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Short Term Soft Pellet Diet Changes Intestinal Characteristics in Mice
Karen Miyakawa1, Jin Huang1, Toru Tanaka2
1Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama, Japan.
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
|March 11, 2025
Summary
A soft pellet diet (SP) reduced body weight and impaired small intestinal epithelial cell markers and mitochondrial gene expression in mice. This suggests soft food textures may disrupt intestinal homeostasis and microbiota composition.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Diet significantly influences small intestinal epithelial cell function and composition.
- Understanding the impact of food texture on intestinal health is crucial for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a soft pellet diet (SP) on the small intestine of mice.
- To clarify how food texture influences intestinal epithelial cell markers, mitochondrial activity, and microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed either a soft pellet (SP) or a control hard pellet (CD) diet for 14 days.
- Evaluated body weight, small intestine morphology, cell counts, gene expression (epithelial markers, mitochondrial metabolism), and microbiota composition.
Main Results:
- SP-fed mice exhibited lower body weight compared to CD-fed mice.
- SP decreased small intestinal epithelial cell marker expression and mRNA levels of mitochondrial metabolism genes.
- E-cadherin expression was reduced, and microbiota composition was altered in SP-fed mice.
Conclusions:
- A soft pellet diet may disrupt small intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis.
- Food texture plays a role in maintaining intestinal health and microbiota balance.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of food texture on the gut.
