Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea.
Zebrafish Translational Medical Research Center, Korea University, Ansan 15355, Republic of Korea.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Mar 25;25(7):3669. doi: 10.3390/ijms25073669.
The pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders is complex, involving disruptions in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, gut-brain-microbiota interactions, and psychosocial factors. Light pollution, as an environmental stressor, has been associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms and the aggravation of stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental stress, particularly continuous light exposure, on intestinal motility and inflammation using zebrafish larvae as a model system. We also evaluated the efficacy of probiotics, specifically (), at alleviating stress-induced constipation. Our results showed that continuous light exposure in zebrafish larvae increased the cortisol levels and reduced the intestinal motility, establishing a stress-induced-constipation model. We observed increased inflammatory markers and decreased intestinal neural activity in response to stress. Furthermore, the expressions of and , crucial for regulating water transport and intestinal motility, were altered in the light-induced constipation model. Administration of probiotics, specifically , ameliorated the stress-induced constipation by reducing the cortisol levels, modulating the intestinal inflammation, and restoring the intestinal motility and neural activity. These findings highlight the potential of probiotics to modulate the gut-brain axis and alleviate stress-induced constipation. Therefore, this study provides a valuable understanding of the complex interplay among environmental stressors, gut function, and potential therapeutic strategies.
功能性肠病的病理生理学较为复杂，涉及肠道运动障碍、内脏敏感性增加、肠脑微生物群相互作用以及心理社会因素等多个方面。光污染作为一种环境应激源，与昼夜节律紊乱和应激相关疾病的加重有关。在这项研究中，我们使用斑马鱼幼虫作为模型系统，研究了环境应激，特别是持续光照对肠道运动和炎症的影响。我们还评估了益生菌（）缓解应激性便秘的功效。研究结果表明，持续光照会增加斑马鱼幼虫的皮质醇水平并降低肠道运动，从而建立应激性便秘模型。我们观察到，在应激反应中，炎症标志物增加，肠道神经活动减少。此外，在光诱导的便秘模型中，和的表达发生改变，这两种蛋白对于调节水转运和肠道运动至关重要。益生菌（）的应用可以通过降低皮质醇水平、调节肠道炎症以及恢复肠道运动和神经活动来改善应激性便秘。这些发现强调了益生菌调节肠脑轴和缓解应激性便秘的潜力。因此，本研究为理解环境应激源、肠道功能和潜在治疗策略之间的复杂相互作用提供了有价值的信息。
