title: Comparative effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on growth factors in the large bowel in a rat model of formula-induced bowel inflammation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. lfordjour@downstate.edu
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fordjour
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Dharmendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jacob V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Kay D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Beharry
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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