Effects of probiotic on intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of probiotic on intestinal mucosae of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to evaluate the role of probiotic in preventing the relapse of UC.


METHODS
Thirty patients received treatment with sulphasalazine (SASP) and glucocorticoid and then were randomly administered bifid triple viable capsule (BIFICO) (1.26 g/d), or an identical placebo (starch) for 8 wk. Fecal samples were collected for stool culture 2 wk before and after the randomized treatments. The patients were evaluated clinically, endoscopically and histologically after 2 mo of treatment or in case of relapse of UC. p65 and IkappaB expressions were determined by Western blot analysis. DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB in colonic nuclear extracts was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). mRNA expressions of cytokines were identified by semi-quantitative assay, reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Three patients (20%) in the BIFICO group had relapses during 2-mo follow-up period, compared with 14 (93.3%) in placebo group (P<0.01). The concentration of fecal lactobacilli, bifidobacteria was significantly increased in BIFICO-treated group only (P<0.01). The expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB were significantly attenuated in the treatment group than that in control (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines was elevated in comparison with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The probiotic could impede the activation of NF-kappaB, decrease the expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and elevate the expression of IL-10. These results suggest that oral administration of this new probiotic preparation is effective in preventing flare-ups of chronic UC. It may become a prophylactic drug to decrease the relapse of UC.
Cui
Hai-Hong
HH
Department of Gastroenterology, Chinese PLA Institute of Digestion Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
Chen
Cun-Long
CL
Wang
Ji-De
JD
Yang
Yu-Jie
YJ
Cun
Yong
Y
Wu
Jin-Bao
JB
Liu
Yu-Hu
YH
Dan
Han-Lei
HL
Jian
Yan-Ting
YT
Chen
Xue-Qing
XQ
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D012460:Sulfasalazine