Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of a catalase producing strain of Lactobacillus casei in a TNBS induced colitis murine model

DEL CARMEN, S.; DE MORENO DE LEBLANC, A.; LEBLANC, J.G.

Tafi del Valle, Tucuman

Jornada; XXVII Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2010

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations are abnormally elevated during inflammatory processes. The local delivery of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (Cat), using Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) could decrease ROS levels in the gut and be used in the treatment of certain inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The anti-inflammatory activity of a Cat producing strain of Lactobacillus (Lb.) casei BL23 was tested in an experimental IBD model. This genetically modified strain contained the Cat gene (mnKat) of Lb. plantarum ATCC 14431 cloned in the expression vector pLEM415. Mice received this strain or the native Cat- strain during 24 days. IBD was induced by intrarectal TNBS inoculation after 10 days of LAB supplementation and body weight, liver microbial translocation, gut histology, Cat activity, IFNγ and IL-10 levels were evaluated. Mice that received the Cat+ strain showed faster weight gains, lower liver microbial translocation, lower extent of gut inflammation and increased Cat activity in the gut. IFNγ and IL-10 concentrations were not increased in these animals demonstrating that the anti-inflammatory response of the Cat+ strain was not due to an immune regulatory mechanism. The Cat producing LAB was effective in the prevention of a chemically induced IBD due to its antioxidant activity.