LIVER-INTESTINE AXIS IN CIRRHOSIS: EFFECTS OF MODERATE PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND MELATONIN ON INTESTINAL DAMAGE

Introduction and Objectives

The liver-gut axis represents the connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. Intestinal homeostasis depends on the liver, which receives blood from the intestine and secretes bile, influencing its functions. Liver cirrhosis compromises this dynamic, which can cause intestinal alterations. Physical exercise (EX) has beneficial effects in several pathological conditions. Melatonin (MLT) stands out for its antioxidant action. The objective is to investigate the intestinal alterations caused by secondary biliary cirrhosis and the effects of EX and MLT.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-six male Wistar rats were distributed into the following groups: control (CO), BDL (bile duct ligation), BDL+EX and BDL+MLT. The EX consisted of moderate swimming (10 min/day) starting on the 15th day after surgery. MLT was administered intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg/day) during the same period. On the 29th day, the animals were euthanized for blood and colon collection. Data were analyzed by ANOVA - Student-Newman-Keuls (p<0.05).

Results

The enzymes AST, ALT and ALP increased in the BDL group, with a significant reduction in the BDL+EX and BDL+MLT groups (p<0.001). In histology (HE), BDL showed crypt destruction, edema and inflammatory infiltrate. The treated groups showed reduced damage and a structure similar to CO. The SOD and TLR4 showed reduced expression of these markers in the BLD+EX and BDL+MLT groups when compared to the BDL group (p<0.001). The NFkβ showed intense labeling in BDL and reduction with EX and MLT (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The EX and MLT showed protective effects in this experimental model, improving biochemical, histological and molecular parameters in the liver-intestinal axis.

Conflict of interest: None

Histology of the intestine by HE