Phase 4 Study of Probiotics on Intestinal Bacterial Population and Immune Modulation

Some clinical parameters were evaluated according to the following: primary outcome (severity of diarrhea), and secondary outcome including body weight change, appetite and daily intake, bloating or abdominal distension, abdominal pain or colic, constipation, fever, and vomiting were also assessed.

Peripheral blood isolated by Lymphoprep, washed twice in normal saline and once in medium, and suspended in medium [RPMI 1640] to a density of 1 x 106/mL. PBMCs will be isolated from blood donor buffy coats by density gradient centrifugation. The concentration of PBMCs will be adjusted to 106 cells per ml in complete medium, and the cells will be transferred to 24-well plates.Cell surface phenotype expression and intracellular staining. Cells will be stained using a panel of monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against surface antigens expressed by lymphocytes, monocytes and the appropriate species-specific immunoglobulin G isotype controls. Cells will be acquired using an FACScan (Becton Dickinson) and analyzed with Cell Quest software.

To assess the colonization of intestinal bacteria, fecal samples were collected from each patient on day 0 (the day when patients were enrolled), day 3 and day 7 after probiotics or placebo treatment. The fecal specimens were weighed, homogenized, and serially diluted and plated on selective agar for analysis of bacteria. Fecal bacteria count was expressed as log10 CFU/g feces.

Fecal samples were collected during the treatment period. IgA levels were performed on homogenized fecal samples. Total IgA was determined using goat anti-human IgA-HRP conjugate. The reaction was developed with tetramethyl benzidine (TMB; Zymed Labs.) and read at 450 nm. OD values were converted to ng/g feces of total IgA by comparison with a standard curve developed with anti-human IgA.

The stool samples were prepared and analyzed for lactoferrin. A polyclonal antibody specific for lactoferrin has been pre-coated onto a microplate. Lactoferrin in standards and samples is sandwiched by the immobilized antibody and a biotinylated polyclonal antibody specific for lactoferrin, which is recognized by a streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate. Absorbance is read at OD 450 nm. Lactoferrin was expressed as μg/g feces.