Aim: The effectiveness of probiotics in preserving intestinal mucosa integrity has been
already affirmed, although in case of Crohn's disease is not yet clarified. We have
analyzed how the effective probiotics (ProGastro) are compared to drugs used in clinical
practice in preventing the development of inflammation induced by indomethacin in
rats. To confirm the macroscopic findings, we have measured the levels of TNF alpha
in sera and in stimulated samples.
Methods: Bowel inflammation has been provoked by given indomethacin five s.c. in 10mg/kg
doses once daily for three days to four groups of Wistar rats. To prevent inflammation
the first group has been given 3.57mg/kg methyprednisolon i.p. the second 125mg/kg
mesalazin p.o. and the third 42.86mg/kg ProGastro p.o. once daily for the same three
days as indomethacin. The fourth group has been given indomethacin only, the fifth
was the control group. On the fourth day the bowels have been removed in urethane
induced narcosis (1.2g/kg i.p.). The small intestines have been cut longitudinally
and examined according to the universally used Tamaki score criteria. The levels of
TNF alpha have been measured in PMA and LPS stimulated samples and in sera by ELISA,
using Rat TNF alpha Module Set. Blood has been taken directly from the hearts of the
rats using vacuum sets. Results: The inflammation has been scored according to Tamaki criteria. The III-IV stages
seen in the fourth group have been reduced to II by probiotics. The levels of TNF
alpha in the PMA and LPS stimulated samples have decreased more in the first and second
groups than in the third one. In our opinion by giving mesalazin and probiotics together
stronger effects could be achieved, these expected additive effects are still to be
evaluated.
