Dietary whole Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) intake improves colonic barrier function by altering gut microbiota composition in mice. (7th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Baoming; Zhang, Ziqi; Zhao, Jianhua; Ma, Qingyu; Liu, Huicui; Nie, Chenxi; Ma, Zhiyuan; An, Wei; Li, Juxiu
• Is Part Of: International journal of food science & technology. Volume 56:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2020-06-07
• Subjects: Colonic barrier function -- Goji berry -- gut microbiota -- gut permeability -- tight junction proteins; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.14606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-5423

Abstract

Summary: Diet strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota (GM) composition. Lycium barbarum (LB), which contains polysaccharides and polyphenols, can alter the GM and intestinal barrier function, thereby reducing and preventing the occurrence of intestinal diseases. To investigate how LB improves colonic barrier function, male C57BL/6J mice were fed diets containing 1.5% or 3% LB for 10 weeks. Results of HiSeq 16S rDNA analysis showed that LB markedly altered microbial profile by supporting the growth of Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidales_S24‐7_group, Anaerotruncus, Coprococcus_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐014 and Akkermansia, while suppressing Firmicutes, Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Mucispirillum . LB supported the short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA)‐producing bacteria, and the SCFA concentrations increased, while the ammonia concentrations and pH values in faeces decreased, thereby increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and mucin, subsequently improving intestinal function and histomorphology. Dietary LB, as a functional dietary component, enhanced colonic barrier function and improved gut health by altering GM composition. Abstract : Dietary whole Lycium barbarum (LB) fruit improves colonic barrier function by ameliorating the gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice. The abundance of Bacteroidales_S24‐7_group, Anaerotruncus, Coprococcus_1 and Akkermansia were increased, while Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Mucispirillum decreased in the LB‐treated groups. LB improved the richness of the fecal SCFA‐producing bacteria, SCFA concentrations, and decreased fecal ammonia and pH values compared to the control group, which increased gut tight junction and mucin protein expressions and reduced intestinal permeability, thus improved intestinal morphology and enhanced gut barrier function.