Roseburia hominis Increases Intestinal Melatonin Level by Activating p-CREB-AANAT Pathway

Abstract

Intestinal melatonin exerts diverse biological effects on the body. Our previous research showed that the abundance of the butyrate-producing bacteria, <i>Roseburia</i>, is positively related to the expression of colonic mucosal melatonin. However, the detailed relationship is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether <i>Roseburia</i> regulates intestinal melatonin and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley germfree rats were orally administered with or without <i>Roseburia hominis</i>. <i>R. hominis</i> treatment significantly increased the intestinal melatonin level. The concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the intestinal contents were significantly elevated after gavage of <i>R. hominis</i>. Propionate or butyrate treatment increased melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), and phosphorylated cAMP-response element-binding protein (p-CREB) levels. When pretreated with telotristat ethyl, the inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), or siRNA of <i>Aanat</i>, or 666-15, i.e., an inhibitor of CREB, propionate, or butyrate, could not promote melatonin production in the pheochromocytoma cell line BON-1. Metabolomics analysis showed that propionate and butyrate stimulation regulated levels of some metabolites and some metabolic pathways in BON-1 cell supernatants. In conclusion, propionate and butyrate, i.e., metabolites of <i>R. hominis</i>, can promote intestinal melatonin synthesis by increasing 5-HT levels and promoting p-CREB-mediated <i>Aanat</i> transcription, thereby offering a potential target for ameliorating intestinal diseases.