Disease progression-associated alterations in fecal metabolites in SAMP1/YitFc mice, a Crohn’s disease model

INTRODUCTION: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Although its precise etiology has not been fully elucidated, imbalance of the intestinal microbiota has been known to play a role in CD. Fecal metabolites may be related to the onset and progression of CD.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the transition of fecal metabolites associated with disease progression using SAMP1/YitFc mice, mouse models of spontaneous CD.
METHODS: Feces from control ICR (n = 6) and SAMP1/YitFc (n = 8) mice at different ages were subjected to 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. The obtained NMR spectra were used for multivariate and quantitative analyses.
RESULTS: Fecal metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, lactate, glucose, xylose, and choline, dramatically fluctuated with disease progression before histological abnormalities associated with CD were apparent in SAMP1/YitFc mice. Unlike that of other metabolites, fecal taurine concentration in SAMP1/YitFc was high regardless of age.
CONCLUSION: The fecal metabolites showing characteristic fluctuations may be utilized as potential biomarkers in predicting CD pathology.