Abstract
Studies have shown that breastfeeding can reduce the risk and severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children and adults. Probiotics in breast milk have also been isolated and their effects on IBD have been studied. However, based on current evidence, the exact efficacy and mechanisms of probiotics in the treatment of IBD cannot be determined. In this study, Bifidobacterium breve FPHC4024 (BB FPHC4024) and Limosilactobacillus reuteri FPHC2951 (LR FPHC2951) were isolated from feces of exclusively breastfed healthy infants and administered by gavage to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mice. The results showed that LR FPHC2951 improved the symptoms of DSS-induced IBD, increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA and upregulated the abundance of Verrucomicrobiaceae Akkermansia. Combined with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-based Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) function prediction results, we hypothesized that LR FPHC2951 improved DSS-induced colitis symptoms in mice by increasing of IL-10 mRNA, altering the structure of intestinal flora, and reducing proinflammatory pathways and enhancing pathways associated with anti-inflammatory and intestinal protection.