Gene expression profile in the small intestine of mice fed Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI L10

The effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI L10 on gene expression in the small intestine of mice was evaluated using microarrays. Male BALB/c mice were orally fed with 108 colony forming units of L. acidophilus in skimmed milk powder for 14 days. Control mice received skimmed milk powder without L. acidophilus. After 14 days, distal end of the small intestine was excised for microarray analysis of gene expression. L. acidophilus-fed mice altered the expression of genes such as CD40 ligand, CD200 receptor-3 and trefoil factor 2, which are involved in host defence mechanisms. Overall, the expression of functional genes influenced by L. acidophilus in the small intestine of mice offer as a basis for further investigation into its probiotic effects.