Dietary Supplementation with the Probiotic SF68 Reinforces Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in Obese Mice by Improving Butyrate Bioavailability
Laura Benvenuti, Vanessa D’Antongiovanni, Carolina Pellegrini, Matteo Fornai, Nunzia Bernardini, Chiara Ippolito, Cristina Segnani, Clelia Di Salvo, Rocchina Colucci, Alma Martelli, Lorenzo Flori, Vincenzo Calderone, Gianfranca Carta, Emilia Ghelardi, Marco Calvigioni, Adelaide Panattoni, Raffaella Coppolecchia, Achille Arini, Luca Antonioli
Abstract
SCOPE: Modifications in intestinal microbiota and its metabolites, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are main factors altering intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and eliciting the onset of a meta-inflammation observed in obesity. The present study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium (SF68) administration in counteracting the impairment of gut barrier and enteric inflammation in a model of diet-induced obesity, characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying such beneficial effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: ). After 8 weeks, plasma interleukin (IL)-1β and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) are measured, analysis of fecal microbiota composition and butyrate content as well as intestinal malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, mucins, tight junction protein, and butyrate transporter expression are investigated. After 8 weeks, SF68 administration counteracts the body weight gain in HFD mice, reducing plasma IL-1β and LBP. In parallel, SF68 treatment acts against the intestinal inflammation in HFD-fed animals and improves the intestinal barrier integrity and functionality in obese mice via the increase in tight junction protein and intestinal butyrate transporter (sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 ) expression. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with SF68 reduces intestinal inflammation and reinforces the enteric epithelial barrier in obese mice, improving the transport and utilization of butyrate.