Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 on loperamide-induced constipation in mice

Abstract

Lactobacillus plantarum, as a probiotic, has many functional properties in human intestinal tract. This study examined the effects of L. plantarum NCU116 on loperamide-induced constipation in a mouse model. Loperamide (5 mg kg⁻¹) was injected subcutaneously to induce constipation. Animals were divided to five groups: normal group, constipation group, constipation plus three doses of L. plantarum NCU116 groups (NCU116-L, 10⁷ CFU/mL; NCU116-M, 10⁸ CFU/mL; NCU116-H, 10⁹ CFU/mL; respectively). Mice were treated with the probiotic for 15 d to assess the anti-constipation effects. Fecal parameters, intestinal transit ratio and the production of fecal short chain fatty acids, histological of colon and immunohistochemical in colonic interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) by c-kit were all improved in L. plantarum NCU116-treated mice as compared to the constipation group. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum NCU116 enhanced gastrointestinal transit and alleviated in mice with loperamide-induced constipation.

• Constipation
• histological findings
• Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116
• loperamide
• short chain fatty acids

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

The authors are grateful for financial support from the National High Technology Research and Development Key Program of China (863 Key Program, 2011AA100904) and the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-12-0749).