Application of the colon-simulation technique for studying the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on basic parameters of porcine cecal microbial metabolism disturbed by clindamycin

Aims: The present study analyzed the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on the biochemical parameters of microbial hindgut metabolism disturbed by cli ndamycin. Methods: The experiments were carried out under in vitro conditio ns using the semicontinuous colon-simulation technique. This technique is s tandardized for quantitatively measuring parameters of microbial hindgut me tabolism. The fluid and particle phase of pig hindgut contents were used fo r the in vitro incubations. The 5-day control period was followed by clinda mycin exposure alone (312.5 mg/day for 5 days) or by a combined treatment o f clindamycin and S. boulardii (400 mg/day for 5 days). Results: Clindamyci n resulted in significant decreases in production rates of short-chain fatt y acids (SCFAs) which were associated with substantial changes in molar SCF A proportions at: the expense of butyrate. These effects could at least par tly be compensated for by S. boulardii, in particular by enhancements of ac etate and propionate fermentation to control levels. In contrast, butyrate fermentation could not be reconstituted. In a second experiment the potenti al use of S. boulardii as a substrate for hindgut microbial metabolism was studied by comparing living and autoclaved yeast. Propionate and butyrate f ermentation rates were unaffected whereas acetate fermentation tended to be higher in the presence of living yeast. Conclusions: S. boulardii can be e ffective to compensate for changes in microbial fermentation in response to antibiotic treatment. Despite the lack of statistical significance it migh t be concluded that the increase in fermentation end products can only part ly be explained by the utilization of the yeast as a substrate for microbia l metabolism. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.