Treatment and prevention methods for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy have not yet been established. We tested the preventive effects of s-pantoprazole sodium trihydrate (PAN), polaprezinc (PZ), and probiotics on an indomethacin (Indo)-induced small intestinal injury in a rat model. Rats were randomised into 6 groups to receive: normal saline (control), Indo (6 mg/kg), PZ plus Indo, PAN plus Indo, or probiotics plus Indo (at 108 and 109 cfu/head) for 2 weeks. We measured body weight, food intake, severity of small intestinal damage, haemoglobin (Hb) levels in the small intestinal fluid, intestinal inflammatory cytokines, and a few groups of faecal bacteria. The experimental groups were found to have the following survival rates: 0% for the Indo, PZ, and PAN groups; 50% for both probiotic groups; and 100% for control. Treatment with probiotics of different concentrations reduced small intestinal lesion scores and intestinal fluid Hb as compared with the Indo group, while these parameters did not reduce in the PZ and PAN groups. The anti-inflammatory marker interleukin 10 increased in both probiotic groups. Analysis of a few groups of faecal bacteria revealed that Indo-induced a significant increase in Gram-negative bacteria and decreases in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Similar changes were also observed in the PZ and PAN groups. However, opposite effects were found in both probiotic groups. The use of probiotics appeared to be beneficial in preventing Indo-induced chronic small intestinal injury.
Keywords: mucosa protecting agent; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; probiotics; proton pump inhibitors.