Caffeine citrate effects on gastrointestinal permeability, bacterial translocation and biochemical parameters in newborn rats after long-term oral administration

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bouabsa, Foufa^{a; *} | Tir Touil, Aicha^a | Al Zoubi, Mazhar Salim^b | Chelli, Nadia^a | Leke, André^c | Meddah, Boumediene^a

Affiliations: [a] Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety Laboratory (LBGMSS), Nature and Life Sciences Faculty, Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, Algeria | [b] Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan | [c] Pediatric Neonatal Department, CHU Nord-Amiens, France

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Foufa Bouabsa, Ph.D student, Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety Laboratory (LBGMSS), Nature and Life Sciences Faculty, Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, 29000, Algeria. E-mail: foufa.bouabsa@univ-mascara.dz.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Caffeine is a potent central and respiratory acting agent used in neonatology to treat apnea in premature newborns. OBJECTIVE:This study investigates the effects of caffeine orally administered to newborn rats on gastrointestinal permeability, bacterial translocation and different biochemical parameters. METHODS:Newborn rats were divided into different groups (N = 06). The treated newborn rats were orally administered with standard caffeine doses (12 mg/kg per day), and the control groups received a placebo. The animals were weighed daily until sacrifice. Blood samples, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and organs were aseptically collected. Furthermore, different biochemical (D-Lactate) and oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, CAT, SOD and GSH) were examined. Microbiological analyses were performed to assess microbiota alterations and bacterial translocation. RESULTS:Preliminary results showed that caffeine administration decreased the level of bacterial translocation over time. The treatment reduced plasma D-lactate levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, caffeine induced a disturbance in the concentrations of biochemical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers. Indeed, liver enzymes (AST and ALT) were significantly (p < 0.05) risen after caffeine treatment. Glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly higher in caffeine treated groups (75.12±0.32; 51.98±1.12 U/mg; p < 0.05) comparing to control ones (40.82±0.25; 42.91±0.27 U/mg; p < 0.05) in the ileum and the colon, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Thus, besides improving gastrointestinal permeability, our data show that caffeine has beneficial effects on the intestinal antioxidant system.

Keywords: Caffeine, neonatal life, intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, oxidative stress parameters

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-211544

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 307-321, 2022