Effect of oral administration of 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphyenl on the intestinal microbiota of Sprague–Dawley rats

The effect of the endocrine-disrupting chemical 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphyenl (PCB 126) on intestinal microbiota after oral administration, and the improvement of intestinal microbiota and feces quantity by the subsequent administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus or Lactobacillus reuteri was investigated. All the rats were given 100 μg/kg bodyweight of PCB 126. The changes in bacterial counts were confirmed using a culture method. The administration of PCB 126 tended to decrease the bacterial counts of lactobacilli (109.6−1010.2 to 108.8−109.2) and bifidobacteria (105.3−106.1 to 103.6−104.2), and to increase those of Enterobacteriaceae (108.2−109.1 to 109.4−1010.3) and staphylococci (106.6−107.4 to 107.2−108.4) compared to no PCB 126 administration. After administration of PCB 126, L. acidophilus or L. reuteri orally administered to rats caused Enterobacteriaceae and staphylococci counts to decrease, suggesting that the intestinal microbiota was improved by the lactobacilli. The administration of L. acidophilus and L. reuteri improved the balance of intestinal microbiota, and defecation volume returned to its normal level. L. acidophilus and L. reuteri have a remedial effect on intestinal microbiota affected by PCB 126 and can function to lessen accumulated PCB 126 volume.