Published online Jul 14, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i26.4735
Peer-review started: February 8, 2017
First decision: March 16, 2017
Revised: March 30, 2017
Accepted: May 4, 2017
Article in press: May 4, 2017
Published online: July 14, 2017
Processing time: 156 Days and 6.7 Hours
To assess the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) for the treatment of pouchitis in a rat model.
Sprague Dawley rats underwent proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis followed by administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce pouchitis. Rats with pouchitis were randomly divided into three groups: no intervention (NI), normal saline (NS, 3 mL/d normal saline for 7 d), and LA (3 mL/d LA at 1× 1010 colony-forming units for 7 d). General body condition was recorded and pouch specimens were obtained for histological examination. mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined by RT-PCR. Zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) levels were measured by immunohistochemistry.
LA reduced weight loss associated with pouchitis (P < 0.05) and improved the symptoms of pouchitis in rats. Compared with the NI and NS groups, rats in the LA group showed earlier disappearance of hematochezia (6.17 ± 0.75, 6.50 ± 0.55, 3.17 ± 0.75, P < 0.05) and higher fecal scores (2.67 ± 0.48, 2.50 ± 0.51, 4.42 ± 0.50, respectively, P < 0.05). Histological scores were also lower in the LA group compared with the other two groups (7.17 ± 0.98, 8.00 ± 0.89, 4.00 ± 0.89, respectively, P < 0.05). mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly reduced, while IL-10 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the LA group (P < 0.05, respectively). ZO-1 protein levels were also significantly increased after administration of LA (P < 0.05).
LA alleviates pouchitis induced by DSS after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis by decreasing pro-inflammatory factors and increasing anti-inflammatory factors, and restoring ZO-1 expression in the mucosa.
Core tip: This study aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) for the treatment of pouchitis in a rat model. Rats with pouchitis were randomly divided into three groups: no intervention, normal saline (NS, 3 mL/d normal saline for 7 d), and LA (3 mL/d LA at 1 × 1010 colony-forming units for 7 d). General body condition was recorded and pouch specimens were obtained for histological examination. mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined by RT-PCR. Zonula occludens protein 1 levels were measured by immunohistochemistry.