Nutrition
Volume 23, Issue 5 , Pages 424-433, May 2007

Protective role of lactobacilli in Shigella dysenteriae 1–induced diarrhea in rats

  • Guhapriya Moorthy, M.Phil.

      Affiliations

    • Guhapriya Moorthy received a Junior Research Fellowship from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India.
    • ,
  • Malliga Raman Murali, M.Sc.
    • ,
  • S. Niranjali Devaraj, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +91-44-2235-1269; fax: +91-44-2223-5870.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, India

Received 29 November 2006; accepted 8 March 2007.

Abstract 

Objective

Studies on lactic acid bacteria exemplify their use against various enteropathogens in vitro. Nevertheless, in vivo effects of Lactobacillus during Shigella infection have not been evaluated. The present study evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus on neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation during Shigella dysenteriae 1–induced diarrhea in rats.

Methods

The rats were divided into eight groups (n = 6 in each group). Induced rats received single oral dose of S. dysenteriae (12 × 108 colony-forming units [cfu]/mL). Treated rats received L. rhamnosus (1 × 107 cfu/mL) or L. acidophilus (1 × 107 cfu/mL) orally for 4 d, alone or in combination, followed by Shigella administration. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and the assay of the activity of alkaline phosphatase, myeloperoxidase, and antioxidants and the estimation of lipid peroxides were performed. Activity staining of superoxide dismutase and catalase was done in addition to gelatin zymography for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP; MMP-2 and MMP-9) activity. A portion of the intestinal tissue was fixed in 10% formalin for histologic studies.

Results

Administration of S. dysenteriae 1 alone resulted in increased levels of myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, alkaline phosphatase, and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 with concomitant decrease in the antioxidant levels. Pretreatment with the combination of L. rhamnosus (1 × 107 cfu/mL) and L. acidophilus (1 × 107 cfu/mL) significantly attenuated these changes when compared with the diseased group. Histologic observations were in correlation with biochemical parameters.

Conclusion

Lactobacillus rhamnosus plus L. acidophilus offered better protection when compared with individual treatment with these strains during Shigella infection.

Keywords: Shigella infection, Probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Diarrhea

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0899-9007(07)00065-2

doi:10.1016/j.nut.2007.03.003

Nutrition
Volume 23, Issue 5 , Pages 424-433, May 2007

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution