful ones.
Conclusions:
- Baicalin ameliorates antibiotic-induced gut and liver injury by modulating immunity, bile acid metabolism, and gut microbiota.
- Baicalin shows potential as a therapeutic agent to counteract antibiotic-associated complications, including liver disease.
