VSL#3 probiotic modifies mucosal microbial composition but does not reduce colitis-associated colorectal cancer

Sci Rep. 2013 Oct 8:3:2868. doi: 10.1038/srep02868.

Abstract

Although probiotics have shown success in preventing the development of experimental colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC), beneficial effects of interventional treatment are relatively unknown. Here we show that interventional treatment with VSL#3 probiotic alters the luminal and mucosally-adherent microbiota, but does not protect against inflammation or tumorigenesis in the azoxymethane (AOM)/Il10⁻/⁻ mouse model of colitis-associated CRC. VSL#3 (10⁹ CFU/animal/day) significantly enhanced tumor penetrance, multiplicity, histologic dysplasia scores, and adenocarcinoma invasion relative to VSL#3-untreated mice. Illumina 16S sequencing demonstrated that VSL#3 significantly decreased (16-fold) the abundance of a bacterial taxon assigned to genus Clostridium in the mucosally-adherent microbiota. Mediation analysis by linear models suggested that this taxon was a contributing factor to increased tumorigenesis in VSL#3-fed mice. We conclude that VSL#3 interventional therapy can alter microbial community composition and enhance tumorigenesis in the AOM/Il10⁻/⁻ model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Colitis / complications*
  • Colitis / genetics
  • Colitis / microbiology*
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microbiota
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage
  • Probiotics / metabolism*