Background
This investigation investigates the anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic effects of a cocktail of probiotics derived from traditional dairy products in a murine model of ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and
Conclusions
The results show the newly isolated cocktail of probiotics elicits a potent protective effect on UC symptoms in mice model. Further study on these probiotics is required to fully explore their effectiveness, strength, and safety considerations.
Methods
A mix of newly isolated probiotics containing L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. delbrueckii, and L. helveticus was characterized and orally administered to inbred eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice (n = 6). Clinical symptoms, pathohistological changes, and inflammatory and fibrosis markers were analyzed in the existence and absence of probiotics in colitis mice.
Results
Dairy lactobacillus probiotics potently attenuated colitis symptoms by decreasing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, rectal bleeding, and rectal prolapse. Consistently, a cocktail of probiotics could significantly improve histopathological grading by suppressing crypt loss, mucosal damage, and inflammation scores in colitis tissues. Moreover, the mix of probiotics suppressed pro-inflammatory genes including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and increased anti-oxidant markers and activity such as superoxide dismutase and catalase in colon tissue. Furthermore, compared to the no-treated group, the administration of probiotics reduced fibrosis by decreasing collagen deposition in tissue sections and down-regulating levels of pro-fibrotic genes including alpha-actin-2 (Acta2), collagen (Col) 1a1, and Col 1a2 in colitis tissue homogenates. Conclusions: The results show the newly isolated cocktail of probiotics elicits a potent protective effect on UC symptoms in mice model. Further study on these probiotics is required to fully explore their effectiveness, strength, and safety considerations.