Probiotic bacteria enhance murine and human intestinal epithelial barrier function. Gastroenterology

efficacious as maintenance therapy in pouchitis and ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of VSL#3 as a primary therapy in the treat-ment of colitis in the interleukin (IL)-10 gene-deficient mouse. Mechanisms of action of VSL#3 were investi-gated in T84 monolayers. Methods: IL-10 gene-deficient and control mice received 2.8 3 108 colony-forming units per day of VSL#3 for 4 weeks. Colons were re-moved and analyzed for cytokine production, epithelial barrier function, and inflammation. VSL#3 or condi-tioned media was applied directly to T84 monolayers. Results: Treatment of IL-10 gene-deficient mice with VSL#3 resulted in normalization of colonic physiologic function and barrier integrity in conjunction with a re-duction in mucosal secretion of tumor necrosis factor