Abstract:

Objective    To investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium（Bf）on expressions of toll-like receptor 2(TLR2), TLR4 and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) genes in the intestinal mucosa of rats with ulcerative colitis（UC）.  Methods     The rats were randomly divided into three groups: the blank control group, the model control group and the Bf group. UC was induced by 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid（2, 4, 6-TNBS）and 100% alcohol（1∶1, V/V）in the model group and the Bf group. The rats in the Bf group were given Bf by oral gavage after the model was set up. Three weeks later, the rats were killed and total RNA from intestinal epithelial cells(IECs) was extracted for the detection of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB. Results      ①Both symptoms and lesions of colonic mucosa in the Bf group were slighter than those in the model group. ②Expressions of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB in the model group were significantly higher than that in the Bf group and blank control group（P<0.01）.  Conclusion     High expressions of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB genes can be seen in colonic mucosa of rats with UC. Bf can relieve inflammation in the intestinal mucous membrane by inhibiting expressions of TLR2, TLR4 and NF-κB.

Key words:  Ulcerative colitis; Bifidobacterium; Toll-like receptor 2; Toll-like receptor 4; Nuclear factor κB