Berberine Modulates Lupus Syndrome via the Regulation of Gut Microbiota in MRL/Lpr Mice

Abstract Background Intestinal flora disorder and immune abnormalities have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Few researches indicated the intestinal status in Chinese SLE patients. Berberine (BBR) showed significant effects on regulating the intestinal flora, repairing gut barriers and regulating immune cells. This study mainly explored intestinal flora and metabolites in local Chinese SLE patients and the influence of BBR to MRL/Lpr mice. Methods 16S high-throughput sequence and gas chromatographic technique were used to analyzed the intestinal flora and metabolites in SLE patients. MRL/Lpr mice were oral treated with BBR in low, medium and high dosages for 6 weeks. Urine protein was monitored. After the procedure, gintestinal status of MRL/Lpr mice were analyzed like human. A wide range of autoantibodies were tested. Kidney tissue was analyzed for C3, IgG and IgM expressions and colon tissue was analyzed for gut barrier markers. Flow cytometry determined the immune cells. Results Dysbacteriosis and abnormal metabolism influenced the Chinese lupus pathogenesis. BBR treatment reduced the urine protein, inhibited the auto-antibodies and ameliorated lupus nephritis (LN) in MRL/Lpr mice. In addition, BBR altered the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Verrucomicrobia and the butyric acid content in colon of MRL/Lpr mice. The increase of tight junction protein also indicated that the gut barrier was repaired by BBR. Treg and Tfr cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) were increased. Conclusions These results revealed a therapeutic effect of berberine on SLE from gut microbiota to immune status.