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Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
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Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

Yoghurts containing probiotics reduce disruption of the small intestinal barrier in methotrexate-treated rats

E Southcott1, K L Tooley, G S Howarth

  • 1Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|April 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Commercially available yoghurts with probiotics, cow's milk yoghurt (CY) and sheep's milk yoghurt (SY), helped maintain intestinal barrier function in rats experiencing methotrexate (MTX)-induced mucositis.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Methotrexate (MTX) chemotherapy can induce mucositis, a severe side effect impacting the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Small intestinal permeability is a key indicator of gut barrier integrity.
  • Probiotics are live microorganisms that may confer health benefits, including gut health modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of commercially available yoghurts containing probiotics in mitigating MTX-induced small intestinal mucositis in a rat model.
  • To assess the impact of specific probiotic strains in cow's milk yoghurt (CY) and sheep's milk yoghurt (SY) on intestinal permeability and histology.

Main Methods:

  • Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: MTX + water, MTX + CY, MTX + SY, and saline control.
  • Probiotic yoghurt or water was administered via gavage twice daily for 12 days.
  • Intestinal permeability was measured using the lactulose/mannitol ratio on multiple days.
  • Histological and biochemical analyses of intestinal sections were performed post-sacrifice.

Main Results:

  • Histological examination showed no significant duodenal damage in rats treated with CY or SY compared to controls.
  • A decreased lactulose/mannitol ratio indicated improved small intestinal barrier function in the yoghurt-treated groups.
  • Probiotic yoghurts demonstrated a protective effect against MTX-induced disruption of intestinal barrier function.

Conclusions:

  • Commercially available yoghurts containing probiotics (CY and SY) show potential in preventing intestinal barrier disruption caused by MTX-induced mucositis.
  • Probiotic-rich yoghurts may serve as a complementary strategy to manage chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore optimal probiotic formulations for mucositis prevention.

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