Emu Oil-modulated faecal microbiota transplantation restores distal colonic barrier function in a mouse model of Crohn’s-like colitis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) demonstrated improved intestinal barrier function and clinical indicators in Crohn’s disease. Previously, Emu Oil (EO) demonstrated anti-inflammatory and reparative properties in experimentally-induced Crohn’s-like colitis. We aimed to determine whether EO-modulated FMT would reduce disease severity in a mouse model of Crohn’s-like colitis. Methods Female ARC(s) mice were allocated to FMT donor (n = 5/group) and recipient (n = 10/group) groups. Donor mice were orally-administered either Water (80µl), Olive Oil (OO; 160µl) or EO (160µl) for 7 days, followed by 3 days of faecal collection. Recipient mice received a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) enema (120µl, 3mg; day 0), inducing Crohn’s-like colitis and intrarectally-administered donor faecal supernatant (120µl; day 3). Bodyweight and disease activity were recorded daily and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran was orally-administered (500mg/kg) before euthanasia (day 6). Colonic mucin-secreting goblet cell counts and crypt depth measurements were determined histologically. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results TNBS induced bodyweight loss and increased disease activity in all groups (p < 0.05). Bodyweights normalised for all groups on day 6, however, only EO FMT normalised disease activity on day 6 compared with day 0. EO FMT significantly increased colonic mucin cell counts compared with Water FMT (27.5%; p < 0.05) and OO FMT (33.3%; p < 0.05) in TNBS-treated mice. EO nor OO FMT influenced FITC-dextran uptake or colonic crypt depth compared with Water FMT (p > 0.05). Conclusion EO-modulated FMT increased colonic mucin cell counts, suggesting a potential role in the management of Crohn’s disease. Future studies would benefit from investigating the impact of EO-modulated FMT on other clinical indicators of disease and gastrointestinal microbiome.