Targeting MLCK-MLC2 signaling pathway by tagatose alleviates dysregulated mitochondria-associated colonitis

There is a growing amount of research that highlights the significant connection between the development of colitis and both metabolic imbalance and the inflammatory response. Tagatose, an inherent sweetening agent and alternative to sugar, plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of several chemicals and metabolic pathways in living organisms. However, the specific biochemical mechanism via which tagatose hinders colitis is still not understood. According to recent study, tagatose plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of tight junctions inside the intestinal mucosal barrier. Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge the presence of a correlation between the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC), chemically-induced colitis in rodents, and reduced blood levels of tagatose. The treatment of tagatose resulted in a decrease in intestinal mucosal injury in mice with colitis, regardless of whether it was caused by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or spontaneous colitis in IL-10-/- mice and C3H/HeJBir mice. The introduction of tagatose in a colitis model triggers a cascade of events, wherein it hinders the expulsion of cathepsin B and enhances lysosomal cohesiveness. The aforementioned method successfully inhibits the activity of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in the context of intestinal epithelial damage, hence impeding the deterioration of tight junction integrity and the initiation of mitochondrial dysfunction. In summary, the outcomes of the study have provided empirical evidence that substantiates the beneficial effects of tagatose in mitigating the progression of colitis. The ability to prevent the disruption of the intestinal barrier is responsible for this achievement. Hence, tagatose has promise as a therapeutic adjunct for the management of colitis.