Elucidating the probiotic strategy with Pediococcus acidilactici BCB1H and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HMX2 for restoring normal functions of gut and suppressing inflammation in a DSS-induced colitis animal model
Jasra Naseeb, Muti Ur Rehman, Zhennai Yang, Tariq Aziz, Manal F. El‐Khadragy, Wafa A. Alshehri, Areej A. Alhhazmi, Maher S. Alwethaynani, Hajar AlQadeeb, Shaza Alkhatib, Khaloud Mohammed Alarjani, Abeer M. Alghamdi
Abstract
Background: Several inflammatory diseases, including colitis, are treated via probiotics but still the mechanism is not clear. Objective: This study aimed to restore normal functioning of the gut and ameliorate inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice via the probiotic intervention of Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) BCB1H and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) HMX2. Material and Methods: L. plantarum HMX2 and P. acidilactici BCB1H showed a remarkable reduction in the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis, including weight loss, shortening and damage of the colon, decreased tight junction protein, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood of mice. Two treatment groups were administered with probiotic strains based on animal weight for a duration of 28 days; however, prior to this, DSS was induced. Results: After consuming both probiotics, the levels of inflammatory markers, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β) exhibited a noticeable decline, indicating a reduction in inflammation. The Disease Activity indices for both probiotic-treated groups (P. acidilactici BCB1H- and L. plantarum HMX2-treated groups) were significantly lower (1±0.45, 1±0.36, 3±0.08, 1±0.18, respectively) than that for the DSS-treated group. Both these treatment strains significantly affected the markers of oxidative stress and inflammation (i.e., malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and myeloperoxidase [MPO], compared to the intoxicated group. Similarly, the BCB1H- and HMX2-treated groups showed partial recovery, with improved hepatocyte structure and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to the intoxicated group. Polymerase chain reaction results of gel analysis showed crucial indicators that measure both colonic integrity and inflammation across four experimental groups of colitis-induced mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), E-cadherin, and MUC2 mucin served as evaluated markers across experimental groups. Conclusion: Increased expression of these genes suggests that both probiotic strains successfully enhanced and restored normal functions of the gut and suppressed inflammation. This could be attributed to the combined immunomodulatory action of probiotics.