Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GUANKE Alleviates Intestinal Barrier Damage Caused by Influenza Infection in Mice.

Abstract

Influenza, a highly transmissible acute respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, is responsible for annual seasonal epidemics and poses a substantial global disease burden. While primarily recognized for its respiratory manifestations, influenza infection exhibits significant extrapulmonary effects, particularly through disrupting gut microbiota composition and compromising intestinal barrier integrity. This study investigates the protective efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain GUANKE against influenza-associated intestinal pathology in a murine model. Building on GUANKE's established safety profile and immunomodulatory capabilities, we employed a multi-faceted approach examining three key defense mechanisms: (1) maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity, (2) preservation of chemical mucosal secretions, and (3) modulation of microbial homeostasis. Our findings establish crucial scientific evidence for probiotic-mediated protection of gastrointestinal function during influenza infection, potentially informing novel therapeutic strategies for virus-induced gut dysbiosis.