Sex differences in NSAID-induced perturbation of human intestinal barrier function and microbiota

What is it about?

The intestinal tract contains numerous microbes and a protective structure called mucosal barrier. Permeability through this barrier dictates substances which can pass through and reach internal layers of the gut wall. Females and males have different risks of various diseases in which intestinal microbiome and barrier have been proposed to play a role. The goal of this study was to compare microbiome and barrier properties of healthy females and males at rest and after administration of a drug called indomethacin which can disrupt the barrier. We found that females have stronger intestinal barrier than males and richness in the types of microbes in the gut. After taking indomethacin, barrier is disrupted in both females and males. This is associated with changes in the microbiome, more so in females than males. Females show decreased microbial diversity in entire intestinal tract, particularly an increase in Prevotella species of bacteria in the stool. Several weeks after discontinuation of indomethacin, both barrier and microbiome return to baseline state suggesting stability in these parameters in healthy females and males.

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