title: Blueberry husks, rye bran and multi-strain probiotics affect the severity of colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The enteric microbiota is a pivotal factor in the development of intestinal inflammation in humans but probiotics, dietary fibres and phytochemicals can have anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of multi-strain probiotics and two conceivable prebiotics in an experimental colitis model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a fibre-free diet alone or in combination with Lactobacillus crispatus DSM 16743, L. gasseri DSM 16737 and Bifidobacterium infantis DSM 15158 and/or rye bran and blueberry husks. Colitis was induced by 5% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) given by oro-gastric tube. Colitis severity, inflammatory markers, gut-load of lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae, bacterial translocation and formation of carboxylic acids (CAs) were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The disease activity index (DAI) was lower in all treatment groups. Viable counts of Enterobacteriaceae were reduced and correlated positively with colitis severity, while DAI was negatively correlated with several CAs, e.g. butyric acid. The addition of probiotics to blueberry husks lowered the level of caecal acetic acid and increased that of propionic acid, while rye bran in combination with probiotics increased caecal CA levels and decreased distal colonic levels. Blueberry husks with probiotics reduced the incidence of bacterial translocation to the liver, colonic levels of myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde and serum interleukin-12. Acetic and butyric acids in colonic content correlated negatively to malondialdehyde.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of probiotics and blueberry husks or rye bran enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects compared with probiotics or dietary fibres alone. These combinations can be used as a preventive or therapeutic approach to dietary amelioration of intestinal inflammation.
authors: Food Hygiene, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Asa
authors: A
authors: Håkansson
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Bränning
authors: Diya
authors: D
authors: Adawi
authors: Göran
authors: G
authors: Molin
authors: Margareta
authors: M
authors: Nyman
authors: Bengt
authors: B
authors: Jeppsson
authors: Siv
authors: S
authors: Ahrné
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029798:Blueberry Plants; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012434:Secale; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D028321:Plant Preparations; D056692:Prebiotics; D016264:Dextran Sulfate