Gut Microbiota Manipulation by Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DG I1572 as New Therapeutical Strategy to Counteract Vascular Inflammaging

The present study investigated the potential beneficial effect of probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DG I1572 (L. paracasei DG I1572) in a murine model of vascular inflammaging. Aged (40-weeks-old) and young (10-weeks-old) Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with L. paracasei DG I1572 for 3 months. Vascular functions were assessed by pressurized myography, while intravascular ROS and NO production, as well as inflammatory parameters (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF), were measured using dihydroethidium, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein dyes, and ELISA, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and claudin-1 were examined. Old rats showed: (1) vascular endothelial dysfunctions due to a reduced NO availability; (2) increase in intravascular ROS, (3) the presence of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, as documented by increased plasma levels of IL-6 and MDA, respectively; (4) a slight decrease in claudin-1 colonic expression, as compared with young rats. Treatment with L. paracasei DG I1572 in old rats improved: (1) endothelial function, increasing NO bioavailability; (2) systemic and in situ oxidative stress in vessels, reducing MDA and intravascular ROS production, respectively; (3) inflammatory parameters, reducing IL-1β and IL-6 as well as increasing IL-10; (4) colonic expression of claudin-1. L. paracasei DG I1572 supplementation can mitigate the low-grade inflammation, and the vascular dysfunctions associated with age, likely through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.