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Probiotic Effects on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Mucositis Assessed by the Sucrose Breath Test in Rats

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Abstract

The sucrose breath test (SBT) was employed to noninvasively assess the efficacy of probiotics in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis. Dark Agouti rats were allocated to 5 groups (n=10): 5-FU+L. fermentum BR11, 5-FU+L. rhamnosus GG, 5-FU+B. lactis BB12, 5-FU+skim milk (SM), and saline+SM. Probiotics were administered by oral gavage for 10 days. Mucositis was induced on day 7 by intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline). Rats were sacrificed 72 h after 5-FU injection. The SBT measured breath 13CO2 (expressed as percentage cumulative dose at 90 min; %CD90) on days 0, 7, and 10. %CD90 was significantly lower in 5-FU-treated controls compared with that in saline-treated controls on day 10. 5-FU caused an 83% reduction in sucrase and a 510% increase in MPO activity. The SBT detected damage induced by 5-FU and is a simple, noninvasive indicator of small bowel injury. The probiotics assessed offered no protection from mucositis at the dose tested.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Kerry Lymn, Roger Yazbeck, Joanne Ball, Stamatiki Kritas, Geoffrey Matthews, Lynn Scarman, and Dr. Coung Tran for assistance with the animal experiments, histologic processing, biochemical analyses, and proofreading. Dr. Andrew Lawrence and the staff of the CYWHS Microbiology Department are thanked for their assistance with microbial culture. Thanks are also extended to Inpak Foods, Royal Park, South Australia, for their generous donation of Bonlac® skim milk powder.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Chad A. Mauger, Ross N. Butler, Mark S. Geier, Katie L. Tooley & Gordon S. Howarth

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

    Chad A. Mauger & Gordon S. Howarth

  3. Discipline of Physiology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Ross N. Butler, Mark S. Geier, Katie L. Tooley & Gordon S. Howarth

  4. Discipline of Agricultural and Animal Science, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Gordon S. Howarth

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  1. Chad A. Mauger
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  2. Ross N. Butler
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  3. Mark S. Geier
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  4. Katie L. Tooley
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  5. Gordon S. Howarth
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Correspondence to Gordon S. Howarth.

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Mauger, C.A., Butler, R.N., Geier, M.S. et al. Probiotic Effects on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Mucositis Assessed by the Sucrose Breath Test in Rats. Dig Dis Sci 52, 612–619 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9464-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9464-y

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