Red lentil supplementation reduces the severity of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in C57BL/6 male mice

Abstract

Lentils (Lens culinaris L.) are a protein-rich plant food, also enriched in fibre and phenolic compounds that may reduce intestinal-associated disease risk. Male C57Bl/6 mice were pre-fed a basal diet (BD) or isocaloric 20% red lentil-supplemented diet (LD) for 3 weeks and acute colitis was induced via dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 2% w/v in drinking water) for 5 days. LD-fed mice exhibited reduced (i) clinical symptoms, (ii) colon histological damage, and (iii) colonic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, biomarkers of improved colon epithelial barrier integrity and mucosal repair mediators were increased in LD mice (e.g. colonic IL-22, Relmβ, and occludin expression, and serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein). Collectively, the severity of the DSS-induced acute colitis phenotype in mice was attenuated by red lentil dietary supplementation, indicating that lentils may serve as a potential adjuvant dietary therapy in patients with colitis-associated diseases to help limit colonic inflammation and restore barrier function.