Red Cabbage Juice-Mediated Gut Microbiota Modulation Improves Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis and Ameliorates...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis.
• Microbial metabolites represent a potential therapeutic target for IBD.
• Red cabbage juice (RCJ) shows promise in alleviating colitis, but its mechanism is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which RCJ modulates gut microbiota in a mouse model of colitis.
• To investigate RCJ's effects on gut barrier integrity, microbial composition, and inflammatory pathways.

Main Methods:

• C57BL/6J mice were subjected to Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.
• Mice received daily gavage of PBS or RCJ.
• Shotgun metagenomics was employed to analyze gut microbiota composition.

Main Results:

• RCJ treatment significantly improved body weight, survival rates, and reduced disease activity index (DAI) in DSS-treated mice.
• RCJ enhanced colonic barrier integrity by upregulating mucins and tight junction proteins.
• RCJ enriched short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, leading to increased PPAR-γ activation and NFκB pathway repression.

Conclusions:

• RCJ demonstrates a protective role in DSS-induced colitis by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.
• RCJ promotes SCFA production, enhances gut barrier function, and suppresses inflammatory signaling pathways.
• RCJ holds potential as a therapeutic agent for IBD prevention and treatment.