Influence of high-calorie (cafeteria) diets on the population of Paneth cells in the small intestine of the rat

Abstract

A high-calorie (cafeteria) diet is known to cause changes in the intestinal morphology and functioning that seem to be related to calorie overfeeding. Among the cell lineages found in the small intestine epithelium, the Paneth cell (PC) population is known to be influenced by factors related mainly to the intestinal microbiota. The role of PCs in the intestinal cell concert remains unclear, because experimental evidence suggests PC involvement in local processes other than protection against pathogens. Participation of PC in digestive mechanisms has been proposed on this basis. We have analyzed the effect of high-carbohydrate (HC) and high-fat (HF) cafeteria diets on the PC population in the small intestine of the adult rat. For 8 weeks, both HC and HF diets caused a gain in body weight, but whereas the HC-fed rats showed reduced counts of intestinal crypts per 5-mum section, the HF-fed group showed the opposite. In control rats, the number of crypts per section showed a slight tendency to decrease along the duodenum - ileum axis, whereas the number of PCs per crypt was increased towards the ileum. As a result, the number of PCs per section (calculated from these data) remained constant along the three segments of the intestine. The hypercaloric diets did not modify the general tendencies seen in the crypt and PC counts, but reduced the number of PCs per section in the duodenum by 50%. HC-fed, but not HF-fed, rats showed a similar reduction in jejunum also. These changes do not correlate particularly with any of the predictable effects of diet composition, so that a multifactorial control of PC density is proposed.

Medicinal Plants, Phytochemicals, and Their Impacts on the Maturation of the Gastrointestinal Tract

“…They respond to neuronal stimulation, modulate microbiota and are impacted by the flora, oppose the NEC phenotype, sustain a healthy restitutive stem cell niche and develop in par with the gut (Lueschow and McElroy, 2020). Paneth cell number has been correlated to diet such that the Paneth cell numbers in the small intestine decrease following excessive intake of diets laden with fat and carbohydrates (Becerril et al, 2005). With a turnover time of about 15 days (Karam, 1999), these cells are a potential target for orally consumed medicinal plants and phytochemicals which can alter their function and developmental trajectory.…”

Butyric Acid and Leucine Induce α-Defensin Secretion from Small Intestinal Paneth Cells

“…We previously reported that α-defensin, secreted in the lumen of the mouse intestine, is highest in the ileum, where the number of intestinal bacteria increases dramatically, as well as in the duodenum and jejunum, where food digestion and absorption occur [11]. Additionally, a correlation between Paneth cell number and diet has been reported; the number of Paneth cells in the duodenum and jejunum decreases following excessive calorie intake (diet rich in carbohydrate and fat) [12]. Paneth cells are known to form a stem cell niche [13] and enhance stem cell function in response to calorie limitations [14,15].…”