Prebiocran™

Supports Gut Barrier Function In Vivo And In Vitro

Animal Models

Anhê et al., 2015 ; Anhê et al., 2017 ; Daoust et al. 2021 ; Medina-Larqué et al., 2022 ; Feldman et al., 2023

Prebiocran™ was added to a high-fat high-sucrose diet at a daily dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight during 8 to 12 weeks in several mouse studies. Results included a prevention of endotoxemia (i.e., levels of plasma lipopolysaccharide) and intestinal inflammation, and a promotion of intestinal barrier strength, with:

- A decrease of jejunal inflammation markers (COX2, TNF-α, NF-κB) gene expression

- An increase of mucin production

- An increase of the expression of genes involved in Goblet cells differentiation

Cellular Models

Denis et al., 2015; Koudoufio et al., 2021; Tinoco-Mar, unpublished data

Two cellular models were used to highlight the specific action of proanthocyanidins (PACs) isolated from Prebiocran™ on the gut barrier composition and function: mouse organoids and Caco-2/15 cell lines.

The mouse organoid is a complex multicellular in vitro system mimicking a mini-intestine. A fraction of Prebiocran™, purified in PACs, was incubated with organoids to measure the impact on gut endothelium composition. Results showed that Prebiocran™ PACs, in a complex in vitro system, time and dose-dependently increases Muc2 and Klf4, some key biomarkers of intestinal strengthening involved in Goblet cells differentiation and mucin production.

Caco-2/15 fully differentiated intestinal cell line was also used with PACs isolated from Prebiocran™ to demonstrate its effect of the gut barrier function. Prebiocran™ fraction was shown in vitro to protect against inflammation and oxidation, improve lipid homeostasis and modulate gut insulin signaling pathway.