Lactobacillus acidophilus combined with Pediococcus acidilactici ameliorates colitis.

2026-03-04
Frontiers in microbiology 17

PubMed: 41859447
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1773197

Study Design

Population: a mouse model with DSS-induced colitis
Methods: We selected Lactobacillus acidophilus, noted for its mucosal adhesion, and Pediococcus acidilactici, distinguished for its environmental resilience, to investigate their combined effects on the alleviation of symptoms in a mouse model with DSS-induced colitis.

Background

The increasing global incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) calls for urgent attention to the prevention and management of its symptoms. Public awareness and international regulations aimed at banning or reducing antibiotic use require alternative strategies, with probiotics demonstrating promising potential. Recent studies suggest that the combination of different probiotic strains with complementary functions may achieve synergistic effects.

Methods

We selected Lactobacillus acidophilus, noted for its mucosal adhesion, and Pediococcus acidilactici, distinguished for its environmental resilience, to investigate their combined effects on the alleviation of symptoms in a mouse model with DSS-induced colitis.

Results

The results showed that the combined intervention was effective in reducing weight loss in mice with colitis and in mitigating the disease activity score. The combination significantly alleviated conditions such as colonic crypt dysfunction, goblet cell loss, and severe mucosal damage. Serum biochemical indicators revealed that the combined lactic acid bacteria increased the antioxidant capacity of the mice. Furthermore, administration of the combination reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues and increased the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins. It partially reversed changes in the gut microbiota in mice with colitis, mainly by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, together with increasing short-chain fatty acids production in the cecum.

Discussion

The current study demonstrates that the combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus acidilactici exerts protective effects against colitis in mice by the enhancement of antioxidant capacity, reduced inflammatory responses, preservation of intestinal barrier integrity, and partial restoration of gut microbiota and its metabolite production. Collectively, the study provides novel insights into the synergistic application of the specific probiotic pair for colitis management.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus acidophilus	—	Improved Antioxidant Capacity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Serum biochemical indicators revealed that the combined lactic acid bacteria increased the antioxidant capacity of the mice.
Lactobacillus acidophilus	—	Improved Colitis Symptoms	Beneficial	Large	View source The results showed that the combined intervention was effective in reducing weight loss in mice with colitis and in mitigating the disease activity score. The combination significantly alleviated conditions such as colonic crypt dysfunction, goblet cell loss, and severe mucosal damage.
Lactobacillus acidophilus	—	Improved Intestinal Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source increased the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins
Lactobacillus acidophilus	—	Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production	Beneficial	Small	View source together with increasing short-chain fatty acids production in the cecum
Lactobacillus acidophilus	—	Reduced Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source administration of the combination reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14	—	Improved Colitis Symptoms	Beneficial	Large	View source The results showed that the combined intervention was effective in reducing weight loss in mice with colitis and in mitigating the disease activity score. The combination significantly alleviated conditions such as colonic crypt dysfunction, goblet cell loss, and severe mucosal damage.
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14	—	Improved Intestinal Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source increased the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14	—	Increased Antioxidant Capacity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Serum biochemical indicators revealed that the combined lactic acid bacteria increased the antioxidant capacity of the mice.
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14	—	Reduced Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source administration of the combination reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Improved Gut Microbiota Composition	Beneficial	Moderate	View source It partially reversed changes in the gut microbiota in mice with colitis, mainly by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, together with increasing short-chain fatty acids production in the cecum.
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Improved Intestinal Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source increased the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Increased Antioxidant Capacity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Serum biochemical indicators revealed that the combined lactic acid bacteria increased the antioxidant capacity of the mice.
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production	Beneficial	Small	View source together with increasing short-chain fatty acids production in the cecum
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Reduced Colitis Severity	Beneficial	Large	View source The results showed that the combined intervention was effective in reducing weight loss in mice with colitis and in mitigating the disease activity score. The combination significantly alleviated conditions such as colonic crypt dysfunction, goblet cell loss, and severe mucosal damage.
Pediococcus acidilactici	—	Reduced Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source administration of the combination reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues