Microbial and metabolic profiles of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and therapeutic effects of potential probiotics Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium bifidum

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common respiratory disease in newborns; however, there is no effective treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of the potential probiotics Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium bifidum on BPD using 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics methods.Faecal samples were collected from 10 BPD patients and 10 healthy subjects. 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that microbial diversity was decreased and compositions were affected in BPD. Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 were increased in the BPD group, and Enterobacteriaceae, Megamonas, Blautia, Lactobacillus (Limosilactobacillus), [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, Phascolarctobacterium and Bifidobacterium were reduced. Metabolomics analysis identified 129 differentiated metabolites that were changed in BPD patients, and they were associated with a preference for carbohydrate metabolism in translation and metabolism during genetic information processing. Correlation analysis revealed a remarkable relationship between gut microbiota and metabolites. Subsequently, a BPD cell model was constructed to test the effect of the potential probiotics. Cell function experiments verified that treatment with the potential probiotics L. reuteri and B. bifidum promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of hyperoxia-induced MLE-12 cells. In addition, treatment with the potential probiotics L. reuteri and B. bifidum reduced inflammation and oxidative stress damage.Treatment with the potential probiotics L. reuteri and B. bifidum could alleviate BPD and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress damage.This study was the first to report positive roles for the potential probiotics L. reuteri and B. bifidum in BPD. The potential probiotics L. reuteri and B. bifidum were shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress damage in BPD. This study provided new insights on the pathogenesis and treatment of BPD.