Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Performing Colonoscopic-Guided Pinch Biopsies in Mice and Evaluating Subsequent Tissue Changes
Published on: February 5, 2021
Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum in inflammatory bowel disease
Venessa Eeckhaut1, Kathleen Machiels, Clémentine Perrier
1Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, , Merelbeke, Belgium.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have significantly lower levels of Butyricicoccus bacteria. Supplementation with Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum shows promise in reducing colitis and strengthening the gut barrier.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Firmicutes phylum bacteria are associated with anti-inflammatory effects.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis is implicated in IBD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify Butyricicoccus bacteria in IBD patients.
- Evaluate the therapeutic potential of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum in a colitis model.
- Assess the impact of B. pullicaecorum on epithelial barrier function.
Main Methods:
- Genus-specific quantitative PCR for Butyricicoccus enumeration in stool samples.
- Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced rat colitis model to assess B. pullicaecorum efficacy.
- In vitro Caco-2 cell model to evaluate B. pullicaecorum supernatant effects on epithelial permeability.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower Butyricicoccus counts in UC and CD patients compared to healthy controls, correlating with CD disease activity.
- Oral B. pullicaecorum administration reduced colitis severity and key inflammatory markers (MPO, TNFα, IL-12).
- B. pullicaecorum supernatant prevented cytokine-induced epithelial barrier disruption (TER loss) and IL-8 secretion in vitro.
Conclusions:
- IBD patients exhibit reduced Butyricicoccus colonization.
- B. pullicaecorum demonstrates therapeutic potential in attenuating experimental colitis.
- B. pullicaecorum enhances epithelial barrier integrity, suggesting a role in IBD management.
More Related Videos
08:37Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
08:24Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach
Published on: May 2, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations