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Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Colostrum-Induced Temporary Changes in the Expression of Proteins Regulating the Epithelial Barrier Function in the
Sylwia Rzeszotek1, Grzegorz Trybek2, Maciej Tarnowski3
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 72 Powstańców Wlkp., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
Insights
Colostrum supplementation temporarily alters cell adhesion molecules in the intestine. This dietary supplement impacts proteins crucial for maintaining the integrity of the small and large intestinal cellular barrier.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition Science
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intercellular junctions maintain intestinal wall and epithelial cell integrity.
- Colostrum (Col), a mammalian secretion rich in lactoferrin (Lf), is a popular dietary supplement.
- Lactoferrin's broad biological activity is increasingly recognized in health supplements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Colostrum supplementation on small and large intestine morphology.
- To determine if Col alters the expression of proteins involved in tissue integrity.
- To assess the temporary or persistent nature of these changes over time.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to analyze gene expression levels.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to assess protein expression.
- Analysis of intestinal tissues from animals supplemented with Col for 1, 3, and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Col supplementation decreased CDH1 and CDH2 expression in the large intestine, particularly after 3 months.
- CTNNB expression in the small intestine was reduced by Col.
- Increased levels of CX43 and CTNNB1 were observed in the small intestine following Col supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Colostrum can temporarily modulate cell adhesion molecules essential for the intestinal cellular barrier.
- The observed alterations in tissue integrity components suggest a transient effect of Col supplementation.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the long-term implications of Col on intestinal health.
Abstract:
The intestinal wall and epithelial cells are interconnected by numerous intercellular junctions. Colostrum (Col), in its natural form, is a secretion of the mammary gland of mammals at the end of pregnancy and up to 72 h after birth. Recently, it has been used as a biologically active dietary supplement with a high content of lactoferrin (Lf). Lf, a glycoprotein with a broad spectrum of activity, is becoming more popular in health-promoting supplements. This study aims to investigate whether Col supplementation can affect small and large intestine morphology by modulating the expression of selected proteins involved in tissue integrity. We examined the thickness of the epithelium, and the length of the microvilli, and assessed the expression of CDH1, CDH2, CTNNB, CX43, VCL, OCLN, HP, MYH9, and ACTG2 gene levels using qRT-PCR and at the protein level using IHC. Additionally, to evaluate whether the effect of Col supplementation is temporary or persistent, we performed all analyses on tissues collected from animals receiving Col for 1, 3, or 6 months. We noticed a decrease in CDH1 and CDH2 expression, especially after 3 months of supplementation in the large intestine and in CTNNB in the small intestine as well as increased levels of CX43 and CTNNB1 in the small intestine. The present data indicate that Col can temporarily alter some components of the cell adhesion molecules involved in the formation of the cellular barrier.
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