Effects of lactobacilli with different regulatory behaviours on tight junctions in mice with dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis

Abstract

In this study, six strains of Lactobacillus exhibiting different regulatory effects on the tight junction (TJ) proteins of mammalian cells in vitro were used in the treatment of mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Consistent with the results in vitro, different strains displayed different effects on repairment of TJs in the intestinal barrier, as well as alleviation on symptoms of colitis including disease activity index, tissue damage and inflammation. The lactobacilli showed significant inter- and intra-species differences in their ability to relieve the syndrome of colitis in mice, which were highly correlated with their effects on TJ protein recovery, although the impacts of bacteria on immune system and SCFAs should also be considered. Therefore, probiotics associated with TJ recovery are potential candidates for the treatment of colitis. The capacity for TJ recovery should be one of the important targets in the screening of probiotics for colitis treatment.