Role of probiotics Bfidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus rhmanosus on lung inflammation and airway remodeling in an experimental model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to cigarette smoke (CS). Thus, new therapeutic approaches are of unquestionable relevance. Whithout a specific treatment for COPD patients the use if probiotics via supplementation of diet can be a promising target. This project aims to investigate the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium breve (Bb) e Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr) probiotics in lung inflammatory process in a model of lung emphysema. Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Unifesp. The COPD was induced by CS inhalation of 14 cigarettes per day, twice a day, 7 times/week during 60 days in C57Bl/6 mice. Lr or Bb treatment was once a day, seven days a week, during the COPD induction. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, KC, and IL-10 was assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ELISA. The nRNA expression of MMP-9, MMP-12, TIMP1, TIMP2, TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, STAT3 and NFκB was assessed by RT-PCR assay. NF-κB also assesed in lung tissue by immunolocalization. Histological and morphometric analyse were done. Results: Bb and Lr attenuated the cellularity in BALF and restored the balace between cytokines and chemokines. Lr and Bb also restored the balance between MMP and TIMP in lung. Beside it Lr and Bb reduced the MMP-9, MMP-12, NF-κB, STAT3 and TLR2,4 and 9. Alveolar enlargement and collagen deposition was reduced by probiotics. Conclusion: These results contribute to the understanding of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activites of Bb and Lr in experimental model of COPD.