SMAD3 and colitis: A study has been conducted recently that found that the combination of probiotics, particularly Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and of fermented olives in one’s diet alleviates DSS-induced colitis by decreasing the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and PI3K signaling, and the profibrotic factors, such as TGF-β, p-Smad3, α-SMA, p-Akt, PI3K and collagens I–III.