Objective: This project aims to investigate how leaky the gut is in HD, why the gut is leaky, and how this relates to HD symptoms. The study will increase our knowledge regarding the importance of epithelial TJs in the intestinal tract and their impact in the HD gut leakiness.

Background: Huntington´s disease (HD) is a progressive, multifaceted disease affecting not only the brain, but the whole body. Patients suffering from HD have difficulties to keep their equilibrium, show involuntary movements (chorea), difficulties to walk and to communicate. In addition, HD is associated with weight loss and gastrointestinal (GI) problems have been reported. Under healthy conditions, the gut works as a barrier preventing bacteria to move out from the intestinal lumen. Although the mucus layer is not impenetrable, a second and crucial layer of protection is made by a particular type of proteins, called tight junctions (TJs). Alteration of TJ expression in Parkinson’s disease patients has been shown to be linked with increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut.

Method: Tissue sampling collection, histology analysis and immunostainings, FITC-dextran and BrdU assays.

Results: Our preliminary data indicate that decreased body weight and body length in R6/2 mice is accompanied by a significant decrease in colon length and disrupted colon epithelia. Further, protein levels of the tight junction protein occludin, is lower in R6/2 mice as compared to wild type littermates.

Conclusion: Our results indicate a leaky gut in R6/2 mice and further studies investigating the clinical relevance of these findings are warranted.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/gut-problems-in-huntingtons-disease-evidence-for-a-leaky-gut-in-the-r6-2-mouse-model-of-hd/