Probiotic Can Be Useful for Treating Colitis in Mice

B. polyfermenticus linked to faster mucosal healing in mice, increased angiogenesis in vitro

TUESDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) -- The effect of the probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus in promoting mucosal angiogenesis while helping mice recover from colitis suggests that it may be useful in supporting intestinal wound healing, according to a study in the November American Journal of Physiology -- Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

Eunok Im, Ph.D., of the University of California in Los Angeles and colleagues discuss the results of their in vitro experiments and investigations using mice. They found that the conditioned medium of B. polyfermenticus cultures increased angiogenesis of human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMECs) by increasing the permeability and migration of endothelial cells. For the studies, mice were given a colitis-inducing agent.

The researchers found that mice treated with B. polyfermenticus demonstrated faster mucosal healing than mice treated with Bacillus subtilis or untreated mice. Mice treated with B. polyfermenticus also had increased body weight, reduced rectal bleeding, and better recovery of histological markers of inflammation. Production of mouse IL-8 was elevated in B. polyfermenticus-treated tissues, suggesting that B. polyfermenticus-dependent angiogenesis was partly dependent on mouse IL-8.

"In summary, our study shows that B. polyfermenticus increases angiogenesis in HIMECs in vitro and mucosal tissues in vivo. B. polyfermenticus exerts its angiogenic effect through activation of NF-κB/IL-8/CXCR2 pathway. Future studies will evaluate the therapeutic effect of B. polyfermenticus for revascularization in intestinal wound healing after chronic inflammation," the authors conclude.

Abstract
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