ISSN:
1573-2568
Keywords:
CROHN'S DISEASE
;
BIFIDOBACTERIA
;
β-D-GALACTOSIDASE
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Digestive bacterial microflora play a major rolein the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). Bacterialenzyme activities, especially β-D-galactosidase,are decreased in fecal extracts from CD patients. We hypothesized that an alteration of thecolonic flora might be responsible for this decrease.Indeed, we demonstrate that β-D-galactosidaseproduction in supernates of anaerobic cultures wassignificantly (P 〈 0.01) reduced in feces from patientswith active Crohn's disease (N = 7), when compared tohealthy controls (N = 8). Therefore using X-gal andselective media, we enumerated bacteria able to releaseβ-D-galactosidase in feces from patients with active (N = 16) orquiescent disease (N = 5) and healthy controls (N = 14).Bifidobacteria numbers were significantly reduced inpatients (P 〈 0.01 for active; P 〈 0.02 forquiescent disease) whereas Bacteroides and Lactobacilli countsremained unchanged. β-D-Galactosidase activity andBifidobacteria counts were significantly correlated (P〈 0.03). Bifidobacteria are regarded as beneficial for the host. The reduction in Bifidobacteriais responsible for decreased β-D-galactosidaseactivity. Thus oral administration of prebiotics thatpromote their growth might have potential therapeutic interest.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018876400528
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