Therapeutic potential of the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BX 62 and its postbiotics in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis in mice
Qin Qi, Gang Hu, Xiaoni Zhou, Ruizhe Zhu, Jianying Chen, Kang Zeng, Jingwu Wu, Wei Jing, Tingtao Chen, Xusheng Guo
Abstract
This study comprehensively investigated the probiotic potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and its derived postbiotics in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms in mice. In vitro analyses established the probiotic characteristics of L. plantarum , highlighting its acid tolerance, bile salt resistance, and adhesion abilities. Subsequent in vivo experiments demonstrated that administering live L. plantarum significantly reduced arthritis scores, paw oedema, and intestinal permeability in RA mice, indicating its therapeutic potential. Furthermore, the study explored the effects of L. plantarum -derived postbiotics, including both the cellular remnants and supernatant, on RA. Notably, both the inactivated body of L. plantarum and its supernatant effectively reduced osteoarthritic damage, intestinal pathological changes, autoantibody levels, cytokine imbalances, and oxidative stress in RA mice. Additionally, qPCR analysis revealed that L. plantarum interventions restored gut microbiota composition towards a healthier profile, resembling that of normal mice. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic benefits of L. plantarum and its postbiotics in ameliorating RA symptoms, emphasising their potential as novel therapeutic agents for managing RA. • Probiotic Characterization of L. plantarum : Established robust acid tolerance, bile salt resistance, and adherence abilities, underscoring its suitability as a probiotic candidate. • Therapeutic Efficacy in RA Mice : Demonstrated significant alleviation of arthritis scores, paw edema, and intestinal permeability alterations in RA mice following live L. plantarum administration. • Postbiotic Potential : Revealed that both cellular remnants and supernatant of L. plantarum effectively reduced osteoarthritic damage, intestinal pathology, autoantibody levels, cytokine imbalances, and oxidative stress in RA mice. • Gut Microbiota Modulation : qPCR analysis showed that L. plantarum interventions restored gut microbiota composition towards a healthier profile, resembling that of normal mice, highlighting the gut-joint axis in RA pathogenesis. • Novel Therapeutic Avenues : Our findings underscore the potential of L. plantarum and its postbiotics as novel therapeutic agents for managing RA, opening new avenues for the development of targeted therapies.