Galacto-oligosaccharides stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria but fail to attenuate inflammation in experimental colitis in rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Galacto-oligosaccharides potentially attenuate colonic inflammation by two mechanisms: through beneficial effects on intestinal microflora and by increasing the colonic short-chain fatty acid concentration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on the development of inflammation and on the growth of bifidobacteria in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, a model that has been shown to benefit from short-chain fatty acid administration and to be associated with alterations in the colonic microflora.

METHODS:

Rats were given daily either whey-derived or lactose-derived galacto-oligosaccharides (4 g kg(-1) day(-1), p.o.); starting 10 days before colitis induction, or dexamethasone (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1), s.c., a positive control), starting at colitis induction. Colon wet weight, macroscopic damage and myeloperoxidase activity were assessed 72 h after the induction of colitis. Faecal bifidobacteria were counted at the beginning of the study, and immediately before and 72 h after colitis induction.

RESULTS:

Galacto-oligosaccharides increased the colonic levels of bifidobacteria but also the levels of other bacterial species. Neither whey-derived nor lactose-derived galacto-oligosaccharides reduced the severity of inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Galacto-oligosaccharides are able to modify gut microflora in severe TNBS-induced colitis, but unable to attenuate the inflammation.

• Authors: R Holma, P Juvonen, M Z Asmawi, H Vapaatalo, R Korpela
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology (Scand J Gastroenterol) Vol. 37 Issue 9 Pg. 1042-7 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0036-5521 [Print] England
• PMID: 12374229 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Galactans
• Glucocorticoids
• Oligosaccharides
• Dexamethasone
• Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Bifidobacterium (physiology)
• Body Weight
• Colitis (chemically induced, microbiology, prevention & control)
• Colon (drug effects, microbiology)
• Colony Count, Microbial
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Galactans (administration & dosage)
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Intestinal Mucosa (drug effects, microbiology)
• Male
• Models, Animal
• Oligosaccharides (administration & dosage)
• Rats
• Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid (toxicity)