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Variable response to probiotics in two models of experimental colitis in rats
Oren Shibolet1, Fanny Karmeli, Rami Eliakim
1Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem. shibolet@hadassah.org.il
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|November 28, 2002
Summary
Probiotic bacteria VSL#3 and LGG effectively reduced experimental colitis in rats induced by iodoacetamide, but not DNBS. This suggests probiotics may benefit inflammatory bowel disease patients, potentially via sulfhydryl compounds.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Intestinal microflora plays a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis.
- Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy in ameliorating pouchitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of two probiotic preparations, VSL#3 and strain GG (LGG), on experimental colitis in rats.
- To investigate the protective mechanisms of probiotics against different colitis models.
Main Methods:
- Rats received daily intragastric VSL#3 or LGG for one week before and one week after colitis induction.
- Colitis was induced using dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) or iodoacetamide.
- Colon damage, wet weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) generation were assessed.
Main Results:
- VSL#3 and LGG significantly reduced lesion area and colonic wet weight in iodoacetamide-induced colitis.
- Probiotic treatment led to decreased PGE2 generation, MPO, and NOS activities.
- Neither probiotic preparation affected the extent of colonic damage in DNBS-induced colitis.
Conclusions:
- VSL#3 and LGG ameliorated iodoacetamide-induced colitis, suggesting a role for sulfhydryl compounds in probiotic efficacy.
- Probiotics may be beneficial for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
- The protective effect appears specific to certain types of colitis, not immune-mediated ones.