Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Messenger RNA Expression of Caveolin-1, NOS, and Genes Regulating Oxidative Stress in the Terminal Ileum of Formula-Fed Neonatal Rats

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) afflicts extremely low birth weight neonates, and probiotics reduces its incidence and severity. NO is involved in the pathogenesis of NEC, and caveolin-1 regulates NO signaling. We tested the hypothesis that intestinal caveolin-1 and NOS are deficient in formula-fed neonatal rats and that supplementation with "Florastar Kids" and/or galactooligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides preserves caveolin-1 and NOS. At birth (P0), neonatal rat pups were maternally fed or hand-gavaged with or without supplemented formula. Samples from the terminal ileum were analyzed for total NO metabolites, growth factors, and gene expression of caveolin-1, NOS isoforms, and antioxidants. Our data showed that formula feeding with and without supplementation resulted in significant growth restriction. Despite suboptimal nutrition, growth factors involved in intestinal repair and regeneration were increased in the neonatal rat ileum. Caveolin-1, endothelial NOS, and neuronal NOS were simultaneously downregulated with formula feeding while inducible NOS was upregulated. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were up-regulated with supplementation. These data provide a probable mechanism for the benefits of supplemented formula for decreasing the severity of NEC by preserving the antioxidant systems. (Pediatr Res 67: 526-531, 2010)

Effect of Two Strains of Probiotics on the Antioxidant Capacity, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Responses of Salmonella-Challenged Broilers

“…Sohail et al (2011) demonstrated that a probiotic reduced the total antioxidant concentration. In another study, rats fed a probiotic showed increased SOD and glutathione peroxidase concentrations (D'Souza et al, 2010).…”

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics for the Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

“…The resulting literature reviewed came from articles related to synbiotic use in the management of NEC ( Figure 1). The search yielded 21 related articles, with 3 of the publications describing the use of synbiotics for the treatment of NEC in randomized clinical trials and 2 in animal-related publications (Table 1) (18,30,92,98,99).…”

“…Interestingly, there was no improvement in body weight in the treatment groups compared with the untreated controls. Another study used postnatal malnutrition to stimulate NEC-like responses in rats (99). The same probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic formulations produced similar results with respect to weight gain, whereas variations in the degree of oxidative stress, histopathology, and NO signaling and biosynthesis were evident between treatment groups.…”

Tetrahydrobiopterin Is Present in High Quantity in Human Milk and Has a Vasorelaxing Effect on Newborn Rat Mesenteric Arteries

“…In its absence, eNOS is said to be uncoupled generating mostly the reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide, instead of NO. Superoxide induces vasoconstriction and has been shown to play a role in animal models of NEC (7,8).…”