Low Dosage of Chitosan Supplementation Improves Intestinal Permeability and Impairs Barrier Function in Mice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between low dose dietary supplementation with chitosan (COS) and body weight, feed intake, intestinal barrier function, and permeability in mice. Twenty mice were randomly assigned to receive an unadulterated control diet (control group) or a dietary supplementation with 30 mg/kg dose of chitosan (COS group) for two weeks. Whilst no significant differences were found between the conditions for body weight or food and water intake, mice in the COS group had an increased serum D-lactate content (P < 0.05) and a decreased jejunal diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, mice in COS group displayed a reduced expression of occludin and ZO-1 (P < 0.05) and a reduced expression of occludin in the ileum (P < 0.05). The conclusion drawn from these findings showed that although 30 mg/kg COS-supplemented diet had no effect on body weight or feed intake in mice, this dosage may compromise intestinal barrier function and permeability. This research will contribute to the guidance on COS supplements.

Biological Effects and Applications of Chitosan and Chito-Oligosaccharides

“…Several studies have been suggested that the actual processes of antimicrobial activity could be occurred by changing the bacterial membrane permeability, cytoplasmic membrane barrier function or nutrient transport. In addition, the mechanism of antimicrobial activity mostly depends on MW, the degree of de-acetylation (DD), type of bacterium, pH, and the concentration of active compounds connected to chitosan and its derivatives (Jarmila and Eva, 2011; Guan et al, 2016).…”

“…Results showed that dietary COS increased stomach pH, IL-6 (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), and secretory IgA (duodenum and ileum), and reduced villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum. Thus the outcomes suggest that supplemental COS at low dosage may lead to immunological and oxidative stress in the small intestine and damage the integrity of the intestinal barrier in weaned piglets (Xiong et al, 2015; Guan et al, 2016).…”

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“…A noticeable rise in the intestinal permeation rate possibly due to the encapsulation of chitosan-phospholipid complex which opens the compact junctions of cytoplasmic transmembrane proteins occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 of epithelium cells and supports CAE to transfer paracellular. [38] The Bioadhesive nature of chitosan contributes to an improvement in residence time and a prolonged rate of adsorption at a mucosal site due to ionic interaction among positively charged alkaline polysaccharides of chitosan and negative charge of sialic acid groups in the intestine. [39] Stability study…”

A Review of the Preparation, Analysis and Biological Functions of Chitooligosaccharide

“…Besides, supplying ICR mice with a 30 mg/kg dose of chitosan supplements for two weeks did not affect growth performance but impaired intestinal barrier integrity manifested by increased serum D-lactate content and decreased jejunal diamine oxidase activity. Moreover, the gene expression of intestinal tight junction proteins that are indispensable to maintain tight junction stability and barrier function including occludin and ZO-1 was significantly reduced due to compromised intestinal barrier integrity [ 133 ].…”