Fecal β-D-galactosidase production and Bifidobacteria are decreased in Crohn's disease

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 817 - 822
• Main Authors: FAVIER, C, NEUT, C, MIZON, C, CORTOT, A, COLOMBEL, J. F, MIZON, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-04-1997
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bacteroides - enzymology; Bacteroides - isolation & purification; beta-Galactosidase - analysis; Bifidobacterium - enzymology; Bifidobacterium - isolation & purification; Biological and medical sciences; Colony Count, Microbial; Crohn Disease - microbiology; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Lactobacillus - enzymology; Lactobacillus - isolation & purification; Male; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Semiology; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Human; Concentration factor; Bifidobacterium; Actinomycetaceae; Enzyme; Pathogenesis; Microflora; Inflammatory disease; Result; Actinomycetales; Crohn disease; Enzymatic activity; Decrease; Glycosidases; Digestive diseases; Bacteria; Hydrolases; Intestinal disease; Actinomycetes; O-Glycosidases; β-Galactosidase
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1018876400528

Digestive bacterial microflora play a major role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). Bacterial enzyme activities, especially beta-D-galactosidase, are decreased in fecal extracts from CD patients. We hypothesized that an alteration of the colonic flora might be responsible for this decrease. Indeed, we demonstrate that beta-D-galactosidase production in supernates of anaerobic cultures was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in feces from patients with active Crohn's disease (N = 7), when compared to healthy controls (N = 8). Therefore using X-gal and selective media, we enumerated bacteria able to release beta-D-galactosidase in feces from patients with active (N = 16) or quiescent disease (N = 5) and healthy controls (N = 14). Bifidobacteria numbers were significantly reduced in patients (P < 0.01 for active; P < 0.02 for quiescent disease) whereas Bacteroides and Lactobacilli counts remained unchanged. beta-D-Galactosidase activity and Bifidobacteria counts were significantly correlated (P < 0.03). Bifidobacteria are regarded as beneficial for the host. The reduction in Bifidobacteria is responsible for decreased beta-D-galactosidase activity. Thus oral administration of prebiotics that promote their growth might have potential therapeutic interest.