A Synbiotic Combining Chitin-Glucan and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM Induces a Colonic Molecular Signature Soothing Intestinal Pain and Inflammation in an Animal Model of IBS.

2024-10-05
International journal of molecular sciences 25(19)

PubMed: 39409061
DOI: 10.3390/ijms251910732

Study Design

Population: a rat model of long-lasting colon hypersensitivity
Methods: the intracolonic pressure was assessed during the 9-week experiment in animals receiving CG in association or not with NCFM and compared to that in Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37®-treated animals and control rats receiving tap water; the effects of the synbiotic were evaluated using the Wallace score, the quantification of colon myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the master genes driving analgesia and inflammation

Rigorous Journal
Animal Study

Chitin-glucan (CG) is a new generation of prebiotic. Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® (NCFM) is a probiotic with the ability to decrease abdominal pain. We evaluate the functional and molecular gastrointestinal responses to a synbiotic administration combining CG and NCFM in a rat model of long-lasting colon hypersensitivity. The intracolonic pressure was assessed during the 9-week experiment in animals receiving CG in association or not with NCFM and compared to that in Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37^®-treated animals and control rats receiving tap water. The effects of the synbiotic were evaluated using the Wallace score, the quantification of colon myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the master genes driving analgesia and inflammation. CG 1.5 alone and NCFM 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU) alone similarly decreased the visceral pain sensitivity. Lpc-37 had no significant effect. The best profile of pain perception inhibition was obtained with the combination of CG 1.5 g and NCFM 10⁹ CFU, confirming a synbiotic property. This synbiotic treatment significantly reduced macroscopic colonic lesions and MPO concentrations, and induced master genes involved in analgesia (CB1, CB2, MOR, PPARα), with a downregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα) and an induction of IL-10 and PPARγ. In conclusion, CG 1.5 g + NCFM 10⁹ CFU significantly decreased visceral pain perception and intestinal inflammation through the regulation of master genes.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM	—	Reduced Intestinal Inflammation	Beneficial	Moderate	View source This synbiotic treatment significantly reduced macroscopic colonic lesions and MPO concentrations, and induced master genes involved in analgesia (CB1, CB2, MOR, PPARα), with a downregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα) and an induction of IL-10 and PPARγ.
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM	—	Reduced Visceral Hypersensitivity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source CG 1.5 alone and NCFM 10^9 colony forming units (CFU) alone similarly decreased the visceral pain sensitivity. The best profile of pain perception inhibition was obtained with the combination of CG 1.5 g and NCFM 10^9 CFU