METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS OF TREATING AND PREVENTING INTESTINAL INJURY AND DISEASES RELATED TO TIGHT JUNCTION DYSFUNCTION

Methods and compositions for treating and preventing intestinal injury are described. In particular, methods and delayed-release enteric coated compositions of glycerophosphate salts for treating and preventing an intestinal injury, such as exercise-induced intestinal injury, intestinal injury induced or aggravated by ingestion of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), or exercise-induced intestinal injury aggravated by an NSAID, are described. Orally or nasally administering a therapeutically effective amount of a glycerophosphate salt, particularly calcium glycerophosphate, to a subject engaging in exercise, particularly a subject engaging in exercise and ingesting a NSAID for the treatment or prevention of musculoskeletal pain resulting from exercise, reduces exercise-induced intestinal injury, particularly exercise-induced intestinal injury aggravated by the NSAID. A method of increasing tight junction integrity in a subject in need thereof is also described. The method involves administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of glycerophosphate, such as calcium glycerophosphate. A method of treating or preventing a disease related to tight junction dysfunction, such as an inflammatory disease or a cancer, is also described.