The effect of Clostridium butyricum on expression of chemokines RANTES and MCP-1 in murine intestinal mucosa with ulcerative colitis

Objective To investigate the effect of Clostridium butyricum on expression of chemokines RANTES and MCP-1 in murine intestinal mucosa with ulcerative colitis and its potential mechanism.Methods Dextran sulphate sodium(DSS) was used to induce BALB/c mice UC model.Fifty five mice were randomly divided into five groups as follows: normal control group,negative control group(NS),positive control group(mesalazine),model control group,Clostridium butyricum 108 CFU/ml group.Disease activity index(DAI),histological injury score were used to assess the efficacy of intervention groups;chemokines RANTES and MCP-1 expression in colonic mucosa were measured by immunohistochemistry(IHC);RANTES and MCP-1 mRNA expression were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Clostridium butyricum could improve the general situation in mice and lower DAI scores;The expression of RANTES and MCP-1(the level of protein and mRNA) were both decreased(P0.05) in Clostridium butyricum group,compared with model control and negative control groups;however,its effect is similar to mesalazine.Conclusion Clostridium butyricum had a therapeutic effect on the acute UC mice effectively;Its mechanism was possibly related to lower the expression of chemokines RANTES and MCP-1 in colonic mucosa.