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Enterococcus durans 98D alters gut microbial composition and function to improve DSS-induced colitis in mice
Yu Lei1, Yiting Yan1, Junyu Zhong1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
Heliyon
|April 1, 2024
Summary
Enterococcus durans 98D (Ed) shows promise as a safe probiotic for treating colitis. This study found Ed improves gut health and reduces inflammation in a mouse model by altering the gut microbiota.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Probiotics Research
Background:
- Enterococcus durans is recognized for its potential to regulate intestinal health and mitigate colonic inflammation.
- Further research is needed to establish the safety profile and specific mechanisms by which E. durans improves colitis.
- The strain E. durans 98D (Ed) was selected for investigation as a potential probiotic agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of E. durans 98D (Ed) using in vitro methods.
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of Ed on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a murine model.
- To analyze the impact of Ed administration on the intestinal microbiota composition and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- In vitro antimicrobial assays were performed to assess Ed's sensitivity to antibiotics and its inhibitory effects on pathogenic bacteria.
- A DSS-induced murine colitis model was established with three groups: normal control (NC), DSS-induced colitis (Con), and DSS-induced colitis treated with Ed (DSS + Ed).
- Assessment of therapeutic effects included monitoring body weight, colon length, disease activity index, histological scores, splenomegaly, and cytokine gene expression (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10). Intestinal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Main Results:
- In vitro tests confirmed Ed's sensitivity to antibiotics and its inhibitory action against E. coli O157, S. pneumoniae, and S. aureus.
- Ed treatment significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms in mice, improving body weight, colon length, disease activity, and histological damage, while reducing splenomegaly and goblet cell loss.
- Ed modulated inflammatory responses by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Microbiota analysis showed increased alpha-diversity and significant shifts in phylum (Actinomycetota) and genus (Paraprevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9, Odoribacter) abundance in Ed-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- Enterococcus durans 98D (Ed) demonstrates a favorable safety profile and therapeutic potential for DSS-induced colitis.
- Ed exerts protective effects by modulating inflammatory pathways and reshaping the colonic microbiota composition.
- Ed represents a promising candidate for a safe and effective probiotic agent for managing inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis.
