Enhancing tofacitinib’s therapeutic efficacy in murine arthritis with a synbiotic formulation comprising Bacillus megaterium DSM 32963 and an Omega-3 fatty acid lysine salt

IntroductionOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA) are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To resolve an acute inflammation, conversion of n3-PUFA into specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) is crucial. Recently, it...

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Main Authors: Annette Zehrer, Alexandra Rausch, Paul M. Jordan, Oliver Werz, Heike Tom Dieck, Thomas Berngruber
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1540878/full
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Summary:IntroductionOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA) are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To resolve an acute inflammation, conversion of n3-PUFA into specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) is crucial. Recently, it was shown that the probiotic Bacillus megaterium DSM32963 supports this conversion.MethodsThis study evaluates a synbiotic formulation combining Bacillus megaterium DSM32963 and a unique n3-PUFA-lysine salt as adjunct nutritional supplement to tofacitinib in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats.ResultsOur findings reveal that a combination of low-dose tofacitinib and the synbiotic (ldTofa+Syn) significantly improved all measured arthritis severity parameters, outperforming either single treatment as well as supplementation with a conventional omega-3 ethyl ester that showed no effects on disease severity. The ldTofa+Syn combination also led to a notable reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) and markers of NETosis in joint tissue, with a significant decrease in neutrophil chemokine CXCL1 observed only in synbiotic-containing groups. Additionally, there was a marked trend towards lower levels of the key inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the ldTofa+Syn group.ConclusionIn conclusion, the specific synbiotic formulation shows promise as a complementary nutritional therapy for RA, improving disease outcomes and modulating immune responses.
ISSN:1664-3224