A novel mucin gene product forms the soluble part of the human colonic mucus gel barrier

Abstract

Picolax ~) were incubated with previously cultured MAF (n=10) under anaerobic, aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. Results: Microaerophilic quantitative cultures in normal and ulcerated mucosa were 2.6xl07cfu/g and 4.7xl07cfu/g respectively. Mean quantitative cultures for anaerobic and aerobic biopies in histologically normal biopsies were 9.1xl08cfu/g and 6.4xl07cfu/g. This was not significantly different from anaerobic and aerobic inflamed biopsies (mean values: 3.6xl08cfu/g and 2.6xl06cfu/g respectively). Aerobic:anaerobic ratios in normal and inflamed mucosa were 0.069 and 0.071 respectively. Highest quantitative cultures were found in Bacteroides selective media in normal and inflamed cases at mean 7.4xl0Scfu/g and 1.5xl0Scfu/g respectively. There was significantly less growth on lactobacilli selective media from inflamed biopsies (p<0.05). Gram stain and morphology revealed predominantly gram ve bacilli in normal (47%) and inflamed (49%) mucosa. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed these findings. Picolax ® was found to inhibit MAF proliferation in all three conditions (0.07mg/ml) Conclusion:. MAF in normal and inflamed mucosa consisted of predominantly gram negative bacilli and revealed no major quantitative differences under aerobic, anaerobic or microaerophilic conditions. Aerobic:anaerobic ratios were also similar but considerably larger than luminal values. Bacteria from inflamed mucosa were less likely to grow on lactobacillus selective medium. Picolax ~ colonic lavage solution inhibits in vitro growth and proliferation of MAF. Our data do not currently support a single pathogenic cause for UC but speciating MAF may reveal more detailed differences between normal and inflamed tissue.