Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and prebiotic prevent neonatal inflammation-induced visceral hypersensitivity in adult rats. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2014 Dec;26(12):1694-704
Date
10/10/2014Pubmed ID
25298006DOI
10.1111/nmo.12450Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84911483659 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 49 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates a positive effect of probiotics on the nervous system. The objective of this study was to determine if probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and/or prebiotics polydextrose/galactooligosaccharide (PDX/GOS) can alter the colonic sensitivity in a neonatal rat model of chronic visceral hyperalgesia and to determine whether altered sensitivity is associated with changes in neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
METHODS: Chronic visceral hyperalgesia was induced in rats by intracolonic administration of zymosan for 3 days during postnatal day 14-16 (P14-P16). After weaning (P21), these pups were divided into groups that received either (1) control diet (CD), (2) PDX/GOS, (3) LGG, or (4) PDX/GOS + LGG. These diets were continued until visceral sensitivity was tested at P60. The viscero-motor response (VMR) to graded colorectal distension (CRD) was determined by measuring the electromyographic (EMG) activity from the abdominal external oblique muscles. The levels of neurotransmitters and biogenic amines were quantified in the frontal cortex, subcortex, brain stem, and cerebellum.
KEY RESULTS: At P60, the VMR to CRD in the neonatal zymosan-treated rats was significantly higher than neonatal saline-treated rats. In contrast, neonatal zymosan-treated rats that received PDX/GOS or LGG did not exhibit visceral hyperalgesia. The levels of serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine were significantly altered in LGG-treated rats compared to other groups.
CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Results document that in rats LGG can attenuate neonatally induced chronic visceral pain measured in adulthood. Prolonged intake of LGG alters some key brain neurotransmitters and biogenic amines that could be involved in pain modulation.
Author List
Kannampalli P, Pochiraju S, Chichlowski M, Berg BM, Rudolph C, Bruckert M, Miranda A, Sengupta JNAuthors
Adrian Miranda MD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinJyoti N. Sengupta PhD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsAnimals, Newborn
Brain
Disease Models, Animal
Hyperalgesia
Inflammation
Intestines
Manometry
Neurotransmitter Agents
Prebiotics
Probiotics
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Visceral Pain
Zymosan