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Aquaporins (AQP) are a class of water channel membrane proteins that are widely expressed in the gut. The biological functions of aquaporins, which regulate the absorption and secretion of water molecules and small solutes, maintain the stable state of the intestine, regulate cell proliferation and migration, participate in the process of intestinal inflammation, and mediate tumorigenesis, demonstrate the physiological significance of these channels in intestinal health. The pathology of many intestinal diseases is associated with changes in the location and expression of aquaporins, such as intestinal infection, which can change the expression and distribution of AQPs in intestinal tissues/cells by affecting cytokines and chemokines. This can lead to various intestinal diseases such as diarrhoea, which also suggests the importance of aquaporins in the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases. This review summarizes the relationship between aquaporins and intestinal physiology and diseases and focuses on drugs (such as plant extracts) or diets that can regulate intestinal health by regulating aquaporins. It provides a basis for establishing aquaporins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella typhimurium is one of the main causes of intestinal diseases, affecting the health of humans and livestock. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), which is ordinarily an edible spice, has been indicated to exert anti-inflammatory effects and preserve intestinal barrier function. In this study, intestinal immune function and signaling pathways activated by EP were investigated in vivo in S. typhimurium- challenged BALB/c mice and in vitro in RAW264.7 cells. EP improved body weight loss and the organ index of the liver and spleen (p < 0.05). Serum IgA and IgM levels were significantly increased in EP-treated mice (p < 0.05). According to histopathological and immunohistochemical staining, EP significantly increased the villus height, reduced edema in the jejunum and increased the levels of claudin-1, occludin-1 and ZO-1 proteins compared to the Salmonella -treated group (p < 0.05). In addition, EP decreased the levels of the IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA levels in jejunum, liver, spleen and RAW264.7 cells (p < 0.05). EP decreased the levels of TLR4, phosphorylated p38MAPK and ERK1/2 in mice infected with S. typhimurium (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EP effectively protected BALB/c mice from an intestinal S. typhimurium infection by improving the activity of the humoral immune system, reducing intestinal barrier damage, and inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production in the jejunum by modulating the TLR4/MAPK signaling pathway. Based on these findings, EP has the potential to inhibit inflammation or to serve as an immune-enhancing adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]