AUTHOR=Liu Qianqian , Jian Wenwen , Wang Lu , Yang Shenglin , Niu Yutian , Xie ShuaiJing , Hayer Kim , Chen Kun , Zhang Yi , Guo Yanan , Tu Zeng 

TITLE=Alleviation of DSS-induced colitis in mice by a new-isolated Lactobacillus acidophilus C4

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1137701

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1137701

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Probiotic is adjuvant therapy for traditional drug treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). In the present study, <italic>Lactobacillus acidophilus</italic> C4 with high acid and bile salt resistance has been isolated and screened, and the beneficial effect of <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 on Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice has been evaluated. Our data showed that oral administration of <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 remarkably alleviated colitis symptoms in mice and minimized colon tissue damage.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we have investigated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and intestinal tight junction (TJ) related proteins (occludin and ZO-1) in colon tissue, as well as the intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Compared to the DSS group, the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 group were reduced, while the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) were found to be elevated. In addition, proteins linked to TJ were elevated after <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 intervention. Further study revealed that <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 reversed the decrease in intestinal microbiota diversity caused by colitis and promoted the levels of SCFAs.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>This study demonstrate that <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice by repairing the mucosal barrier and maintaining the intestinal microecological balance. <italic>L. acidophilus</italic> C4 could be of great potential for colitis therapy.</p></sec>