Maternal acrylamide exposure changes intestinal epithelium, immunolocalization of leptin and ghrelin and their receptors, and gut barrier in weaned offspring

Abstract

Acrylamide (ACR) is an amide formed as a byproduct in many heat-processed starchy-rich foods. In utero ACR exposure has been associated with restricted fetal growth, but its effects of postnatal functional development of small intestine is completely unknown. The current study investigated the time- and segment-dependent effects of prenatal ACR exposure on morphological and functional development of small intestine in weaned rat offspring. Four groups of pregnant female Wistar rats were exposed to ACR (3 mg/kg b.w./day) for 0, 5, 10 and 15 days during pregnancy. Basal intestinal morphology, immunolocalization of gut hormones responsible for food intake and proteins of intestinal barrier, activity of the intestinal brush border disaccharidases, apoptosis and proliferation in intestinal mucosa were analyzed in offspring at weaning (postnatal day 21). The results showed that in utero ACR exposure disturbs offspring gut structural and functional postnatal development in a time- and segment-depended manner and even a short prenatal exposure to ACR resulted in changes in intestinal morphology, immunolocalization of leptin and ghrelin and their receptors, barrier function, activity of gut enzymes and upregulation of apoptosis and proliferation. In conclusion, prenatal ACR exposure disturbed the proper postnatal development of small intestine.

Effects of Anticoccidial Vaccination and Taraxacum officinale Extract on the Growth Performance, Biochemical Parameters, Immunity, and Intestinal Morphology of Eimeria-Challenged Chickens

“…OD calculations followed the ImageJ protocol and used a Kodak 3-step calibration tablet in conjunction with ImageJ’s integrated Rodbard function. This translated the 8-bit pixel values into calibrated OD readings [ 33 ]. Representative images of the IHC reactions for zonula occludens-1 and claudin-3 on formaldehyde-fixed sections from the jejunum are presented as supplementary material (Figure S1) .…”

Gut-targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review

“…Implantable gastrointestinal stimulation devices used for T2DM treatment have the following characteristics: they are often driven by electricity and directly or indirectly stimulate the intestinal nerves or alter the intestinal morphology to affect local and even systemic hormone secretion[ 14 , 15 ]. The advantages of these devices lie in their relatively clear treatment mechanisms, including regulation of hormone homeostasis led by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)[ 16 , 17 ], as well as neuro-immune homeostasis composed of C-fibers and A-fibers[ 18 , 19 ].…”

Dietary Exposure to Acrylamide Has Negative Effects on the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Review

“…ACR has also been shown to cross the placenta and to have an adverse impact on the development of the gastrointestinal tract in the offspring of mothers exposed to ACR in pregnancy [36,40,54]. Exposure to ACR of Wistar rats at 3 mg/kg b.w./day for 0, 5, 10, and 15 days disrupts the structural and functional development of the small intestine in weaned offspring, depending on the time and the intestine segment.…”

“…Despite numerous studies on the effect of ACR on the digestive tract, no comprehensive analysis of the impact of this compound on the morphology, innervation, and secretory functions of the digestive system has been made so far. According to the findings of studies conducted to date, oral exposure to ACR leads to the modification of intestine morphology and the activity of intestinal enzymes, as well as disruption of enteric nervous system function [36][37][38][39][40]. It also affects the gut microbiome and increases apoptosis, leading to the alimentary tract dysfunction [24,37,41].…”