Multi-Omics and Molecular Docking Reveal That Oats and Oat Bran Alleviate Chronic Colitis Via IL-17 Pathway...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutrition Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Diet significantly influences inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) development.
• Previous research indicated oats and oat bran mitigate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice via gut microbiota modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanisms by which whole oats and oat bran interventions impact chronic colitis.
• To compare the effects of oats and oat bran using integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses.

Main Methods:

• Combined untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomic analyses.
• Investigated interactions between key metabolites (ursodeoxycholic acid, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, avenanthramide C) and IL-17 signaling pathway proteins using molecular docking.
• Analyzed gene expression via RT-qPCR.

Main Results:

• Identified three key metabolites involved in colitis modulation.
• Oats and oat bran interventions altered IL-17, PI3K-Akt, and TNF signaling pathways.
• Upregulated tight junction proteins (claudin-1, claudin-5, occludin) and reduced inflammatory markers.
• Ursodeoxycholic acid showed the highest binding affinity to target proteins.

Conclusions:

• Oats and oat bran may alleviate chronic colitis.
• Modulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway and enhancement of intestinal barrier function are key mechanisms.
• Dietary interventions with oats show promise for managing IBD.