Metformin protects against intestinal barrier dysfunction via AMPKα1-dependent inhibition of JNK signalling activation.

ABSTRACT: Disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier, that involves the activation of C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), contributes to initiate and accelerate inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. Metformin has unexpected beneficial effects other than glucose-lowering effects. Here, we provided evidence that metformin can protect against intestinal barrier dysfunction in colitis. We showed that metformin alleviated dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced decreases in transepithelial electrical resistance, FITC-dextran hyperpermeability, loss of the tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin and ZO-1 and bacterial translocation in Caco-2 cell monolayers or in colitis mice models. Metformin also improved TJ proteins expression in ulcerative colitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We found tha

SUBMITTER: Deng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5742676 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature