DUODENAL CARBOHYDRATES IN PIGLETS TREATED WITH PROBIOTICS

Morris Auditorium

Objective. Objective. This experiment was performed to assess the effect of Lactobacilus casei probiotics on the expression of duodenal carbohydrates as detected with lectin probes. Background. Background. Epithelial expression of carbohydrates is altered in response to wide array of agents. Many carbohydrate residues are known to be receptors for attachment of microorganisms. Specific probiotic are known to interfere with colonization by pathogenic microflora. Methods. Methods. We examined the lectin detectable histochemical expression of carbohydrates in the duodenum of probiotic, Lactobacilus casei treated (3), and control (3) weaned piglets. Fixed and paraffin embedded duodenal sections were reacted with 7 biotinylated lectins and localized carbohydrates were detected with Vector ABC kit®. The lectin- binding patterns of the duodenal mucosa were scored from 0 to +4. ANOVA statistical analysis was used to compare carbohydrate reactivity between the two animal groups. Results. Results. Epithelial glycocalyx ranged from 0 to +4, epithelial goblet cells from 0 to +3, were stained only with BSA, UEA and GNL, occasional epithelial cell from 0 to +3 bound BSA, MAL and GNL lectins. Mucous cell in the duodenal glands, bound BSA, UEA and GNL lectins, while only some gland cells were stained with UEA. The lectin binding 20 of the probiotic treated piglet duodenum generally increased in intensity, glycocalyx decreased and goblet cells increased in reactivity. Conclusion. Taken together, the results suggest an alteration of the carbohydrate environment of the duodenum which adversely effects the expression of carbohydrate receptors, thus preventing the attachment of pathogenic microflora. Grants. Supported by NSU Faculty Research Grant.