Original Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2009; 15(3): 321-327
Published online Jan 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.321
Therapeutic effects of four strains of probiotics on experimental colitis in mice
Lin-Lin Chen, Xue-Hong Wang, Yi Cui, Guang-Hui Lian, Jie Zhang, Chun-Hui Ouyang, Fang-Gen Lu
Lin-Lin Chen, Xue-Hong Wang, Yi Cui, Jie Zhang, Chun-Hui Ouyang, Fang-Gen Lu, Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
Guang-Hui Lian, Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan 528400, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Chen LL and Wang XH contributed equally to this work; Chen LL, Wang XH, Cui Y, Lu FG and Lian GH designed the research; Chen LL, Wang XH, Cui Y and Zhang J performed the research; Chen LL, Wang XH, Lian GH and Ouyang CH contributed to the new reagents/analytic tools; Chen LL, Wang XH and Cui Y analyzed the data; Chen LL, Wang XH and Lu FG wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Fang-Gen Lu, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China. lufanggenyao@163.com
Telephone: +86-731-5295888
Fax: +86-731-4807725
Received: November 5, 2008
Revised: December 2, 2008
Accepted: December 9, 2008
Published online: January 21, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of four strains of probiotics (E. feacalis, L. acidophilus, C. butyricum and B. adolescentis) on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in Balb/c mice.

METHODS: Eighty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 8 groups. Weight-loss, fecal character, fecal occult blood and hematochezia were recorded daily. Disease activity index (DAI) scores were also evaluated everyday. Length of colon was measured and histological scores were evaluated on the 13th day. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was detected. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-4 expression was detected by ELISA and RT-PCR.

RESULTS: The four strains of probiotics relieved the inflammatory condition of DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice. Weight loss was slowed down in all probiotics-treated mice. Even weight gain was observed by the end of probiotics treatment. The DAI and histological scores of probiotics-treated mice were lower than those of mice in the control group (1.9 ± 0.2 vs 8.6 ± 0.4, P < 0.05 for E. faecalis). The length of colon of probiotics-treated mice was longer than that of mice in the control group (10.3 ± 0.34 vs 8.65 ± 0.77, P < 0.05 for E. faecalis). The four strains of probiotics decreased the MP activity and the IL-1 expression, but increased the IL-4 expression. E. faecalis had a better effect on DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice than the other three strains.

CONCLUSION: The four strains of probiotics have beneficial effects on experimental colitis in mice. E. faecalis has a better effect on DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice than the other three strains. Supplement of probiotics provides a new therapy for UC.

Keywords: Probiotic; E. faecalis; Experimental colitis; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-4