Affiliation:
1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition & Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Food and Nutrition & Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
3. Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to colon cancer, needs effective natural preventive and therapeutic strategies to alleviate its clinical course. This study investigated the combined effects of phlorotannins (TAs) isolated from Eisenia bicyclis (E. bicyclis) and Lactobacillus casei (LC) on inflammatory markers in UC, with a focus on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) axis. In vitro experiments revealed anti-inflammatory effects of the phlorotannin fraction isolated from E. bicyclis, especially in synergy with LC. In vivo experiments showed that a synbiotic combination of TAs and LC mitigated DSS-induced colitis and reduced intestinal shortening and splenic hypertrophy. The TA and LC combination suppressed inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, Lipocalin 2), while activating tight junction genes (Muc2, Zo-1, Occludin, and Claudin1) and enhancing antioxidant capacity (Nrf2 and Nqo1 genes). Activation of the AhR pathway, which is crucial for regulating intestinal inflammation via IL-22, was evident with both phlorotannin alone and synbiotic administration. The combination of TAs and LC amplified the synergistic effect on intestinal immunity and microbiota, favoring beneficial species and optimizing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Overall, synbiotic use demonstrated superior preventive effects against UC, suggesting its potential benefits for improving the gut immune system through gut microbiota-derived metabolites.
Funder
National Research Foundation of Korea
Reference77 articles.
1. A review of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment methods of inflammatory bowel disease;Seyedian;J. Med. Life,2019
2. Khan, I., Ullah, N., Zha, L., Bai, Y., Khan, A., Zhao, T., Che, T., and Zhang, C. (2019). Alteration of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Cause or consequence? IBD treatment targeting the gut microbiome. Pathogens, 8.
3. Immune response and inflammatory pathway of ulcerative colitis;Chatuphonprasert;J. Basic Clin. Physiol. Pharmacol.,2018
4. Inflammatory bowel disease: Etiology, pathogenesis and current therapy;Curr. Pharm. Des.,2014
5. Factors influencing the quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: A comprehensive review;Khan;Dis. Mon.,2023