Enhanced effect of κ-carrageenan on TNBS-induced inflammation in mice

Background: As a sulfated polysaccharide, carrageenan has been widely used as common food additive.

Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effects of κ-carrageenan on TNBS-induced gut inflammation in mice. BALB/c mice were pretreated with κ-carrageenan for 14days prior to the administration of TNBS.

Results: Our results showed that κ-carrageenan pretreatment aggravated the loss of body weight and further increased the mortality rate. Histological and morphological analyses revealed that the TNBS-induced colonic inflammation was deteriorated by the κ-carrageenan administration. The ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127dim/CD4(+) of the κ-carrageenan+TNBS groups was significantly lower than that of the TNBS group. The expression of IL-2, TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly increased, whereas the expression of IL-10 was significantly decreased in the κ-carrageenan+TNBS groups. In addition, κ-carrageenan, together with TNBS, decreased the Enzyme activity of SOD and GSH-px and up-regulated the expression of TLR4, NF-κB, p-ERK, p-JNK, p-Jun., IL-8 and MDA in the colonic mucosa.

Conclusions: κ-Carrageenan aggravated the TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation, and such an effect could be associated with the oxidative stress and activation of TLR4-NF-κB and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway.