Effects of high fat diet on intestinal toll-like receptor activity

• Main Author: Mathan Raj S/O Thayalan
• Other Authors: Tan Nguan Soon
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/172485
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In recent years, there has been a growing number of research on gut health, primarily due to its influence on multiple organs within our body. The gut-brain axis and gut-liver axis are well established examples of this influence. Moreover, a novel concept known as ‘leaky gut’ has been implicated as a driving factor in several diseases. A recent study on the effect of diet on intestinal permeability revealed that High-Fat Diet (HFD) causes increased intestinal permeability. Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) have been shown to have a role in maintaining gut barrier integrity. Furthermore, Angptl4 have been implicated in intestinal permeability. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how a HFD affects the expression of TLRs, specifically TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR6 in the Duodenum, Jejunum and Ileum. Additionally, it sought to determine the impact of intestinal Angptl4 knockout on the expression of these TLRs in the distinct intestinal segments. We employed Angptl4fl/fl and Angptl4vil-/- mice and conducted RT-qPCR analysis to assess changes in intestinal TLR expression levels. The findings are promising, shedding light on the relationship between HFD and expression of intestinal TLRs. Moreover, this study provides valuable insights into the role of intestinal Angptl4 on the expression of these TLRs.