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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice
Published on: July 25, 2017
Nisin F, intraperitoneally injected, may have a stabilizing effect on the bacterial population in the
D A van Staden1, A M Brand, A Endo
1Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Aims:
To determine if nisin F has an effect on the bacterial population in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Methods And Results:
Six male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 200 μl sterile saline and six with nisin F (200 μl, equivalent to 640 arbitrary units). Fecal samples were collected before injection and 8, 24 and 48 h after injection, and the bacteria amplified by PCR-DGGE using 16S rDNA primers. The composition of the bacterial population in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of mice that were injected with saline changed during 48 h, whereas the bacterial population in the GIT remained relatively unchanged in animals injected with nisin F.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that nisin F inhibits the growth of specific bacteria in the GIT within the first 4 h. Furthermore, the species remained repressed for at least 44 h after one intraperitoneal injection with nisin F.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
This is the first report suggesting that nisin F may have a stabilizing effect on the bacterial population in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Insights
Nisin F was found to stabilize the gut bacterial population in mice. This suggests nisin F may inhibit specific bacteria, maintaining gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) stability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) harbors a complex bacterial population crucial for host health.
- Understanding factors that influence gut microbiota composition is vital for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nisin F on the bacterial population within the mouse gastro-intestinal tract.
Main Methods:
- Six mice received intraperitoneal injections of sterile saline, while six received nisin F.
- Fecal samples were collected pre-injection and at 8, 24, and 48 hours post-injection.
- Bacterial composition was analyzed using PCR-DGGE with 16S rDNA primers.
Main Results:
- The gut bacterial population in saline-injected mice showed changes over 48 hours.
- Mice treated with nisin F exhibited a relatively stable bacterial population in their GIT.
- Nisin F demonstrated an inhibitory effect on specific bacteria within the first 4 hours.
Conclusions:
- Nisin F appears to inhibit specific bacterial growth in the GIT.
- The inhibitory effect of nisin F on gut bacteria persisted for at least 44 hours post-injection.
- Nisin F may possess a stabilizing effect on the gastro-intestinal tract's bacterial population.
