title: Regulatory role of Lactobacillus acidophilus on inflammation and gastric dysmotility in intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lactobacillus acidophilus is widely used for gastrointestinal disorders, but its role in inflammatory conditions like in chemotherapy-induced mucositis is unclear. Here, we report the effect of L. acidophilus on 5-fluorouracil-induced (5-FU) intestinal mucositis in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice weighing 25-30 g (n = 8) were separated into three groups, saline, 5-FU, and 5-FU + L. acidophilus (5-FU-La) (16 × 10(9) CFU/kg). In the 5-FU-La group, L. acidophilus was administered concomitantly with 5-FU on the first day and alone for two additional days. Three days after the last administration of L. acidophilus, the animals were euthanized and the jejunum and ileum were removed for histopathological assessment and for evaluation of levels of myeloperoxidase activity, sulfhydryl groups, nitrite, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, CXCL-1, and IL-10). In addition, we investigated gastric emptying using spectrophotometry after feeding a 1.5-ml test meal by gavage and euthanasia. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Bonferroni's test, with the level of significance at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the villus height-crypt depth ratio and GSH concentration and increased myeloperoxidase activity and the nitrite concentrations compared with the control group. Furthermore, 5-FU significantly (p < 0.05) increased cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and CXCL-1) concentrations and decreased IL-10 concentrations compared with the control group. 5-FU also significantly (p < 0.05) delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit compared with the control group. All of these changes were significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by treatment with L. acidophilus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lactobacillus acidophilus improves the inflammatory and functional aspects of intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical School, Federal University of Ceara, Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1315, Rodolfo Teofilo, Fortaleza, Ceara, CEP 60.430-270, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscilla F C
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Justino
authors.forename: Luis F M
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Andre F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Cecila M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Walber O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Alvaro X
authors.initials: AX
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Emmanuel P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Ronaldo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Marcellus H L P
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Pedro Marcos Gomes
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000633:toxicity*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000633:toxicity*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D052016:Mucositis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D016207:Cytokines; D009195:Peroxidase; D005472:Fluorouracil