Structural, functional and molecular analysis of the effects of aging in the small intestine and colon of C57BL/6J mice

Steegenga, Wilma T., de Wit, Nicole J. W., Boekschoten, Mark V., Ijssennagger, Noortje, Lute, Carolien, Keshtkar, Shohreh, Bromhaar, Mechteld M Grootte, Kampman, Ellen, de Groot, Lisette C. and Muller, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5930-9905 (2012) Structural, functional and molecular analysis of the effects of aging in the small intestine and colon of C57BL/6J mice. BMC Medical Genomics, 5. ISSN 1755-8794

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Background: By regulating digestion and absorption of nutrients and providing a barrier against the external environment the intestine provides a crucial contribution to the maintenance of health. To what extent aging-related changes in the intestinal system contribute to the functional decline associated with aging is still under debate. Methods: Young (4 M) and old (21 M) male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control low-fat (10E%) or a high-fat diet (45E%) for 2 weeks. During the intervention gross energy intake and energy excretion in the feces were measured. After sacrifice the small and large intestine were isolated and the small intestine was divided in three equal parts. Swiss rolls were prepared of each of the isolated segments for histological analysis and the luminal content was isolated to examine alterations in the microflora with 16S rRNA Q-PCR. Furthermore, mucosal scrapings were isolated from each segment to determine differential gene expression by microarray analysis and global DNA methylation by pyrosequencing. Results: Digestible energy intake was similar between the two age groups on both the control and the high-fat diet. Microarray analysis on RNA from intestinal scrapings showed no marked changes in expression of genes involved in metabolic processes. Decreased expression of Cubilin was observed in the intestine of 21-month-old mice, which might contribute to aging-induced vitamin B12 deficiency. Furthermore, microarray data analysis revealed enhanced expression of a large number of genes involved in immune response and inflammation in the colon, but not in the small intestine of the 21-month-old mice. Aging-induced global hypomethylation was observed in the colon and the distal part of the small intestine, but not in the first two sections of the small intestine. Conclusion: In 21-month old mice the most pronounced effects of aging were observed in the colon, whereas very few changes were observed in the small intestine.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: aging,small intestine,colon,transcriptomics,fat,diet,dna methylation,6j mice,morphology,microbiota
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 10 Jun 2014 20:40
Last Modified: 24 Oct 2022 06:05
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/47645
DOI: 10.1186/1755-8794-5-38

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item