Stimulatory Effect on Mice by Bacterial Exopolysaccharide, Colanic Acid

Objective: As capsule and biofilm matrix polysaccharide, colanic acid protects bacteria from environmental factors. Its synthesis is regulated by temperature, so it is not normally produced at a human body’s temperature. However, colanic acid causes pleiotropic phenotypic effects in nematodes, including a lifespan prolongation. Results and Discussion: The aim of the current work was to evaluate colanic acid activity in vitro and in vivo (on mice). We revealed that colanic acid does not cause cytotoxicity in colon cancer (HCT116), neuroblastoma (IMR-32), and fibroblasts (HPF) cell lines, but changes mitochondrial morphology by an induction of its fusion. However, in subchronic toxicity study on mice signs of a general toxicity appeared. At the same time, mice had increased physical and sexual activity, which indicates the stimulatory effect of the polysaccharide. In exhaustive swimming test mice showed an increased time of swimming, which provides evidence of both effect on mitochondria and increased performance in aerobic exercise. Conclusions: The followed decline of an endurance may be associated with both toxic effects and metabolism shift. Following these findings, colanic acid can be considered as a bioactive polysaccharide with a wide spectrum of a potential applications.