There is an essential, unmet demand for solutions to strengthen and sustain a healthy intestinal barrier while addressing the issue of leaky gut. Recent research has identified a special strain of probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum BB1, which improves the function of the intestinal barrier and safeguards against the intrusion of bacteria and other harmful substances within the gut. The details of this research, published in The American Journal of Pathology by Elsevier, could pave the way for the creation of innovative, targeted probiotic treatments for individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other related inflammatory conditions, such as fatty liver disease or alcoholic liver disease, which are linked to a compromised intestinal barrier.
Lead researcher Thomas Y. Ma, MD, PhD, from Penn State College of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center, states, “There is a pressing need for non-toxic, patient-friendly products like probiotics to treat IBD and other inflammatory conditions linked to leaky gut. Our research indicates that BB1 is a precise probiotic strain with a unique ability to significantly enhance intestinal barrier function while also mitigating the onset of inflammation.”
Individuals with active IBD often have high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β. Levels of TNF-α are notably elevated in the intestinal tissues, blood, and stool of IBD patients, contributing to increased intestinal permeability. TNF-α is crucial in fostering inflammation in those with IBD, and treatments targeting TNF-α have proven effective for this active disease. Earlier studies conducted at Penn State College of Medicine have demonstrated that BB1 significantly strengthens the intestinal epithelial barrier and protects against inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium.
Dr. Ma further explains, “Our findings indicate that BB1 hindered the increase in intestinal tight junction permeability induced by TNF-α through the inhibition of a toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 signal transduction pathway, which prevents the activation of NF-kB p50/p65 and the MLCK gene. We also found that a protein known as PPAR-γ is a key mediator in intestinal cell health that plays a vital role in protecting the intestinal barrier. Administering a PPAR-γ agonist, specifically rosiglitazone, to patients with active ulcerative colitis led to a significant decrease in the disease activity index score and an improvement in their quality of life.”
Dr. Ma concludes, “These studies reveal new intracellular mechanisms for BB1, a distinct probiotic strain, highlighting its potential in promoting health and treating inflammatory diseases like IBD by maintaining a robust intestinal barrier and preventing situations that lead to leaky gut or disruptions in the intestinal barrier.”
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by inflammation in the digestive tract. The impaired intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier is a significant factor contributing to IBD development. Patients diagnosed with IBD demonstrate a compromised intestinal barrier, which is marked by increased permeability and greater penetration of luminal antigens. The epithelial cells lining the intestines form a protective physical and functional barrier against harmful luminal substances, such as bacterial antigens, toxins, digestive enzymes, and by-products of digestion.
