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Yoghurts Containing Probiotics Reduce Disruption of the Small Intestinal Barrier in Methotrexate-Treated Rats

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 53, pages 1837–1841 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Small intestinal permeability was employed to assess the efficacy of commercially available yoghurts containing probiotics in a rat model of methotrexate (MTX)-induced mucositis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to four groups (n = 8): MTX + water, MTX + cow’s milk yoghurt (CY; fermented with Lactobacillus johnsonii), MTX + sheep’s milk yoghurt (SY; containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus), and saline. Treatment gavage occurred twice daily for 7 days pre-MTX and 5 days post-MTX. Intestinal permeability was assessed on days −7, −1, 2, and 5 of the trial. Intestinal sections were collected at sacrifice for histological and biochemical analyses. Histology revealed that rats receiving CY and SY did not have a significantly damaged duodenum compared to controls. However, an improved small intestinal barrier function was evident, determined by a decreased lactulose/mannitol ratio. Probiotics containing SY and CY may be useful in preventing disruption to intestinal barrier function in MTX-induced mucositis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Gastroenterology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia

    E. Southcott, K. L. Tooley, G. S. Howarth, G. P. Davidson & R. N. Butler

  2. Discipline of Physiology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    E. Southcott, K. L. Tooley, G. S. Howarth & R. N. Butler

  3. Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    G. S. Howarth, G. P. Davidson & R. N. Butler

  4. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    G. S. Howarth

  5. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    G. S. Howarth

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  1. E. Southcott
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  2. K. L. Tooley
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  3. G. S. Howarth
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  4. G. P. Davidson
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  5. R. N. Butler
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Correspondence to R. N. Butler.

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Southcott, E., Tooley, K.L., Howarth, G.S. et al. Yoghurts Containing Probiotics Reduce Disruption of the Small Intestinal Barrier in Methotrexate-Treated Rats. Dig Dis Sci 53, 1837–1841 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0275-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0275-1

Keywords

  • Methotrexate
  • Mucositis
  • Small intestine
  • Permeability
  • Barrier function
  • Probiotics