Lactobacillus rhamnosus from human breast milk ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice via gut microbiota modulation

Gut microbiota imbalance is one of the major causes of ulcerative colitis (UC). L. rhamnosus SHA113 (LRS), a strain isolated from healthy human milk, influences the regulation of gut flora. This study aims to determine whether this strain can ameliorate UC by modulating gut microbiota. Mouse models of UC were established using C57BL/6Cnc mice with intragastric administration of 3.0% (w/v) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). LRS was used to treat the mouse models of UC with 109 cfu mL-1 cell suspension via intragastric administration. To verify the effect of gut microbiota on UC, fecal microbiota collected from the mice after the treatment with LRS were also used to treat the UC mouse models (FMT). The severity of UC was evaluated based on body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The mRNA expression levels of cytokines, mucins, tight junction proteins, and antimicrobial peptides in the gastrointestinal tract were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) in the cecal contents of all mice were quantitatively detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Both LRS and FMT exerted excellent therapeutic effects on UC, as evidenced by the reduction in body weight loss, colon length, and colon structural integrity, as well as the increase in the DAI (disease activity index). LRS and FMT treatments showed similar effects: (1) an increase of total SCFA production in the cecal contents and the abundance of gut microbial diversity and flora composition; (2) decreases in two genera (Parabacteroides and Escherichia/Shigella) related to the DAI and the enhancement of SCFAs and IL-10 positively related genera in the gut microbiota (Bilophila, Roseburia, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium); (3) downregulation of the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin IL-6, and IL-1β, and upregulation of the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; and (4) upregulation of the expression of mucins (Muc1-4) and tight junction protein ZO-1. Overall, L. rhamnosus SHA113 relieves UC via the regulation of gut microbiota: increases in SCFA-producing genera and decreases in UC-related genera. In addition, a single strain is sufficient to induce a significant change in the gut microbiota and exert therapeutic effects on UC.