Bifidobacterium BLa80 mitigates colitis by altering gut microbiota and alleviating inflammation

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis (UC), poses a significant health challenge.
• Current treatments for UC have limitations, driving the search for novel therapeutic strategies.
• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 (BLa80) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.
• To assess the impact of BLa80 on intestinal inflammation, colonic tissue structure, and gut microbial composition.

Main Methods:

• Ulcerative colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using 2.5% DSS for 8 days.
• BLa80 was administered intragastrically to assess its preventive effects on DSS-induced UC.
• Colon shortening, colonic tissue structure, serum cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17), and gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• BLa80 treatment significantly reduced colon shortening and improved colonic tissue structure in UC model mice.
• Serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17) were decreased in BLa80-treated mice.
• BLa80 increased gut microbial diversity and modulated UC-associated dysbiosis, promoting beneficial bacteria like Romboutsia and Adlercreutzia.

Conclusions:

• Pretreatment with B. lactis BLa80 demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in a DSS-induced UC mouse model.
• BLa80 reduces intestinal inflammation and positively modulates the gut microbiota composition.
• BLa80 is a promising probiotic strain with potential therapeutic applications for ulcerative colitis.