Bioflora probiotic in immunomodulation and prophylaxis of intestinal bacterial translocation in rats

The immunomodulator effect of Bioflora probiotic on T (CD4+) and B (CD20) lymphocytes in gastrointestinal mucosa and intestinal bacterial translocation was studied using Wistar rats (n = 10 per group). Two experiments were used: (I) stress with immobilization and water immersion at 22 degrees C for 7 h plus the application of indomethacin (Indo) 10 mg/kg SC every 24 h for 3 days (comparator group), and (II) stress experiment I with the addition of 1 mL of Bioflora applied through a orogastric tube every 12 h for 3 days. At the 4th day, in asepsis, a dissection laparotomy of liver, spleen, mesenteric lymphatic nodes, and cecum was performed for microbiological culture, and stomach, ileum, and colon were also dissected for immunohistochemical and quantification of CD4+ and CD20. Findings in experiment I revealed cecum bacterial overdevelopment of 6 x 10(10) +/- 2.3 x 10(9) colony-forming units (CFU) (P < 0.01) and positive cultures in liver, spleen, and all mesenteric lymphatic nodes. On the other hand, in the group treated with Probiotic Bioflora, cecum without overdevelopment (3 x 10(6) +/- 1.3 x 10(5) CFU), negative cultures in liver and spleen, and in lymphatic nodes two positive and eight negative cultures for E. coli and P. vulgaris (P < 0.01) were observed. Immunohistochemistry revealed a relevant increase of T lymphocytes (CD4+) in ileum and colon. Conclusions Bioflora probiotic was shown to be an intestinal immunomodulator that induced increased T (CD4+) lymphocytes that also offer prophylaxis of intestinal bacterial translocation in a stressed rat model.