Restoration of the Mucosal Barrier by Lactobacillus gasseri HDS0266 and Enterococcus faecium HDS0288 in Dextran Sodium Sulfate and Clostridioides difficile-Induced Colitis Mice

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, along with Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI), are significant gastrointestinal disorders characterized by microbial dysbiosis and influenced by environmental factors. The success of current treatments for IBD and CDI, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, is limited by recurrence, antibiotic resistance, and disruption of healthy gut microbiota. These limitations have given rise to increased interest in probiotics as alternative, adjuvant therapies for both IBD and CDI. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of two probiotic strains, Enterococcus faecium HDS0288 and Lactobacillus gasseri HDS0266, in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and CDI-induced colitis mouse model, which replicates key aspects of both IBD and CDI. Administration of the combination of E. faecium HDS0288 and L. gasseri HDS0266 led to significant improvements in intestinal barrier function, including increased goblet cell numbers and enhanced integrity of the mucus barrier, all of which contributed to the intestinal epithelium recovery. Our findings demonstrate that E. faecium HDS0288 and L. gasseri HDS0266 may serve as promising adjuvant therapies for the treatment of both IBD and CDI by promoting restoration of epithelial integrity and intestinal barrier function.