The effects of orally administeredBacillus coagulansand inulin on prevention and progression of rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Abstract

BackgroundProbiotics have been considered as an approach to addressing the consequences of different inflammatory disorders. The spore-forming probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects in both animals and humans. The prebiotic inulin also potentially affects the immune system as a result of the change in the composition or fermentation profile of the gastrointestinal microbiota.ObjectiveIn the present study, an in vivo model was conducted to investigate the possible influences of probiotic B. coagulans and prebiotic inulin, both in combination and/or separately, on the downregulation of immune responses and the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using arthritis-induced rat model.DesignForty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly categorized into six experimental groups as follows: 1) control: normal healthy rats fed with standard diet, 2) disease control (RA): arthritis-induced rats fed with standard diet, 3) prebiotic (PRE): RA+ 5% w/w long-chain inulin, 4) probiotic (PRO): RA+ 109 spores/day B. coagulans by orogastric gavage, 5) synbiotic (SYN): RA+ 5% w/w long-chain inulin and 109 spores/day B. coagulans, and 6) treatment control: (INDO): RA+ 3 mg/kg/day indomethacin by orogastric gavage. Feeding with the listed diets started on day 0 and continued to the end of study. On day 14, rats were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to induce arthritis. Arthritis activity was evaluated by the biochemical parameters and paw thickness. Biochemical assay for fibrinogen (Fn), serum amyloid A (SAA), and TNF-α and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1AGp) was performed on day 21, 28, and 35 (7, 14 and 21 days post RA induction), respectively.ResultsPretreatment with PRE, PRO, and SYN diets significantly inhibits SAA and Fn production in arthritic rats (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, was seen in the PRE, PRO, and SYN groups (P < 0.001), which was similar to the anti-inflammatory effect of indomethacin. Furthermore, no significant anti-inflammatory effects were observed following different treatments using α1AGp as an RA indicator. Pretreatment with all supplied diets significantly inhibited the development of paw swelling induced by CFA (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that the oral intake of probiotic B. coagulans and prebiotic inulin can improve the biochemical and clinical parameters of induced RA in rat.

Intestinal dysbiosis and probiotic applications in autoimmune diseases

“…Some performed studies evaluating the effect of probiotics as an adjuvant therapy for RA treatment have shown no significant results . Some of these conducted studies have smaller numbers of patients and a short period of treatment .…”

Gut microbiota and probiotics: novel immune system modulators in myasthenia gravis?

“…Notably, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 induces IL‐10 and TGF‐β production in DCs isolated from human MLNs and increases the number of FOXP3 + T reg cells in human peripheral blood; B. bifidum LMG13195 enhances the expression of CCL20, CCL22, CXCL10, CXCL11, IL‐28, and IL‐29 in an epithelial intestinal cell line (HT29), which are able to drive the generation of CD4 + CD25 (high) T reg cells; L. crispatus KT‐11 enhances IgA secretion by IECs; and L. rhamnosus GG activates macrophages through TLR2 and induces IL‐10 production in vitro . In most cases, mixtures of probiotics have been used in animal models of diseases, and enhancement in IEC functions and modulation of immune system have been reported …”

“…administered Bacillus coagulans to a rheumatoid arthritis rat model before disease induction and observed an improvement of the clinical parameter, promoting a decrease in TNF‐α serum levels and serum amyloid A (SAA) . Since TNF‐α and SAA are able to recruit lymphocytes and mediate matrix degradation leading to joint damage, the downregulation of these molecules could counteract the inflammation . Several studies have reported contrasting results on the beneficial effects of administration of some probiotics to rheumatoid arthritis patients.…”

Probiotics for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…In separate studies of humans and rats, oral intake of Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) improved the disease activity of RA. 26,27 Mandel et al 26 reported. There were statistically significant improvements in the treatment group.…”