Improvement of human faecal flora-associated mouse model for evaluation of the functional foods

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 96; no. 4; pp. 656 - 663
• Main Authors: Imaoka, A, Setoyama, H, Takagi, A, Matsumoto, S, Umesaki, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2004; Blackwell Science; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Acetates - analysis; animal models; Animals; bacteria; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary Supplements; enzyme activity; Evaluation Studies as Topic; feces; Feces - microbiology; Flora; functional food; functional foods; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; human flora‐associated mouse; Humans; immunoglobulins; immunological response; intestinal microorganisms; intestine; intestines; Intestines - immunology; Intestines - metabolism; Intestines - microbiology; Lactobacillus; lymphocytes; major histocompatibility complex; metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbiology; Models, Animal; mucosa; prebiotics; Probiotics; Propionates - analysis; rearing; segmented filamentous bacteria; Human; Animal model; Health food; Applied microbiology; Feces; Associated flora; Optimization
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02189.x

Aims: Animal models are required for evaluation of the functional foods such as pro/prebiotics exerting effects through the metabolism of the intestinal microflora. The object of this study was to establish new human flora-associated mice reflecting the environment of the human intestinal tract. Methods and Results: We inoculated a human faecal suspension into segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) monoassociated mice as a model system. In both human flora (HF) and SFB-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), intestinal characteristics such as the composition of intraepithelial lymphocytes, the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and the number of immunoglobulin A-producing cells in the mucosa was closer to those of conventionally reared mice than was case with human flora-associated mice (HF mice) lacking SFB. Several predominant bacterial groups except lactobacilli in human flora were found in faeces of HF-SFB mice. Lactobacilli established small populations in the gut of HF-SFB mice when administered before inoculation with the human flora. Faecal enzymatic activities and organic acid concentration of HF-SFB mice proportionally reflected those of the donor subject. Conclusion: We established a new human flora-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), in which intestinal characteristics are normally developed and their major microbial composition reflect the human. Significance and Impact of the Study: HF-SFB mice are a valuable model for studying pro/prebiotic effects on the human intestine.