Abstract:Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) was used to induce colitis in mice, and the effects of feruloylated oligosaccharides(FOs) on alleviating colitis and regulating intestinal flora imbalance were investigated by tissue sectioning combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that compared to the DSS group, FOs ameliorated the histological damage, up-regulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, exerting protective effects on the intestinal barrier. In addition, FOs improved the colitis-induced imbalance in the intestinal microbiota of mice, decreased the abundance ratio of the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, increased the abundance of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Muribaculaceae, and inhibited the colonization of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus. Compared to the normal group, FOs significantly increased the content of colonic short-chain fatty acids, positively affecting the intestinal micro-ecology. The results indicated that FOs could regulate DSS-induced intestinal flora disorders, optimize intestinal flora structure, improve intestinal flora diversity, and effectively ameliorate colonic inflammation.
