Partially hydrolyzed guar gum attenuates broad-spectrum antibiotic-induced gut microbiota disruption associated with intestinal inflammation and barrier damage in mice

As a prebiotic fiber produced through partial enzymatic hydrolysis of guar gum seeds, partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) alters gut microbiota and metabolites, offering health advantages to the individual. Studies on the modulatory effect of PHGG on antibiotic-induced intestinal flora disorders are scarce. We investigated the protective effects of PHGG against intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier damage induced by broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as its role in promoting the recovery of antibiotic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. C57BL/6J mice were administered PHGG for one or two weeks together with the oral administration of antibiotics to create a model of intestinal dysbiosis. After one week of PHGG treatment, improvement in inflammation and the intestinal barrier was not evident despite changes in the intestinal flora. However, after a fortnight of therapy, the diversity of the intestinal flora increased significantly and was closer to normal flora, the relative abundance of helpful bacteria surged, the production of excessive proinflammatory cytokines was inhibited, the generation of anti-inflammatory cytokines was promoted, the intestinal secretory barrier and epithelial cell barrier were significantly restored, and the antibiotic-induced symptoms, such as weight loss and diarrhea, were corrected. The findings showed that PHGG attenuates antibiotic-induced intestinal barrier damage and inflammation and induces potentially beneficial changes in the intestinal microbiota. The results help elucidate PHGG's beneficial effects on host-microbial interactions and offer the possibility of clinical application of PHGG as a nutrient to attenuate the adverse effects of antibiotics on the intestinal tract.