The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Nutrients. 2024 Jun 27;16(13):2052. doi: 10.3390/nu16132052.
In this study, we investigated the effect of monobutyrin (MB) on the gut microbiota and intestinal health of weaned mice. MB was administered via gavage to 21-day-old weaned mice. Samples of small intestinal and ileal contents were collected on day 1, day 7, and day 21 post-administration. Seven days of MB administration enhanced the mucin layer and morphological structure of the intestine and the integrity of the intestinal brush border. Both MB and sodium butyrate (SB) accelerated tight junction development. Compared to SB, MB modulated intestinal T cells in a distinct manner. MB increased the ratio of Treg cells in the small intestine upon the cessation of weaning. After 21 days of MB administration, enhancement of the villus structure of the ileum was observed. MB increased the proportion of Th17 cells in the ileum. MB facilitated the transition of the small intestinal microbiota toward an adult microbial community structure and enhanced the complexity of the microbial community structure. An increase in Th17 cells enhanced intestinal barrier function. The regulatory effect of MB on Th17 cells may occur through the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, MB can potentially be used to promote intestinal barrier function, especially for weaning animals, with promising application prospects.
在这项研究中，我们研究了单丁酸甘油酯（MB）对断奶小鼠肠道微生物群和肠道健康的影响。通过灌胃给 21 天大的断奶小鼠施用 MB。在给药后第 1、7 和 21 天收集小肠和回肠内容物样本。MB 给药 7 天可增强肠粘液层和形态结构以及肠刷状缘的完整性。MB 和丁酸钠（SB）均可促进紧密连接的发育。与 SB 相比，MB 以独特的方式调节肠道 T 细胞。MB 在断奶结束时增加了小肠中 Treg 细胞的比例。MB 给药 21 天后，观察到回肠的绒毛结构增强。MB 增加了回肠中 Th17 细胞的比例。MB 促进了小肠微生物群向成人微生物群落结构的转变，并增强了微生物群落结构的复杂性。Th17 细胞的增加增强了肠道屏障功能。MB 对 Th17 细胞的调节作用可能通过肠道微生物群发生。因此，MB 有可能被用于促进肠道屏障功能，特别是对于断奶动物，具有广阔的应用前景。
