Abstract
This study aimed to explore the effect of 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) on the gut health of aged mice. The results revealed that 2'-FL intervention effectively improved the intestinal permeability and reduced the serum diamine oxidase (DAO) level in aged mice (p < 0.05); in addition, 2'-FL increased the IgA level and decreased the IgG level (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, 2'-FL reduced the serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated that 2'-FL successfully reversed intestinal damage in the jejunum and colon. Additionally, 2'-FL increased the expression of the tight-junction proteins ZO-1 and Claudin-1 both at mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.05), and also down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β) (p < 0.05), and decreased aging-related markers P16(INK4α) and P21(Cip1). Furthermore, 16S rRNA results showed that 2'-FL increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. In conclusion, 2'-FL effectively improved the intestinal immune health of the aged mice and provided a theoretical basis for its application as a functional component in the treatment of intestinal diseases.