title: Fructo-oligosaccharide reduces inflammation in a dextran sodium sulphate mouse model of colitis.
abstract: Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is a prebiotic that stimulates the colonic growth of bifidobacteria to promote intestinal health. This study assessed whether FOS can reduce intestinal damage associated with ulcerative colitis and accelerate recovery in a mouse model. C57BL/6 mice received 2% dextran sulphate sodium for 7 days (days 8-14). FOS (1.5 g/mL) treatment was administered twice daily (n=10/group): before and during colitis (days 1-14); during colitis (days 10-14); and during colitis and the recovery period (days 10-19). Disease activity was scored daily and colonic damage was assessed by histological analysis. FOS treatment significantly reduced disease activity and damage in the distal colon (P < .05). Treatment with FOS (days 10-14) had increased crypt depth (116+/-6 microm) compared to water treatment (90+/-4 microm, P < .05). FOS treatment (days 10-19) produced a faster recovery from damage with increased crypt depth and crypt area. These results demonstrate the protective effect of FOS treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia, 5006. jesswinkler@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Symonds
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001944:Breath Tests; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; D016264:Dextran Sulfate