Alterations in intestinal microflora, faecal bile acids and short chain fatty acids in dextran sulphate sodium-induced experimental acute colitis in rats.
BACKGROUND
The physiological effects on faecal bile acids and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) or intestinal microflora in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis remain unknown and are an area of interest DESIGN ALTERATIONS: of these parameters in DSS-induced colitis in rats were evaluated.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10) were given a 3% DSS aqueous solution orally for 7 days. The concentrations of bile acids and SCFAs in the faeces were measured using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Intestinal microflora, especially anaerobes, were investigated by microbiological methods.


RESULTS
On day 7, the concentrations of lithocholic acid and alpha-muricholic acid were significantly decreased and that of cholic acid was significantly increased. There was a strong correlation between the concentration of cholic acid and the macroscopic area of damaged tissue in the colon (R = 0.74, P < 0.05). With respect to SCFAs, DSS administration significantly decreased the concentrations of acetic acid and n-butyric acid. There was also some correlation between the concentration of acetic acid and macroscopic damaged area in the colon (R = -0.60, P = 0.07). Bacteriological studies revealed significantly decreased eubacteria, bifidobacteria and total anaerobes after the administration of DSS. In contrast, lactobacilli were significantly increased.


CONCLUSIONS
With the progression of DSS-induced colitis, faecal bile acids, SCFAs and intestinal microflora were altered. It is possible that these alterations contribute in part to the progression of DSS-induced colitis.
Department of Internal Medicine, Nagahama Red Cross Hospital, Shiga, Japan.
Y
Y
Araki
A
A
Andoh
T
T
Tsujikawa
Y
Y
Fujiyama
T
T
Bamba
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D016264:Dextran Sulfate