RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the recovery of the bowel atrophy induced by malnutrition in rats. METHODS: Twenty-and-six Wistar rats (200-250 g) were fed with either a normoproteic (sham group, n=6) or a free-protein diet (n=20)during 12 days. Twelve malnourished rats were randomized to recover during 15 days with either a hydrolyzed diet (control group, n=6) or the same diet enriched with probiotics (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacilus helveticus; probiotic group, n=6). RESULTS: probiotic group showed similar gain of body, liver and bowel weight than controls. At the jejunum, both thevillus height (383±49 vs. 321±46mm; p=0,04) and crypt depth (157±31 vs. 125±10mm; p=0,04) were greater in probiotic group than in controls. The crypt depth at the cecum (214±22 vs. 169±43mm; p=0,05) and the wall width at both the cecum (410±18 vs. 340±61mm; p=0,02) and sigmoid (479±130 vs. 330±62mm; p=0,03) were higher in probiotic than in control group. CONCLUSION: Streptococcus thermophillus and Lactobacillus helveticus enhance the recovery of gut atrophy induced by malnutrition. Probiotics can be useful as oral adjuvants during the recovery of malnutrition.