Berberine regulates intestinal microbiome and metabolism homeostasis to treat ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

AIMS:

This study aims to investigate the effects of berberine (BBR) on the intestinal microbiome (IM) and serum metabolome in ulcerative colitis (UC). Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms of BBR in treating UC also will be explored systematically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A multi-omics approach that integrates the 16s rDNA, serum metabolome, transcriptomics and bioinformatics was profiled to investigate the potential effects of BBR on the IM, serum metabolites and metabolic pathways, and gene expression. In addition, BBR-induced fecal microbiota transplantation (BBR_FMT) was conducted in pseudo germ-free mice combined with the UC model to explore the effects of the IM on metabolic pathways and gene expression. The results of the transcriptomics and metabolic pathway-related genes were further examined by real-time PCR and western blot.

KEY FINDINGS:

BBR ameliorated the community of IM and significantly promoted the abundance of f__Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, Dubosiella, Allobaculum and Akkermansia. The metabolic profiles in UC mice were significantly modulated by BBR treatment. Furthermore, the inflammation-related metabolites and metabolic pathways in serum were negatively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroides and Akkermansia, which were induced by BBR treatment. BBR_FMT significantly inhibited the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism pathway and its multiple markers with the mediation of the IM.

SIGNIFICANCE:

BBR ameliorated serum metabolic homeostasis by regulating the IM. The inhibition of the AA metabolism pathway and its multiple markers was one of the mechanisms of BBR in the treatment of UC.

• Authors: Tao Yang, Niping Qin, Fahui Liu, Yihan Zhao, Wanning Liu, Daiming Fan
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 338 Pg. 122385 (Feb 01 2024) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 38184271 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Chemical References

• Berberine
• Dextran Sulfate

Topics

• Mice
• Animals
• Colitis, Ulcerative (drug therapy)
• Berberine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome
• Inflammation
• Homeostasis
• Colitis
• Dextran Sulfate (pharmacology)