Integrated omics profiling of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitic mice supplemented with Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

Wanping Aw,Weida Lyu,Shinji Fukuda,Hisanori Kato,Huijuan Jia,Lila Otani,Masaru Tomita

doi:10.1038/s41538-020-0065-5

Abstract

We used a multi-omics profiling approach to investigate the suppressive effects of 2% Wolfberry (WOL)-enriched diets on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. It was observed that in mice fed the WOL diet, the disease activity index, colon shortening, plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and relative mesenteric fat weight were significantly improved as compared to the DSS group. Results from colon transcriptome and proteome profiles showed that WOL supplementation significantly ameliorated the expression of genes and proteins associated with the integrity of the colonic mucosal wall and colonic inflammation. Based on the hepatic transcriptome, proteome and metabolome data, genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, proteins involved in inflammation and metabolites related to glycolysis were downregulated in WOL mice, leading to lowered inflammation and changes in these molecules may have led to improvement in body weight loss. The integrated nutrigenomic approach thus revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying the ameliorative effect of whole WOL fruit consumption on inflammatory bowel disease.

Highlights

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of debilitating inflammatory disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract
The mice that were dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-challenged presented with significant pathological changes, including severe body weight loss, presence of fecal occult blood, and diarrhea, resulting in a significant increase in the disease activity index (DAI) compared to the CON group (Fig. 1a)
WOL supplementation suppressed these pathological conditions of IBD, resulting in a decrease in the DAI values from day 7 to day 9 (Fig. 1a)

Summary

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of debilitating inflammatory disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. WOL comprises of various polyphenols[10] including phenylpropanoids, coumarins, lignans, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, chlorogenic acid derivatives[10]. It consists of carotenoids (zeaxanthin and carotene)[11,12], polysaccharides[13,14] and small molecules such as betaine[15], cerebroside[16], β-sitosterol and various vitamins[17]. Studies have suggested that WOL consumption may have neuroprotective[21,22], anti-aging[23], prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease[22], and immuneboosting properties[9,24,25]. WOL polysaccharides have been reported to have anti-diabetic properties[26], improve retinopathy in diabetic rats[27] and improve diabetic testicular dysfunction[28]. It has been previously reported that a milk-based WOL preparation can suppress 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis[31] and WOL can suppress dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)induced colitis[32]

Methods

Results

Conclusion