Early-life kefir intake reduces disease activity and colonic histopathological damage in wistar rats with induced colitis

Abstract

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are the result of multifactorial processes involving genetic, immune, microbiota, and environmental factors. Their incidence is increasing, especially in developing countries such as Brazil. Early-life microbiota manipulation has shown promise in preventing IBD. Therefore, probiotics may play a role in this process. The present study explores the potential impact of kefir and Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) on IBD susceptibility and aims to guide the development of preventative strategies.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are the result of multifactorial processes involving genetic, immune, microbiota, and environmental factors. Their incidence is increasing, especially in developing countries such as Brazil. Early-life microbiota manipulation has shown promise in preventing IBD. Therefore, probiotics may play a role in this process. The present study explores the potential impact of kefir and Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) on IBD susceptibility and aims to guide the development of preventative strategies.

Methods

Lactation Wistar rats were divided: Control (C); Kefir control (CK); L. reuteri control (CL); Overfeeding (S); Kefir overfeeding (SK); and L. reuteri overfeeding (SL). The C and S rats received 1 mL of water/day; Kefir and L. reuteri groups received 1 mL of probiotics (109 colony forming unit, cfu/day) during lactation. After weaning, the pups continued to receive the same treatment until 30 days. At 140 days of age, the animals were induced to colitis by 3% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days. Body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score and histopathological evaluation were measured. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for the use of Animals at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (n.09/2025).

Lactation Wistar rats were divided: Control (C); Kefir control (CK); L. reuteri control (CL); Overfeeding (S); Kefir overfeeding (SK); and L. reuteri overfeeding (SL). The C and S rats received 1 mL of water/day; Kefir and L. reuteri groups received 1 mL of probiotics (109 colony forming unit, cfu/day) during lactation. After weaning, the pups continued to receive the same treatment until 30 days. At 140 days of age, the animals were induced to colitis by 3% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days. Body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score and histopathological evaluation were measured. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for the use of Animals at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (n.09/2025).

Results

Offspring overfed during lactation exhibited higher body weight at the end of the lactation period than the control group (both males and females; F (35, 217) = 4.606, P < 0.0001; F (35, 144) = 3.088, P < 0.0001), and this increase persisted into adulthood. Based on the DAI score, kefir intake reduced disease activity in both the overfed and control groups (vs. S; F (45, 300) = 3.148, P < 0.0001). Histological analysis of the distal colon revealed that both probiotics were effective in reducing immune cell infiltration and attenuating mucosal damage.

Offspring overfed during lactation exhibited higher body weight at the end of the lactation period than the control group (both males and females; F (35, 217) = 4.606, P < 0.0001; F (35, 144) = 3.088, P < 0.0001), and this increase persisted into adulthood. Based on the DAI score, kefir intake reduced disease activity in both the overfed and control groups (vs. S; F (45, 300) = 3.148, P < 0.0001). Histological analysis of the distal colon revealed that both probiotics were effective in reducing immune cell infiltration and attenuating mucosal damage.

Conclusion

For the first time, we demonstrate that neonatal overfeeding increases markers of IBD susceptibility in adult offspring and that kefir has the potential to mitigate these effects. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

For the first time, we demonstrate that neonatal overfeeding increases markers of IBD susceptibility in adult offspring and that kefir has the potential to mitigate these effects. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.