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Saccharomyces boulardii inhibits Clostridium difficile toxin A binding and enterotoxicity in rat ileum.

  • 1993-04
  • Gastroenterology 104(4)
    • C. Pothoulakis
    • C. Kelly
    • M. Joshi
    • N. Gao
    • Connor O’Keane
    • I. Castagliuolo
    • J. Lamont

Abstract

Background: Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic yeast used for the prevention and treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis. However, the mechanism by which S. boulardii exerts its protective effects remains unclear.

Methods: The binding of [3H]toxin A to its brush border receptor preincubated with S. boulardii-cultured suspension or filtered conditioned medium was measured in vitro. The effect of toxin A on secretion, epithelial permeability, and morphology in rat ileal loops in vivo was also examined in rats pretreated with S. boulardii.

Results: S. boulardii reduced [3H]toxin A-receptor binding in a dose-dependent fashion. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ileal brush border exposed to S. boulardii-conditioned medium revealed a diminution of all brush border proteins. Treatment of rats with S. boulardii suspension reduced fluid secretion and mannitol permeability caused by toxin A.

Conclusions: S. boulardii may reduce some of the enterotoxic effects of toxin A by inhibiting toxin A-receptor binding. This effect appears to be manifested by a secreted product of the yeast, possibly a protease.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Saccharomyces boulardiiImproved Epithelial PermeabilityBeneficial
Moderate
Saccharomyces boulardiiReduced EnterotoxicityBeneficial
Large
Saccharomyces boulardiiReduced Fluid Secretion in the IleumBeneficial
Moderate
Saccharomyces boulardiiReduced Toxin A-Receptor BindingBeneficial
Large
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