Lactobacillus acidophilus combined with Pediococcus acidilactici ameliorates colitis

Background The increasing global incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) calls for urgent attention to the prevention and management of its symptoms. Public awareness and international regulations aimed at banning or reducing antibiotic use require alternative strategies, with probiotics demonstrating promising potential. Recent studies suggest that the combination of different probiotic strains with complementary functions may achieve synergistic effects. Methods We selected Lactobacillus acidophilus , noted for its mucosal adhesion, and Pediococcus acidilactici , distinguished for its environmental resilience, to investigate their combined effects on the alleviation of symptoms in a mouse model with DSS-induced colitis. Results The results showed that the combined intervention was effective in reducing weight loss in mice with colitis and in mitigating the disease activity score. The combination significantly alleviated conditions such as colonic crypt dysfunction, goblet cell loss, and severe mucosal damage. Serum biochemical indicators revealed that the combined lactic acid bacteria increased the antioxidant capacity of the mice. Furthermore, administration of the combination reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues and increased the mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins. It partially reversed changes in the gut microbiota in mice with colitis, mainly by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia , together with increasing short-chain fatty acids production in the cecum. Discussion The current study demonstrates that the combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus acidilactici exerts protective effects against colitis in mice by the enhancement of antioxidant capacity, reduced inflammatory responses, preservation of intestinal barrier integrity, and partial restoration of gut microbiota and its metabolite production. Collectively, the study provides novel insights into the synergistic application of the specific probiotic pair for colitis management.