Lactobacillus plantarum C29 alleviates NF-κB activation and Th17/Treg imbalance in mice with TNBS-induced colitis

Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk modulates inflammation and gut microbiota to alleviate acute colitis

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CIDCA 133 is a health-promoting bacterium that can alleviate gut inflammation and improve the epithelial barrier in a mouse model of mucositis. Despite these beneficial effects, the protective potential of this strain in other inflammation models, such as inflammatory bowel disease, remains unexplored. Herein, we examined for the first time the efficacy of Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 incorporated into a fermented milk formulation in the recovery of inflammation, epithelial damage, and restoration of gut microbiota in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Oral administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk relieved colitis by decreasing levels of inflammatory factors (myeloperoxidase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, toll-like receptor 2, nuclear factor-κB, interleukins 10 and 6, and tumor necrosis factor), secretory immunoglobulin A levels, and intestinal paracellular permeability. This immunobiotic also modulated the expression of tight junction proteins (zonulin and occludin) and the activation of short-chain fatty acids-related receptors (G-protein coupled receptors 43 and 109A). Colonic protection was effectively associated with acetate production and restoration of gut microbiota composition. Treatment with Lactobacillus delbrueckii CIDCA 133 fermented milk increased the abundance of Firmicutes members (Lactobacillus genus) while decreasing the abundance of Proteobacteria (Helicobacter genus) and Bacteroidetes members (Bacteroides genus). These promising outcomes influenced the mice's mucosal healing, colon length, body weight, and disease activity index, demonstrating that this immunobiotic could be explored as an alternative approach for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

A Novel Lactobacillus brevis Fermented with a Vegetable Substrate (AL0035) Counteracts TNBS-Induced Colitis by Modulating the Gut Microbiota Composition and Intestinal Barrier

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are common conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease as well as intestinal flora and epithelial barrier dysfunction. A novel fermented Lactobacillus brevis (AL0035) herein assayed in a trinitro benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mice model after oral administration significantly counteracted the body weight loss and improves the disease activity index and histological injury scores. AL0035 significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma) and enhanced the expression of IL-10. In addition, the probiotic promoted the expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1, keeping the intestinal mucosal barrier function to attenuate colitis symptoms in mice. Markers of inflammation cascade such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and PPAR-gamma measured in the colon were also modified by AL0035 treatment. AL0035 was also able to reduce different lymphocyte markers' infiltration in the colon (GATA-3, T-Bet, NK1.1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), a key chemokine involved in the migration and infiltration of monocytes/macrophages in the immunological surveillance of tissues and inflammation. In colonic microbiota profile analysis through 16S rRNA sequencing, AL0035 increased the microbial diversity depleted by TNBS administration and the relative abundance of the Lactobacillaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, whereas it decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria. Altogether, these data indicated that AL0035 could lower the severity of colitis induced by TNBS by regulating inflammatory cytokines, increasing the expression of tight junction proteins and modulating intestinal microbiota, thus preventing tissue damage induced by colitis.

Mechanistic insights into the role of probiotics in modulating immune cells in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent inflammatory disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the colon, which is defined by inflammatory responses and the formation of ulcers. Probiotics have been shown to directly impact various immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T and B cells. By interacting with cell surface receptors, they regulate immune cell activity, produce metabolites that influence immune responses, and control the release of cytokines and chemokines.

METHODS

This article is a comprehensive review wherein we conducted an exhaustive search across published literature, utilizing reputable databases like PubMed and Web of Science. Our focus centered on pertinent keywords, such as "UC," 'DSS," "TNBS," "immune cells," and "inflammatory cytokines," to compile the most current insights regarding the therapeutic potential of probiotics in managing UC.

RESULTS

This overview aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the effects of probiotics on immune cells in relation to UC. Probiotics have a crucial role in promoting the proliferation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are necessary for preserving immunological homeostasis and regulating inflammatory responses. They also decrease the activation of pro-inflammatory cells like T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells, contributing to UC development. Thus, probiotics significantly impact both direct and indirect pathways of immune cell regulation in UC, promoting Treg differentiation, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cell activation, and regulating cytokine and chemokine release.

CONCLUSION

Probiotics demonstrate significant potential in modulating the immune reactions in UC. Their capacity to modulate different immune cells and inflammation-related processes makes them a promising therapeutic approach for managing UC. However, further studies are warranted to optimize their use and fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects in UC treatment.

Using Inflammatory Biological Age To Evaluate the Preventing Aging Effect of a Polyphenol-Probiotic-Enhanced Dietary Pattern in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older

A high-compliance dietary intervention was conducted for 2 weeks in adults aged 50 years and older to investigate the preventing aging effects of a polyphenol-probiotic-enhanced diet (P-diet) by using inflammatory biological age (IBA). Following the P-diet, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and C-reactive protein were reduced. These effects were accompanied by a significant increase in the richness of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and decrease in CAG_56, as well as an increase in butyrate and acetate and decrease in lysine, uracil, and valine. We optimized a model by a back propagation artificial neural network to evaluate the degree of aging, with an R² of 0.68. After the P-diet intervention, IBA was younger than chronological age and the inflammatory aging potential (Δage) was observably reduced by 90.12%, with change in Δage having a direct negative association with Akkermansia. Overall, P-diet may alleviate chronic low-grade inflammation and thus prevent the procession of inflammatory aging.

Immunomodulatory effects of mixed Lactobacillus plantarum on lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury in mice

The intestine is the largest digestive and immune organ in the human body, with an intact intestinal mucosal barrier. Lactobacillus plantarum is an important strain of probiotics in the intestine for boosting intestinal immunity to defend against intestinal injury. In the lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury model, mixed L. plantarum (L. plantarum KLDS 1.0318, L. plantarum KLDS 1.0344, and L. plantarum KLDS 1.0386) was suggested to boost intestinal immunity. In detail, compared with LPS-induced mice, mice in the mixed L. plantarum group showed significantly reduced intestine (jejunum, ileum, and colon) tissue injury, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12) levels, myeloperoxidase activities, and serum D-lactate (P < 0.05) content. Moreover, the mixed L. plantarum significantly increased the number of immunocytes (CD4+ T cells, IgA plasma cells) and the expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin1 and Occludin). The results also showed that the mixed L. plantarum significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05) the intestinal protein expression of TLR4, p-IκB, and NF-κB p65. The mixed L. plantarum group increased the relative abundance of the genera, including Lactobacillus, Lachnoclostridium, and Desulfovibrio, which are related to improving the levels of SCFAs (acetic acid, butyric acid) and total bile acid (P < 0.05). Overall, these results indicated that the mixed L. plantarum had great functionality in reducing LPS-induced intestinal injury.

Bifidobacterium longum Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Producing Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Protecting Intestinal Mechanical Barrier, Restoring Unbalanced Gut Microbiota, and Regulating the Toll-Like Receptor-4/Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Pathway

This study aimed to explore the effects and differences of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-producing Bifidobacterium longum on the alleviation of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and to explore its patterns. Different B. longum strains were administered at 10⁹ cfu/day 7 days before DSS treatment. B. longum CCFM681 significantly increased goblet cells, mucin2 (MUC2), claudin-3, α-catenin1, and ZO-1, but neither B. longum CCFM760 nor B. longum CCFM642 had those protective effects. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were downregulated, while IL-10 was upregulated by B. longum CCFM681 but neither by B. longum CCFM760 nor by B. longum CCFM642. Moreover, B. longum CCFM681 treatment inhibited the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. Furthermore, B. longum CCFM681 treatment rebalanced gut microbiota via regulating the diversity and key microorganisms. Colonic CLA concentrations in mice fed with B. longum CCFM681 were significantly higher than that of DSS-exposed mice, while those in B. longum CCFM760 and B. longum CCFM642 groups showed insignificant difference compared with the DSS group. Moreover, CLA showed a significantly positive correlation with the effectiveness of relieving colitis. B. longum CCFM681 alleviated colitis by protecting the intestinal mechanical barrier, modulating the gut microbiota, and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and associated pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results will help the clinical trials of probiotics and the development of functional products for colitis.

The Panda-Derived Lactobacillus plantarum G201683 Alleviates the Inflammatory Response in DSS-Induced Panda Microbiota-Associated Mice

Intestinal diseases are one of the main causes of captive giant panda death. Their special dietary habits and gastrointestinal tract structure often lead to intestinal epithelium damage and secondary intestinal infection. The captive giant panda is predisposed to suffer from microbiota dysbiosis due to long-term artificial feeding and antibiotic misuse. However, there are few reported probiotics to treat giant panda enteritis and the associated dysbiosis. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which Lactobacillus plantarum G201683 (L. plantarum G83), a promising panda-derived probiotic, exerts a protective effect on intestinal inflammation in the dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS) induced panda microbiota-associated (DPMA) mouse model. The DPMA mouse was generated by antibiotic treatment and 5% DSS drinking water administration to assess the effect of L. plantarum G83 on intestinal inflammation and microbiota in vivo. Our results demonstrated the successful generation of a DPMA mouse model with Enterobacteriaceae enrichment, consistent with the giant panda intestinal microbiota. L. plantarum G83 decreased clinical and histological severity of intestinal inflammation, enhanced intestinal tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, Occludin) and alleviated inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-) in the colon of DPMA mice. The administration of L. plantarum G83 altered the microbiota composition by decreasing pathogen associated taxa such as E. coli and increasing abundance of beneficial bacteria including Bifidobacterium spp. These changes in microbiota composition were associated with an increased concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), reduced NF-κB signaling, and an altered balance of T helper cell subsets. Our findings support L. plantarum G83 as a promising probiotic to treat intestinal inflammation in the giant panda.

Microbiota Targeted Interventions of Probiotic Lactobacillus as an Anti-Ageing Approach: A Review

With the implementation of modern scientific protocols, the average human lifespan has significantly improved, but age-related problems remain a challenge. With the advent of ageing, there are alterations in gut microbiota and gut barrier functions, weak immune responses, increased oxidative stress, and other age-related disorders. This review has highlighted and discussed the current understanding on the significance of gut microbiota dysbiosis and ageing and its inherent effects against age-related oxidative stress as well as on the gut health and gut-brain axis. Further, we have discussed the key mechanism of action of Lactobacillus strains in the longevity of life, alleviating gut dysbiosis, and improving oxidative stress and inflammation to provide an outline of the role of Lactobacillus strains in restoration of gut microbiota dysbiosis and alleviating certain conditions during ageing. Microbiota-targeted interventions of some characterized strains of probiotic Lactobacillus for the restoration of gut microbial community are considered as a potential approach to improve several neurological conditions. However, very limited human studies are available on this alarmed issue and recommend further studies to identify the unique Lactobacillus strains with potential anti-ageing properties and to discover its novel core microbiome-association, which will help to increase the therapeutic potential of probiotic Lactobacillus strains to ageing.

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Maintaining Intestinal Mechanical Barrier, Blocking Proinflammatory Cytokines, Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB Signaling, and Altering Gut Microbiota

This study was designed to explore the effects and discrepancy of different CLA-producing Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum on relieving colitis and to investigate the potential mechanisms. B. pseudocatenulatum MY40C and CCFM680 were administered to mice with DSS-induced colitis. The content of tight junction proteins and mucin2 was significantly upregulated. TNF-α and IL-6 were downregulated, while IL-10 and PPAR-γ were upregulated. TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation was significantly inhibited. Moreover, each treated strain increased Allobaculum and decreased Sutterella, Bacteroides, and Oscillospira. The colonic conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with the effectiveness of strain in relieving colitis. In conclusion, MY40C and CCFM680 supplementation alleviated DSS-induced colitis by protecting intestinal mechanical barrier, modulating gut microbiota, blocking proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These results are conducive to promote clinical trials and product development of probiotics for colitis.