Baicalin Alleviates Short-Term Lincomycin-Induced Intestinal and Liver Injury and Inflammation in Infant Mice

Abstract

The adverse effects of short-term megadose of antibiotics exposure on the gastrointestinal and liver tissue reactions in young children have been reported. Antibiotic-induced intestinal and liver reactions are usually unpredictable and present a poorly understood pathogenesis. It is, therefore, necessary to develop strategies for reducing the adverse effects of antibiotics. Studies on the harm and rescue measures of antibiotics from the perspective of the gut–liver system are lacking. Here, we demonstrate that lincomycin exposure reduced body weight, disrupted the composition of gut microbiota and intestinal morphology, triggered immune-mediated injury and inflammation, caused liver dysfunction, and affected lipid metabolism. However, baicalin administration attenuated the lincomycin-induced changes. Transcriptome analysis showed that baicalin improved immunity in mice, as evidenced by the decreased levels of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and expression of genes that regulate Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell differentiation, and inhibited mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis pathways. In addition, baicalin improved liver function by upregulating the expression of genes involved in bile acid secretion and lipid degradation, and downregulating genes involved in lipid synthesis in lincomycin-treated mice. Bile acids can regulate intestinal immunity and strengthen hepatoenteric circulation. In addition, baicalin also improved anti-inflammatory bacteria abundance (Blautia and Coprobacillus) and reduced pathogenic bacteria abundance (Proteobacteria, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter) in lincomycin-treated mice. Thus, baicalin can ameliorate antibiotic-induced injury and its associated complications such as liver disease.