Deferiprone has less benefits on gut microbiota and metabolites in high iron-diet induced iron overload thalassemic mice than in iron overload wild-type mice: A preclinical study

Journal article

Authors/Editors

WEERAYUTH KITTICHOTIRAT

Strategic Research Themes

Other (Strategic Research Themes)

Publication Details

Author list: Sriwichaiin, Sirawit; Thiennimitr, Parameth; Thonusin, Chanisa; Sarichai, Phinitphong; Buddhasiri, Songphon; Kumfu, Sirinart; Nawara, Wichwara; Kittichotirat, Weerayuth; Fucharoen, Suthath; Chattipakorn, Nipon; Chattipakorn, Siriporn C.;

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication year: 2022

Volume number: 307

ISSN: 0024-3205

eISSN: 1879-0631

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85135844988&doi=10.1016%2fj.lfs.2022.120871&partnerID=40&md5=6587f3f8be187770cac466ee96e31537

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the changes in gut microbiota in iron-overload thalassemia and the roles of an iron chelator on gut dysbiosis/inflammation, and metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Main methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice both wild-type (WT: n = 15) and heterozygous β-thalassemia (BKO: n = 15) were fed on either a normal (ND: n = 5/group) or a high‑iron diet for four months (HFe: n = 10/group). HFe-treated WT and HFe-treated BKO groups were further subdivided into two subgroups and each subgroup given either vehicle (n = 5/subgroup) or deferiprone (n = 5/subgroup) during the last month. Gut microbiota profiles, gut barrier characteristics, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and plasma SCFAs and TMAO were determined at the end of the study. Key findings: HFe-fed WT mice showed distinct gut microbiota profiles from those of ND-fed WT mice, whereas HFe-fed BKO mice showed slightly different gut microbiota profiles from ND-fed BKO. Gut inflammation and barrier disruption were found only in HFe-fed BKO mice, however, an increase in plasma TMAO levels and decreased levels of SCFAs were observed in both WT and BKO mice with HFe-feeding. Treatment with deferiprone, gut dysbiosis and disturbance of metabolites were attenuated in HFe-fed WT mice, but not in HFe-fed BKO mice. Increased Verrucomicrobia and Ruminococcaceae were associated with the beneficial effects of deferiprone. Significance: Iron-overload leads to gut dysbiosis/inflammation and disturbance of metabolites, and deferiprone alleviates those conditions more effectively in WT than in those that are thalassemic. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

Gut dysbiosis, Iron overload, Thalassemia