Molecular and Immunological Studies of Phloretin and Escherichia Coli on Experimentally Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

Background: In therapy of bowel disease, immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatory medications were used. Present article aimed to assess intestinal anti-inflammatory features activity of Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani and Chalmers, ATCC 25922 and another Escherichia coli Egyptian isolate individually and in combination along with phloretin versus DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Bacteria isolation and identification was done using 16S rRNA, VITEK and conventional methods, Also, E. coli ATCC 25922 108 CFU, nonpathogenic, and phloretin (100 mg/kg.b.w.) was administered orally individually and in combination for 15 days to rats with DSS-induced colitis. Results: 16S rRNA sequence of isolate showed monophyletic clade with Escherichia genera according to Phylogenetic analysis. It was 97.21% 16S rRNA gene sequence similar to Escherichia coli. However, administration E. coli ATCC 25922 and phloretin individually or in combination significantly reduces plasma total cholesterol (TC), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Leucine rich alpha2-glycoprotein (LRG) as well as colon malondialdehyde (MDA) in DSStreated rats. Also, plasma triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol, reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed significantly elevated in DSS-treated rats when administrated E. coli ATCC 25922, isolated E. coli, and phloretin individually or in combination. Moreover, E. coli ATCC 25922 and isolated one significantly down regulates of nuclear factor- K beta (NF-K beta), high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) as well as up regulates of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) gene expression in DSS-treated rats. Conclusion: Results clearly suggest that E. coli ATCC 25922 and isolated one when combined with phloretin displayed intestinal anti-inflammatory properties and improve gut microbiota in DSS model of colitis in rats.