title: Gnotobiotic Human ColonEx Vivo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A novel emulsion with efficacy as an agent for eliminating biofilms was selected. The aim of this study was to examine efficacy and effect of a formulation of ML:8 against commensal bacteria harvested fromex vivohuman colonic tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mucosal sheets, obtained at the time of surgery, were exposed for 2 minutes to one of four solutions: Krebs-Hensleit (KH) solution, saline (NaCl; 0.9%), povidone iodine (1%), or ML:8 (2%); n = 4. Lumenal surfaces were swabbed for culture under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Following treatment, each sheet was mounted in Ussing chambers and voltage clamped. Tissues were challenged with carbachol. Permeability coefficient (Papp) was determined using mannitol fluxes. At the end of each experiment, tissues were examined histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Similar colony forming units grew in aerobic and anaerobic conditions in both control and NaCl treated tissues. Iodine reduced and ML:8 virtually abolished viable bacteria. Basal electrophysiological parameters were not different between treatments. Transepithelial electrical resistance values did not differ between groups. All tissues responded to carbachol, although this was attenuated in iodine treated tissue. Papp values were slightly elevated in all treated tissues but this did not reach significance. Histopathological assessment revealed no overt damage to tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brief exposure to ML:8 reduced culturable bacterial burden from human intestinal tissues harvested at the time of surgical resection. Such gnotobiotic tissues retain structural and functional integrity. This is a novel approach to reduce bacterial burden.
authors: UCD School of Veterinary Medicine & Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; These authors contributed equally to the study.
authors: Frank D
authors: FD
authors: McDermott
authors: UCD School of Veterinary Medicine & Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; These authors contributed equally to the study.
authors: David M A
authors: DM
authors: Folan
authors: UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Department of Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: Des C
authors: DC
authors: Winter
authors: UCD School of Veterinary Medicine & Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Folan
authors: UCD School of Veterinary Medicine & Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: Alan W
authors: AW
authors: Baird
keywords: Antiseptic; Colonic epithelium; Gut bacteria; Ion transport; Permeability