Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 in combination with flaxseed oil on the microflora, enzymatic activity, and histological changes in the development of chemically induced precancerous growth in the rat colon

This experimental study showed the effect of L. plantarum LS/07 on the changes in total counts of coliform bacteria, enzymatic activities, cytokine and histological changes in the colonic mucosa, chemically induced by the application of 1.2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1.2-DMH) in rats once a week during five weeks in the positive control group, probioticum (PRO) group, and probioticum and oil (PRO-O) group. A total of 32 rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: negative control group (diet without any supplements), positive control group (1.2-DMH without any supplements), PRO group (L. plantarum LS/07 at the dose (average concentration 2.88 × 109 CFU/ml) + 1.2-DMH), PRO-O group (L. plantarum LS/07 + flaxseed oil (40 g/kg feed) + 1.2-DMH). All rats were kept on fat diet (35 g/kg). The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total counts of coliform bacteria in PRO-O group. Results of enzymatic activities of isolated strain showed that L. plantarum LS/07 does not produce enzyme β-glucuronidase. Significantly higher activity of β-galactosidase was in the groups PRO (P < 0.001) and PRO-O (P < 0.01). On the other hand, significantly lower (P < 0.001) enzymatic activity of ß-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase was found in PRO-O group compared with positive control group. The cytokine activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) was significantly decreased in groups PRO (P < 0.001) and PRO-O (P < 0.01) compared to the positive control group. The histological examination showed different changes (aberrant crypts and goblet cells) in experimental groups in comparison to the negative control group. Our study indicates that L. plantarum LS/07 in combination with flaxseed oil had a positive influence on colon microflora, enzymatic activities, and cytokine activity. The total results showed that potentiating effects of natural components were markedly achieved in the experimental group PRO-O.