Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZGS521 attenuates colitis by regulating intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation and the gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a persistent and relapsing intestinal disorder that significantly harms health. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZGS521 isolated from fermented pickles was identified through Gram staining, physiological and biochemical assays and 16S rDNA sequencing. The gene of L. plantarum ZGS521 was annotated through sequence alignment. L. plantarum ZGS521 was found to have excellent gastrointestinal fluid tolerance, adhesion capability and antioxidant activity. In a colitis mouse model, ZGS521 notably suppressed weight loss, decreased the disease activity index (DAI), increased the colon length, regulated intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation by increasing the population of intestinal stem cells and goblet cells, and upregulated the expression levels of relevant genes with intestinal epithelial cells and enteroendocrine cells (P < 0.05). Additionally, ZGS521 modulated cytokines, restored oxidative balance and repaired mucosal damage. L. plantarum ZGS521 also modulated short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, increasing the proportion of beneficial microorganisms. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activities of ZGS521 may involve the modulation of intestinal epithelial proliferation and differentiation and the gut microbiota.