Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus improve inflammatory bowel disease in zebrafish of different ages by regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier and microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are accompanied by impaired intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Strategies targeting the gut microbiota are potential therapies for preventing and ameliorating IBD. The potential roles of two probiotic stains, Bifidobacterium longum BL986 (BL986) and Lactobacillus casei LC122 (LC122), on intestinal mucosal barrier function and microbiota in IBD zebrafish of different ages were investigated. BL986 and LC122 treatment promoted the development and increased the microbiota diversity in larval zebrafish. Both probiotic treatment ameliorated mortality, promoted intestinal mucus secretion, and reduced the expression of inflammatory markers, thereby improving intestinal mucosal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonicacid (TNBS)-induced Crohn's disease (CD) models in zebrafish. Moreover, the composition and function of microbiota were altered in IBD zebrafish, and probiotics treatment displayed prominent microbiota features. BL986 was more potent in the DSS-induced UC model, and increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum and butyric acid levels. LC122 exerted better protection against TNBS-induced CD, and increased the abundance of Enhydrobacter and acetic acid levels. Furthermore, the effect of probiotics was stronger in larval and aged zebrafish. The impact of probiotics on IBD might differ from the subtypes of IBD and the age of the zebrafish, suggesting the types of disease and age should be taken into full consideration during the practical usage of probiotics. Bifidobacterium longum BL986 (BL986) or Lactobacillus casei LC122 (LC122) treatment protected the barrier function and alleviated the intestinal inflammation in the DSS-induced UC model and the TBNS-induced CD model in zebrafish of different ages. These effects were associated with significant alterations in the microbial composition and function. Two probiotic strains exerted different effects on different IBD models. BL986 was more potent in the DSS-induced UC model by increasing the abundance of Faecalibaculum and the level of amino acid and butyric acid. LC122 exerted better protection against TNBS-induced CD, and increased the abundance of Enhydrobacter, and organic acids and acetic acid levels. [Display omitted] •BL986 and LC122 protect intestinal barrier function in UC and CD zebrafish.•BL986 and LC122 alter the composition and function of microbiota.•BL