Advances in methods to evaluate gastrointestinal transport function

Cellular and molecular basis of intestinal barrier dysfunction in the irritable bowel syndrome

The etiopathogenesis of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders, is not well known. The most accepted hypothesis is that IBS is the result of the disturbance of the 'brain-gut axis.' Although the pathophysiological mechanisms of intestinal dysfunction are complex and not completely understood, stress, infections, gut flora, and altered immune response are thought to play a role in IBS development. The intestinal barrier, composed of a single-cell layer, forms a physical barrier that separates the intestinal lumen from the internal milieu. The loss of integrity of this barrier is related with mucosal immune activation and intestinal dysfunction in IBS. The number of mast cells and T lymphocytes is increased in the intestinal mucosa of certain IBS patients, and the mediators released by these cells could compromise the epithelial barrier function and alter nerve signaling within the enteric nervous system. The association of clinical symptoms to structural and functional abnormalities of the mucosal barrier in IBS patients highlights the importance of understanding the physiological role of the gut barrier in the pathogenesis of this disorder. This review summarizes the clinical and experimental evidences indicating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of IBS symptomatology, and its relevance for future translational research.

The NutriChip project – translating technology into nutritional knowledge

Advances in food transformation have dramatically increased the diversity of products on the market and, consequently, exposed consumers to a complex spectrum of bioactive nutrients whose potential risks and benefits have mostly not been confidently demonstrated. Therefore, tools are needed to efficiently screen products for selected physiological properties before they enter the market. NutriChip is an interdisciplinary modular project funded by the Swiss programme Nano-Tera, which groups scientists from several areas of research with the aim of developing analytical strategies that will enable functional screening of foods. The project focuses on postprandial inflammatory stress, which potentially contributes to the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. The first module of the NutriChip project is composed of three in vitro biochemical steps that mimic the digestion process, intestinal absorption, and subsequent modulation of immune cells by the bioavailable nutrients. The second module is a miniaturised form of the first module (gut-on-a-chip) that integrates a microfluidic-based cell co-culture system and super-resolution imaging technologies to provide a physiologically relevant fluid flow environment and allows sensitive real-time analysis of the products screened in vitro. The third module aims at validating the in vitro screening model by assessing the nutritional properties of selected food products in humans. Because of the immunomodulatory properties of milk as well as its amenability to technological transformation, dairy products have been selected as model foods. The NutriChip project reflects the opening of food and nutrition sciences to state-of-the-art technologies, a key step in the translation of transdisciplinary knowledge into nutritional advice.

Importance of disrupted intestinal barrier in inflammatory bowel diseases

The current paradigm of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), involves the interaction between environmental factors in the intestinal lumen and inappropriate host immune responses in genetically predisposed individuals. The intestinal mucosal barrier has evolved to maintain a delicate balance between absorbing essential nutrients while preventing the entry and responding to harmful contents. In IBD, disruptions of essential elements of the intestinal barrier lead to permeability defects. These barrier defects exacerbate the underlying immune system, subsequently resulting in tissue damage. The epithelial phenotype in active IBD is very similar in CD and UC. It is characterized by increased secretion of chloride and water, leading to diarrhea, increased permeability via both the transcellular and paracellular routes, and increased apoptosis of epithelial cells. The main cytokine that seems to drive these changes is tumor necrosis factor alpha in CD, whereas interleukin (IL)-13 may be more important in UC. Therapeutic restoration of the mucosal barrier would provide protection and prevent antigenic overload due to intestinal "leakiness." Here we give an overview of the key players of the intestinal mucosal barrier and review the current literature from studies in humans and human systems on mechanisms underlying mucosal barrier dysfunction in IBD.

The pig as an experimental model for elucidating the mechanisms governing dietary influence on mineral absorption

This review highlights the similarities between pigs and humans and thereby the value of the porcine human nutritional model, and reviews some of the more recent applications of this model for nutritional research.

Endoscopic biopsies in Ussing chambers evaluated for studies of macromolecular permeability in the human colon

OBJECTIVE

Studies of mucosal permeability to protein antigens in humans are limited to in vitro techniques. The use of surgical specimens for such studies has major shortcomings. Endoscopic biopsies in Ussing chambers have been introduced as a means of studying secretion and transepithelial permeability, but have not been evaluated for studies of protein antigen uptake in human intestine.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Standard forceps biopsies from the sigmoid colon of 24 healthy volunteers were mounted in Ussing chambers with an exposed tissue area of 1.76 mm2. 51Cr-EDTA (paracellular probe) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP; 45 kDa protein antigen) were used as permeability markers. Mucosal permeability, electrophysiology, histology and energy contents of the biopsies were studied over time. To evaluate the ability of the technique to detect permeability changes, the mucosa was modulated with capric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, known to affect tight junctions.

RESULTS

In the Ussing chamber the mucosal biopsies were viable for 160 min with stable levels of ATP and lactate, and only minor changes in morphology. Steady-state permeability with low variability was seen for both markers during the 30-90 min period. Exposure to capric acid induced a rapid decrease in short-circuit current (Isc) and a slower reversible decrease in transepithelial resistance (TER), as well as an increased permeability to 51Cr-EDTA and HRP.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic biopsies of human colon are viable in Ussing chambers and are reliable tools for studies of mucosal permeability to protein antigens. The technique offers a broad potential for studies of mucosal function in the pathophysiology of human gastrointestinal diseases.

Foxl1 null mice have abnormal intestinal epithelia, postnatal growth retardation, and defective intestinal glucose uptake

Mice lacking the mesenchymal winged helix transcription factor Foxl1 exhibit markedly abnormal small intestinal epithelia and postnatal growth retardation. We investigated whether defects in intestinal nutrient uptake and specific transport processes exist in mice homozygous for a Foxl1 null allele (Foxl1-/-). Foxl1-/- mice and controls on a defined genetic background were weighed regularly and killed at 2, 4, and 12 wk of age. Intestinal uptake studies, quantitative real-time PCR, RNase protection assays, and Western blot analyses were performed. Foxl1-/- mice have dysmorphic small intestinal epithelia and postnatal growth retardation. Foxl1-/- mice demonstrate decreased small intestinal uptake of D-glucose in all age groups studied. Intestinal uptake of D-fructose and two amino acids, L-proline and L-leucine, is not altered. Consistent with these findings, Foxl1-/- mice show decreased levels of the intestinal D-glucose transporter SGLT1. Expression of sucrase-isomaltase, lactase, GLUT2, and Na+-K+ ATPase are not changed. Foxl1-/- mice demonstrate markedly abnormal intestinal epithelia, postnatal growth retardation, and decreased intestinal uptake of D-glucose. The specific effect of Foxl1 on intestinal d-glucose uptake is due to decreased production of SGLT1 protein in the small intestine. Thus we identified, for the first time, a link between a mesenchymal factor, Foxl1, and the regulation of a specific epithelial transport process.

Animal and human models for studying effects of drugs on intestinal fluid transport in vivo

The understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of intestinal fluid transport has been derived from animal and human models of normal and perturbed intestines. This understanding helped in designing drugs and changing the composition of oral rehydration solutions in a targeted manner to affect intestinal fluid absorption/secretion that was tested both in vitro and in vivo before embarking on clinical trials. In this review, in vivo techniques used to study water transport in both animal and human models are described. In particular, steady state intestinal perfusion techniques, closed segment techniques, fistulous animal models, balance study models, enteropooling models, and isotope tracer models are reviewed. Advantages and drawbacks of each technique and examples where drug effects have been studied in a particular model are provided.