Bifidobacterium adolescentis alleviates ulcerative colitis in mice

Abstract:

[Objective] To study the therapeutic effect of Bifidobacterium adolescentis strains with strong antioxidant capacity on a mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC). [Methods] The B. adolescentis strains with strong antioxidant capacity were screened based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging rate, reducing capacity, and hydrogen peroxide tolerance. Subsequently, we established a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis to investigate the alleviating effects of the B. adolescentis strains with strong antioxidant capacity on UC. [Results] Among the 26 strains of B. adolescentis, TH02767, TH03658, and TH03664 demonstrated strong antioxidant capacity. Only TH02767 showed an alleviating effect on UC in terms of disease activity index and spleen index in the mouse model (P<0.05). Moreover, the intervention with TH02767 lowered the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and myeloperoxidase (P<0.05), while enhancing the production of interleukin-10 (P<0.05) in the colon. In addition, TH02767 modulated gut microbiota in the mice by reducing the relative abundance of Deferribacterota and increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, it increased the relative abundance of Muribaculum and Muribaculaceae (P<0.05). [Conclusion] B. adolescentis TH02767 screened out in this study for its robust antioxidant capacity not only ameliorates the clinical symptoms associated with DSS-induced colitis in mice but also significantly reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulates the gut microbiota.