High-fat diet induces intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in ulcerative colitis: emerging mechanisms and dietary...

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing worldwide, but its pathogenesis remains largely unclear. The intestinal mucosa is a barrier that maintains the stability of the body's internal environment, and dysfunction of this barrier leads to the occurrence and aggravation of UC. A high-fat diet (HFD) contains more animal fat and low fiber, and accumulating evidence has shown that long-term intake of an HFD is associated with UC. The mechanism linking an HFD with intestinal mucosal barrier disruption is multifactorial, and it typically involves microbiota dysbiosis and altered metabolism of fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan. Dysbiosis-induced metabolic changes can enhance intestinal permeability through multiple pathways. These changes modulate the programmed death of intestinal epithelial cells, inhibit the secretion of goblet cells and Paneth cells, and impair intercellular interactions. Gut metabolites can also induce intestinal immune imbalance by stimulating multiple proinflammatory signaling pathways and decreasing the effect of anti-inflammatory immune cells. In this review, we critically analyze the molecular mechanisms by which an HFD disrupts the intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) and contributes to the development of UC. We also discuss the application and future direction of dietary intervention in the treatment of the IMB and prevention of UC.