Lactobacillus fermentum (MTCC-5898) based fermented whey renders prophylactic action against colitis by strengthening the gut barrier function and maintaining immune homeostasis.

Nutritional intervention using probiotic fermented dairy product has emerged as a promising prophylactic strategy to curb inflammatory bowel diseases. Under present investigation, the potential of fermented whey prepared with probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum (LF: MTCC-5898) was investigated on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced impaired intestinal barrier function in mice. Probiotic fermented whey (PFW) consumption improved the symptoms of colitis-associated with intestinal inflammation by significantly (p < 0.01) diminishing the percent loss in body weight, disease activity index and spleen index with improved colon length besides hematological and histopathological score. Likewise, pre-treatment with PFW improved the barrier integrity (p < 0.01) in contrast to leaky condition induced by DSS administration which increased the FITC-dextran permeability across gut epithelium. PFW consumption also provided the gut immune protection through significantly increased (p < 0.05) TLR-2 expression and stimulated T-regulatory response by producing TGF-β (p < 0.01) and, potently suppressed (p < 0.01) inflammatory response...