Intestinal barrier function in the naked mole-rat: an emergent model for gastrointestinal insights
Javier Aguilera‐Lizarraga, Anne Ritoux, David C. Bulmer, Ewan St. John Smith
2024American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology9 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF
Abstract
This is the first study to characterize the intestinal function of naked mole-rats. We found that these animals show a robust gut tissue structure, displaying thicker intestinal layers, longer villi, and larger crypts. Naked mole-rats showed more and larger goblet cells, with increased mucus content. Intestinal permeability, especially in the ileum, was substantially lower than that of mice. Finally, naked mole-rats showed reduced intestinal anion secretion in response to serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, capsaicin, and forskolin.
Topics & Concepts
Barrier functionIntestinal permeabilityEndocrinologyMucusInternal medicineChemistryIntestinal mucosaMoleBiologyCell biologyBiochemistryImmunologyMedicineEcologyBarrier Structure and Function StudiesGastrointestinal motility and disordersDiet and metabolism studies