Dietary supplementation of ark clams protects gut health and modifies gut microbiota in D‐galactose‐induced aging rats

Background

Ark clams, a seafood abundant in various nutrients, are widely consumed worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the protective benefits of two common ark clams in Korea, Scapharca subcrenata (SS) and Tegillarca granosa (TG), on gut health in D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced aging rats.

Results

Thirty‐two Wistar rats (11‐week‐old) were randomly allocated into four groups: a CON group (normal diet+saline intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection), a CD group (normal diet+D‐gal i.p. injection), an SS group (normal diet with 5% SS supplementation+D‐gal i.p. injection), and a TG group (normal diet with 5% TG supplementation+D ‐gal i.p. injection). After 12 weeks of treatment, histopathological results showed that gut barrier damage was alleviated in rats of SS and TG groups, as evidenced by increases in mucus layer thickness and goblet cell numbers. Meanwhile, the two groups supplemented with ark clams showed an evident reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA and PCOs levels in the colon) and an increase in the immune‐related factor (IgA level in the plasma) in rats. The 16S rRNA analysis revealed that SS and TG ark clams significantly increased the proliferations of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level and Parabacteroides at the genus level. Additionally, the levels of the three main short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal contents were also significantly increased in the SS and TG groups.

Conclusion

Our results indicated a potent preventive effect of SS and TG ark clams on D‐gal‐induced gut injury, suggesting that ark clams may be a promising dietary component for intervening in aging.

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