Figure 2.

Protective effect of Bifidobacterium lactis 420 against indomethacin-induced side effects. Quantities of permeability probes sucrose (a) and lactulose : mannitol (b) in rat urine samples and the total damage areas (TDA) of gastric mucosa (c) combined from three individual studies (n = 119). The treatment groups were a control group, an indomethacin-challenged group (NSAID), and a probiotic group supplemented daily with 10¹⁰ colony forming units of Bifidobacterium lactis 420 for seven days prior to indomethacin challenge. Sucrose measures gastric permeability and the lactulose : mannitol-ratio reflects small intestinal permeability. TDA values include Grade I (mild, slight, few, or small), Grade II (moderate appearing, size, or number), and Grade III (severe, massive, or extensive in number or size) lesions. The vertical lines in figures (a) and (b) represent mean values. Significant (P < 0.05) differences between treatment groups are denoted by an asterisk.