Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic conditions that affect large population and the drugs used for their
treatment have great potential for manifesting adverse
effects. Regular administration of probiotics incorporated in pharmaceutical and/or functional food products may
significantly prolong, delay or diminish occurrence of these
diseases or serve as supplements to conventional drugs. The
probiotic L. casei has proved its beneficial effects in
improving acquired immunity, decreasing colon
inflammation, serum cholesterol and increased blood
pressure, improving lactose tolerance, controlling irritable
bowel syndrome and decreasing risk of colon cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory
properties of L. casei loaded in whey proteinalginate
microparticles after oral administration to rats in
which TNBS-colitis was induced.
TNBS model appeared to show high correlation between
the pathohistological, immunological and clinical features
of the inflammation in IBDs. Comparing to the positive
control, the total damage score and colon weight/body
weight ratio decreased when L. casei was administered,
with non-significant difference when free and
encapsulated cells were administered (23% and 31% for
the total damage score, and 5% and. 8% for the colon
weight/body weight ratio, respectively). The activity of
MPO was also decreased with the probiotic administration and the lowest value was observed when
microparticulated probiotic was administered. Macroscopic and histological evaluation confirmed the
higher potential of the microencapsulated probiotic to
decrease the parameters of inflammation (Figure 1).
Visible segments of ulcerations were not observed in the
fourth group, while at the histological sections
subepithelial polymorph nuclear infiltration was observed
with preserved epithelium. Also, in this group, dilated
blood vessels in submucosal layer and dilated intestinal
glands were observed.
In conclusion, the microparticluated L. casei showed high
potential to be used as adjuvant therapy in IBD when
incorporated in pharmaceutical dosage form or functional
food produc
