The effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on bacterial translocation in rats with obstructive jaundice.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii treatment on preventing bacterial translocation in an obstructive jaundice animal model.


METHODS
Sixty adult rats were divided into five groups: group 1 - the sham-operated group; group 2 - the common bile duct ligation group; group 3 - the S. boulardii group; group 4 - the ampicillin-sulbaktam group; and group 5 - the S. boulardii plus ampicillin-sulbaktam group. The saline, antibiotics and S. boulardii were given, respectively, for a 7-day period as a single dose per day via temporary orogastric intubation. Seven days following the obstructive jaundice, the animal had laparatomy under sterile conditions. Segments of ileum were removed for histopathological examination. Blood, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were taken for microbiological culture.


RESULTS
Bacterial translocation rates were 0% in the sham-operated group, 83% in group 2, 42% in group 3, 42% in group 4 and 33% in group 5. Bacterial translocation significantly increased in group 2 compared to groups 3, 4 and 5 (P = 0.001). The bacterial counts (CFU/g) of group 2 were significantly higher than those of groups 3, 4 and 5 (P = 0.001). Histopathological examination of ileum specimens revealed a significant decrease in the heights of villi in groups 2-5 compared to the sham-operated group (P = 0.001). The mean villus height in groups 3 and 5 was significantly higher than that of group 4 (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
S. boulardii was found to be effective in the successful control of translocation and improvement of intestinal barrier function.
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakir, Turkey. mefgeyik@dicle.edu.tr
Mehmet Faruk
MF
Geyik
Mustafa
M
Aldemir
Salih
S
Hosoglu
Celal
C
Ayaz
Selda
S
Satilmis
Huseyin
H
Buyukbayram
Omer Faruk
OF
Kokoglu
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018988:Bacterial Translocation / Q000502:physiology*; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D007082:Ileum / Q000382:microbiology; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000382:microbiology*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012440:Saccharomyces