Gut microbiota and gut mucosal barrier in hibernating animals

本研究探讨了冬眠动物肠道菌群和肠道黏膜屏障的调控。在冬眠的叙利亚仓鼠，我们观察到较高浓度的分泌性抗体的小肠内容物，这表明其有助于保护免受感染。事实上，在冬眠仓鼠的肠系膜淋巴结中没有观察到细菌。免疫组织中淋巴细胞分布的分析表明，冬眠仓鼠的肠道中可能保持了抵抗感染和调节免疫功能的能力。此外，我们还发现冬眠仓鼠肠上皮细胞的更新明显迟缓。

This study investigated the control of gut microbiota and gut mucosal barrier in hibernating animals. In hibernating Syrian hamsters, we observed higher concentrations of secretory antibodies in the small intestinal contents, suggesting its contribution to protection against infection. Indeed, no bacteria were observed in the mesenteric lymph node of hibernating hamsters. Analysis of lymphocyte profiles in the immune tissues indicated that ability to protect against infection and to regulate immune function may be maintained in the gut of hibernating hamsters. Furthermore, we found that cell renewal of intestinal epithelium is markedly retarded in hibernating hamsters.