Work

Kombucha Prevents Indomethacin‐Induced Enteric Damage in Wistar Rat by Enhancing Epithelial Gut Barrier and Modulating Gut Microbiota

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Kombucha is a fermented beverage with high contents of antioxidants and probiotics. Enteric damage due to uncontrolled consumption of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of kombucha against indomethacin‐induced enteric damage. Wistar rats were divided into control (Ctrl), supplemented with kombucha (Komb), indomethacin‐induced enteric damage (Indo), and indomethacin‐induced enteric damage and supplemented with kombucha (Indo‐Komb) groups. We analyzed ulcer index, histological changes, gene expression of intestinal barrier function genes, and microbiota phyla in cecal content. Kombucha supplementation reduced ulcer index and intestinal inflammation, which improved survival ( p = 0.0291), maintained body weight, ( p < 0.001) and avoided the drop in levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocytes ( p < 0.001). Histopathological analyses of intestines revealed impaired integrity of villi with inflammatory infiltrates, which were significantly prevented with kombucha supplementation ( p = 0.0024 and p = 0.0017, respectively). Rats that received kombucha upregulated the expression of tight junction genes Muc2 , Cldn1 , and Ocln ( p = 0.027, p = 0.024, p < 0.001, respectively). The upregulation of the oxidative and inflammatory markers Nos2 , Mpo , and Tnf was prevented by kombucha intake ( p < 0.001). Additionally, kombucha ameliorated the dysbiosis in indomethacin‐induced enteric damaged rats by reduction of Proteobacteria ( p < 0.001) while increasing Firmicutes abundance. This study demonstrated that kombucha consumption is a viable strategy to delay NSAID‐induced enteric damage through enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity and prevention of dysbiosis.

Source: Food Science & Nutrition

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70804