Fucose as a Cleavage Product of 2'Fucosyllactose Does Not Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier in Mice

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2021 Aug;65(16):e2100045. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202100045. Epub 2021 Jul 5.

Abstract

Scope: To further examine the role of the human milk oligosaccharide 2'fucosyllactose (2´FL) and fucose (Fuc) in cognition. Using 13 C-labeled 2'FL,thestudy previously showed in mice that 13 C-enrichment of the brain is not caused by 13 C1 -2´FL itself, but rather by microbial metabolites. Here, the study applies 13 C1 -Fuc in the same mouse model to investigate its uptake into the brain.

Methods and results: Mice received 13 C1 -Fuc via oral gavage (2 mmol 13 C1 -Fuc/kg-1 body weight) or intravenously (0.4 mmol/kg-1 body weight). 13 C-enrichment is measured in organs, including various brain regions, biological fluids and excrements. By EA-IRMS, the study observes an early rise of 13 C-enrichment in plasma, 30 min after oral dosing. However, 13 C-enrichment in the brain does not occur until 3-5 h post-dosing, when the 13 C-Fuc bolus has already reached the lower gut. Therefore, the researcher assume that 13 C-Fuc is absorbed in the upper small intestine but cannot cross the blood-brain barrier which is also observed after intravenous application of 13 C1 -Fuc.

Conclusions: Late 13 C-enrichment in the rodent brain may be derived from 13 C1 -Fuc metabolites derived from bacterial fermentation. The precise role that Fuc or 2´FL metabolites might play in gut-brain communication needs to be investigated in further studies.

Keywords: 13C-labeled fucose; biological fluids; brain; metabolism; microbiota.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain-Gut Axis
  • Fucose / pharmacokinetics*
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice

Substances

  • Fucose