[Prophylactic effect of Lactobacillus GG in animal colitis and its effect on cytokine secretion and mucin gene expressions].
OBJECTIVE
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) has been used in acute colitis treatment. However, it is unclear whether the LGG prevents chronic colitis. The aim of this study was to examine the prophylactic effect of LGG on animal colitis, cytokine secretion, and mucin gene expression.


METHODS
BALB/c mice (n=64) were exposed to 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days followed by 10 days recovery period and repeatedly exposed for 4 days. Then, the mice were devided into three group; group of oral LGG adminstration throughout the recovery and repeated colitis period; PBS group of PBS administration; control group. Colon length, histologic score, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, mucin gene expressions were determined at each period.


RESULTS
In acute colitis period, the LGG group showed higher levels of disease activity index (DAI), histologic score, TNF-alpha, IL-10, but shorter colon length, lower levels of mucin gene expressions than the control group. However, in repeated colitis period, the LGG group showed markedly lower levels of DAI and IL-10 but significantly longer colon length than PBS group (p<0.05). There was no difference in the mucin gene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that LGG prevents chronic murine colitis. It may be associated with cytokine modulation and competitive inhibition of pathogenic bacteria. However, it may not be related with gene expression.
Moon
Gyoo
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 388-1 Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, Korea. sjm5675@amc.seoul.kr
Myung
Seung-Jae
SJ
Jeong
Jin-Yong
JY
Yang
Suk-Kyun
SK
Cho
Yoon Kyung
YK
Lee
Sun-Mi
SM
Chang
Hye-Sook
HS
Byeon
Jeong-Sik
JS
Lee
Yun Jung
YJ
Lee
Gin Hyug
GH
Hong
Weon-Seon
WS
Kim
Jin-Ho
JH
Min
Young Il
YI
Kim
Jung-Sun
JS
D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D007778:Lactobacillus; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016207:Cytokines; D009077:Mucins