Mucosal intestinal alteration in experimental colitis correlates with nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages: Effect of probiotics and prebiotics

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists mainly of Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). Although its aetiology is still not clearly established, it is thought to be due to overly aggressive immune response to enteric bacteria in genetically predisposed individuals. Manipulating the microbiota using probiotics or prebiotics is considered as a promising field of new therapeutic strategies used to attenuate immune disorders observed during IBD. The production of nitric oxide (NO) seems to be implicated in IBD pathogenesis. In our study, an acute UC was induced in Swiss mice using 3% Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS). The preventive effects of "Ultrabiotique (R)" (a probiotic) and inulin (a prebiotic) on the colitis were investigated. The production of NO was evaluated in the supernatants of peritoneal macrophages (pM phi) cultures. Colonic mucosa histology was subsequently examined. Results showed severe acute UC after administration of DSS. High levels of NO in pM phi cultures were also observed compared to control samples. These findings correlated with a significant destruction of the colonic mucosa. Oral administration of Ultrabiotique (R) or inulin decreased the severity of DSS-induced colitis. These treatments lead to a decrease in NO levels in pM phi cultures. A considerable reduction of colonic lesions was also noticed. Our findings suggest the involvement of NO in experimental UC pathogenesis. Pre- and pro-biotics, as discussed herein, seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect.