Effects of Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum L.) Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU0011 on Serum Metabolites in Mice with Ulcerative Colitis

This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of goji berries fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU0011 on serum metabolites in mice with ulcerative colitis (UC). A mouse model of UC was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. Four groups of mice were set up: DSS-induced model, control (Con), medication with mesalazine (MS), and intervention with lyophilized powder of L. plantarum NXU0011-fermented L. barbarum L. (LP + Ly). Non-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze differential serum metabolites among the four groups. In the positive ion mode, a total of 381 differential metabolites were identified, including 56 differential metabolites between the MS and DSS groups and 87 differential metabolites between the LP + Ly and DSS groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the significantly differential metabolites between the Con, LP + Ly and DSS groups revealed two metabolic pathways with the higher enrichment rates, arginine biosynthesis and vitamin digestion and absorption. This study provides a reference for the application of Lactobacillus-fermented goji berries to ameliorate UC.