Comparative effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on growth factors in the large bowel in a rat model of formula-induced bowel inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
Supplementation with probiotics has been shown to prevent gastrointestinal damage possibly through preservation of growth factors. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics supplementation preserves intestinal insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and epidermal growth factors (EGFs) in formula-fed neonatal rats.


METHODS
At birth (postnatal day 0 [P0]), neonatal rat pups (n = 18 pups/group) were either maternally fed or hand-gavaged with formula supplemented with probiotics (Pro-Fed), prebiotics, or synbiotics from P0 to P3. A formula-fed control group received formula without supplementation. At P4, large bowel samples were assessed histologically and assayed for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptor-1, IGF-I, IGF-II, and EGF.


RESULTS
All formula-fed groups were severely growth suppressed with comparable mortalities. Moderate preservation of bowel integrity was noted in the Pro-Fed group. In contrast, severe inflammation was seen in all of the other formula groups. This was associated with significant increases in VEGF levels in all of the formula groups (P < 0.05) except the Pre-Fed group. Similar elevations in soluble VEGF receptor-1 (P < 0.05), IGF-I (P < 0.05), and EGF (P < 0.05) were noted, but statistical significance was achieved only in the Pro-Fed group.


CONCLUSIONS
Induction of IGF-I and EGF with moderate bowel integrity may represent a protective effect of probiotics against formula-induced inflammation. These data, taken collectively, suggest that probiotics may provide more beneficial effects on the developing large bowel than prebiotics and synbiotics.
Fordjour
Lawrence
L
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. lfordjour@downstate.edu
D'Souza
Antoni
A
Cai
Charles
C
Ahmad
Asma
A
Valencia
Gloria
G
Kumar
Dharmendra
D
Aranda
Jacob V
JV
Beharry
Kay D
KD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000378:metabolism*; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D058616:Synbiotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D056692:Prebiotics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor