Haoan Zhao1,2, Ni Cheng1, Wenqi Zhou1, Sinan Chen1, Qian Wang2, Hui Gao1, Xiaofeng Xue3, Liming Wu3, Wei Cao1. 1. Collage of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, 229 North TaiBai Road, Xi'an, 710069, China. 2. School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 229 North TaiBai Road, Xi'an, 710069, China. 3. Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.
Abstract
SCOPE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that requires long-term potent pharmacological treatment. Honey, as a natural food of nourishment and pharmaceutical value, has been found to defend against colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of different constituents in honey are investigated on DSS-induced colitis in rats. Rats are given DSS, sugars, honey, polyphenols, or SASP for a week, with blood and colon samples collected for the biochemical parameters and inflammation-related gene analysis and colon contents for gut microbiota. The results show that pretreatments with honey polyphenols significantly improve SOD, GSH-Px, NO, and MPO levels and reduce DSS-induced colonic apoptosis, the colonic inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 accompanied by downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ gene and upregulation of IκB-α gene. Furthermore, honey polyphenols and SASP show similar microbial community structure shifts and selective enrichment of key species. At the genus level, honey polyphenols significantly reduce the population of Bacteroides, Corynebacterium, and Proteus species. The correlation analysis indicates that colonic gene expression regulated by honey polyphenols is relative to the key species of gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: Honey polyphenols improve intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress resistance via modulating gut microbiota, which is conducive to revealing the host-microbe interactions.
SCOPE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that requires long-term potent pharmacological treatment. Honey, as a natural food of nourishment and pharmaceutical value, has been found to defend against colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of different constituents in honey are investigated on DSS-induced colitis in rats. Rats are given DSS, sugars, honey, polyphenols, or SASP for a week, with blood and colon samples collected for the biochemical parameters and inflammation-related gene analysis and colon contents for gut microbiota. The results show that pretreatments with honey polyphenols significantly improve SOD, GSH-Px, NO, and MPO levels and reduce DSS-induced colonic apoptosis, the colonic inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 accompanied by downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ gene and upregulation of IκB-α gene. Furthermore, honey polyphenols and SASP show similar microbial community structure shifts and selective enrichment of key species. At the genus level, honey polyphenols significantly reduce the population of Bacteroides, Corynebacterium, and Proteus species. The correlation analysis indicates that colonic gene expression regulated by honey polyphenols is relative to the key species of gut microbiota. CONCLUSIONS:Honey polyphenols improve intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress resistance via modulating gut microbiota, which is conducive to revealing the host-microbe interactions.