Competence and sporulation factor derived from Bacillus subtilis improves epithelial cell injury in intestinal inflammation via immunomodulation and cytoprotection

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. These probiotic effects are considered to be displayed through the mediation of effective molecules derived from these bacteria because live bacteria as well as their conditioned media exhibit beneficial effects in many cases. However, many of the probiotic-derived molecules which mediate such benefits have so far been poorly characterized. We previously found that competence and sporulation factor (CSF) activates the Akt and p38 MAPK pathways and protects epithelial cells from oxidant stress in the mammalian intestine. The purpose of this study is to determine the CSF effect on reducing intestinal inflammation.