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Updated: May 12, 2026
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Efficacy of different probiotic combinations on death and necrotizing enterocolitis in a premature rat model
Shu-Fen Wu1, Hsiao-Yu Chiu, An-Chyi Chen
1Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Insights
The probiotic combination of Bifidobacterium bifidum and B longum effectively prevented death and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature rats. This finding supports evidence-based strategies for neonatal clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants.
- Probiotics are being investigated as a preventative strategy for NEC.
- Identifying optimal probiotic strains and combinations is crucial for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the most effective probiotic combinations for preventing death and NEC in a premature rat model.
- To evaluate the impact of single-strain and multi-strain probiotic interventions.
- To compare the efficacy of different probiotic formulations.
Main Methods:
- 158 premature Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 9 probiotic treatment groups and control groups.
- Probiotic strains included Bifidobacterium bifidum, B longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L plantarum, and B breve, administered individually or in mixtures.
- Real-time PCR was used to detect probiotic and pathogenic strains; mortality and NEC incidence were compared using Fisher exact test.
Main Results:
- Lactobacillus plantarum alone and the combination of Bifidobacterium bifidum with B longum significantly reduced NEC incidence compared to controls.
- The B. bifidum and B. longum combination demonstrated significantly lower mortality rates (P < 0.0001).
- The B. bifidum, B. longum, and L. plantarum group showed significant reductions in E. coli and Klebsiella colony counts.
Conclusions:
- A probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium bifidum and B longum was most effective in preventing both death and NEC in this premature rat model.
- These findings provide an evidence-based foundation for designing future neonatal clinical trials.
- Specific probiotic combinations show promise for improving outcomes in premature infants.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the most effective probiotic combinations to prevent death and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a premature rat model.
Methods:
One hundred fifty-eight premature Sprague-Dawley premature rats were enrolled. Probiotic strains Bifidobacterium bifidum, B longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L plantarum, and B breve were fed as a single strain or mixture with 2 or 3 strains for a total of 9 study groups; control groups received no exogenous probiotic supplement. Fecal samples were collected for 72 hours to detect probiotic strains and pathologic strains by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Colony counts of probiotic strains Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were compared between groups before and after 36 hours of the study period. The incidence of death and NEC were compared via Fisher exact test between groups.
Results:
The results demonstrated that L plantarum alone (P = 0.0026) and B bifidum with B longum together (P = 0.0017) were more effective in reducing NEC as compared with the control group. All of the study groups except B breve and B bifidum with B breve definitely prevented death compared with controls. B bifidum and B longum together had significantly lower mortality than the control group (P < 0.0001). Colony counts of E coli and Klebsiella in stool samples were significantly decreased in the B bifidum, B longum, and L plantarum group compared with the other study and control groups after 36 hours.
Conclusions:
Administration of a mixture of probiotic strains with B bifidum and B longum was most effective in preventing death and NEC in this animal model, and these observations provide an evidence-based strategy for designing further neonatal clinical trials.
