Discovery of a Novel Multi-Strains Probiotic Formulation with Improved Efficacy toward Intestinal Inflammation

Dysbiosis is commonly detected in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), supporting the concept that a dysregulated immune reaction to bacterial antigens has a pathogenic role in the development of intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we have investigated the beneficial effects of a novel probiotic formulation assembled by combining four probiotics (Streptococcus thermophilus,Lactobacillus casei,Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis) withBacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive bacterium, with extensive bio-applications. Mice rendered colitic by administration of TNBS or DSS were administered withBacillus subtilisalone, Vivomixx (R) or the novel Five strains formulation. Vivomixx (R) attenuated the severity of inflammation and reduced the development of signs and symptoms of colitis in both models. AddingBacillus subtilisto Vivomixx (R) improved the beneficial effects of the bacterial therapy. The novel Five strains formulation was as effective as Vivomixx (R) in reducing the development of signs and symptoms of colitis and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators including Il-6 and Tnf-alpha while increased the expression of Il-10 mRNA and the number of Treg. In summary, we have shown that a novel Five strains probiotics formulation exerts beneficial effects on two chemical models of colitis, establishingBacillus subtilisas a probiotic in rodent models of inflammation.