I-Chip platform The ‘intestinal chip’ (I-Chip) has been developed as a faster alternative
method to determine the composition of the microbiota. Sequences of approximately 400 microorganisms have been placed on a DNA micro-array as previously described [23, 24]. DNA was isolated from the luminal samples of the TIM-2 experiments. Subsequently the DNA was labeled and hybridized to DNA-arrays printed with the probes. After washing the arrays were scanned and analyzed. Analysis of the composition of the microbiota (using I-chip) indicated the bacterial genera which are selectively stimulated or suppressed by the antibiotic and/or probiotic. Changes in the composition of the microbiota in the experiments in which Clindamycin was applied for seven days, OSI-906 mouse or in which Clindamycin plus probiotics were applied together for seven days, were compared with the changes in the control experiment in the same time period. Changes in the composition of the microbiota after application of probiotics sequentially after the application of Clindamycin were compared to the composition of the
microbiota after the application of Clindamycin for seven days. SAM analysis The data obtained with the I-chip were analyzed with Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) for statistical relevance [25]. Results and discussion In vivo, Clindamycin shows good penetration into tissues and is often used to treat skin https://www.selleckchem.com/products/eft-508.html or soft tissue infections.
Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) caused by overgrowth of Clostridium difficile is a potentially life-threatening complication of antibiotic therapy. The probiotic product VSL#3 is a dietary supplement often used for treatment of various gastrointestinal complaints directly associated with microbial dysbiosis such as chronic constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, ulcerative colitis and pouchitis [16, 26, 27]. The in vitro model used in this study provides standardized and reliable conditions to study the effects of pro- and antibiotics on the human intestinal microbiota [17] and is has an advantage over living system Depsipeptide ic50 in continuous sampling over a defined period of time. Moreover, the system is hardly biased by environmental factors, e.g. temperature, humidity or oxygen, which can be controlled to a high extent. The TIM-2 experiments were performed using a standardized microbiota from healthy individuals. In the control unit the standard ileal efflux meal (SIEM) was fed to the system. In one experiment the antibiotic was administered together with a probiotic mixture (VSL#3) and in the other experiment the probiotic was administered after the antibiotic treatment. Production of beneficial microbial metabolites Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactate are beneficial microbial metabolites. SCFA and lactate acidify the intestinal lumen, causing growth arrest or even death of (opportunistic pathogens).