Lactobacillus acidophilus Suppresses Colitis-Associated Activation of the IL-23/Th17 Axis

The aim of this paper is to determine the modulatory effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the IL-23/Th17 immune axis in experimental colitis. DSS-induced mouse models of UC were to be saline, hormones, and different concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus intervention. The expression of interleukin-(IL-) 17, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF alpha), IL-23, transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF beta 1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 was examined by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical analysis. And the results showed that administration of L. acidophilus suppressed Th17 cell-mediated secretion of proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 through downregulation of IL-23 and TGF beta 1 expression and downstream phosphorylation of p-STAT3.