Biomedical subjects

G Molin

Publications and source records attributed to G Molin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Identification of clinically important species of Enterococcus within 1 day with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD).

The use of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for rapid, reliable, and easily interpreted identification of enterococci was evaluated. Nineteen type strains of Enterococcus, 12 reference strains, and 114 clinical isolates of Enterococcus were analyzed. Discrimination was obtained between most type strains, the exceptions being Ent. casseliflavus and Ent. flavescens, which had relatively similar RAPD-profiles. Ent. faecalis and Ent. faecium were readily separated, and Ent. gallinarum and Ent. durans could also be identified. Extracts to be used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were prepared directly from agar plate colonies, which made it possible to complete the identification procedure in one day. RAPD was proved to be a fast and reliable method for identification of most Enterococcus spp. of clinical significance.

Enterococcus↗

PubMed1998

Antibiotic-resistant strains of Enterococcus isolated from Swedish and Danish retailed chicken and pork.

Two hundred and seventy-seven Enterococcus isolates representing the predominating enterococcal flora of retailed chicken and pork were identified by phenotypical features, and by random amplified polymorphic DNA. The resistance to nine different antibiotics was determined. Enterococcus faecium was the most frequently occurring species in both Swedish and Danish chicken. Enterococcus faecalis and unidentified groups of Enterococcus dominated in pork. Seventy-three per cent of the Enterococcus isolates from Swedish chicken were resistant to one or more of the tested antibiotics. The corresponding values for Swedish pork, Danish chicken and Danish pork were 9%, 55% and 14%, respectively. Tetracycline resistance was most frequent in isolates from Danish pork and Swedish chicken, while erythromycin resistance was most frequent in Danish chicken. Strains with acquired vancomycin resistance, mainly Ent. faecium, were found only on Danish chicken, except for one isolate from Danish pork. All vancomycin-resistant isolates contained the vanA gene. Vancomycin resistance could be transferred to a vancomycin-sensitive Ent. faecium strain from four of nine tested donor strains.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

The normal Lactobacillus flora of healthy human rectal and oral mucosa.

The Lactobacillus flora of the rectal and oral mucosa was sampled from 42 healthy volunteers. Species identification was carried out by numerically comparing API 50CH fermentation patterns with type strains, using an SJ-similarity cut-off level of 79%. For the largest groups, identity was further confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridizations against the type strain of the species. Seventeen lactobacilli clusters were defined, of which most were found both on rectal and oral mucosa. The largest taxa were Lactobacillus plantarum, Lact. rhamnosus and Lact. paracasei ssp. paracasei, which were isolated from 52%, 26% and 17% of the individuals, respectively. Most isolates were tested for their capacity to adhere to the human colonic cell line HT-29 in the absence and presence of methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. Mannose-sensitive adherence to HT-29 cells was encountered in two-thirds of the Lact. plantarum isolates, but infrequently among isolates of other taxa. The results suggest that Lact. plantarum is a major colonizer of the human gastrointestinal mucosa, and that its capacity to adhere to mannose-containing receptors may be of some ecological importance.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of nitric oxide production and the effects of arginine and Lactobacillus administration in an acute liver injury model.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of inhibiting nitric oxide production and the effects of arginine and lactobacilli administration in an acute liver injury (LI) model. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Infectious complications caused by enteric bacteria are common in patients with liver diseases and those who have undergone liver surgery. Increased bacterial translocation has been proposed as one underlying mechanism. Lactobacilli constitute an integral part of the normal gastrointestinal microecology; they are involved in host metabolism and have many beneficial properties. Arginine has numerous roles in cellular metabolism and may be metabolized by lactobacilli in some cases. We have previously shown that rectal administration of Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 (strain 299v), with and without arginine, in an acute LI model significantly reduces the extent of the LI and reduces bacterial translocation. To clarify the pathogenetic mechanisms, we studied the role of nitric oxide in the effects of L. plantarum and arginine in acute LI, as determined by bacterial translocation, ileal, cecal, and colonic nucleotides, RNA, and DNA. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. L. plantarum, 2% arginine, and/or N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), as appropriate, were administered rectally once daily for 8 days. Acute LI was induced on the eighth day by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (1.1 g/kg body weight), and samples were collected after 24 hours. Bacterial translocation was evaluated by culture of portal and arterial blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver tissue. Liver enzymes and bilirubin were assayed in the serum. The bacterial load in the cecum and colon was determined. Ileal, cecal, and colonic mucosal nucleotides, RNA, and DNA were evaluated. RESULTS: The levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin were lower in liver-injured rats supplemented with arginine and Lactobacillus, and this effect was abolished by the addition of L-NAME. Inhibition of nitric oxide production (by L-NAME) increased bacterial translocation in many groups. L-NAME administration increased the cecal and colonic bacterial count and decreased the levels of mucosal nucleotides, RNA, and DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of nitric oxide production modulated the effects of arginine and L. plantarum in this acute LI model. L-NAME potentiated the LI, as indicated by elevation of liver enzymes and bilirubin, and it also increased bacterial translocation and the cecal and colonic bacterial count. Increased bacterial translocation could be one of the mechanisms by which LI is potentiated.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effect of Lactobacillus supplementation with and without arginine on liver damage and bacterial translocation in an acute liver injury model in the rat.

In acute liver failure following hepatitis, toxic insults, or after major liver surgery, there is an increased bacterial translocation from the gut. This may explain some of the infectious complications seen in these conditions. To elucidate mechanisms and find possible preventive measures, we investigated the effect of rectal administration of arginine and probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.) on bacterial translocation and the extent of liver failure. Sprague-Dawley rats were used and five different Lactobacillus strains (Lb. reuteri R2LC, Lb. rhamnosus DSM 6594 (= strain 271), Lb. plantarum DSM 9843 (= strain 299v), Lb. fermentum 8704:3 (= strain 245), and Lb. reuteri (= strain 108) were administered rectally once daily for 8 days with and without 2% arginine. Acute liver injury (ALI) was induced on the eighth day by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (1.1 g/kg body weight), and samples were collected after 24 and 48 hours. Bacterial translocation was evaluated by bacterial culture from portal and arterial blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver tissue. Liver enzymes and bilirubin were evaluated in the serum. The bacterial load in the cecum and colon was determined and the liver histopathological changes were studied. There was no mortality at any time. The liver enzymes and bilirubin decreased in some of the groups supplemented with lactobacilli with and without arginine compared with the ALI control group. The incidence of bacterial translocation and the number of the translocated bacteria decreased significantly in some of the supplemented groups. Lb. plantarum + arginine administration significantly reduced the level of the released liver enzymes, hepatocellular necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration, bacterial translocation, and the number of Enterobacteriaceae in the cecum and colon. Rectal administration of different Lactobacillus strains with and without arginine in an ALI model significantly modulates the extent of the liver failure and reduces bacterial translocation. Lb. plantarum DSM 9843 (= strain 299v) with or without arginine seemed superior to the other Lactobacillus strains. The beneficial effect of arginine administration alone indicates a possible role of nitric oxide and polyamines in this process, and the lactobacilli may execute their action via the same mechanisms or via bacterial antagonism and/or enhancement of systemic and intestinal mucosal immunity.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1997

Effect of oral supplementation of lactobacilli on bacterial translocation in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bacterial infections and sepsis are frequent complications of acute liver injury, with a high share in the mortality and morbidity of this condition. Bacterial translocation from the gut may play an important role in the high rate of infections observed. In this experiment the effect of different oral supplementation on bacterial translocation was evaluated in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine in the rat. METHODS: Rats were given oral supplements of lactulose, neomycin, Lactobacillus reuteri R2LC, and Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 for 1 week. Liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 1.1 g/kg D-galactosamine. Twenty-four hours later, rats were sacrificed and liver enzymes and histology, intestinal bacterial count and microflora, intestinal mucosal histology, DNA and RNA content, bacterial translocation to blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and liver, and serum endotoxin were studied or measured. RESULTS: Lactulose was highly effective in prevention of liver injury and bacterial translocation. Neomycin and Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 showed a moderate effect in prevention of liver injury and bacterial translocation. Intestinal bacterial count and microflora were affected by different treatment modalities. No endotoxin concentration was found in any of the experimental groups. Both lactobacilli could significantly improve the mucosal proliferative state. CONCLUSIONS: Oral supplementation of lactulose with anti-endotoxin effect could successfully prevent the liver injury and the subsequent bacterial translocation in acute liver injury induced by administration of D-galactosamine in the rat. This effect was irrespective of the intestinal bacterial alteration or mucosal proliferative state.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Inhibition of nitric oxide modulates the effect of oral arginine supplementation in acute liver injury.

BACKGROUND: Arginine possesses numerous unique and advantageous biochemical and pharmacologic properties. We have previously shown that arginine supplementation in an acute liver injury model reduces both the extent of the liver injury and bacterial translocation. We therefore studied the role of nitric oxide on the effects of oral arginine supplementation in acute liver injury, bacterial translocation, ileal and cecal mucosal nucleotides, and RNA and DNA, to investigate pathogenetic mechanisms. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal, liver injury control, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), arginine, and L-NAME + arginine supplementation groups. Oral supplementation was performed daily through a nasogastric tube for 8 days. Acute liver injury was induced on the 8th day by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (1.1 g/kg body weight). Twenty-four hours after the liver injury, liver function tests, bacterial translocation, and ileal and cecal mucosal nucleotides, RNA, and DNA were evaluated. RESULTS: Bilirubin and liver enzymes increased significantly in the L-NAME group compared with the arginine group, whereas the liver enzymes increased significantly compared with the liver injury control group. In the L-NAME group the number of bacteria translocated to the portal and arterial blood increased significantly compared with all groups. In the arginine group the bacteria translocated to the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes decreased significantly compared with the liver injury control and L-NAME groups. The ileal and cecal mucosal nucleotides, RNA, and DNA in the arginine group increased significantly compared with the normal, liver injury, and L-NAME groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nitric oxide plays a role in the beneficial effect of the arginine supplementation in acute liver injury. It significantly improves the liver damage indicated by the increase of liver enzymes when its production was inhibited by L-NAME. Nitric oxide has a role in bacterial translocation since the number of bacteria significantly increased in arterial and portal blood when L-NAME was used to inhibit its production. Furthermore, arginine supplementation improved mucosal nucleotides, RNA, and DNA in ileum and colon.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Bacterial translocation in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine.

Acute liver injury is associated with a high rate of infectious and septic complications. Most of these infections are produced by gram negative enteric bacteria. We evaluated bacterial translocation, intestinal permeability, blood flow, portal pressure, and intestinal microflora after induction of liver injury and 70% liver resection in the rat. The rate of translocation to both portal and arterial blood was 100% at 24 hours and 50% at 48 hours after liver resection compared with 83% to portal vein and 50% to aortic blood at both time points after acute liver injury. Translocation to intraabdominal organs (liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes) was 100% in both groups at both 24 and 48 hours. The rate of translocation increased after liver injury at 48 hours with progression of the liver injury but was decreased in the 70% liver resection group with improvement of liver function. "Total aerobic" and "total anaerobic" bacterial counts in small intestine and cecum were not affected. Pulmonary, distal small intestine, and cecal blood flow were decreased in both groups, whereas blood flow in the proximal small intestine was unaffected. Portal pressure and flow were increased after 70% liver resection, but they were decreased in acute liver injury. After acute liver injury, permeability of both distal small intestine and cecum increased, but after liver resection only cecal permeability increased. The results of this experiment show that bacterial translocation occurs in experimental acute liver injury and that its dynamic, pattern and fate are different from that observed after liver resection, which is a reversible surgical model of liver insufficiency.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

The effect of endotoxin and Lactobacillus pretreatment on peritoneal macrophage behavior in acute liver injury in rat.

The effect of endotoxin and Lactobacillus R2LC pretreatment in acute liver injury, induced by D-galactosamine was studied. Administration of D-galactosamine resulted in much higher luminescent activity than the control (49.24 mV vs 19.75 mV), while there was no change detected on the metabolic response to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) stimulation in the calorimeter. Pretreatment of animals with intraperitoneal administration of heat-killed Lactobacillus resulted in higher oxygen free radical production (105.46 mV) and a much higher metabolic response to PMA in microcalorimeter (24.63 pW per cell vs 13.03 in the control). On the other hand pretreatment with endotoxin resulted in higher luminometric response to PMA compared to liver injury group (65.87 mV), and no response in the microcalorimeter at all. Phagocytic activity was decreased from 86 to 59% after administration of D-galactosamine, and was not significantly influenced by any of the pretreatment modalities. This experiment showed that pretreatment with Lactobacillus resulted in increased macrophage metabolic activity, while endotoxin pretreatment rendered the macrophages unresponsive to subsequent stimulation. These findings may explain why pretreatment with endotoxin is beneficial in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine, but not with gram-positive bacteria including Lactobacillus.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effects of Lactobacillus strains and oat fiber on methotrexate-induced enterocolitis in rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Administration of methotrexate to rats on an elemental diet results in severe enterocolitis and death. Lactobacilli, an integral part of the healthy gastrointestinal microecology, may provide therapeutic benefits to help the recovery from enterocolitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lactobacilli and oatbase on methotrexate-induced enterocolitis in rats. METHODS: Rats received continuous intragastric infusion of elemental diet or with supplementation of oatbase, Lactobacillus reuteri R2LC, and Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843, with and without fermentation, from the beginning of the study. Methotrexate (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally on day 3, and the sampling was performed on day 6. RESULTS: Lactobacilli and oatbase decreased body weight loss and intestinal permeability and increased bowel mucosal mass in enterocolitic rats. Administration of lactobacilli, but not oatbase, decreased the intestinal myeloperoxidase level, reestablished intestinal microecology, and reduced bacterial translocation to extraintestinal sites. Both lactobacilli and oatbase reduced plasma endotoxin levels. The effects of lactobacilli were greater with fermentation than without fermentation or oatbase alone, and L. plantarum was more effective in reducing intestinal pathogens than L. reuteri. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous administration of lactobacilli, especially L. plantarum with fermentation, is helpful in reducing the severity of enterocolitis in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Dynamics of bacterial translocation in acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine in rat.

Bacterial translocation may play a role in acute liver injuries as high rates of infectious and septic complications are observed in these clinical conditions. Increased passage of endotoxin and translocating bacteria not only potentiates the extent of liver injury, but may also play a determining role in its final outcome. In this paper the incidence of bacteria] translocation in acute liver injury in rats is evaluated with other important pathological changes observed at different time points after liver injury induced by intraperitoneal administration of D-galactosamine. The bacterial translocation to the blood and other extraintestinal sites starts 3 h after induction of liver injury and is not found to be related to light microscopic changes in the liver or ileal or cecal mucosa, detectable levels of endotoxin in the portal blood, or DNA changes in the small and large intestinal mucosa, but corresponds to the release of liver enzymes in the serum.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

A mannose-specific adherence mechanism in Lactobacillus plantarum conferring binding to the human colonic cell line HT-29.

Two Lactobacillus plantarum strains of human intestinal origin, strains 299 (= DSM 6595) and 299v (= DSM 9843), have proved to be efficient colonizers of the human intestine under experimental conditions. These strains and 17 other L. plantarum strains were tested for the ability to adhere to cells of the human colonic cell line HT-29.L.plantarum 299 and 299v and nine other L. plantarum strains, including all six strains that belong to the same genetic subgroup as L. plantarum 299 and 299v, adhered to HT-29 cells in a manner that could be inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. The ability to adhere to HT-29 cells correlated with an ability to agglutinate cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and erythrocytes in a mannose-sensitive manner and with adherence to D-mannose-coated agarose beads. L. plantarum 299 and 299v adhered to freshly isolated human colonic and ileal enterocytes, but the binding was not significantly inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. Periodate treatment of HT-29 cells abolished mannose-sensitive adherence, confirming that the cell-bound receptor was of carbohydrate nature. Proteinase K treatment of the bacteria also abolished adherence, indicating that the binding involved protein structures on the bacterial cell surface. Thus, a mannose-specific adhesin has been identified in L. plantarum; this adhesin could be involved in the ability to colonize the intestine.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

PubMed1996

Pectin-supplemented enteral diet reduces the severity of methotrexate induced enterocolitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Administration of methotrexate (MTX) to rats fed an elemental diet results in a high mortality from severe enterocolitis. Previous studies have shown that pectin is an important precursor of substrates for intestinal structure and function and may facilitate intestinal recovery after enterocolitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of pectin on MTX-induced enterocolitis in rats. METHODS: Rats received intragastric infusion of either 1% pectin-supplemented or pectin-free elemental diet from the beginning of the study via a gastrostomy. On the 4th day animals received either MTX, 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally, or saline injection and were killed on the 7th day for sampling. RESULTS: Pectin supplementation significantly decreased body weight loss, organ water content, and intestinal myeloperoxidase levels and increased mucosal protein, DNA, and RNA content in enterocolitis rats. The intestinal permeability was increased by administration of MTX, and pectin supplementation significantly reversed the increased permeability in the distal small bowel and colon. Pectin supplementation also lowered the magnitude of bacterial translocation, decreased plasma endotoxin levels, and restored bowel microecology. CONCLUSIONS: Pectin significantly decreased MTX-induced intestinal injury and improved bowel integrity.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effect of pretreatment with endotoxin and lactobacillus on bacterial translocation in acute liver injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with endotoxin or Lactobacillus reuteri pretreatment on bacterial translocation after acute liver injury. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University department, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 24 each. Three of them received intraperitoneal D-galactosamine, the fourth received pyrogen free water and was used as the normal control. Twenty-four hours later the study was terminated and samples collected. INTERVENTIONS: Endotoxin and L reuteri R2LC were injected intraperitoneally three days, one week, and two weeks before induction of liver injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent of liver injury and bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and systemic blood. RESULTS: The extent of liver injury and rate of bacterial translocation were lower three days after pretreatment with endotoxin, than after pretreatment with L reuteri. There was no other difference among the other groups. High concentrations of serum endotoxin were detected three days after pretreatment with endotoxin. There were no significant changes in small intestinal and caecal bacterial counts. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with endotoxin effectively prevented liver injury by D-galactosamine and subsequent bacterial translocation. Pretreatment with L reuteri had no beneficial effect.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Phenotypically based taxonomy using API 50CH of lactobacilli from Nigerian ogi, and the occurrence of starch fermenting strains.

One-hundred and twenty isolates of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ogi and three traditional cereal-based alcoholic beverages from Nigeria, together with 18 reference strains from Swedish sour doughs, and 50 type-and reference strains of mainly Lactobacillus, were phenotypically classified on their fermentation ability of 49 carbohydrates, including soluble starch. Data were examined by Jaccard Coefficient (SJ), Simple Matching Coefficient (SSM), and unweighted pair group algorithm with arithmetic averages (UPGMA). Seven major clusters were defined at the 82% SJ-similarity level (corresponds to the SSM-level of 91%). Three were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum or L. plantarum-like (together 41% of the ogi isolates). The others were obligately heterofermentative; Cluster 7 was identified as L. confusus (11% of the ogi isolates). Three minor clusters were identified as L. murinus, L. agilis or L. gallinarium, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, respectively. The phenotype of the L. plantarum isolates varied within wide limits. Seventeen isolates possessed starch fermenting capacity. Nine of these were identified as L. plantarum or L. plantarum-like (isolated from ogi); one was identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, and the rest were unidentified non-clustering strains.

Alcoholic Beverages↗

PubMed1995

Classification of Erysipelothrix strains on the basis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the 16S rRNA genes of Erysipelothrix strains were studied by cleavage of the chromosomal DNA with restriction endonuclease EcoRI, followed by hybridization to a 420-bp internal fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. Thirty-two Erysipelothrix type and reference strains were classified, together with seven field strains. Reference strains of all serotypes and the type strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Erysipelothrix tonsillarum were included. Nine ribopatterns were observed. Pattern A was represented by 16 strains and included strains of serotypes 1b, 2 to 8, 11 to 13, 15 to 17, 19, and 23. Pattern B was represented by two strains (serotypes 1a and 9). Pattern C was represented by five strains (serotypes 5, 6, and 21). Pattern D was represented by one strain of serotype 4. Pattern E was represented by 11 strains of serotypes 2, 7, 10, 20, 22, 24, and 25. Patterns F, G, H, and I were each represented by a single strain of serotypes 26, 2, 18, and 3, respectively. All the different ribopatterns had some bands in common. Patterns B, C, and D were most similar to pattern A, while patterns F, G, H, and I resembled pattern E. Partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of nine selected strains resulted in three different sequences, i.e., the typical E. rhusiopathiae sequence, the E. tonsillarum sequence, and a third sequence found for two strains. Strains of the same serotype were found to have different ribopatterns as well as different partial 16S rDNA sequences.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for rapid typing of Lactobacillus plantarum strains.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) has been used for rapid typing of Lactobacillus plantarum strains. RAPD was used with either purified chromosomal DNA serving as template in the polymerase chain reaction, or with crude cell extracts, and using a 9-mer primer with 80% G+C content. Amplified DNA was visualized by ethidium bromide staining after separation on agarose gels. Patterns from 20 Lact. plantarum strains and two Lact. pentosus strains were analysed using the Pearson products moment correlation coefficient (r) and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA). With some exceptions, the two sources of template DNA gave the same clusters and subclusters of strains at the similarity level of 50%. About 50% of the strains could be individually separated from all the other tested strains. The buffer brand, the amount of primer and crude cell extract used in the PCR-step were crucial for the final pattern.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed1995

The role of oral administration of oatmeal fermented by Lactobacillus reuteri R2LC on bacterial translocation after acute liver failure induced by subtotal liver resection in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Previous experimental studies showed that a disturbed ecology of the enteric bacterial population might contribute to the occurrence of bacterial translocation from the gut in acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: In the present study the effects of oral administration of exogenous Lactobacillus reuteri R2LC and oat fiber on bacterial overgrowth and translocation and on enterocyte protein contents were investigated in rats with ALF induced by subtotal liver resection. The oatmeal soup base was anaerobically inoculated with L. reuteri R2LC and fermented for 15 h. The animals were then fed with fermented or unfermented oatmeal or saline daily for 6 days before the experimental procedure. RESULTS: The incidence of bacterial translocation to the systemic circulation was nil and 17% in rats subjected to sham operation with saline or 90% hepatectomy with fermented oatmeal, respectively, and 80-90% and 34-50% in rats subjected to hepatectomy with saline or unfermented oatmeal. One rat treated with fermented oatmeal had positive bacterial growth in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), which was significantly lower than in hepatectomized rats with saline or unfermented oatmeal (80-100% and 50-67%). No significant differences was demonstrable between hepatectomized animals with oral administration of fermented or unfermented oatmeal as compared with sham-operated rats. The number of anaerobic bacteria, Gram-negative anaerobes, and Lactobacillus decreased significantly, and the number of Escherichia coli increased in the distal small intestine and colon in hepatectomized animals with saline or unfermented oatmeal, as compared with animals subjected to sham operation or hepatectomy with fermented oatmeal. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of bacterial translocation from the gut in 90% hepatectomy-induced ALF could be prevented by fermented oatmeal, which implies possibilities for biologically balancing the enteric bacterial ecology.

Animals↗