Open AccessEffects of phycocyanin in modulating the intestinal microbiota of mice
Author(s) -
Xie Yuanyuan,
Li Wenjun,
Zhu Limeng,
Zhai Shixiang,
Qin Song,
Du Zhenning
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
microbiologyopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.881
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 2045-8827
DOI - 10.1002/mbo3.825
Subject(s) - lachnospiraceae , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , lipopolysaccharide , intestinal permeability , gut flora , h&e stain , barrier function , biology , feces , bacteroidetes , chemistry , immunology , 16s ribosomal rna , firmicutes , immunohistochemistry , genetics
The health‐promoting effects of phycocyanin (PC) have become widely accepted over the last two decades. In this study, we investigated the effects of different doses of PC in modulating the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal barrier in mice. Six‐week‐old male C57BL/6 mice were treated with PC for 28 days. Fecal samples were collected before and after PC intervention, and the microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing. Bacterial abundance and diversity increased after PC intervention. Saccharolytic bacteria of the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, which can produce butyric acid, increased after PC treatment. The family Rikenellaceae, which contains hydrogen‐producing bacteria, also increased after PC intervention. The PC treatment reduced intestinal permeability and increased the intestinal barrier function, as demonstrated by hematoxylin–eosin staining and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide levels. The modulating effects on the intestinal microbiota were more favorable in the low‐dose PC group.