Effect of gut microbiota changes on the intestinal mucosal barrier function in heatstroke

Heatstroke impairs the intestinal mucosal barrier function, leading to bacteremia, endotoxemia and multiple organ dysfunction. Therefore, protecting intestinal barrier function is critical in the prevention and treatment of heatstroke. Gut microbiota has an important impact on intestinal mechanical, biological and immune barrier. Intestinal dysbacteriosis damages intestinal barrier, which leads to enterogenous bacteria and endotoxin from the intestinal lumen entering into the circulation and thus causes systemic inflammatory response syndrome. This process can trigger heatstroke and promote its development and progression. However, probiotics can reduce endotoximia and inflammatory cytokines by improving the intestinal barrier function. Therefore, according to the effect of gut microbiota on the relevant aspects of intestinal mucosal barrier, searching for target probiotics and intervention may be an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of heatstroke against intestinal barrier damage. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2017.09.16