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Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce non‐receptor‐mediated transcellular permeation of protein across a model of intestinal epithelium in vitro
Author(s) -
Rosella Ourania,
Sinclair Andrew,
Gibson Peter R
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02215.x
Subject(s) - paracellular transport , transcellular , polyunsaturated fatty acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , linoleic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , oleic acid , biochemistry , fatty acid , caco 2 , arachidonic acid , palmitic acid , chemistry , biology , permeability (electromagnetism) , in vitro , enzyme , membrane
Background: Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids influence the natural history of intestinal inflammatory diseases. Varying the types of long‐chain fatty acids that are exposed to cells alters the physicochemical properties of cell membranes. This study aimed to determine whether such variations alter transcellular and paracellular permeability in intestinal epithelium.Methods: Monolayers of Caco‐2 cells, allowed to differentiate by culturing for 7 days following confluence, were used as the model for intestinal epithelium. Paracellular permeability was assessed by measurement of transepithelial resistance, while transcellular permeability was assessed by the transepithelial flux of horseradish peroxidase.Results: Exposure of the cells to 100 μmol/L of palmitic acid, oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or linoleic acid, was not toxic to cells (measured by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase), and altered cell membrane fatty acid composition (as measured by gas chromatography). Flux of horseradish peroxidase was significantly affected by 24 h fatty acid exposure ( P = 0.038, ANOVA ), being decreased by 23 ± 6% (mean ± SEM) by eicosapentaenoic acid and 25 ± 3% by linoleic acid. Oleic acid, palmitic acid and butyrate, had no effect. Transepithelial resistance also varied significantly across the treatment groups ( P < 0.001) due to a 28 ± 5% increase induced by butyrate. The long‐chain fatty acids had no effect.Conclusions: Both ω‐3 and ω‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce transcellular, non‐receptor‐mediated permeation of proteins across differentiated Caco2 cell monolayers, without altering paracellular permeability. Alteration of intestinal barrier function should be considered as a possible mechanism of action of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids.