D1.285 - Novel food supplement containing a combination of postbiotics and plant-derived compounds regulates epithelial barrier integrity and immune response in human enterocytes

Alterations of epithelial barrier integrity and immune response play a key role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and represent promising targets for nutritional interventions. Selected postbiotics and plant-derived compounds have been proposed as potential modulators of epithelial barrier and immune function.

We investigated the effects of a novel food supplement combining heat-inactivated Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Butyrate, Quercetin, and Perilla frutescens extracts on epithelial barrier function and innate immunity using differentiated human enterocyte monolayers. 

Exposing human enterocytes to the food supplement resulted in epithelial barrier integrity enhancement, consisting in increased transepithelial electrical resistance, tight junction proteins expression, mucus production and enterocyte differentiation. Moreover, the formulation markedly stimulated the secretion of the antimicrobial peptides β-defensin-2 and LL-37, suggesting activation of epithelial innate defense mechanisms.

The novel food supplement induces a beneficial modulation of epithelial barrier and immune response in human enterocytes. These findings support its potential use as a functional food strategy to restore mucosal homeostasis and promote tolerance in allergic diseases