Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease with escalating global incidence. Conventional therapies face limitations including substantial costs and adverse effects, while live probiotics pose safety risks in vulnerable populations. Postbiotics—inactivated microorganisms conferring health benefits—offer therapeutic potential without viable bacterial risks. This study investigated inactivated Akkermansia muciniphila AKK PROBIO in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced colitis mice. Inactivated AKK PROBIO significantly ameliorated disease manifestations, restoring body weight and food intake during days 10–14 (p < 0. 01) and reducing Disease Activity Index scores (p < 0. 0001). Treatment preserved colonic architecture, enhanced tight junction proteins (Claudin-1, Occludin, ZO-1), and elevated mucin 2 expression. Mechanistically, AKK PROBIO modulated inflammatory responses by increasing anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (p < 0. 05) while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α (all p < 0. 05). 16S rRNA sequencing revealed selective microbiota remodeling with enriched beneficial genera (Ligilactobacillus, LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group, Bacteroides, Akkermansia) and depleted pathobionts (Escherichia-Shigella). Functional profiling demonstrated enhanced microbial metabolic capacity in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism pathways. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis confirmed elevated short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyrate and isocaproate (p < 0. 05). Correlation analyses revealed interconnected relationships among beneficial microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory mediators, while showing inverse associations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. In summary, our findings demonstrate that inactivated AKK PROBIO alleviates colitis, supporting its development as a safe, food-derived postbiotic.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.