Abstract
The influences of maternal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on intestinal oxidative stress, inflammation, tight junctions, and gut microbiota of offspring are not well understood. Moreover, research on the dietary intervention method has not been well studied. In our study, dams received PM2.5 and quercetin intervention during gestation and lactation, and then inflammation biomarkers, oxidative stress indicators, tight junction proteins, and gut microbiota in the colon of offspring were analyzed. Compared with the control group, lower catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, higher interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin-22 (IL-22), decreased ZO-1 and occludin expressions, and higher Bacteroides abundance were observed in the offspring mice of the PM2.5 group. However, higher CAT and SOD activities, lower IL-17A and IL-22 levels, increased ZO-1 and occludin expressions, and lower Bacteroides abundance were found in the quercetin groups. In addition, there was a negative correlation between Bacteroides abundance and CAT concentration. Additionally, Bacteroides abundance was positively related to IL-17A and IL-22 levels. These findings suggest that maternal PM2.5 exposure may have some certain effects on intestinal oxidative stress, inflammation, and tight junctions. Quercetin administration may protect the offspring against these adverse effects. Changes of Bacteroides abundance play an important role in the process.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies have reported that air pollution contributes to gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease [1,2]
Occludin and ZO-1 are tight junction proteins, which help the cells of the intestinal epithelium adhere to each other and regulate permeability [9,10,11]
We found that the male offspring in the quercetin groups (100 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant decrease of IL-17A levels as compared with the males in the PM2.5 group on postnatal day (PND) 35 (p < 0.05)
Summary
Epidemiological studies have reported that air pollution contributes to gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease [1,2]. These intestinal diseases may be related to the injury of the intestinal mucosal barrier, including oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and damaged tight junctions [3,4,5]. Oxidation stress affects the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the permeability and proliferation of epithelial cells; oxidation stress is related to the barrier function of the gut. Occludin and ZO-1 are tight junction proteins, which help the cells of the intestinal epithelium adhere to each other and regulate permeability [9,10,11]. Bernard et al reported that ZO-1 and occludin could be decreased by Nutrients 2020, 12, 3095; doi:10.3390/nu12103095 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
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