title: Effects of probiotic supplementation on markers of acute pancreatitis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal barrier disruption followed by bacterial translocation seems to play a role in secondary pancreatic infection in acute pancreatitis. The use of probiotics as a possible adjuvant strategy in the treatment of acute pancreatitis needs to be investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with a prophylactically administered multispecies probiotic mixture on the markers of acute pancreatitis and on the occurrence of bacterial translocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups of 10 rats each: (1) the PS group, in which the rats were given probiotic supplementation prior to induction of acute pancreatitis; (2) the WP group, in which the rats underwent surgery to induce acute pancreatitis without prior probiotic supplementation; and (3) the control group, in which the rats underwent sham surgery. For 14 days before surgery, animals in the PS group received a single daily dose containing ~1.2 × 10(9) colony-forming units of a probiotic mixture administered intragastrically as a bolus. On day 15, the animals underwent surgery to induce acute pancreatitis (PS and WP groups) or simulated surgery (control group). Blood samples were collected to determine leukocyte count, amylase and lipase activities, and glucose and calcium concentrations immediately before and 6 and 12 hours after the beginning of the procedure. Samples of pancreas, spleen, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes were harvested for microbiologic and histopathologic analysis after the last blood sample collection. The pathologist examining the histopathology was blinded to treatment assignment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean leukocyte count was significantly increased in the PS group compared with the WP group (P = 0.018), whereas the serum amylase and lipase activities and the serum glucose and calcium concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Comparing the risk for tissue colonization in the PS group with that of the WP group, the odds ratio (OR) for pancreas was 2.91 (95% CI, 0.13-67.10); liver, 66.55 (95% CI, 1.89-2282.66); spleen, 88.58 (95% CI, 3.04-2583.08); and mesenteric lymph nodes, 1.23 (95% CI, 0.06-25.48). When the risks for histopathologic changes were compared between the 2 groups, the OR for acinar necrosis was 1.73 (95% CI, 0.21-12.17); steatonecrosis, 12.08 (95% CI, 1.26-115.54); hemorrhage, 1.38 (95% CI, 0.21-9.53); and leukocyte infiltration, 5.91 (95% CI, 0.64-54.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotic supplementation before the induction of acute pancreatitis was associated with a greater degree of bacterial translocation and pancreatic tissue damage in this animal model.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nara L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Horst
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ruy Garcia
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Diestel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Matzke
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo R
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Correia
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnaldo F B
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory of University Hospital Pedro Ernesto, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wagner I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Lobão
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos A
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Planning and Administration, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Margareth C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Portela
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Ueleres
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Melo
keywords: acute pancreatitis; bacterial translocation; infection; probiotics