Effect of lactobacillus on the gut microflora and barrier function of the rats with abdominal infection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of probiotics supplemented by gut on the tight junctions of epithelial cells, barrier function and the microflora of rats with abdominal infection.


METHODS
After the model of cecal ligation and perforation established, SD rats were divided into two groups: parenteral nutrition (PN) group and PN+probiotics (probiotics) group, PN solution was supplemented by neck vein and probiotics was delivered via the jejunostomy tube for five days. Vena cava blood and the homogenated tissue of liver, lung and mesenteric lymph nodes were cultured to determine the bacterial translocation rate (BTR). The ultra-structure of epithelial tight junctions and microvilli of the gut were observed by electron microscopy; occluding expression was measured by indirect-immune fluorescence method; anaerobic bacterial growth by anaerobic culture and DNA fingerprint of bacterial colonies of the feces by PCR.


RESULTS
The quantity of lactobacteria and bifydobacteria in probiotics group was higher than that of PN group. The profiles of DNA fingerprint expression in probiotics group were similar to that in the normal group, a new 16S rDNA sequence appeared in the profile in PN group. The occludin expression, the integrality of the gut epithelial tight junction and microvilli in probiotics group were improved as compared with PN group. The BTR and endotoxin in blood were reduced more significantly in probiotics group as compared with PN group.


CONCLUSIONS
The probiotics could improve the gut microflora disturbance, increase occludin expression, maintain the gut epithelial tight junction and decrease the bacterial translocations rate.
Qin
Huan-Long
HL
Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China. sshospy@public.sta.net.cn
Shen
Tong-Yi
TY
Gao
Zhi-Guang
ZG
Fan
Xiao-Bing
XB
Hang
Xiao-Min
XM
Jiang
Yan-Qun
YQ
Zhang
Hui-Zhen
HZ
D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure