Chronic Stress That Changed Intestinal Permeability and Induced Inflammation Was Restored by Estrogen

Chronic psychological stress affects the health of humans and animals (especially females or pregnant bodies). In this study, a stress-induced model was established by placing eight-week-old female and pregnant mice in centrifuge tubes for 4 h to determine whether chronic stress affects the intestinal mucosal barrier and microbiota composition of pregnant mice. Compared with the control group, we found that norepinephrine (NE), corticosterone (CORT), and estradiol (E-2) in plasma increased significantly in the stress group. We then observed a decreased down-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which resulted in colonic mucosal injury, including a reduced number of goblet cells, proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells, caspase-3, and expression of tight junction mRNA and protein. Moreover, the diversity and richness of the colonic microbiota decreased in pregnant mice. Bacteroidetes decreased, and pernicious bacteria were markedly increased. At last, we found E-2 protects the intestinal epithelial cells after H2O2 treatment. Results suggested that 25 pg/mL E-2 provides better protection for intestinal barrier after chronic stress, which greatly affected the intestinal mucosal barrier and altered the colonic microbiota composition.

Automated summary

Chronic psychological stress affects pregnant mice by increasing norepinephrine, corticosterone, and estradiol levels in the plasma. This stress-induced model resulted in colonic mucosal injury, decreased diversity and richness of the colonic microbiota, and an imbalance in the composition of beneficial and harmful bacteria. Additionally, the study found that estradiol provides better protection for the intestinal barrier after chronic stress.