potential effect of lactobacillus plantarum on health

The potential effect of Lactobacillus plantarum as a probiotic bacteria in controlling hypercholesterolaemia was studied. Lactobacillus plantarum was supplied in a single form or in mixture with Lactobacillus paracasei or other strains of bacteria. Rats consumed these microorganisms daily for 42 days. Eighty eight rats were divided into eleven homogeneous groups, each group consists of eight male albino rats, Sprague Dawley strain, weight ranged from [105-117.5 g]. All groups were fed on basal diet supplemented with high fat, high cholesterol [15% saturated fat + 1% cholesterol + 0.2% bile salt] except group [1] which fed on high fat only [15% saturated fat]. Results obtained revealed that the mixed groups had a significant decreasing effect on gain in body weight and feed intake/day higher than single groups. While they had a higher significant decreasing effect on total lipid, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol of serum and liver, also had a higher significant increasing effect on serum HDL-C than the single groups. These results indicate that Lactobacillus plantarum had a high significant decreasing effect and when mixed with the other strains to produce mixed groups [G8-G11]; increased their hypocholesterolaemia effect more than these strains in a single form [G4-G7]. It could be concluded that the supplementation with different probiotic bacteria as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei and other organisms to control hypercholesterolaemia, consequently, to avoid the risk of coronary heart disease

Calcium and prostaglandins in blood and uterine muscle in normal and abnormal uterine actions

Uterine activity integral [UAI] together with plasma and uterine muscle calcium ions, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 were estimated in 32 primigravidae of those admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of El-Menia University Hospital and delivered by cesarean section. Seven women showed normal uterine action, 15 showed hypotonic uterine action, and 10 showed hypertonic uterine action. The study showed that PGE2 alpha and calcium ions levels increased in blood and uterine muscle during labor, especially in the hypertonic state and decreased in the hypotonic contractions, whereas, PGE2 showed no significant changes. These changes could incriminate PGF2 alpha and calcium ions in the pathogenesis of these abnormal uterine actions