Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a widespread
mycotoxin and causes
anorexia and
emesis in humans and animals; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-characterized probiotic, can improve intestinal barrier function and modulate immune response. Currently, it is unclear whether LGG has a beneficial effect on DON-induced
anorexia. In the present study, mice were treated with DON, LGG, or both by gavage for 28 days to evaluate the effects of LGG on DON-induced
anorexia.
Antibiotic treatment and
fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) experiment were also conducted to investigate the link between DON, LGG, and gut microbiota. LGG significantly increased the villus height and reduced the crypt depth in jejunum and ileum, enhanced the
tight junction proteins expression in the intestine, and regulated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, consequently attenuating the intestinal
inflammation caused by DON. In addition, LGG increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and
butyric acid production of cecal contents; remodeled
phenylalanine metabolism and
tryptophan metabolism; reduced plasma
peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY),
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and
glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations; and promoted hypothalamic NPY and AgPR gene expression, which will further promote food intake and reduce
weight loss, ultimately alleviating DON-induced
anorexia in mice. Interestingly,
antibiotic treatment diminished the intestinal toxicity of DON. The FMT experiment showed that DON-originated microbiota promotes intestinal
inflammation and
anorexia, while LGG + DON-originated microbiota has no adverse effects on mice. Both
antibiotic treatment and FMT experiment have proved that gut microbiota was the primary vector for DON to exert its toxic effects and an essential mediator of LGG protection. In summary, our findings demonstrate that gut microbiota plays essential roles in DON-induced
anorexia, and LGG can reduce the adverse effects caused by DON through its structure and regulate the gut microbiota, which may lay the important scientific foundation for future applications of LGG in food and feed products.