Small Intestine Neuromuscular Dysfunctions and Neurogliopathy in a Mouse Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity: Involvement of Toll-Like Receptor 4.

ABSTRACT: Obesity is associated with enteric dysfunctions, including gut dysmotility and neurodegeneration, which may involve Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. To investigate this relationship, we examined the impact of TLR4 deficiency on the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the small intestine in a mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Male TLR4^-/- and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were fed either a standard diet (SD; 18% kcal fat) or an HFD (60% kcal fat) for 8 weeks. ENS alterations were evaluated using real-time qPCR and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy on longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LMMP) whole-mount preparations. Alterations in gut motility were evaluated by assessing stool frequency, transit of a fluorescent-labeled marker, and isometric motor respo

SUBMITTER: Faggin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12608152 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature