Integrated gut microbiome and metabolome analysis reveal that the inhibition effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CBT against colorectal cancer

The microecological stability of the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in both preventing and treating colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated whether Lactobacillus plantarum CBT (LP-CBT) prevents CRC by inducing alterations in the gut microbiota composition and associated metabolites. The results showed that the LP-CBT inhibited colorectal tumorigenesis in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) treated mice by repairing intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, LP-CBT decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, LP-CBT remodeled intestinal homeostasis by increasing probiotics (Coprococcus, Mucispirillum, and Lactobacillus) and reducing harmful bacteria (Dorea, Shigella, Alistipes, Paraprevotella, Bacteroides, Sutterella, Turicibacter, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, and Allobaculum), significantly influencing arginine biosynthesis. Therefore, LP-CBT-treatment regulated invertase and metabolites associated with the arginine pathway (carbamoyl phosphate, carboxymethyl proline, L-lysine, 10,11 -Epoxy- 3-geranylgeranylindole, n-(6)- [(Indol-3-yl) acetyl]-L-lysine, citrulline, N2 -succinyl-L-ornithine, and (5 -L-Glutamyl)-L-glutamate). Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of LP-CBT on colorectal cancer was further confirmed by the MC38 subcutaneous tumor model. Collectively, these findings offer compelling evidence to support the potential of LP-CBT as a viable preventive strategy against CRC.