Foods (Feb 2022)

Colostrum-Induced Temporary Changes in the Expression of Proteins Regulating the Epithelial Barrier Function in the Intestine

  • Sylwia Rzeszotek,
  • Grzegorz Trybek,
  • Maciej Tarnowski,
  • Karol Serwin,
  • Aleksandra Jaroń,
  • Gabriela Schneider,
  • Agnieszka Kolasa,
  • Barbara Wiszniewska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11050685
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 5
p. 685

Abstract

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The intestinal wall and epithelial cells are interconnected by numerous intercellular junctions. Colostrum (Col), in its natural form, is a secretion of the mammary gland of mammals at the end of pregnancy and up to 72 h after birth. Recently, it has been used as a biologically active dietary supplement with a high content of lactoferrin (Lf). Lf, a glycoprotein with a broad spectrum of activity, is becoming more popular in health-promoting supplements. This study aims to investigate whether Col supplementation can affect small and large intestine morphology by modulating the expression of selected proteins involved in tissue integrity. We examined the thickness of the epithelium, and the length of the microvilli, and assessed the expression of CDH1, CDH2, CTNNB, CX43, VCL, OCLN, HP, MYH9, and ACTG2 gene levels using qRT-PCR and at the protein level using IHC. Additionally, to evaluate whether the effect of Col supplementation is temporary or persistent, we performed all analyses on tissues collected from animals receiving Col for 1, 3, or 6 months. We noticed a decrease in CDH1 and CDH2 expression, especially after 3 months of supplementation in the large intestine and in CTNNB in the small intestine as well as increased levels of CX43 and CTNNB1 in the small intestine. The present data indicate that Col can temporarily alter some components of the cell adhesion molecules involved in the formation of the cellular barrier.

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