Intestinal flora imbalance results in altered bacterial translocation and liver function in rats with experimental cirrhosis.
Summary of "Intestinal flora imbalance results in altered bacterial translocation and liver function in rats with experimental cirrhosis."
BACKGROUND/
PURPOSE:
The intestinal microflora plays a major role in human health. Intestinal flora imbalances are seen in clinical settings, such as cirrhosis, in which bacterial translocation (BT) results in migration of bacteria or bacterial products from the intestinal lumen to extraintestinal sites. In this study, we explored the effect of alterations in gut flora on BT and liver function in cirrhotic rats.
METHODS:
In this study, we used a carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic rat model to compare the abundance of major aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species in healthy and cirrhotic rats. We used antibiotic (norfloxacin) and different probiotic treatments to change the status of gut flora in the cirrhotic rats and evaluated BT, liver function, and endotoxemia in the different models.
RESULTS:
We found higher levels of Enterobacteriaceae in cirrhotic rats when compared with healthy rats. Bifidobacteria treatment resulted in lower levels of Enterobacteriaceae along with increased levels of Lactobacillus when compared with the normal saline group. Both Bifidobacteria and Enterococcus treatments resulted in lower endotoxin levels than in the normal saline group.
CONCLUSION:
Gut flora imbalances in cirrhotic rats result in significant changes in BT and liver function in cirrhotic rats.
Affiliation
Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
ISSN: 1473-5687
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20739895
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0b013e32833eb8b0
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Bacterial Translocation
The passage of viable bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to extra-intestinal sites, such as the mesenteric lymph node complex, liver, spleen, kidney, and blood. Factors that promote bacterial translocation include overgrowth with gram-negative enteric bacilli, impaired host immune defenses, and injury to the intestinal mucosa resulting in increased intestinal permeability. These mechanisms can act in concert to promote synergistically the systemic spread of indigenous translocating bacteria to cause lethal sepsis.
Eikenella Corrodens
Gram-negative bacteria isolated from infections of the respiratory and intestinal tracts and from the buccal cavity, intestinal tract, and urogenital tract. They are probably part of the normal flora of man and animals.
Fatty Liver
Lipid infiltration of the hepatic parenchymal cells resulting in a yellow-colored liver. The abnormal lipid accumulation is usually in the form of TRIGLYCERIDES, either as a single large droplet or multiple small droplets. Fatty liver is caused by an imbalance in the metabolism of FATTY ACIDS.
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.
Cysticercosis
Infection with CYSTICERCUS, the larval form of the various tapeworms of the genus Taenia (usually T. solium in man). In humans they penetrate the intestinal wall and invade subcutaneous tissue, brain, eye, muscle, heart, liver, lung, and peritoneum. Brain involvement results in NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS.
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