A new treatment for ulcerative colitis: Intracolonic Bifidobacterium and xyloglucan application

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis includes the altered gut microbiota, environmental factors, and human immune and genetic predisposition. Recently, its association with reduced bifidobacteria quantity in the microbiota is reported. Xyloglucan, a plant-based prebiotic oligosaccharide, causes increase in bifidobacteria quantity. In this article, we share the results of our UC cases treated by intracolonic single-dose administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and xyloglucan combination. Intracolonic single-dose administration of 200 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of B. animalis subsp. lactis and 4 g of xyloglucan combination was administrated to 10 severe UC patients, who were either unresponsive or had inadequate response to treatment. All patients continued treatment after the procedure. Treatment responses were evaluated by colonoscopic, laboratory, and clinical examination after 6 weeks. Intracolonic single-dose administration of B. animalis subsp. lactis and xyloglucan was found effective in the mucosal healing and resolution of colonic symptoms in UC patients. Intracolonic administration of B. animalis subsp. lactis and xyloglucan in UC is a new single-strain and strain-specific prebiotic combination method. It is easy to apply and has no observable side effect. Its effectiveness on mucosal healing could be attributed to the enhancement of non-stimulatory status and biodiversity in colonic mucosa. Nonetheless, it is still necessary to develop diagnostic strategies to determine the patients to whom this method would be the most applicable.

The probiotic Bifidobacterium in the management of Coronavirus: A theoretical basis

“…Lactis-BB12 led to rapid mucosal healing in an ulcerative colitis patient. 7,19 This effect was related to the IL-17 inhibitory effect of the BB-12 strain. Zuo et al 20 showed that patients with COVID-19 had a significantly disrupted gut microbiome, characterised by enrichment of opportunistic pathogens and depletion of beneficial commensal bacteria.…”

“…24 Interestingly, IL-17 has been shown to be a proangionesis cytokine, especially in the context of cancer metastases. 7 For all of these reasons the administration of a single high dose of an appropriate strain of bifidobacterium (such as BB-12, or infantis) and especially in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting), may be postulated to have a role in the management of coronavirus infected patients. In support of this proposal it should be noted that Jayawardena 25 reported that bifidobacterium probiotic strains either reduced the severity or shortenes the duration of viral infections; in another report, Bifidobacterium infantis reduced the duration of acute respiratory infections illness in children and adults.…”

“…Interleukin-17 (originating mainly from IL-17-producing T cells) is a pro-inflammatory and procarcinogenic cytokine that plays an important role in the adaptive immune system. 7 IL-17 is also a potent inducer of ER stress and autophagy via IRE1. 8 Accordingly, IL-17 blockade has been shown to prevent ER stress-related autophagy and inflammation.…”

“… 8 IL-17 also plays an important role in inflammatory bowel disease. 7 Since effects of this novel coronavirus on the gastrointestinal tract have been well documented, 9 it is reasonable to propose that these effects might be mediated through IL-17. Also, Hou et al 10 showed that the presence of excessive IL-6 promotes the generation of Th17 cells and that IL-6 and IL-17 synergistically promote viral replication and may be important targets for anti-coronovirus therapies.…”

“… 24 Interestingly, IL-17 has been shown to be a proangionesis cytokine, especially in the context of cancer metastases. 7 …”