Apolipoprotein A-I: Potential Protection Against Intestinal Injury Induced by Dietary Lipid

The intestinal barrier system protects the human body from harmful factors, by continuously renewing the intestinal epithelium, tight junctions and enteric microbes. However, dietary fat can harm the intestinal epithelial barrier enhancing gut permeability. In recent years, Apolipoprotein A-I has attracted much attention because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Apolipoprotein A-I can regulate mucosal immune cells, inhibit the progression of inflammation, promote epithelial proliferation and repair, and maintain physical barrier function; it can also regulate angiogenesis, thereby improving local circulation. This article is intended to elucidate the mechanism by which Apolipoprotein A-I improves intestinal barrier damage caused by dietary fat and to review the role of Apolipoprotein A-I in maintaining intestinal homeostasis.