Abstract
The intestinal flora is recognized as a significant contributor to the immune system. In this research, the protective effects of oyster peptides on immune regulation and intestinal microbiota were investigated in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. The results showed that oyster peptides restored the indexes of thymus, spleen and liver, stimulated cytokines secretion and promoted the relative mRNA levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10). The mRNA levels of Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and Mucin-2 were up-regulated, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was also activated after oyster peptides administration. Furthermore, oyster peptides treatment reduced the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, increased the relative abundance of Alistipes, Lactobacillus, Rikenell and the content of short-chain fatty acids, and reversed the composition of intestinal microflora similar to that of normal mice. In conclusion, oyster peptides effectively ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal damage and modified gut microbiota structure in mice, and might be utilized as a beneficial ingredient in functional foods for immune regulation.
Highlights
Autoimmune diseases and cancer are global health problems [1,2]
The results suggested that oyster peptides (OP) could promote intestinal mucosal immunity some extent
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while norank_f_Oscillospiraceae and norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae were negatively healthy mice, while the abundance of norank_f_Oscillospiraceae, Bacteroides, Candidacorrelated with most of the SCFAs, such as acetic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. These results indicated that OP promoted the production of SCFAs, which was consistent with the increase in the abundance of SCFAs-producing microbiota
Summary
Autoimmune diseases and cancer are global health problems [1,2]. Cyclophosphamide (Cy) is widely used to treat a variety of cancers and autoimmune diseases while immunosuppression is one of the dominating adverse reactions [3]. Cy is often used to induce immunosuppression in mice. The use of large doses of Cy will lead to many side effects, such as disruption of the intestinal barrier, increased intestinal permeability, damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, increased exposure of immunodeficiency and secondary infections, disruption of the intestinal flora and so on [4,5]. To reduce the side effects of Cy, the research and development of immune modulators are of great importance. Natural products are abundant in source, safe and have low toxic side effects, which have been widely developed to enhance immunity [6,7]
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