Influence of bile acids on rat gut microflora deterioration induced by oral ampicillin treatment

Background: Metabolic capacity of gut microflora is huge and this “microb” organ can be considered as second biggestmetabolic organ in body. The potential for an antibiotic to influence gut microflora is related to its spectrum of activity,pharmacokinetics, dosage and length of administration. In terms of pharmacokinetics, the rate of intestinal absorption playsa fundamental role. Apart from basic physiological functions, bile acids and their analogues are recognized as transportpromoters for other substances, in potentiating their action. The aim of this study was to demonstrate potential protectiveeffect of monoketocholic bile acid on rat intestinal microflora from oral ampicillin.Materials, Methods & Results: Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 6). The experimental protocol wasapproved by Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the University Novi Sad. All animals received 10 mL/kg of body weightof drugs solutions per os by oral intubations. The animals have been treated twice daily for three days, with saline, ampicillin 500 mg/kg and ampicillin 500 mg/kg + monoketocholic bile acid (MKH) 4 mg/kg. The fecal pellets were collectedtwice, before and after the treatment was completed. Within 2 h of collection, samples of whole pellets were processedmicrobiologically. Weighed portions of feces were suspended 1:10 in sterile 0.9% NaCl and further diluted with samesolutions up to 1: 1013. The number of colony forming units (CFU) was determined by direct counting. Only the platescontaining 30 to 300 CFU were considered as valid. The ampicillin treated group, showed significant reduction...(AU)

Influence of bile acids on rat gut microflora deterioration induced by oral ampicillin treatment

Background: Metabolic capacity of gut microflora is huge and this “microb” organ can be considered as second biggestmetabolic organ in body. The potential for an antibiotic to influence gut microflora is related to its spectrum of activity,pharmacokinetics, dosage and length of administration. In terms of pharmacokinetics, the rate of intestinal absorption playsa fundamental role. Apart from basic physiological functions, bile acids and their analogues are recognized as transportpromoters for other substances, in potentiating their action. The aim of this study was to demonstrate potential protectiveeffect of monoketocholic bile acid on rat intestinal microflora from oral ampicillin.Materials, Methods & Results: Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 6). The experimental protocol wasapproved by Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the University Novi Sad. All animals received 10 mL/kg of body weightof drugs solutions per os by oral intubations. The animals have been treated twice daily for three days, with saline, ampicillin 500 mg/kg and ampicillin 500 mg/kg + monoketocholic bile acid (MKH) 4 mg/kg. The fecal pellets were collectedtwice, before and after the treatment was completed. Within 2 h of collection, samples of whole pellets were processedmicrobiologically. Weighed portions of feces were suspended 1:10 in sterile 0.9% NaCl and further diluted with samesolutions up to 1: 1013. The number of colony forming units (CFU) was determined by direct counting. Only the platescontaining 30 to 300 CFU were considered as valid. The ampicillin treated group, showed significant reduction...

Seven decades of angiotensin (1939-2009).

Two research groups in both North and South America independently discovered that renin released a novel vasopressor agent. The Argentine group named it hypertensin, and called its plasma protein substrate hypertensinogen. The group from the United States named it angiotonin. In 1958, Braun Menendez and Irvine Page suggested that the peptide should be named angiotensin. The combined name eventually became commonly used to avoid linguistic confusion. Research scientists and physicians today acknowledge that studies of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have greatly improved our understanding of several diseases. Certainly, medical practice profited significantly from the synthesis and application of numerous pharmacological agents that antagonize either the biosynthesis or pharmacological responses of endogenously generated angiotensin II. Ultimately, discovery of the renin-angiotensin system led to many studies that resulted in therapies for vascular disease. This article briefly reviews research related to the discovery of angiotensin and indicates the importance of additional studies related to the RAS.