Effect of probiotic supplementation on bacterial translocation in thermal injury

To examine the effects of probiotic supplementation and enteral solutions containing glutamine and arginine on bacterial translocation (BT) and intestinal villous atrophy in thermal injury.

Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups of ten. Group 1 served as control group without thermal injury and was fed standard chow. Thermal injury was inflicted as a 30% scald burn in the other three groups. Group 2 was fed standard chow and group 3 was fed standard chow supplemented with a probiotic (Acidophilus plus) containing Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (2 x 10(9) CFU/day) via an orogastric tube. Group 4 was fed only an enteral diet (Stresson multifiber) containing glutamine, arginine, and medium chain triglyceride, at 1 g/kg per day amino acid and 230 kcal/kg, for 7 days before thermal injury. All the animals were killed 24 h after thermal injury, and ileal segments were resected and examined histopathologically. To evaluate BT, samples from blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and cecal content were cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Terminal ileum specimens were histologically examined to evaluate mucosal integrity.

Significantly less BT was seen in groups 3 and 4 than in group 2 (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between groups 3 and 4. Histological evaluation showed significant reduction in villous atrophy in groups 3 and 4.

Probiotic supplementation seems to reduce bacterial translocation and decrease intestinal mucosal atrophy in rats with thermal injury, as do enteral solutions with arginine and glutamine.