Goji-Derived Exosomes-Like Nanoparticles Ameliorate Alcohol-Induced Acute Liver Injury by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites
Lin Guo, Qiao Ding, Wenhui Duan, Qijie Guan, Yilin Ren, Yuzheng Xue, Xiaojuan Zhang, Yan Geng
Abstract
Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) contain many bioactive components. Here, Goji-derived ELNs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and Zeta potential analysis. These ELNs can improve the symptoms of liver injury in alcohol-induced acute liver disease (ALD) in mice, demonstrated by histology of liver sections and serum biomarker levels. Specifically, ELNs elevated the transcriptional level expression of hepatic antioxidant-related genes and colonic barrier-related genes. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that ELNs modulated gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of <i>Akkermansia</i>. Furthermore, metabolomics analysis shows that the protective effects of ELNs on alcohol-damaged intestinal barrier and mucus layer structure may be associated with increased L-asparagine, L-serine, D-glucuronic acid, as well as unsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the mouse caecum. Overall, these findings suggest that the Goji-derived ELNs can modify gut microbiota and its metabolites, potentially emerging as a novel agent for the treatment of alcohol-induced ALD.