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Age-related Effects of the Probiotic Bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on Gastrointestinal Function in Suckling Rats

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Abstract

The effect of a probiotic bacterium on gut function was studied in neonatal animals by using a model with suckling rats. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) or saline (controls) was fed (3.0 × 106 CFU/g b.wt per day) for one week to rats aged either 3, 7 or 14 days, after which bacterial colonization, gut growth, and functional parameters were analyzed. In rats fed with Lp299v from 3 to 10 days of age, an increase in ceacal lactobacilli was correlated with reduced intestinal macromolecular permeability and increased mucosal protein compared to age-matched controls. Pups treated from 7 to 14 days of age showed a decrease in pancreas weight and protein content, whereas pups treated from 14 to 21 days of age showed little effect of the Lp299v treatment. The results indicated that the bacterial exposure affected the gut function, where the effects were age-related and the youngest rats appeared most sensitive.

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Abbreviations

Lp299v:

Lactobacillus plantarum 299v

BIgG:

Bovine IgG

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

b.wt:

Body weight

CFU:

Colony-forming units

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Mrs. Inger Mattsson for her expert technical assistance in analyzing the blood, intestinal, and pancreatic samples. The Swedish Research Council Formas is also acknowledged for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Animal Physiology, Lund University, Helgonavägen 3B, Lund, 223 62, Sweden

    Frida Fåk, Ann Linderoth & Björn Weström

  2. Department of Food Technology, Engineering and Nutrition, Lund University, Box 124, Lund, 221 00, Sweden

    Siv Ahrné & Göran Molin

  3. Department of Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmo, 205 02, Sweden

    Bengt Jeppsson

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  1. Frida Fåk
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  2. Siv Ahrné
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  3. Ann Linderoth
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  4. Göran Molin
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  5. Bengt Jeppsson
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  6. Björn Weström
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Correspondence to Frida Fåk.

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Fåk, F., Ahrné, S., Linderoth, A. et al. Age-related Effects of the Probiotic Bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on Gastrointestinal Function in Suckling Rats. Dig Dis Sci 53, 664–671 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9906-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9906-1

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