Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a widespread mycotoxin and causes anorexia and emesis in humans and animals; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-characterized probiotic, can improve intestinal barrier function and modulate immune response. Currently, it is unclear whether LGG has a beneficial effect on DON-induced anorexia. In the present study, mice were treated with DON, LGG, or both by gavage for 28 days to evaluate the effects of LGG on DON-induced anorexia. Antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) experiment were also conducted to investigate the link between DON, LGG, and gut microbiota. LGG significantly increased the villus height and reduced the crypt depth in jejunum and ileum, enhanced the tight junction proteins expression in the intestine, and regulated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, consequently attenuating the intestinal inflammation caused by DON. In addition, LGG increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and butyric acid production of cecal contents; remodeled phenylalanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism; reduced plasma peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations; and promoted hypothalamic NPY and AgPR gene expression, which will further promote food intake and reduce weight loss, ultimately alleviating DON-induced anorexia in mice. Interestingly, antibiotic treatment diminished the intestinal toxicity of DON. The FMT experiment showed that DON-originated microbiota promotes intestinal inflammation and anorexia, while LGG + DON-originated microbiota has no adverse effects on mice. Both antibiotic treatment and FMT experiment have proved that gut microbiota was the primary vector for DON to exert its toxic effects and an essential mediator of LGG protection. In summary, our findings demonstrate that gut microbiota plays essential roles in DON-induced anorexia, and LGG can reduce the adverse effects caused by DON through its structure and regulate the gut microbiota, which may lay the important scientific foundation for future applications of LGG in food and feed products.
Keywords: TLR4/NF-κB; antibiotic treatment; fecal microbiota transplant; intestinal inflammation; metabolome; mice.