August 01, 2025 | Foods |
The study conducted by Guangdong Ocean University, China, examined the molecular mechanisms by which polysaccharides derived from Hylocereus polyrhizus pulp residues influence intestinal health under obesity-related conditions. Previous studies have suggested that these polysaccharides can improve metabolic disorders and intestinal barrier function, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly those involving mucus layer regulation, have not been well defined.
To address this gap, the researchers established a high-fat diet–induced obese colitis mouse model and applied nano-capillary liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to quantitatively profile changes in O-glycosylation. By integrating quantitative O-glycosylation proteomics with whole-proteome analysis, the study identified 155 O-glycosylation sites in colon tissue that were specifically altered by polysaccharide treatment. Notably, the glycosylation level of the mucus core protein MUC2 increased by approximately 2.1-fold in treated mice.
The findings indicate that Hylocereus polyrhizus pulp residue polysaccharides modulate mucus O-glycosylation patterns, which contributes to improved intestinal mucosal structure and reduced colonic damage in obese mice. Overall, the study provides mechanistic evidence that these polysaccharides exert protective effects on the intestinal mucosa by regulating O-glycosylation in the mucus layer, supporting their potential use as functional components for managing obesity-related intestinal disorders.
