Galactooligosaccharide Treatment Alleviates DSS-Induced Colonic Inflammation in Caco-2 Cell Model.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Dietary bioactive polysaccharides, including prebiotics, modulate innate immunity and gut inflammation.
• Prebiotics, derived from dietary fibers, are poorly digested carbohydrates with potential anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ulcerative colitis (UC) involves significant gut inflammation and compromised intestinal barrier function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of galactooligosaccharide (Bimuno GOS) in an in vitro model of ulcerative colitis (UC).
• To assess the impact of Bimuno GOS on intestinal cell integrity, inflammatory markers, and the NF-kB pathway.

Main Methods:

• Differentiated Caco-2 cells were induced with dextran-sulfate-sodium salt (DSS) to mimic UC-like inflammation.
• Cells were treated with varying concentrations of Bimuno GOS.
• Assessed were cell monolayer permeability (TEER, phenol red assay), tight/adherent junction proteins, cytokine secretion, and NF-kB cascade activation.

Main Results:

• Bimuno GOS counteracted DSS-induced inflammatory responses and cellular damage without affecting baseline cell monolayer permeability.
• It normalized tight and adherent junction protein distribution and inhibited DSS-induced NF-kB nuclear translocation.
• Bimuno GOS significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and reverted NF-kB pathway protein expression to control levels.

Conclusions:

• The prebiotic Bimuno GOS demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects in an in vitro UC model.
• It modulates the gut inflammatory state by inhibiting the NF-kB pathway.
• Bimuno GOS shows potential as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for improving UC remission.