Cow Placenta Peptides Ameliorate D-Galactose-Induced Intestinal Barrier Damage by Regulating TLR/NF-κB Pathway

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Aging is associated with increased intestinal barrier dysfunction.
• Intestinal barrier damage contributes to systemic inflammation and age-related diseases.
• Cow placenta peptides (CPP) are a potential therapeutic agent for age-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of CPP on intestinal barrier damage in aging mice.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CPP's action, including its impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, and signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

• An aging mouse model was established using D-galactose (D-gal) administration.
• Mice were treated with CPP or vitamin C for 8 weeks.
• Intestinal structure, serum markers (DAO, LPS), oxidative stress, inflammation, tight junction proteins, and gene expression (transcriptome sequencing, Western blotting) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• CPP significantly ameliorated D-gal-induced intestinal damage, improving villus height-to-crypt depth ratio.
• CPP reduced serum DAO and LPS levels, indicating improved barrier integrity.
• CPP alleviated intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation by restoring tight junction protein expression and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusions:

• CPP effectively protects against D-galactose-induced intestinal barrier damage in aging mice.
• CPP exerts its protective effects by enhancing antioxidant defense and suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
• CPP demonstrates potential as a therapeutic intervention for age-related intestinal dysfunction.