Partially hydrolyzed guar gum upregulates heat shock protein 27 in intestinal Caco‐2 cells and mouse intestine via mTOR and ERK signaling

BACKGROUND The intestinal epithelium acts as a barrier against harmful luminal materials, thus preventing intestinal diseases and maintaining intestinal health. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) promotes intestinal epithelial integrity under both physiological and stressed conditions. The effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) on HSP27 expression in intestinal Caco‐2 cells and mouse intestines were investigated. RESULTS The present study showed that PHGG upregulated HSP27 expression in Caco‐2 cells without upregulating Hspb1, the gene encoding HSP27. Feeding PHGG increased HSP25 expression in epithelial cells of the small intestine of mice. Inhibition of protein translation using cycloheximide suppressed PHGG‐mediated HSP27 expression, indicating that PHGG upregulated HSP27 via translational modulation. Signaling inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphatidyl 3‐inositol kinase reduced PHGG‐mediated HSP27 expression, whereas mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase inhibition by U0126 increased HSP27 expression, irrespective of PHGG administration. PHGG increases mTOR phosphorylation and reduces extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. CONCLUSION PHGG‐mediated translation of HSP27 in intestinal Caco‐2 cells and mouse intestine via the mTOR and ERK signaling pathways may promote intestinal epithelial integrity. These findings help us better understand how dietary fibers regulate the physiological function of the intestines. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.