Multi-Strain-Probiotic-Loaded Nanoparticles Reduced Colon Inflammation and Orchestrated the Expressions of Tight Junction, NLRP3 Inflammasome and Caspase-1 Genes in DSS-Induced Colitis Model

Abstract

Gut modulation by multi-strain probiotics (MSPs) is considered an effective strategy for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The combination of nanomaterial-based MSPs can improve their viability and resistance and can allow their targeted release in the gastrointestinal tract to be achieved. Thus, our aim is to investigate the prospective role of MSP integration into nanomaterials (MSPNPs) and the underlying molecular mechanisms supporting their application as an alternative therapy for IBD using a colitis rat model. To induce the colitis model, rats received 5% DSS, and the efficacy of disease progression after oral administration of MSPNPs was assessed by evaluating the severity of clinical signs, inflammatory response, expressions of tight-junction-related genes and NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 genes, microbial composition and histopathological examination of colonic tissues. The oral administration of MSPNPs successfully alleviated the colonic damage induced by DSS as proved by the reduced severity of clinical signs and fecal calprotectin levels. Compared with the untreated DSS-induced control group, the high activities of colonic NO and MPO and serum CRP levels were prominently reduced in rats treated with MSPNPs. Of note, colonic inflammation in the group treated with MSPNPs was ameliorated by downstreaming NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, IL-18 and IL-1β expressions. After colitis onset, treatment with MSPNPs was more effective than that with free MSPs in restoring the expressions of tight-junction-related genes (upregulation of occludin, ZO-1, JAM, MUC and FABP-2) and beneficial gut microbiota. Interestingly, treatment with MSPNPs accelerated the healing of intestinal epithelium as detected in histopathological findings. In conclusion, the incorporation of MPSs into nanomaterials is recommended as a perspective strategy to overcome the challenges they face and augment their therapeutic role for treating of colitis.

Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin Loaded Nanoparticles: Novel Insights in Alleviating Colitis in an Experimental DSS Induced Colitis Model

“…This elevation in fecal calprotectin signifies the migration of neutrophils into the intestinal mucosa as a consequence of intestinal injury [ 67 ]. An elevation in FC was detected in colitic non-treated rats, unlike the group treated with multi-strain-loaded nanoparticles [ 25 ]. Remarkably, the current study showed that the positive impacts of QT-NPs on FC reduction were more prominent when their levels were increased after the induction of colitis.…”

“…Meanwhile, the fact that quercetin can be absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and rapidly metabolize or suffer strong degradation may hinder its access to the colon at desired concentrations to display local antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thus restricting its potential use for IBD management [ 23 ]. Hence, the engineering of innovative dietary formulations targeting nanoparticles (NPs) offers functional food ingredients with various novel features that enhance their bioavailability, quality and safety together with increasing their stability and protecting them from intestinal degradation [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. The fate of nanoparticle-based functional ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract greatly varies from that of ingredients that have larger particles owing to their higher surface area with greater motion proficiency, enabling them to easily penetrate the biological barriers, including intestinal epithelial cells [ 28 , 29 ].…”

The Probiotic Strains Bifidοbacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces boulardii Regulate Wound Healing and Chemokine Responses in Human Intestinal Subepithelial Myofibroblasts

“…For instance, it was shown that probiotic supplementation with either Lactobacillus paracasei, B. lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. acidophilus , or with Lactobacillus rhamnosus , Bifidobacterium longum can accelerate trauma healing after surgeries, with better results when simultaneously using multiple strains [ 76 , 77 , 78 ]. The re-epithelialization in DSS-induced mice was also faster after treatment with Bifidobacterium bifidum , L. acidophilus and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens [ 79 ] In a study by Tsai et al, the co-administration of heat-killed L. plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei promoted healing in mice [ 80 ], while Kazemi et al showed that the extracts of L. plantarum and Lactobacillus casei promoted the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells [ 81 ]. Furthermore, a four-strain supplement containing L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecium benefited epithelial tight junction integrity and promoted wound healing [ 82 ], and another one containing L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, B. lactis and Bifidobacterium breve can strengthen the epithelial barrier of the gut [ 83 ].…”

Modulatory Impacts of Multi-Strain Probiotics on Rabbits’ Growth, Nutrient Transporters, Tight Junctions and Immune System to Fight against Listeria monocytogenes Infection

“…Herein, higher expression levels of ZO-1 , CLDN-1 , occludin, MUC-2, and JAM-2 in the intestine of rabbits described that MSP, especially at higher doses, enhanced TJPs. In accordance, probiotics could enhance gut barrier function by increasing the expression of TJP genes [ 106 , 107 , 108 ]. Moreover, some Lactobacillus species, such as L. plantarum, abated barrier disruption via upregulation of TJPs [ 109 , 110 ].…”