Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) have been implicated in the aetiology of ulcerative colitis. Sulphide produced from reduction of sulphate by SRB is highly toxic to colonocytes and can impair their metabolic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of the colonic bacterial flora using metronidazole and the prebiotic oligofructose on the concentration and activity of SRB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RESULTS: In SRB-positive volunteers (n=16) faecal SRB concentrations fell with metronidazole (95% CI, 2.19, 3.36 p<0.0001) even when combined with oligofructose (95% CI 2.32, 4.01 p<0.0001). Faecal anaerobe concentrations fell with metronidazole and bifidobacterial concentrations rose with oligofructose irrespective of SRB status. Faecal SRRs fell with metronidazole irrespective of the presence of faecal SRB (95% CI 29.0, 56.1 p<0.0001). No changes in faecal sulphate concentrations were seen. Faecal hydrogen sulphide concentrations fell with oligofructose in SRB-positive volunteers (95% CI 0.14, 0.53 p=0.002). Faecal SCFA concentrations fell with metronidazole (-103.7, -19.6, p=0.007) and rose with oligofructose (9.9, 83.1 p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that metronidazole, but not oligofructose, reduced the concentration and activity of faecal SRB. This reduction had no impact on faecal concentrations of sulphate and hydrogen sulphide, suggesting that other methods of hydrogen sulphide production are more important. Oligofructose causes a reduction in faecal hydrogen sulphide, and an increase in SCFA concentrations may thus have a therapeutic role in patients with ulcerative colitis.
|
Authors | Stephen Lewis, Jon Brazier, David Beard, Nazeem Nazem, Douglas Proctor |
Journal | Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology
(Scand J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 40
Issue 11
Pg. 1296-303
(Nov 2005)
ISSN: 0036-5521 [Print] England |
PMID | 16334439
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
|
Chemical References |
- Oligosaccharides
- oligofructose
- Metronidazole
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Colon
(drug effects, microbiology)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Feces
(microbiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Metronidazole
(administration & dosage)
- Oligosaccharides
(administration & dosage)
- Probability
- Reference Values
- Risk Assessment
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria
(drug effects, isolation & purification)
|