Protective effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on intestinal mucosal barrier of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice

Abstract

Background: The effect and mechanism of Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) in inflammatory bowel disease are unclear. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of Sb on intestinal mucosal barrier and intestinal flora in a colitis mouse model. Methods: Forty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly assigned to five groups: normal control group (A), pathologic control group (B), Sb treatment group (C), mesalazine treatment group (D), and Sb combined with mesalazine treatment group (E). Colitis was induced by the addition of 2.5% (wt/vol) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in the drinking water ad libitum for 7 days. The general condition, weight change, stool property, and bloody stool level of mice were observed to evaluate the disease activity index. The expression of zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in intestinal tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. The level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-8 in plasma was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Inter-cellular tight junctions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The feces and intestinal contents were collected sterilely, and intestinal flora was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Compared with group B, Sb reduced the disease activity index and histological score of group C (disease activity index: group B 2.708 ± 0.628, group C 1.542 ± 0.616, P BC = 0.005; histological score: group B 9.875 ± 3.271, group C 4.750 ± 1.832, P BC = 0.005) in DSS-induced colitis in mice. Sb exerted a protect effect on the expression of ZO-1 (group B 2.075 ± 1.176, group C 4.225 ± 1.316, P BC = 0.019) and occludin (group B 2.200 ± 0.968, group C 3.525 ± 1.047, P BC = 0.023). Compared with group B, Sb decreased the level of TNF-α and IL-8 of group C (TNF-α: group B 716.323 ± 44.691 ng/L, group C 521.740 ± 90.121 ng/L, P BC = 0.001; IL-8: group B 128.992 ± 11.475 pg/mL, group C 106.283 ± 15.906 pg/mL, P BC = 0.012). Treatment with Sb preserved the tight junctions and ameliorated microvilli and inter-cellular space. Treatment with Sb also showed its own characteristics: a higher percentage of Bacteroidetes and a lower percentage of Firmicutes , with significant differences or a significant trend. The proportion of the S24-7 family was increased significantly in the Sb treatment group. Conclusions: Sb shows an anti-inflammatory effect and has a protective effect on the intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier. Sb may up-regulate the abundance of family S24-7 specifically, and maybe a mechanism underlying its function.

Short chain fatty acids and its producing organisms: An overlooked therapy for IBD?

“…The intestinal barrier is a complex, multi-component system in which the epithelium and innate immune cells contribute to its integrity and hence prevent unwanted translocation of components from the lumen to the body [33] . When this barrier is disturbed, bacteria can infiltrate and cause a dysregulated immune response, which is thought to be an important primary event in the pathogenesis of IBD [34] .…”

“…Butyrate and other SCFAs provide abundant energy to the intestinal epithelial cells by β-oxidation in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) [ 5 , 34 ] ( Fig. 3 A).…”

Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745: A Non-bacterial Microorganism Used as Probiotic Agent in Supporting Treatment of Selected Diseases

“…In the most recent Dong et al trial with mouse models of colitis, the anti-inflammatory properties of S. boulardii were confirmed [ 63 ]. The effects of S. boulardii on intestinal mucosa barrier and intestinal flora were additionally assessed.…”

“…An increase in the number of S24-7 family intestinal flora was also noted. S24-7 is an uncultured family of the order Bacteroidales , and it rather tends to be commensal bacteria [ 63 ]. Overall, S. boulardii and, as it was mentioned above, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 have anti-inflammatory properties as well as they have positive effect on intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier [ 63 ].…”

Effect of Boulardii Yeast Wall Polysaccharides on Intestinal Microflora in Jejunum, Cecum and Colon for Early-Weaned Lambs by 16S rRNA Sequence Analysis

“…BRYP is one of the main bioactive constituents in Boulardii yeast, which has been wildly used to treat diarrhea in babies. The mechanisms that Boulardii yeast wall polysaccharides could regulate intestinal microbial communities as follows: 1) BRYP is hard to be digested in the digestive tract, but BRYP could be used by intestinal probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which could promote the growth of prebiotics, but inhibit the growth of pernicious bacteria (Dong et al 2019). 2) There was an interaction between intestinal bacteria and cytokines.…”