Abstract
Tight-junction (TJ) proteins regulate paracellular permeability. Gut permeability can be modulated by commensal microbiota. Manipulation of the gut microbiota with antibiotics like bacitracin and neomycin turned out to be useful for the treatment of diarrhoea induced by Clostridium difficile or chemotherapy drugs. To evaluate the effects of the microbiota depletion evoked by the oral administration of neomycin and bacitracin on the intestinal permeability and expression of TJ proteins in mice. Mice received neomycin and bacitracin orally for 7 days. Intestinal permeability was measured by the fluorescein-isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) method. The gene expression of TJ proteins in the intestine was determined by real time-PCR. FITC-dextran levels in serum were reduced by half in antibiotic-treated mice, indicating a reduction of intestinal permeability. Antibiotics increased the expression of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A, and occludin in the ileum and ZO-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4 in the colon. The combination of neomycin and bacitracin reduce intestinal permeability and increase the gene expression of ZO-1, junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A), and occludin in the ileum and ZO-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4 in the colon.
Highlights
The intestinal epithelium provides a selective, permeable barrier achieved by the presence of intercellular tight-junction (TJ) structures, which regulate paracellular permeability
FITC-dextran levels in serum were reduced by half in antibiotic-treated mice, indicating a reduction of intestinal permeability
Antibiotics increased the expression of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), junctional adhesion molecule A
Summary
The intestinal epithelium provides a selective, permeable barrier achieved by the presence of intercellular tight-junction (TJ) structures, which regulate paracellular permeability. Occludin, claudins (24 members), junctional adhesion molecule (JAM), and tricellulin, have been identified. These transmembrane proteins interact with cytosolic scaffold proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO) proteins [1]. Antibiotic intake for the treatment of various diseases of bacterial origin obviously produces an alteration of the intestinal microbiota. This alteration of the intestinal microbiota can have beneficial effects and contribute to the restoration of intestinal homeostasis. Manipulation of the gut microbiota with antibiotics like bacitracin and neomycin turned out to be useful for the treatment of diarrhoea induced by Clostridium difficile or chemotherapy drugs
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