Lutein Prevents Liver Injury and Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Rats Subjected to Chronic Alcohol Intake

Abstract

Chronic alcohol intake can affect both liver and intestinal barrier function. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the function and mechanism of lutein administration on the chronic ethanol-induced liver and intestinal barrier damage in rats. During the 14-week experimental cycle, seventy rats were randomly divided into seven groups, with 10 rats in each group: a normal control group (Co), a control group of lutein interventions (24 mg/kg/day), an ethanol model group (Et, 8–12 mL/kg/day of 56% (v/v) ethanol), three intervention groups with lutein (12, 24 and 48 mg/kg/day) and a positive control group (DG). The results showed that liver index, ALT, AST and TG levels were increased, and SOD and GSH-Px levels were reduced in the Et group. Furthermore, alcohol intake over a long time increased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, disrupted the intestinal barrier, and stimulated the release of LPS, causing further liver injury. In contrast, lutein interventions prevented alcohol-induced alterations in liver tissue, oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, the protein expression of Claudin-1 and Occludin in ileal tissues was upregulated by lutein intervention. In conclusion, lutein can improve chronic alcoholic liver injury and intestinal barrier dysfunction in rats.

Hovenia dulcis: a Chinese medicine that plays an essential role in alcohol-associated liver disease

“…Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a key transcription factor in regulating inflammatory responses and a key component of intracellular signaling cascades ( Xing et al, 2021 ). Naringenin, Lutein, Myricetin, and Apigenin reduce ethanol-induced levels of the hepatocyte inflammatory factor NF-κB ( Jayaraman et al, 2012 ; Wang et al, 2017 ; Guo et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2023 ). Activation of NF-κB stimulates the production of various inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ( Jayaraman et al, 2012 ; Du et al, 2015 ; Zhao et al, 2016 ).…”

“…These are critical inflammatory factors in alcoholic liver injury and induce further necrosis, apoptosis, and exacerbation of inflammatory response in hepatic cells ( Yuan et al, 2022 ). Quercetin reduces the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL -6 levels ( Chen, 2010 ); DHM and lutein can reduce TNF-α, and IL-1β ( Shen et al, 2012 ; Zhao et al, 2023 ), and myricetin can also reduce IL-6, and TNF-α levels ( Guo et al, 2019 ; Ahmad et al, 2022 ). Naringenin, and apigenin can only reduce the concentration of TNF-α ( Jayaraman et al, 2012 ; Wang et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Normal tissues have low levels of Cox-2 expression; however, an inflammatory stimulation increases Cox-2 expression with subsequent production of prostaglandins ( Jayaraman et al, 2012 ). The inflammatory protective mechanism of naringenin and lutein mainly consists of inhibiting the overexpression of Cox-2 induced by alcohol exposure ( Jayaraman et al, 2012 ; Zhao et al, 2023 ). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is the enzyme responsible for NO production and is not present in most cells under normal conditions.…”

“…Its expression is inducible, often associated with inflammation and malignant diseases ( Kielbik et al, 2019 ), and is a downstream gene of NF-κB ( Du et al, 2015 ). Lutein supplementation reverses alcohol-induced changes in iNOS, an indicator of inflammation ( Zhao et al, 2023 ).…”

Intra-Amniotic Administration of Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Soluble Extract Improved Gut Functionality and Morphology In Vivo (Gallus gallus)

“…Anacardium occidentale L. contains various nutrients and bioactive compounds, including monounsaturated fatty acids, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E as tocopherols, dietary fibers, flavonoids, catechins, amino acids, minerals, anacardic acids, cardanols, cardols, and phytosterols [ 21 , 24 , 25 ]. Most of these bioactive compounds present in cashew nuts play an important role in gut health as demonstrated by studies; catechins can modulate microbiota [ 26 ], selenium can affect gut microbial colonization avoiding health damage associated with dysbiosis [ 27 ], β-carotene can increase tight junctions expression (ZO-1, ZO-2, occludin), MUC-2 and MUC-3 expression, and increase villus height and villi height/crypt depth ratio [ 28 , 29 ], and lutein can decrease crypt depth [ 30 ]. Furthermore, flavonoids can modulate biomarkers relevant to intestinal inflammation [ 31 ].…”