An enzyme-triggered fuse-like microcapsule for encapsulating probiotics: the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and probiotics have been used for its treatment owing to their efficiency and safety. However, the poor ability of bare probiotics to colonize the colon impairs their anti-inflammatory effects. In our study, an enzyme-triggered fuse-like microcapsule (AP) developed in our previous work was used to encapsulate the probiotic Bifidobacterium Longum subsp. Infantis GIM 1.207 (Bl.infantis) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Mice were administered AP@Bl.infantis via gavage every other day for seven days. The results demonstrated that the body weight, visceral sections, disease activity index, blood biochemical parameters, cytokines, and blood cells of the AP@Bl.infantis group suggested that the inflammatory response tended to be relieved. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AP@Bl.infantis could enhance the abundance of Odoribacter, Marinifilaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Ruminiclostridium_6 spp., which belong to the normal intestinal microflora, to upregulate Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In conclusion, compared with the anti-inflammatory drug Mesalazine, AP@Bl.infantis can more effectively positively regulate the intestinal flora and alleviate inflammation.