The Effect of Probiotic and Omega-3 Supplements on Total Oxidant and Total Antioxidant Levels in Experimental Colitis

Abstract

Objective: Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) usually involves medical therapy. For this reason, it is recommended to seek alternative treatment methods such as nutritional therapy. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids on total oxidant and total antioxidant levels in an experimental colitis model.

Methods: Mice were randomly divided into five groups (n= 10/group) as healthy group, colitis group, group treated with probiotics (VSL#3), group treated with omega-3 (w-3), and group treated with both probiotics and omega-3. To induce experimental colitis, 200 mg/kg dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) + 30% ethanol combination was rectally administered to anesthetized mice. Total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant (TAS) levels were measured at the tissue level.

Results: Lower concentrations of TOS were observed in the probiotics groups (2.11 +/- 0.23 mmol H2O2 Eq/L), probiotics+omega-3 (2.56 +/- 1.18 mmol H2O2 Eq/L), and omega-3 (3.02 +/- 1.88 mmol H2O2 Eq/L) groups compared to the colitis group (3.11 +/- 0.91 mmol H2O2 Eq/L) (p>0.05). Higher TOS and TAS level were observed in the control colitis group compared to other groups; however, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that TAS and TOS levels were positively affected by the use of probiotic supplements in IBD. It was determined that using w-3 alone was ineffective in decreasing TOS levels. Studies with higher dosages and longer treatment periods are needed to better observe the effects of nutritional supplements on TOS and TAS parameters in inflammatory bowel diseases.