Probiotic Bacillus licheniformis MCC2514 and Bifidobacterium breve NCIM 5671 Regulates GATA3 and Foxp3 Expression in the Elevated Disease Condition

TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis was evaluated using Bacillus licheniformis MCC 2514 (B. licheniformis) and Bifidobacterium breve NCIM 5671 (Bf. breve) as immune modulators. The study aims to analyze probiotic efficiency of ulcerative colitis induced by TNBS in Wistar rats. The tumor-like structure was found in the colon of TNBS inflammation-induced rats. Nitric oxide production was inhibited by about 65.2% fed with combination of bacteria and C-reactive protein, and decreased by 12% and 10.8% upon supplementing B. licheniformis and Bf. breve against the TNBS-treated rats, respectively. Liver damage was observed in the TNBS-treated rats; addition of probiotic bacteria reduced SGPT (75.4%) and SGOT (42.5%). On TNBS treatment, the transcriptional factor responsible for Th2 cell immune response (GATA3) was analyzed, and the elevation in gene expression (5.31-fold) was found. The FOXP-3 responsible for T-regulatory cells was expressed about 0.91-fold upon the treatment with a combination of bacteria. The expression of antioxidant genes such as iNOS (1.11-fold), GPx (1.29-fold), and PON1 (1.48-fold) has been increased when compared with that of the TNBS-treated group. The cytokines specific to Th2-driven immune response, such as IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-alpha, were reduced upon feeding the bacteria. It is observed that the B. licheniformis and Bf. breve used in the study have reduced Th2-driven immune response.

Automated summary

This study aimed to analyze the probiotic efficiency of Bacillus licheniformis and Bifidobacterium breve on TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in Wistar rats. The combination of bacteria and C-reactive protein inhibited nitric oxide production and reduced the tumor-like structure in the colon. Probiotic bacteria also reduced liver damage and expression of GATA3, while increasing expression of antioxidant genes. The specific cytokines related to Th2-driven immune response were reduced upon feeding the bacteria, suggesting that B. licheniformis and Bf. breve can reduce Th2-driven immune response.