Bacterial community mapping of the AIA mouse gastrointestinal tract under dietary intervention with skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) elastin peptides

Abstract

BackgroundOur previous study demonstrated that a dietary intervention with skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) elastin peptides alleviated adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) and affected the gut microbiota of AIA mice. However, whether the faecal microbiota serves as a surrogate to reflect the dynamics of the gut microbiota has not been determined. MethodsUsing 16 S rRNA sequencing technology, the present study investigated the microbiota in three segments (stomach, colon and caecum) of mice to comprehensively define microbial dysregulation and regulation related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ResultsThe results showed that the composition and distribution of the microbiota in the stomach, colon and caecum were significantly different depending on their intrinsic environment and their functions, and the colon possessed the richest and most diverse microbiota structure. The gut microbiota of AIA mice showed ecological dysbiosis, and a dietary intervention with skipjack tuna elastin peptides improved this negative effect, particularly the changes in the gastric microbiota, which were most obvious at RA onset and remission. ImplicationThe results not only indicate the spatial heterogeneity of the gut microbiota in terms of composition and distribution, but also indicate the potential of the application of elastin peptides for the alleviation of RA.