Exopolysaccharide from Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides XG5 delay the onset of autoimmune diabetes by modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites SCFAs in NOD mice

Exopolysaccharide produced by Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides XG5 (XG5 EPS) is a potential prebiotic. The study objective is to assess the effect of XG5 EPS on autoimmune diabetes using non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse strain. Our results indicated that XG5 EPS administration delayed the onset of autoimmune diabetes, reduced the level of diabetogenic cytokines IL-21 and promoted the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in NOD mice. Moreover, XG5 EPS altered the gut microbiota composition, especially 50 mg?kg? 1 XG5 EPS administration increased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes at the phylum level and the concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in NOD mice. Considering that the influence of viscosity on utilization of XG5 EPS, a dose dependent effect was not established. Taken together, oral administration of 50 mg?kg? 1 XG5 EPS has a potential to delay the onset of autoimmune diabetes by modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites SCFAs in NOD mice.