Conclusion
Our results suggest KT as a promising therapeutic candidate to reduce intestinal permeability. Young animals with colitis showed more severe clinical signs and less survival rate than old mice with colitis, but this group responded better to fKT treatment than the old mice.
Methods
Leaky gut was induced in two groups of young and old age using dextran sodium sulfate in drinking water for seven days. Then, fKT was administered to the mice affected by colitis and compared with the age-matched normal and untreated animals with colitis.
Results
Survival rate of the fKT-treated young and old animals with colitis increased and weight loss decreased. Accordingly, digestive disorders characterized by bleeding and diarrhea were improved in fKT-treated mice. Molecular and histological examination indicated that expression of ZO-1 and ZO-2 was significantly improved in fKT-treated mice.