Bifidobacterium longumalleviates irritable bowel syndrome-related visceral hypersensitivity and microbiota dysbiosis via Paneth cell regulation

Although the oral administration ofBifidobacterium longum(B. longum) relieves the signs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in clinical settings, the mechanisms underlying its effects are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the precise effects ofB. longumon IBS via regulation of Paneth cell function. We confirmed the beneficial effects ofB. longumon defecation habits and visceral hypersensitivity in WAS rats. Further analysis revealed thatB. longumenhanced mucosal repair, promoted lysozyme production, and ameliorated dysbiosis of the microbiota in WAS rats. These processes are closely correlated with Paneth cell functions.In vitro, we incubated primary cultured enteroids withB. longumand found thatB. longumpromoted the proliferation of these organoids; this may be attributed to the upregulation of the stem niche factors WNT3A and TGF-beta, which are secreted by Paneth cells. Based on our findings, we propose thatB. longumrelieves IBS by restoring the antimicrobial activity and stem niche maintenance function of Paneth cells.