Chestnut Shell Tannins: Effects on Intestinal Inflammation and Dysbiosis in Zebrafish

• Main Authors: Graziella Orso, Mikhail M. Solovyev, Serena Facchiano, Evgeniia Tyrikova, Daniela Sateriale, Elena Kashinskaya, Caterina Pagliarulo, Hossein S. Hoseinifar, Evgeniy Simonov, Ettore Varricchio, Marina Paolucci, Roberta Imperatore
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: zebrafish; intestinal inflammation; microbiota; polyphenols; prebiotics; cytokines
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1538

The aim of the present study was to test the possible ameliorative efficacy of phytochemicals such as tannins on intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. The effect of a chestnut shell (<i>Castanea sativa</i>) extract (CSE) rich in polyphenols, mainly represented by tannins, on k-carrageenan-induced intestinal inflammation in adult zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) was tested in a feeding trial. Intestinal inflammation was induced by 0.1% k-carrageenan added to the diet for 10 days. CSE was administered for 10 days after k-carrageenan induced inflammation. The intestinal morphology and histopathology, cytokine expression, and microbiota were analyzed. The k-carrageenan treatment led to gut lumen expansion, reduction of intestinal folds, and increase of the goblet cells number, accompanied by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors (TNFα, COX2) and alteration in the number and ratio of taxonomic groups of bacteria. CSE counteracted the inflammatory status enhancing the growth of health helpful bacteria (<i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> and <i>Pseudomonas</i>), decreasing the pro-inflammatory factors, and activating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, CSE acted as a prebiotic on zebrafish gut microbiota, sustaining the use of tannins as food additives to ameliorate the intestinal inflammation. Our results may be relevant for both aquaculture and medical clinic fields.