title: Cytokines and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways in the terminal ileum of hypoxic/hyperoxic neonatal rats: benefits of probiotics supplementation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. We tested the hypothesis that probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics (a combination of pre- and probiotics) is effective for prevention of inflammatory responses to formula-feeding in the terminal ileum of neonatal rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neonatal rats were exposed to hyperoxia/hypoxia during which they were either maternally-fed or hand-fed with formula supplemented with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics. A non-supplemented formula group served as controls. Cytokines and genes associated with oxidative stress and toll-like receptor signaling were determined in the terminal ileum. Data were compared to room air littermates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure to hyperoxia/ hypoxia reduced growth accretion in maternally-fed pups. NEC-like symptoms and intestinal inflammatory markers were induced with formula feeding. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics decreased proinflammatory cytokines and downregulated genes involved in oxidative stress and toll-like receptor pathways, however, the effect was attenuated in hyperoxia/hypoxia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of suboptimal nutrition due to removal of breast milk and formula feeding with hyperoxia/hypoxia may increase susceptibility to oxidative stress, inflammation, and NEC. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are protective against oxidative stress and inflammation, but their efficacy may be reduced when administered during hyperoxia/hypoxia insults.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Dharmendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Fayme
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fordjour
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Jacob V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Kay D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Beharry