Agrocybe cylindracea polysaccharides and polysaccharides-conditioned fecal microbiota transplantation similarly restore ciprofloxacin-induced microbial dysbiosis and improve intestinal barrier function: a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION

Mushroom consumption has been associated with various health benefits due to their recognized nutritional value. This study examines the ability of Agrocybe cylindracea polysaccharides (ACP) to reverse antibiotic-induced intestinal dysbiosis and evaluates their prebiotic potential in mitigating antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

METHODS

Male BALB/c mice aged 4-5 weeks were divided into five groups: normal control, ciprofloxacin (CIP)-treated, natural recovery, ACP treatment, and ACP-derived fecal microbiota transplantation (ACP-FMT). All intervention groups received CIP for 14 days, followed by their respective treatments for a further 14 days. Gut microbiota modifications were investigated using the Illumina MiSeq platform.

RESULTS

CIP administration markedly decreased bacterial diversity and richness, elevating pathogenic bacteria (Proteobacteria, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides) that persisted in the natural recovery group. Both ACP and ACP-FMT effectively counteracted dysbiosis, increasing beneficial genera including Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136, and Firmicutes. ACP and ACP-FMT restored mucin-2 biosynthesis and tight junction protein expression. ACP also reduced pro-inflammatory mediators including IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and IL-1β.

DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the prebiotic potential of ACP in restoring intestinal health, with therapeutic effects transferable via fecal microbiota transplantation, supporting their application as functional food ingredients for gut microbiota restoration.