Insight into the transcriptome of the small intestine in pups born from corticosterone-treated rats

Abstract

The brain-gut axis plays a critical role in modulating gastrointestinal (GI) function through the autonomic nervous system. Stress leads to pathological conditions in the GI tract, which affects the gut microbiome composition, secretion, intestinal permeability. Corticosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex and is associated with stress. Previous studies showed that corticosterone plays a vital role in regulating various aspects of GI function. This hormone can affect permeability, the microbiome, and inflammation, and its dysregulation can lead to the development of GI disorder. 1,2 Corticosterone has been administered to animal models to investigate the impact of chronic stress, and cortisol levels are elevated in pups born from pregnant rats treated