J Appl Biomed 23:45-55, 2025 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2025.003

Seleno-chitooligosaccharide-induced modulation of intestinal barrier function: Role of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, and gut microbiota in mice

Zhuo-Hong He^{1 a}, Ye Jin^{1 a}, Die Chen^{1, *}, Hui-Xin Zheng¹, Jia-Er Xiang¹, Yong-Jun Jiang¹, Zheng-Shun Wen^{1, 2, *}

¹ Zhejiang Ocean University, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical Products, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province 316022, China

² Xianghu Lab, Venture Valley Building, 168 Gengwen Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 311231, China

This study aimed to explore the function of Seleno-chitooligosaccharide (SOA) on the intestinal barrier through regulation of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction protein, and gut microbiota in mice. The results of ELISA assay demonstrated that SOA significantly increased the levels of IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ in serum and ileum. Meanwhile, SOA increased the levels of IL-4 in the ileum (p < 0.05). In addition, Diamine Oxidase (DAO) concentration was decreased in ileum by SOA treatments (p < 0.05). The administration of SOA significantly upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in the ileum (p < 0.05). By 16S rDNA sequencing, reduced ratio of Bacillota/Bacteroidota was observed in SOA treated mice. Within the phylum of Bacteroidota, SOA increased the relative abundance of Deferribacterota, uncultured Bacteroidales bacterium, and Bacteroides. Within the phylum of Bacillota, increased relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium and Lachnoclostridium, and reduced relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 were observed with SOA supplement. In summary, SOA has the potential to modulate the function of intestinal barrier function and prevent intestinal diseases.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; Inflammatory; Intestinal barrier; Seleno-chitooligosaccharide (SOA)

Grants and funding:

This work was supported by grants from the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang Province (2022C02043; 2022C02059), Open Fund for the Key Laboratory of Efficient Development and Utilization of Deep Blue Fisheries Resources of Zhejiang Province (SL2022012), National College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program (202110340016), College Students Science and Technology Innovation Activity Project of Zhejiang Province (New Talent Plan, 2023R411010).

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: December 11, 2023; Revised: March 18, 2025; Accepted: March 26, 2025; Published: March 27, 2025  Show citation