Restoration of gut barrier integrity and restructuring the gut microbiome in aging by Angiotensin-(1-7)

Compromised barrier properties of colon epithelium with aging increases risk for systemic disorders. This study tested the hypothesis that leaky gut with aging is associated with an imbalance in ACE2/ACE and that activation of MasR will restore gut barrier integrity and ameliorate inflammation. Studies were carried out in Young (3-4 months) and Old (20-24 months) male mice, and in Old mice receiving Ang-(1-7) via osmotic pump. Outcome measures included expression and activity of ACE, ACE2, AT1R, AT2R and MasR, gut permeability using FITC-dextran,and immunohistochemistry of claudin 1 and occludin, and intestinal stem cells (ISCs).This study shows that MasR activation restores gut barrier integrity and reduces inflammation in the aging colon, which was associated with regeneration of ISCs and restructuring of gut microbiome.