Blueberry Husks and Probiotics Attenuate Colorectal Inflammation and Oncogenesis, and Liver Injuries in Rats Exposed to Cycling DSS-Treatment

Abstract

Long-term colonic inflammation promotes carcinogenesis and histological abnormalities of the liver, and colorectal tumours frequently arise in a background of dysplasia, a precursor of adenomas. Altered colonic microbiota with an increased proportion of bacteria with pro-inflammatory characteristics, have been implicated in neoplastic progression. The composition of the microbiota can be modified by dietary components such as probiotics, polyphenols and dietary fibres. In the present study, the influence of probiotics in combination with blueberry husks on colorectal carcinogenesis and subsequent liver damage was evaluated. Colorectal tumours were induced in rats by cyclic treatment with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). Blueberry husks and a mixture of three probiotic strains ( Bifidobacterium infantis DSM 15159, Lactobacillus gasseri , DSM 16737 and Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 15313) supplemented a basic diet fortified with oats. The condition of the rats was monitored using a disease activity index (DAI). A qualitative and quantitative histological judgement was performed on segments of distal colon and rectum and the caudate lobe of the liver. The formation of short-chain fatty acids, bacterial translocation, the inflammatory reaction and viable count of lactobacilli and Enterobaceriaceae were addressed. Blueberry husks with or without probiotics significantly decreased DAI, and significantly reduced the number of colonic ulcers and dysplastic lesions. With a decreased proportion of blueberry husk in the diet, the probiotic supplement was needed to achieve a significant decrease in numbers of dysplastic lesions. Probiotics decreased faecal viable count of Enterobacteriaceae and increased that of lactobacilli. Blueberry husks with or without probiotics lowered the proportion of butyric acid in distal colon, and decreased the haptoglobin levels. Probiotics mitigated hepatic injuries by decreasing parenchymal infiltration and the incidence of stasis and translocation. The results demonstrate a dietary option for use of blueberry husks and probiotics to delay colonic carcinogenesis and hepatic injuries in the rat model.

Formation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Excretion of Anthocyanins, and Microbial Diversity in Rats Fed Blackcurrants, Blackberries, and Raspberries

“…In another study on C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet with green tea powder and HEAL19 for 22 weeks, HEAL19 was detectable in the gut  [37]. HEAL19 was also detectable in DSS treated rats fed blueberries and HEAL19 for 6 months [49]. …”

The Interplay Between Fiber and the Intestinal Microbiome in the Inflammatory Response

“…Resistant starch (10%) alone and synbiotic supplementation with resistant starch both reduced the colon cancer incidence (135). In the DSS rat model, a synbiotic dietary supplement containing fiberrich blueberry husks, oat bran, and a mixture of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus was found to reduce the severity of colitis (136,137) as well as the long-term incidence of colon cancer and liver damage (137). Not surprisingly, blueberry husks alone or blueberry husks plus oat bran offered similar protection against inflammatory damage and cancer (137).…”

Implications of microbiota and bile acid in liver injury and regeneration

“…Lactobacillus rhamnosus treatment improved liver function and reduced inflammation in an alcohol-induced liver injury in mice [42, 43]. A combination of Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus gasseri , and Lactobacillus plantarum relieved colorectal inflammation and tumor-associated hepatic injury [44]. This probiotic treatment in combination with blueberry husks ameliorated dextran sulphate sodium-induced colonic damage to an even greater extent in rats [44].…”