Abstract
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1 is a novel probiotic strain that was isolated from kefir grains. Previously, we have demonstrated the immunoregulatory, anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic and anti-colitis abilities of L. kefiranofaciens M1 in a number of in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. However, whether the effects of L. kefiranofaciens M1 are elicited directly on the host or act by regulating the host's microbiota remains unknown. A number of studies have used germ-free or gnotobiotic animals to investigate the relationship between probiotics and colitis; therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L. kefiranofaciens M1 on germ-free mice. Such an approach should help in determining the direct effects of L. kefiranofaciens M1 on the host itself. Four-week-old female germ-free mice were inoculated intragastrically with 2×108 CFU/mouse L. kefiranofaciens M1 once or at 2-day intervals for 14 days. Bacterial colonization, the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile of the mice's splenocytes and the anti-colitis effect of L. kefiranofaciens M1 were investigated. The strongest response in terms of splenic Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and IL-12 production upon TLR activation was detected in the continuous treatment group when comparing to the single inoculation group and the germ-free control. In addition, continuous inoculation with L. kefiranofaciens M1 was found to ameliorate the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis in germ-free mice. However, L. kefiranofaciens M1 failed to colonize the host. Thus it would seem that L. kefiranofaciens M1 is likely to act directly on the host and not be involved in microbiota regulation.
Highlights
Kefir is a traditional alcoholic dairy beverage fermented using kefir grains; it is composed of various species of bacteria and yeasts that have symbiotic relationships with each other [1]
We investigated the effects of the different administration periods of L. kefiranofaciens M1 on the intestines of GF mice
Cecum weight decreased when the GF mice were singly inoculated with L. kefiranofaciens M1 when they were measured at the 8 week time point (SI-8w group); while, no significant difference was found between the gnotobiotic and GF control group at the 4 week time point (SI-4w group)
Summary
Kefir is a traditional alcoholic dairy beverage fermented using kefir grains; it is composed of various species of bacteria and yeasts that have symbiotic relationships with each other [1]. We isolated a novel probiotic strain, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1, from Taiwanese kefir grains [4]. This strain has been shown to have in-vivo anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic effects using an ovalbumininduced allergic mouse models [7,8]. The possible mechanisms involved in the health benefits provided by L. kefiranofaciens M1 have been investigated This strain has been demonstrated to have an immunity enhancing ability that occurs via activation of macrophages beneath the Peyer’s patch, which, in turn, induced the production of various T helper (Th) 1 cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-a) and CD4+CD25+ Tregs via the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 [10]. Whether the probiotic effects of L. kefiranofaciens M1 occur via a direct effect on the host or via the regulation of the host’s microbiota in intestine remains unknown
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