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. 2004;96(4):656-63.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02189.x.

Improvement of human faecal flora-associated mouse model for evaluation of the functional foods

A Imaoka  1 , H Setoyama, A Takagi, S Matsumoto, Y Umesaki
Affiliations

Improvement of human faecal flora-associated mouse model for evaluation of the functional foods

A Imaoka et al. J Appl Microbiol. 2004.

Abstract

Aims: Animal models are required for evaluation of the functional foods such as pro/prebiotics exerting effects through the metabolism of the intestinal microflora. The object of this study was to establish new human flora-associated mice reflecting the environment of the human intestinal tract.

Methods and results: We inoculated a human faecal suspension into segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) monoassociated mice as a model system. In both human flora (HF) and SFB-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), intestinal characteristics such as the composition of intraepithelial lymphocytes, the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and the number of immunoglobulin A-producing cells in the mucosa was closer to those of conventionally reared mice than was case with human flora-associated mice (HF mice) lacking SFB. Several predominant bacterial groups except lactobacilli in human flora were found in faeces of HF-SFB mice. Lactobacilli established small populations in the gut of HF-SFB mice when administered before inoculation with the human flora. Faecal enzymatic activities and organic acid concentration of HF-SFB mice proportionally reflected those of the donor subject.

Conclusion: We established a new human flora-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), in which intestinal characteristics are normally developed and their major microbial composition reflect the human.

Significance and impact of the study: HF-SFB mice are a valuable model for studying pro/prebiotic effects on the human intestine.

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