Effect of milk fermented with Lactobacillus sp. in modulation of intestinal permeability in high fat diet fed mice

Abstract

Consumption of high fat diet (HFD) is known to disturb the gut microflora, which is a source of endotoxins. Its increase in plasma is related to increased intestinal permeability. In the present study, effect of milk fermented with L. casei NCDC-19 in reference to intestinal permeability/integrity was evaluated using Swiss Albino mice. Permeability was determined using FITC-dextran 4000 Da through measurement of fluorescence in blood plasma. HFD feeding resulted in a significant increase in intestinal permeability. A positive effect of dietary supplementation of probiotic fermented milk on intestinal permeability was observed. Expression of two important genes related to intestinal permeability was determined by qRT-PCR. Reduced expression of tight junction proteins was observed in HFD fed group which confirms the increased permeability. Occludin was found up-regulated significantly as result of probiotic fermented milk. A similar trend of up-regulation of ZO-1 was seen in probiotic FM/skim milk fed groups. Present study suggests a positive effect of probiotic fermented milk on intestinal permeability in HFD fed conditions.