title: Effects of probiotic bacteria (VSL#3) on the polyamine biosynthesis and cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa of rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotics seem to possess tumour inhibitory properties, but few studies have investigated their actions on the cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa. The effects of a probiotic mixture (VSL#3) on polyamine biosynthesis, Ki-67 levels and apoptosis in the normal colon of rats were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  For a 4-week period, 20 rats were fed a VSL#3 solution and 20 rats a saline solution. Samples from the colonic mucosa were collected at the end of treatment. Polyamines were detected by HPLC, ornithine decarboxylase activity by a radiometric technique, and apoptosis and Ki-67 by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VSL#3 caused a significant decrease in colonic polyamine levels, ornithine decarboxylase activity and Ki-67 compared to controls. A significant increase in the apoptotic index was also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotics could also reduce proliferation rates in a condition not affected by hyperproliferative or neoplastic growth, when the normal control mechanisms are still completely effective.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Castellana G., Bari, University of Bari, Italy. irccsbiochimica@libero.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linsalata
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berloco
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polimeno
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Leo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013095:Spermidine / Q000032:analysis; D013096:Spermine / Q000032:analysis; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011073:Polyamines; D013096:Spermine; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D013095:Spermidine