Lactobacillus acidophilus Supplementation Restores Gut Epithelial Integrities and Barrier Functions in Non-specific Diarrhea

Abstract

Objectives: The study was aimed to evaluate the roles of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation in maintaining intestinal epithelial integrities, tight junction proteins, and adhesion molecules in non-specific diarrhea. Methods: In this study, we used the pre-weaned BL/6 pups (3 weeks of age, same litters) as a model animal. We supplied the non-sterilized and poor-quality water to experimental pups (n=7) to develop non-specific diarrheic symptoms. Then diarrheic pups were supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) for three consecutive weeks. The control group (n=5) was supplied with sterilized water and no LA. The sampling and analysis were performed on day 0, day 7, day 14, and day 21. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a) and tight junction proteins (TJPs) of gut mucosa were determined using qRT-PCR. And the serum cytokines level was screened through sandwich ELISA. Results: The intestinal cytoskeletal integrity becomes disrupted and characterized by lower ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, Claudin-5, and JAM mRNA expressions upon real-time qRT-PCR. However, Claudin-4 was found to be not affected and illustrated with a higher expression like control pups. Interestingly, supplementing Lactobacillus acidophilus was found to maintain gut integrity and effectively reduce diarrheic symptoms. Like the control pups, the Lactobacillus acidophilus supplemented pups exhibited a higher expression of gut epithelial TJPs and adhesion molecules. Moreover, the diseased pups produced significantly increased IL-6, and TNF-α production in blood serum, compared to control BL/6 pups. Conclusion: We concluded that L. acidophilus supplementation might orchestrate the equilibrium of gut health and immunity against non-specific diarrhea.