The effect of selected Lactobacillus strains on dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse colitis model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two major illnesses: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse colitis model has been used in understanding the mechanism of IBD. This study was conducted to examine selected Lactobacillus spp. as potential IBD treatment in the DSS-induced animal model. Balb/c mice were used and colitis was induced by adding 5% dextran sodium sulfate into the drinking water for 8 days. Colon length, disease activity index (DAI) and histological analysis were measured as markers of inflammation in DSS colitis mice. The majority of the Lactobacillus species significantly prevented the shortening of the colon length compared with the DSS group. The DAI scores of mice were significantly reduced following usage of four Lactobacillus strains included: Lactobacillus plantarum 03 and 06, Lactobacillus brevis 02 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 01. The histological analysis exhibited that oral administration of Lactobacillus strains had therapeutic effects on mice colitis. L. plantarum and L. brevis showed better therapeutic effect against DSS-induced acute colitis mice. The probiotic activities of these three isolates indicated that the probiotic effects were strain specific and none of these useful bacteria could exhibit all of the valued probiotic properties simultaneously.