Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which has become one of the globally recognized threats to health in 21st. The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effects of berberine on intestinal mucosal barrier by regulating the intestinal flora in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats. Methods: A total of 33 rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, high diet model group and berberine group. Changes of intestinal microbiota were detected by the 454 pyrosequencing of the V4 region of 16SrRNA genes. Morphological changes of liver and ileum tissue and serum biochemical markers were observed. Results: Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria of M group were significantly decreased as compared to N group, while Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria of B group were significantly decreased as compared to M group. Hepatocytes swelling and number of fat vacuoles of rats in B group were relieved, and hepatocytes were arranged neatly as compared to M group. The intestinal mucosal villi in B group were plump, and arranged tight and neatly, and the tight junctions and smaller gaps were also observed in B group compared to M group. Conclusions: High-fat diet (HFD) can interrupt the intestinal flora and damage intestinal barrier. Berberine can reduce gut permeability and improve intestinal barrier in NAFLD rats. Moreover, berberine can reduce the variability of intestinal flora in NAFLD rats. Our results suggest that berberine may be the protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier in NAFLD rats.