Cytokine production in vitro and in rat model of colitis in response to Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07.

Over the past decade, it has become clear that specific probiotic lactobacilli are valuable in the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of gastrointestinal tract but their successful application would benefit greatly from a better understanding of the mechanisms of individual strains. Hence, each probiotic strain should be characterized for their immune activity before being proposed for clinical applications. The aim of the study was to characterize the immunomodulatory activity of the strain Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum LS/07 in vitro using functional gut model and to study its anti-inflammatory potential in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. We showed that L. plantarum LS/07 induced production of IL-10 in macrophages derived from blood monocytes as well as monocyte/macrophages cell line stimulated indirectly via enterocytes in vitro. In rat model of colitis, L. plantarum LS/07 attenuated the DSS-induced signs of inflammatory process in colon such as weight loss, diarrhoea, infiltration of inflammatory cells associated with decreased colon weight/length ratio, inhibited gut mucosa destruction and depletion of goblet cells. Moreover, the strain increased the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mucosal tissue. In conclusion, the protective effects of L. plantarum LS/07 in the DSS-induced colitis model seem to be related to the stimulation of IL-10 and the restoration of goblet cells and indicate it as a good candidate to prevent and treat diseases associated with inflammation.

Preventive use of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin to relieve symptoms of acute colitis.

The aim of presented study was to investigate the influence of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin on the activity of ß-glucuronidase enzyme, and counts of coliform and lactobacilli in fresh caecal digesta, cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-8), and trancription nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB) activities in colon tissue and blood samples of rats with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced acute colitis. The rats were randomly divided into four groups - CG, AC, AC+PRE and AC+PRO. Colitis was induced using of 5% DSS in drinking water for 7d. DSS application increased activity of ß-glucuronidase (P < 0.001), increased counts of coliforms, and decreased lactobacilli counts (P < 0.05) in comparison to control group. Serum and tissue levels of IL-6 and IL-8 as well as tissue NFκB activities showed increased expression in acute colitis group. Inulin diet modified counts of microorganims and decreased ß-glucuronidase activity, suppressed NFκB activities (P < 0.001) and down regulate synthesis of IL-6 (P < 0.01) in serum and colon tissue and tissue IL-8 (P < 0.05). Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 decreased ß-glucuronidase activity (P < 0.05), levels of IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.001). These results were consistent with the addition of histological findings. Our results indicate that dietary intake of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin suppressed expression observed markers, which play an important role in the inflammatory process, which predisposes their use in prevention or treatment of acute colitis.

The effects of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains on rat lipid metabolism receiving a high fat diet.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of the different probiotic strains, Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96, on lipid metabolism and body weight in rats fed a high fat diet. Compared with the high fat diet group, the results showed that Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 reduced serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, but Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96 decreased triglycerides and VLDL, while there was no change in the serum HDL level and liver lipids. Both probiotic strains lowered total bile acids in serum. Our strains have no significant change in body weight, gain weight, and body fat. These findings indicate that the effect of lactobacilli on lipid metabolism may differ among strains and that the Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96 can be used to improve lipid profile and can contribute to a healthier bowel microbial balance.

Prebiotics and bioactive natural substances induce changes of composition and metabolic activities of the colonic microflora in cancerous rats.

Prebiotics are defined as selectively fermented food ingredients that induce specific changes in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota beneficial to the host well-being and health. The aim of the presented experiment was to investigate the effect of a prebiotic applied alone or in combination with Hyppocastani extractum siccum, and Lini oleum virginale in rats with dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer. Wistar albino rats were fed high fat diet supplemented with the prebiotic alone or in combination with Horse chestnut and flaxseed oil. The activity of faecal glycolytic enzymes, lipid parameters, bile acids, short chain fatty acids and counts of coliforms and lactobacilli were determined. Treatment with the prebiotic alone and in combination with selected substances significantly decreased the activity of glycolytic bacterial enzyme ß-glucuronidase (P<0.001) and increased activities of ß-galactosidase and ß-glucosidase. Bile acids concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01) except for the combination of the prebiotic with Horse chestnut. The prebiotic alone decreased the lipid parameters (P<0.001) and enhanced production of short chain fatty acids. Application of prebiotic and bioactive natural substances significantly reduced number of coliforms (P<0.05). Prebiotic alone significantly increased the count of lactobacilli (P<0.05). These results show that prebiotics have a protective effect and may be the useful for colon cancer prevention and treatment.