Bifidobacterium infantis has a beneficial effect on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in rats.

Abstract

Intestinal mucositis is a common toxic side effect in cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium infantis in a rat model of intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU + B. infantis. A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) was used to induce intestinal mucositis. B. infantis (1×109 cfu) was administered for 11 days, starting from 7 days before 5-FU injection. Intestinal mucositis was evaluated based on body weight, villus height, immunohistological expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), levels of the pro-inflammatory factors interleukin 1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration. The results showed that the 5-FU + B. infantis group demonstrated a higher body weight and villus height, increased expression of PCNA, reduced expression of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory factors, and lower MPO concentration compared to the 5-FU group. These data suggest that probiotic B. infantis is effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis in rats.

• Authors: K-T Yuan, H-L Yu, W-D Feng, P Chong, T Yang, C-L Xue, M Yu, H-P Shi
• Journal: Beneficial microbes (Benef Microbes) Vol. 6 Issue 1 Pg. 113-8 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1876-2891 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25380796 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Animals
• Bifidobacterium (growth & development)
• Biomarkers
• Body Weight
• Fluorouracil (adverse effects)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Intestinal Mucosa (pathology)
• Mucositis (chemically induced, pathology, prevention & control)
• Probiotics (administration & dosage)
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Treatment Outcome