Evaluation of the expression of I-FABP and L-FABP in a necrotizing enterocolitis model after the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Background/purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe intestinal disease that primarily affects premature babies, leading to high mortality and morbidity. Probiotics represent an important alternative prophylaxis for NEC but its mechanism of action is poorly understood. Moreover, intestinal and liver-type fatty acid-binding proteins (I-FABP and L-FABP) may be utilized because markers of intestinal injury, including NEC.

Validation of protocol of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis in rats and the pitfalls during the procedure.

Purpose: To describe the difficulties of implementing the protocol of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in order to obtain a larger number of newborns affected with the disease and a lower mortality.

Methods: Term Sprague-Dawley newborns rats (22 days) were divided into four groups of 12 fetuses each (n = 48): EC--breastfed newborns; IH--breastfed newborns and subjected to a stress protocol by ischemia and hypothermia; ESB--formula-fed newborns (Esbilac®, PetAg, Hampshire, IL, USA) and NEC--formula-fed newborns and subjected to stress protocol. The parameters set for the study protocol were: milk concentration (0.