The in Vitro Fermentation of Cordyceps militaris Polysaccharides Changed the Simulated Gut Condition and Influenced Gut Bacterial Motility and Translocation

The motility ability of intestinal lipopolysaccharide
(LPS)-producing
bacteria determines their translocation to the enterohepatic circulation
and works as an infectious complication. In this study, the health
effects of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides
(CMPs) were re-evaluated based on whether these polysaccharides could
affect the motility of gut commensal LPS-producing bacteria and impede
their translocation. The results showed that CMP-m fermentation in
the gut could change the chemical environment, leading to a decrease
in velocity and a shift in the motility pattern. Further study suggested
that detachment/fragmentation of flagella, decreased motor forces,
and changed chemical conditions might account for this weakened motility.
The adhesion and invasion abilities of gut bacteria were also reduced,
with lower expression of virulence-related genes. These results indicated
that the health regulation effects of CMP-m might be through decreasing
the motility of LPS-producing bacteria, hindering their translocation
and therefore reducing the LPS level in the enterohepatic circulation.