Chlorogenic acid enhances intestinal barrier by decreasing MLCK expression and promoting dynamic distribution of tight junction proteins in colitic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the mucosal barrier function and tight junction proteins in colitic rats. CGA (60 mg/kg body weight) significantly decreased the ratio of lactulose to mannitol (L/M) (P < 0.05), and endotoxin level (P < 0.01) in CGA + colitis group, compared to colitis group. CGA supplementation in CGA + colitis group increased the expression of occludin (P < 0.05), claudin-1 (P < 0.01), ZO-1 (P < 0.05), decreased the expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), compared to colitis group. CGA also increased the phosphorylation level of occludin (P < 0.01) at tight junction, and decreased the phosphorylation level of occludin (P < 0.05) and claudin-1 (P < 0.05) on the basolateral membranes. These results indicate that CGA supplementation attenuates colonic barrier damage by decreasing MLCK expression and promoting molecular dynamic distribution of tight junction proteins in colitic rats.