Protection against increased intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation induced by intestinal obstruction in mice treated with viable and heat-killed Saccharomyces boulardii.

BACKGROUND: There are substantial evidences suggesting that probiotics can protect the gastrointestinal tract against inflammatory or infectious episodes. The effects of oral treatment with viable or heat-killed cells of Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) on bacterial translocation, intestinal permeability, histological aspect of the ileum, and some immunological parameters were evaluated in a murine intestinal obstruction (IO) model. RESULTS: Bacterial translocation and intestinal permeability in the IO group were significantly higher when compared to a Sham group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with both viable and heat-killed S. boulardii prevented these increases, and the data obtained for IO + Sb and IO + heat-killed Sb groups were similar to those observed in the Sham group (p > 0.05). Histological analysis showed preservation of the ileum mucosa in mice that received both forms of the yeast when compared to the lesions observed in the IO group. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-10 and intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were higher in the animals that received both yeast treatments when compared to those from IO and Sham groups. CONCLUSION: Oral treatment with viable or heat-killed cells of S. boulardii maintained intestinal integrity and modulated the immune system in a murine IO model, preventing bacterial translocation and intestinal lesions.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain UFMG 905 protects against bacterial translocation, preserves gut barrier integrity and stimulates the immune system in a murine intestinal obstruction model.

Probiotic is a preparation containing microorganisms that confers beneficial effect to the host. This work assessed whether oral treatment with viable or heat-killed yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain UFMG 905 prevents bacterial translocation (BT), intestinal barrier integrity, and stimulates the immunity, in a murine intestinal obstruction (IO) model. Four groups of mice were used: mice undergoing only laparotomy (CTL), undergoing intestinal obstruction (IO) and undergoing intestinal obstruction after previous treatment with viable or heat-killed yeast. BT, determined as uptake of (99m)Tc-E. coli in blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen and lungs, was significantly higher in IO group than in CTL group. Treatments with both yeasts reduced BT in blood and all organs investigated. The treatment with both yeasts also reduced intestinal permeability as determined by blood uptake of (99m)Tc-DTPA. Immunological data demonstrated that both treatments were able to significantly increase IL-10 levels, but only viable yeast had the same effect on sIgA levels. Intestinal lesions were more severe in IO group when compared to CTL and yeasts groups. Concluding, both viable and heat-killed cells of yeast prevent BT, probably by immunomodulation and by maintaining gut barrier integrity. Only the stimulation of IgA production seems to depend on the yeast viability.

Parâmetros imunológicos em pacientes com infecçäo herpética ocular / Immunological parameters in patients with herpetic ocular infection

Foram estudados clínica e imunologicamente 71 pacientes com suspeita de infecçäo herpética ocular por Herpes simples. A infecçäo herpética foi confirmada em 43 pacientes. Os pacientes tiveram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: linfócitos T ativos (LTa), linfócitos T totais (LTt) e linfócitos B (LB); níveis séricos das imunoglobinas IgM, IgA e IgG, e anticorpos específicos da classe IgG para antígenos do vírus do herpes, mediante o teste de ELISA. Os percentuais de linfócitos T e B nos pacientes com infecçäo herpética, foram quase idênticos aos encontrados no grupo controle. Os níveis de IgA estäo diminuidos, e os títulos de anticorpos específicos da classe IgG contra o vírus do herpes simples aumentados, nos pacientes com infecçäo herpética em relaçäo ao grupo controle. O acompanhamento dos pacientes mostrou ser importante para se fazer um diagnóstico correto e para se estabelecer o tratamento específico para se prevenir a recorrência da doença