Intervention with fructooligosaccharides, , and their combination in a colitis mouse model.

Objective: To examine the effects of an intervention with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), , and their combination in a mouse model of colitis and to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects.

Methods: The effects of FOS, , and their combination were evaluated in a DSS-induced mouse model of colitis. To this end, parameters such as body weight, the disease activity index (DAI), and colon length were examined in model mice. Subsequently, ELISA was employed to detect the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Histopathological analysis was performed to estimate the progression of inflammation in the colon. Gas chromatography was used to determine the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces of model mice. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the gut microbiota composition.

Results: FOS was slight effective in treating colitis and colitis-induced intestinal dysbiosis in mice. Meanwhile, could significantly reduced the DAI, inhibited the production of IL-1β, and prevented colon shortening. Nevertheless, treatment alone failed to effectively regulate the gut microbiota. In contrast, the combined administration of FOS/ resulted in better anti-inflammatory effects and enabled microbiota regulation. The FOS/ combination (10 CFU/ml and 10 CFU/ml) significantly reduced the DAI, inhibited colitis, lowered IL-1β and TNF-α production, and significantly improved the levels of butyric acid and isobutyric acid. However, FOS/ 10 CFU/ml exerted stronger anti-inflammatory effects, inhibited IL-6 production and attenuated colon shortening. Meanwhile, FOS/ 10 CFU/ml improved microbial regulation and alleviated the colitis-induced decrease in microbial diversity. The combination of FOS and significantly increased the abundance of and decreased the abundance of . Additionally, it promoted the production of acetic acid and propionic acid.

Conclusion: Compared with single administration, the combination can significantly increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as and and effectively regulate the gut microbiota composition. These results provide a scientific rationale for the prevention and treatment of colitis using a FOS/ combination. They also offer a theoretical basis for the development of nutraceutical preparations containing FOS and .