Abstract
Background: Over the past decade, probiotics have gained increasing recognition for their health benefits to the host. While most research has focused on the therapeutic effects of probiotics in the treatment of various diseases, recent years have seen a shift towards exploring their role in enhancing and supporting overall health. Methods: In this work, we have studied the effects of a novel potential probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus PE11, in healthy mice following a six-week dietary intervention. The assessment included monitoring the general health of the animals, biochemical analyses, profiling of the gut and fecal microbial communities, and gene expression analysis. Results: Our results showed that the administration of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus PE11 led to changes in the composition of the fecal microbiome, specifically an increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and in the relative abundance of the Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Rikenellaceae families. Reduced Tnf expression and elevated Zo1 expression were also observed in the cecum, pointing to anti-inflammatory properties and improved intestinal barrier integrity. Additionally, a significant reduction in triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase levels-within physiological ranges-was observed, along with a trend toward decreased total cholesterol levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in healthy mice, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus PE11 has the potential to positively influence gut microbiome structure and metabolism, thereby supporting improved overall health.