Apple juice relieves loperamide-induced constipation in rats by downregulating the intestinal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter ASBT

Food Funct. 2023 May 22;14(10):4836-4846. doi: 10.1039/d3fo00510k.

Abstract

Apples are known to exhibit various beneficial effects on human health. In the present study, we investigated the effect of continuous intake of apple juice (AJ) on constipation status. A single dose of loperamide in rats as the constipation model markedly decreased the weight and number of fecal pellets compared to saline-administered rats as a control. After the administration of AJ twice a day for seven days, recovery of defecation close to that of the control was observed in loperamide-treated rats. In addition, the total bile acid content in the feces increased from day 4 after the administration of AJ. Among hepatic and intestinal transporters and enzymes that regulate bile acids, the mRNA expression of the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt, slc10a2) was decreased by AJ in rats. Furthermore, the Asbt-mediated bile acid transport activity in the rat ileum decreased after AJ administration. Moreover, in human colonic cancer-derived Caco-2 cells, AJ exposure for 24 and 48 h decreased the expressions of ASBT mRNA and protein, and the uptake activity of taurocholic acid in both 7- and 21-d cultures. Several components of AJ, such as procyanidins, decreased the expression of ASBT in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, ASBT downregulation is a possible mechanism responsible for the constipation-relieving effect of apples, and procyanidins may play a role in downregulating ASBT, which leads to the beneficial effects of apples against constipation. Although it is generally agreed that the common dietary compositions play a role in constipation relief, the novel specific mechanism of apples found in this study would facilitate understanding food functions.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Constipation / chemically induced
  • Constipation / drug therapy
  • Constipation / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ileum / metabolism
  • Loperamide / adverse effects
  • Malus* / metabolism
  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent / genetics
  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent / metabolism
  • Proanthocyanidins* / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Symporters* / genetics
  • Symporters* / metabolism

Substances

  • sodium-bile acid cotransporter
  • Loperamide
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Symporters
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent
  • RNA, Messenger