Therapeutic effects of four strains of probiotics on experimental colitis in mice

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of four strains of probiotics(E.feacalis,L.acidophilus,C.butyricum and B.adolescentis) on dextran sulphate sodium(DSS)-induced experimental colitis in Balb/c mice.METHODS:Eighty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 8 groups.Weight-loss,fecal character,fecal occult blood and hematochezia were recorded daily.Disease activity index(DAI) scores were also evaluated everyday.Length of colon was measured and histological scores were evaluated on the 13th day.Myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity was detected.Interleukin-1(IL-1) and IL-4 expression was detected by ELISA and RT-PCR.RESULTS:The four strains of probiotics relieved the inflammatory condition of DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice.Weight loss was slowed down in all probiotics-treated mice.Even weight gain was observed by the end of probiotics treatment.The DAI and histological scores of probiotics-treated mice were lower than those of mice in the control group(1.9 ± 0.2 vs 8.6 ± 0.4,P < 0.05 for E.faecalis).The length of colon of probiotics-treated mice was longer than that of mice in the control group(10.3 ± 0.34 vs 8.65 ± 0.77,P < 0.05 for E.faecalis).The four strains of probiotics decreased the MP activity and the IL-1 expression,but increased the IL-4 expression.E.faecalis had a better effect on DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice than the other three strains.CONCLUSION:The four strains of probiotics have beneficial effects on experimental colitis in mice.E.faecalis has a better effect on DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice than the other three strains.Supplement of probiotics provides a new therapy for UC.

Lactobacillus crispatus M206119 exacerbates murine DSS-colitis by interfering with inflammatory responses

AIM:To investigate the role of Lactobacillus crispatus(L.crispatus) strain China Center for Type Culture Collection(CCTCC) M206119 in intestinal inflammation.METHODS:Forty 8-wk-old Balb/c mice(20 ± 2 g) were divided into four groups of 10 mice each.Three groups that had received dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) were administered normal saline,sulfasalazine or CCTCC M206119 strain,and the fourth group received none of these.We assessed the severity of colitis using a disease activity index,measured the colon length and weight,collected stools and mesenteric lymph nodes for bacterial microflora analysis.One centimeter of the proximal colon,middle colon and distal colon were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin,dehydrated in ethanol,and embedded in paraffin.Interleukin(IL)1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α expression was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Protective factors zonula occludens(ZO)-1 and β-defensin 2 were detected by immunoblotting.The features of CCTCC M206119 strain were identified based on morphology,biochemical profile,and 16S RNA sequencing.RESULTS:DSS-colitis animals treated with CCTCC M206119 had markedly more severe disease,with greater weight loss,diarrhea,fecal bleeding,and shortened colon length.In addition,the CCTCC-M206119treated group had comparatively higher histological scores and more neutrophil infiltration than the controls.Expression of protective factors ZO-1 and β-defensin 2 was downregulated due to destruction of the mucosal barrier after CCTCC M206119 strain treatment.An in vitro assay demonstrated that CCTCC M206119 strain increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB in epithelial cells.Intestinal proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine responses were evaluated.Proinflammatory colonic cytokine(IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α) levels were clearly increased in CCTCCM206119-treated animals,whereas anti-inflammatory colonic cytokine(IL-10) level was lowered compared with saline or 5-aminosalicylic-acid-treated DSS-colitis mice.Next,CCTCC M206119 strain was characterized as L.crispatus by microscopic morphology,biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene level.