AUTHOR=Qiao Yiteng , Qiu Zhichang , Tian Fengwei , Yu Leilei , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Zhai Qixiao , Chen Wei 

TITLE=Pediococcus acidilactici Strains Improve Constipation Symptoms and Regulate Intestinal Flora in Mice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.655258

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2021.655258

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that seriously reduces the quality of life. Clinical studies have shown that a great change or severe imbalance occurs in the intestinal microbiota of people with constipation. This study explored whether bacteriocin-producing and non-bacteriocin-producing <italic>Pediococcus acidilactici</italic> strains resulted in differences in the alleviation of constipation and changes in the fecal flora in BALB/c mice. The constipation-related indicators, gastrointestinal regulatory peptides and gut microbiota were identified to evaluate their alleviating effects and underlying mechanisms. The time to the first black-stool defecation and the gastrointestinal transit rate in constipated mice were found to be somewhat improved by four <italic>P</italic>. <italic>acidilactici</italic> strains (<italic>P</italic> &gt; 0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in the level of most gastrointestinal regulatory peptides in the serum, as well as in the composition and abundance of intestinal microbiota in different groups (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly increased, but those of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly reduced after the administration of four <italic>P</italic>. <italic>acidilactici</italic> strains for 14 d (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). The levels of <italic>Bacteroides</italic> and genera from <italic>Enterobacteriaceae</italic> were significantly decreased, whereas <italic>Bifidobacterium</italic> and <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> were upregulated when bacteriocin-producing <italic>P</italic>. <italic>acidilactici</italic> CCFM18 and CCFM28 strains were provided in the diet (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). The results indicated that although constipation-related symptoms were alleviated to only a limited degree, the administration of four <italic>P</italic>. <italic>acidilactici</italic> strains effectively regulated the gut flora and provided a potential health benefit to the host, especially the bacteriocin-producing <italic>P</italic>. <italic>acidilactici</italic> strains.</p>