Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Administration Caused Physiological and Microbiota Changes in Rats

Sci Rep. 2020 Jan 21;10(1):866. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-57612-8.

Abstract

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used for the long-term treatment of gastroesophageal disorders and the non-prescription medicines for acid reflux. However, there is growing concerns about PPI misuse, overuse and abuse. This study aimed to develop an animal model to examine the effects of long-term use of PPI in vivo. Twenty one Wistar rats were given omeprazole orally or intravenously for 30 days, and caerulein as a positive control. After euthanization, the serum and stool were collected to perform MS-based quantitative analysis of metabolites. We carried out 16S-based profiling of fecal microbiota, assessed the expression of bile acid metabolism regulators and examined the immunopathological characteristics of bile ducts. After long-term PPI exposure, the fecal microbial profile was altered and showed similarity to those observed in high-fat diet studies. The concentrations of several metabolites were also changed in various specimens. Surprisingly, morphological changes were observed in the bile duct, including ductal epithelial proliferation, micropapillary growth of biliary epithelium, focal bile duct stricture formation and bile duct obstruction. These are characteristics of precancerous lesions of bile duct. FXR and RXRα expressions were significantly reduced, which were similar to that observed in cholangiocarcinoma in TCGA and Oncomine databases. We established a novel animal model to examine the effects of long-term use of omeprazole. The gut microbes and metabolic change are consequences of long-term PPI exposure. And the results showed the environment in vivo tends to a high-fat diet. More importantly, we observed biliary epithelial hyperplasia, which is an indicator of a high-fat diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bile Ducts / drug effects*
  • Bile Ducts / pathology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics
  • Cholestasis / chemically induced
  • Cholestasis / pathology
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Omeprazole / administration & dosage
  • Omeprazole / adverse effects*
  • Omeprazole / pharmacology
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha / metabolism
  • Tyrosine / blood
  • alpha-Tocopherol / blood

Substances

  • FXR1 protein, rat
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Retinoid X Receptor alpha
  • Tyrosine
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Omeprazole