Clostridium butyricum strains XMC 312 and SWY 13 alleviate dextran sulfate sodium- induced colitis through restoration of intestinal barrier integrity and modulation of gut microbiota
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) is a promising probiotic for maintaining intestinal homeostasis; however, its therapeutic efficacy is highly strain-dependent, and the biological activities of newly isolated strains remain poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the protective efficacy and underlying mechanisms of two newly isolated C. butyricum strains (XMC 312 and SWY 13) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model by comprehensively evaluating intestinal barrier integrity, oxidative stress, immune responses, gut microbiota composition, and cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Both strains attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, reduced disease activity index (DAI) scores, and improved colonic histopathological injury. Notably, SWY 13 was associated with increased goblet cell abundance and higher expression of mucin 2 (MUC2), ZO-1, and Claudin-1, whereas XMC 312 was mainly associated with increased Occludin and Claudin-1 expression. In parallel, both strains improved serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and mitigated the DSS-induced decline in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). Gut microbiota profiling via 16S rRNA gene sequencing further revealed that XMC 312 and SWY 13 altered the DSS-induced gut dysbiosis, including enrichment of Bifidobacterium in both groups. Moreover, SWY 13 treatment was accompanied by increased Lactobacillus, decreased Escherichia–Shigella, and higher cecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate levels. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that both C. butyricum strains alleviate DSS-induced colitis through coordinated improvements in intestinal barrier integrity, host antioxidant defenses, gut microbial composition, and microbial metabolite production, highlighting their potential as probiotic candidates for further development to support intestinal health.
Source: Research Square
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7207537259