Chemotherapy-induced intestinal
mucositis is one of the major toxic side effects in the treatment of
cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to screen lactic acid bacteria which could alleviate intestinal
inflammation and damage induced by chemotherapeutic agents and explore the possible underlying mechanisms. Lactobacillus salivarius CPU-01 was selected from traditional Chinese fermented foods due to its protective effects on the toxicity of
temozolomide in Caenorhabditis elegans. Eighteen ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups including control group,
temozolomide-induced intestinal
mucositis group, and temozolomide + L. salivarius CPU-01 group, and were used to investigate the effect of L. salivarius CPU-01 on
chemotherapy-induced intestinal
mucositis. It has been demonstrated that the administration of L. salivarius CPU-01 can prevent colon shortening and alleviate colon tissue damage caused by
temozolomide-induced intestinal
mucositis in mice. L. salivarius CPU-01 relieved the intestinal microbiota disorders caused by
temozolomide and contributed to the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Clostridia UCG - 014_norank, and Akkermansia. In vivo experiments also indicated that L. salivarius CPU-01 can suppress the level of
temozolomide-induced pro-inflammatory
cytokines in serum and
mRNA expression in the small intestine tissues. It was also found that L. salivarius CPU-01 significantly increased the expressions of intestinal tight junction (TJ)
proteins, ZO-1, and
Occludin proteins in mice treated with
temozolomide. These findings suggest that L. salivarius CPU-01 can ameliorate
temozolomide-induced intestinal
mucositis by modulating gut microbiota, blocking pro-inflammatory
cytokines, and repairing the intestinal barrier. These findings suggest probiotics may serve as a potential alternative therapeutic strategy for the prevention of
chemotherapy-induced intestinal
mucositis in the future.