Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC06 Activity Prevents Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Regulating the IL-8 Pathway.

Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC06 (LP-CQPC06) is a newly discovered lactic acid bacterial strain. Here, the beneficial effects of this strain on C57BL/6J mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis were investigated. LP-CQPC06 was more resistant to gastric acid and bile salts than L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LB). In the DSS-induced colitis mouse model, LP-CQPC06 treatment decreased the colon weight/length ratio and increased the colon length as compared to untreated mice with DSS-induced colitis. LP-CQPC06 also reduced the serum levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, as well as reducing levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) in the colon tissues of mice with DSS-induced colitis. In all cases, the effects of LP-CQPC06 were significantly stronger than those of LB. Quantitative polymerase chain reactions and western blots indicated that LP-CQPC06 increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor alpha, while decreasing the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor kappa-beta, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1), and CXCR2. Thus, L. plantarum CQPC06 had a good protective effect against colitis in a mouse model via the IL-8 pathway. Therefore, L. plantarum CQPC06 might have potential uses as a probiotic for colonic protection. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, a newly discovered lactic acid bacteria was investigated. This bacterial strain had a good prophylactic effect against colitis in a mouse model, and might have potential utility as a probiotic.