Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis: alterations in inflammation, innate immune response, and the microbiota
- 2014-07-07
- Pediatric Research 76(4)
- M. Underwood
- J. Arriola
- Colin W. Gerber
- Ashwini Kaveti
- K. Kalanetra
- Anchasa Kananurak
- C. Bevins
- D. Mills
- B. Dvořák
- PubMed: 25000347
- DOI: 10.1038/pr.2014.102
Abstract
Background: Probiotics decrease the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We sought to determine the impact of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) in the established rat model of NEC.
Methods: Rat pups delivered 1 d prior to term gestation were assigned to one of three groups: dam fed (DF), formula fed (FF), or fed with formula supplemented with 5 × 10(6) CFU B. infantis per day (FF+Binf). Experimental pups were exposed to hypoxia and cold stress. Ileal tissue was examined for pathology and expression of inflammatory mediators, antimicrobial peptides, and goblet-cell products. Ceca were assessed for bacterial composition by analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence.
Results: Administration of B. infantis significantly reduced the incidence of NEC, decreased expression of Il6, Cxcl1, Tnfa, Il23, and iNOS, and decreased expression of the antimicrobial peptides Reg3b and Reg3g. There was significant microbial heterogeneity both within groups and between experiments. The cecal microbiota was not significantly different between the FF and FF+Binf groups. Bifidobacteria were not detected in the cecum in significant numbers.
Conclusion: In the rat model, the inflammation associated with NEC was attenuated by administration of probiotic B. infantis. Dysbiosis was highly variable, precluding determination of the precise role of the microbiota in experimental NEC.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifidobacterium infantis | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis | Reduced Occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis BI02 | No Significant Change in Cecal Microbiota Composition | Neutral | Small |
| Bifidobacterium infantis BI02 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis BI02 | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis BI02 | Reduced Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis HA-116 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis HA-116 | Reduced Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis HA-116 | Reduced Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 | Reduced Occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Altered Innate Immune Response | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Reduced Occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis SD-6720 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis SD-6720 | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis SD-6720 | Reduced Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis VPro 53 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium infantis VPro 53 | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium infantis VPro 53 | Reduced NEC Incidence | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis | Reduced Occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 | Reduced Antimicrobial Peptide Expression | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 | Reduced Inflammatory Mediators Expression | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 | Reduced Occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis | Beneficial | Large |