Synbiotic Microcapsules Delivering Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum AR113 Protect Against Acute Pancreatitis via Acetate Mediated Modulation of The Gut Pancreas Axis

Acute pancreatitis (AP), characterized by abrupt pancreatic inflammation and frequent intestinal barrier failure, urgently requires novel therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to develop a maltose-alginate synbiotic microcapsule (AM-AR113) for the targeted delivery of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AR113 and to evaluate its efficacy in AP. The results demonstrated that AM-AR113 significantly enhanced bacterial survival during storage and under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In a mouse model of AP, AM-AR113 alleviated pancreatic injury and systemic inflammation more effectively than free bacteria. Mechanistically, AM-AR113 remodeled the gut microbiota and enriched fecal acetate. By constructing an acetate kinase-deficient mutant (AR1130187), we confirmed that acetate is the key metabolite mediating the protective effects. Further investigation revealed that exogenous acetate repaired the intestinal barrier by upregulating tight junction proteins and inhibited pancreatic M1 macrophage polarization. In conclusion, AM-AR113 mitigates AP by promoting acetate production via the gut-pancreas axis.