Alteration of bile acid metabolism in pseudo germ-free rats [corrected]

Arch Pharm Res. 2012 Nov;35(11):1969-77. doi: 10.1007/s12272-012-1114-7. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Abstract

To characterize the impact of gut microbiota on host bile acid metabolism, we investigated the metabolic profiles of oxysterols and bile acids (BAs) in a conventional rat model (SD) (n=5) and its pseudo germ-free (GF) equivalent (n=5). GF rats were developed by the oral administration of bacitracin, neomycin and streptomycin (200 mg/kg, each) twice a day for 6 days. Urinary levels of oxysterols and bile acid metabolites were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The activity levels of enzymes involved in the bile acid metabolic pathway were determined through urinary concentration ratio between product to precursor. Cholic acid (CA) and α-/β-muricholic acid (α-/β-MCA) were significantly elevated at pseudo germ-free condition. An increase of hydroxylase (cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase and cytochrome P450 scc) and a significant decrease of 7α-dehydroxylase were observed. The urinary concentration ratio of primary bile acids, a marker for hepatotoxicity, increased in pseudo germfree conditions. Therefore, it was found that gut microbiota could play a significant role in the bile acids homeostasis and metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacitracin / pharmacology
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Cholic Acid / metabolism
  • Cholic Acids / metabolism
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Germ-Free Life*
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Male
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Neomycin / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sterols / metabolism*
  • Streptomycin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cholic Acids
  • Sterols
  • Bacitracin
  • muricholic acid
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 7 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
  • Cholic Acid
  • Neomycin
  • Streptomycin