Background: Probiotics seem to possess tumour inhibitory properties, but few studies have investigated their actions on the cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa. The effects of a probiotic mixture (VSL#3) on polyamine biosynthesis, Ki-67 levels and apoptosis in the normal colon of rats were studied.
Materials and methods: For a 4-week period, 20 rats were fed a VSL#3 solution and 20 rats a saline solution. Samples from the colonic mucosa were collected at the end of treatment. Polyamines were detected by HPLC, ornithine decarboxylase activity by a radiometric technique, and apoptosis and Ki-67 by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods.
Results: VSL#3 caused a significant decrease in colonic polyamine levels, ornithine decarboxylase activity and Ki-67 compared to controls. A significant increase in the apoptotic index was also observed.
Conclusion: Probiotics could also reduce proliferation rates in a condition not affected by hyperproliferative or neoplastic growth, when the normal control mechanisms are still completely effective.