Oral administration of butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, a butyrate-producing bacterium, decreases the formation of aberrant crypt foci in the colon and rectum of mice

J Nutr. 2005 Dec;135(12):2878-83. doi: 10.1093/jn/135.12.2878.

Abstract

Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, a butyrate-producing ruminal bacterium, was evaluated for use as a probiotic to prevent colorectal cancer. Oral administration to Jcl:ICR mice of a new strain of B. fibrisolvens (MDT-1) that produces butyrate at a high rate (10(9) cfu/dose) increased the rate of butyrate production by fecal microbes, suggesting that MDT-1 can grow in the gut. The number of colorectal aberrant crypt foci (ACF), putative preneoplastic lesions induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, was reduced after MDT-1 administration (10(9) cfu/dose, 3 times/wk for 4 wk). The number of aberrant crypts (ACs), number of foci having 3 or 4 ACs per focus, and the percentage of mice having 3 or 4 ACs per focus were also reduced, suggesting that the progress of lesions was suppressed by MDT-1. Interestingly, the MDT-1 cell homogenate did not have a similar beneficial effect. MDT-1 had low beta-glucuronidase activity, and administration of MDT-1 reduced the beta-glucuronidase activity in the colorectal contents. The numbers of natural killer (NK) and NKT cells in the spleen were markedly enhanced in response to MDT-1. Decreased beta-glucuronidase activity and increased numbers of NK and NKT cells and butyrate production may explain in part why MDT-1 administration suppressed ACF formation. These results suggest that colorectal cancer may be prevented or suppressed by the utilization of MDT-1 as a probiotic. Administration of MDT-1 had no harmful effect on the health of mice at least for 3 mo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Butyrates / administration & dosage
  • Butyrates / metabolism*
  • Butyrivibrio* / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Rectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Butyrates