Hepato-protective role of chemo-preventive probiotics during DMH-induced CRC in rats.

The aim of the study was to assess the hepatotoxicity, and therefore pharmacological safety of probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum (AdF10) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for potential use in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. Thirty-six female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six groups: normal control, AdF10-treated, LGG-treated, 1,2-Dimethyl hydrazine (DMH)-treated, AdF10 + DMH-treated, and LGG + DMH-treated groups. Antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid proxidation, and liver function were assessed. Administration of probiotics in both AdF10 + DMH-treated and LGG + DMH-treated groups downregulated DMH induced a rise in lipid peroxide (LPO), glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and increased the diminished glutathione reduced (GSH) content and catalase (CAT), glutathione-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. DMH-treated rats receiving the probiotic treatment suffered less liver damage when compared with rats that did not receive probiotics. In conclusion, the study identifies the use of probiotics as an effective and nontoxic chemo-preventive interventional in CRC.

Foetomaternal outcomes of hepatitis E infection outbreak in North India.

Hepatitis E infection (HEV) in pregnant females, especially in the third trimester is associated with poor foetomaternal outcomes. However, the mechanisms of severe liver injury remain obscure. In a recent HEV outbreak in North India, six pregnant females were detected to be positive for HEV infection with concomitant hepatitis A infection in three pregnant females. None of the pregnant females were positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. The mortality was 50% in pregnant females. In an outbreak, besides, testing for hepatitis markers and understanding the pathogenesis of HEV infection in pregnancy, improving basic hygienic standards is of utmost importance.

Chemoprevention by Probiotics During 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics are believed to have properties that lower the risk of colon cancer. However, the mechanisms by which they exert their beneficial effects are relatively unknown. AIM: To assess the impact of probiotics in preventing induction of colon carcinogenesis in rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into six groups viz., normal control, Lactobacillus plantarum (AdF10)-treated, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-treated, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated, L. plantarum (AdF10) + DMH-treated and L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) + DMH-treated. Both the probiotics were supplemented daily at a dose of 2 × 1010 cells per day. DMH at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight was administered subcutaneously twice a week for the first 4 weeks and then once every week for a duration of 16 weeks. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase as protein expression of genes involved in apoptosis were assessed during DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. RESULTS: DMH treatment decreased the activity of GSH, GPx, GST, SOD and catalase. However, AdF10 and LGG supplementation to DMH-treated rats significantly increased the activity of these enzymes. Further, DMH treatment revealed alterations in the protein expressions of various genes involved in the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway such as p53, p21, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-9 and caspase-3, which, however, were shifted towards normal control levels upon simultaneous supplementation with probiotics. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that probiotics can provide protection against oxidative stress and apoptotic-related protein disregulation during experimentally induced colon carcinogenesis.

Cyclooxygenase as a target in chemoprevention by probiotics during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis in rats.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of potential probiotics in regulating the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) along with other morphological and histological analysis during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups viz., normal control, Lactobacillus plantarum (AdF10) treated, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) treated, DMH treated, AdF10 + DMH treated and LGG + DMH treated. Probiotics were supplemented to rats at dose levels of 2 × 10(10) cells per day for 6 days in a week. All the treatments were continued for a period of 16 wk. DMH treatment resulted in a statistically significant increase in the levels of total sialic acid (TSA). However, on supplementation with probiotics, a significant reduction in TSA was observed. DMH treatment brought about a significant increase in the expression of COX-2. But, supplementation of probiotics brought down the protein expression to moderate level. Further, supplementation with probiotics was also able to reduce tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity and average tumor size. Therefore, treatment with probiotics has the potential of providing protection against colon cancer by suppressing the COX-2 expression as one of the protective mechanisms.