Abstract
Biogenic polyphosphate nanoparticles (BPNPs) from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 have been found to exhibit intestinal protective potential in vitro and ex vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo intestinal protective effect of BPNPs in experimental colitis. BPNPs were intragastrically administered to C57BL/6 mice daily for 9 d during and after 5 d dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) exposure. Based on the body weight, disease activity index, colon length and colon histology, BPNPs effectively ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice. According to colonic myeloperoxidase activity, colonic and peripheral proinflammatory cytokines, and hematological parameters, BPNPs alleviated the DSS-induced colonic and systemic inflammation. BPNPs enhanced the intestinal barrier function by upregulating the colonic expressions of heat shock protein 25 and tight junction proteins. By high-throughput sequencing of fecal 16S rRNA, BPNPs were found to maintain gut microbial homeostasis in colitis mice. Overall, BPNPs have a considerable in vivo efficacy to maintain gut health.