Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R fermented milk alleviates DSS induced colitis via anti-inflammation, mucosal barrier maintenance and gut microbiota modulation

The health-associated benefits of bifidobacteria has generated interest in the production of bifidobacteria-fermented milk. In this study, three fermented milks were generated using Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R which is a ropy-exopolysaccharide producer, the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12, and a starter culture blend composed of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. YS108R proved as effective as the starter culture blend for reducing pH during milk fermentation. YS108R fermented milk proved to decrease disease active index by 29% and myeloperoxidase activity by 40% compared with model group. It also significantly decreased the expression of IL-6 and IL-17A and maintained the tight junction proteins, while increasing the expression of mucin2. Furthermore, YS108R fermented milk modulated the gut microbiota, especially preventing the increase of Enterobacteriaceae. Overall, YS108R fermented milk was shown to alleviate DSS-induced colitis through its anti-inflammatory properties, by protecting mucosal barrier integrity, and maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis.