Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Ryma Toumi, Katia Abdelouhab, Hayet Rafa, Imene Soufli and Chafia Touil-Boukoffa
Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol
Introduction: The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), represented mainly by ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease refer to chronic and relapsing disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have indicated that these diseases result from a lack of tolerance to resident intestinal bacteria in genetically susceptible hosts. It seems that in IBD the mucus barrier is broken. The production of high levels of the nitric oxide (NO) by the inflammatory cells plays a part in tissue injury; in the current study, we investigate the potential preventive effects of inulin on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The colitis was induced in mice via administration of 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. During this period the Swiss albino mice were given 1% (w/v) inulin in their drinking water ad libitum for 7 days. The production of NO was evaluated in the supernatants of peritoneal macrophages (pMφ) cultures. The mucus production by the goblet cells in the colon was determined. Results: A significant shortening of colon length was observed and high levels of NO in pMφ cultures were observed in DSS group compared to control. Oral administration of inulin decreased the severity of DSS-induced colitis. NO production in pMφ supernatants was lower in inulin group and correlated with a reduction of colonic lesions. Conclusion: The prebiotic inulin improved DSS-induced colitis symptoms by down regulation of NO production and induction of mucus secretion. Prebiotics seem to be promising for development of preventive strategies approach for IBD using dietary supplementation .