Abstract:
The efficacy of three probiotic products designated probiotic A, B and C against clindamycin-induced diarrhea was ascertained. 20 male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: one control group and 3 experimental groups of 5 rats each. The probiotic products were placed in 100-ml drinking vials. The antibiotic clindamycin was mixed in water at a concentration of 10 ug/ml. Probiotic products and the antibiotic was given daily for seven days. The weight of the rats was recorded before, during and after the 7-day experimental period and served as the basis for diarrhea occurrence. The ileum from representative rats of each group was excised and prepared for histopathological analysis. The weights of the rats were tabulated and analyzed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Probiotic C-fed albino rat group showed the highest weight increase from day 0 to day 7 (5.9 grams). Probiotic B-fed group followed (2.7 grams). The Probiotic A-fed group had weight loss (-2.7 grams). Necrosis, exfoliation, vacuolation and metaplasia of the mucosal epithelium of ileum were the main histological changes observed in the control and Probiotic A-fed groups. The Probiotic B-fed group had necrosis of some villi and extensive metaplasia of the cells of the mucosa. The Probiotic C-fed group had no apparent histological changest. Probiotics B and C are effective in preventing weight loss caused by antibiotic-induced diarrhea, but Probiotic B could not prevent histological damage to rat's ileum.
