Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum supernatants upregulate the serotonin transporter expression in intestinal epithelial cells

• Main Authors: Ya-Nan Cao, Li-Juan Feng, Bang-Mao Wang, Kui Jiang, Shu Li, Xin Xu, Wei-Qiang Wang, Jing-Wen Zhao, Yu-Ming Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: The Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology
• Subjects: Bifidobacterium longum supernatant; intestinal epithelial cells; Lactobacillus acidophilus supernatant; serotonin transporter
• Online Access: http://www.saudijgastro.com/article.asp?issn=1319-3767;year=2018;volume=24;issue=1;spage=59;epage=66;aulast=Cao

Background/Aims: Probiotics play a role in relieving irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the underlying mechanism is yet unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the supernatants of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum on the expression of serotonin transporter (SERT) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein. Materials and Methods: HT-29 and Caco-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of L. acidophilus and B. longum supernatants for 12 h and 24 h, respectively. SERT mRNA and proteins levels were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and Western-blotting. Results: The mRNA levels of SERT in HT-29 and Caco-2 cells treated with different concentrations of L. acidophilus or B. longum supernatants for 12 h and 24 h, each, were higher than that in the control groups. In addition, the expression of the protein in both cells was also upregulated, which was approximately similar to that of the corresponding mRNA. Conclusions: L. acidophilus and B. longum supernatants can upregulate SERT mRNA and protein levels in intestinal epithelial cells.