The EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS FERMENTUM FROM INDIGENOUS DAIRY PRODUCT ON INFLAMMATORY-ASSOCIATED ANEMIA AND LEUCOCYTE HOMEOSTASIS IN CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN WISTAR RATS

Introduction: Lactobacillus belongs to a broad classification of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are majorly non-pathogenic living microorganisms often consumed with food. This group of bacteria can confer several health benefits when administrated in adequate amounts to the hostObjective: Activity of two Lactobacillus fermentum strains isolated from a Nigerian locally fermented dairy drink products “Nunu” on inflammation-induced anemia condition and leucocyte influx in Wistar rats was studied using paw oedema acute inflammatory model induced by carrageenan.Methods: Oedema was induced with 1% iota-carrageenan in all experimental groups. Apparently healthy rats were distributed into seven groups (A-E). Rats in Groups A were neither administered carrageenan nor treated with LAB, while Group B received carrageenan injection only. Rats in Groups C and D were treated with the strains of L. fermentum while Group E received diclofenac sodium treatment following administration of carrageenan. The dose of LAB used for the oral treatment is 5 × 107 CFU/mL for all the groups while the dose of diclofenac sodium used was 150mg/kg body weight of the rats. Paw thickness (mm) was checked at t = 0, 1, 4, 8, 24, 72, 168 and 336h. ESR, total RBC and WBC was performed on blood samples.Results: This inflammatory model established that carrageenan induced a very strong inflammatory response in the first hour of the experiment due to changes in the paw thickness and ESR measurements. All the Lactobacillus treated groups showed a statistically significant decrease in paw thickness at P<0.05 and a better ability to minimize effect of inflammation on erythropenia than diclofenac sodium which are generally known to cause anemia, while also regulating leukocyte infiltration in the blood circulation of acutely inflamed rats.Conclusion: This study reveals that L. fermentum possesses the ability to play significant role in regulating inflammation-associated anemia and restoring balance to the circulating white blood cells of acutely inflamed rats.