Functional Effects of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Alleviation Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli–Associated Colitis in BALB/c Mice Model

Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-E. coli) is a global health concern. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important probiotics that have beneficial effects on health, and in recent years, their influences in preventing foodborne pathogens-induced colitis have attracted much attention. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the oral administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NWAFU-BIO-BS29 as an emerging approach to alleviate MDR-E. coli–induced colitis in BALB/c mice model. To illustrate the mode of action of NWAFU-BIO-BS29 interventions with the gut microbiota and immune responses, the changes on the colonic mucosal barrier, regulatory of the gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines, re-modulating the intestinal microflora, and changes in physiological parameters were studied. The results indicated that daily supplementation of 200 µL fresh bacteria for 7 days had ameliorated the associated colitis and partially prevented the infection. The modes of action by ameliorating the inflammatory response, which destructed villous and then affected the intestinal barrier integrity, reducing the secretion of interleukins (6 and β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in serum by 87.88–89.93%, 30.73–35.98%, and 19.14–22.32%, respectively, enhancing the expressions of some epithelial integrity-related proteins in the mouse mucous layer of mucins 2 and 3, Claudin-1, and Occludin by 130.00–661.85%, 27.64–57.35%, 75.52–162.51%, and 139.36–177.73%, respectively, and 56.09–73.58% for toll-like receptor (TLR4) in colon tissues. Notably, the mouse gut microbiota analysis showed an increase in the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Bacteriodales bacterium, Candidatus Saccharimonas, Enterorhabdus, and Bacilli. Furthermore, the probiotic promoted the proliferation of epithelia and goblet cells by increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels by 19.23–31.39%. In conclusion, L. plantarum NWAFU-BIO-BS29 has potential applications and can be considered a safe dietary supplement to ameliorate the colitis inflammation symptoms of MDR-E. coli infection.