The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones used in clinical practice as an effective therapeutic option for their effects regarding the dysregulated immune reactions and hyperactive immune system. Their administration in the short- and long-term exposure has been associated with numerous metabolic side ef...

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Main Authors: Andreea Ioana Inceu, Maria Adriana Neag, Corina Ioana Bocsan, Anca Elena Craciun, Carmen Stanca Melincovici, Dana Maria Muntean, Florentina Claudia Militaru, Mădălin Mihai Onofrei, Raluca Maria Pop, Luciana-Mădălina Gherman, Marius Bichescu, Anca Dana Buzoianu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/739
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author Andreea Ioana Inceu
Maria Adriana Neag
Corina Ioana Bocsan
Anca Elena Craciun
Carmen Stanca Melincovici
Dana Maria Muntean
Florentina Claudia Militaru
Mădălin Mihai Onofrei
Raluca Maria Pop
Luciana-Mădălina Gherman
Marius Bichescu
Anca Dana Buzoianu
author_facet Andreea Ioana Inceu
Maria Adriana Neag
Corina Ioana Bocsan
Anca Elena Craciun
Carmen Stanca Melincovici
Dana Maria Muntean
Florentina Claudia Militaru
Mădălin Mihai Onofrei
Raluca Maria Pop
Luciana-Mădălina Gherman
Marius Bichescu
Anca Dana Buzoianu
author_sort Andreea Ioana Inceu
collection DOAJ
description Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones used in clinical practice as an effective therapeutic option for their effects regarding the dysregulated immune reactions and hyperactive immune system. Their administration in the short- and long-term exposure has been associated with numerous metabolic side effects. Probiotics have been shown to modulate basal metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress through the regulation of composition and function of the gut microbial environment. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> and <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> probiotics in dexamethasone-treated rats. The study comprised four groups, with 6 Charles River Wistar albino male rats/group; group 1 represented the negative control, rats from group 2 were administered dexamethasone, rats from group 3 were administered dexamethasone and probiotics containing the strain <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i>, and rats from group 4 were administered dexamethasone and probiotics containing the strain <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i>. We have assessed the plasmatic levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, catalase activity, and total antioxidant capacity. The administration of dexamethasone led to elevated serum concentrations of glycolipid metabolism parameters and cytokines and resulted in hepatic steatosis at the morphological level. Administration of probiotics containing <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> or <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> reduced glucose and tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum concentration in dexamethasone-treated rats. Moreover, the administration of <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> probiotics in rats that received dexamethasone increased interleukin-10 and reduced catalase activity. Regarding the liver tissue morphology, the rats that received probiotics showed improved liver histological aspects compared to the dexamethasone-treated group, suggesting that probiotics could provide positive effects regarding the metabolic and histological disturbances induced by glucocorticoids.
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spelling doaj-art-2ee09039d15643399e13885f4979314e2025-08-20T02:28:38ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-03-0113473910.3390/microorganisms13040739The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic EffectsAndreea Ioana Inceu0Maria Adriana Neag1Corina Ioana Bocsan2Anca Elena Craciun3Carmen Stanca Melincovici4Dana Maria Muntean5Florentina Claudia Militaru6Mădălin Mihai Onofrei7Raluca Maria Pop8Luciana-Mădălina Gherman9Marius Bichescu10Anca Dana Buzoianu11Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Medical Specialties, Discipline of Diabetes and Nutrition Diseases, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Histology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Histology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaExperimental Centre, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street No. 6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaHeart Institute “Niculae Stancioiu” Cluj-Napoca, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaGlucocorticoids are steroid hormones used in clinical practice as an effective therapeutic option for their effects regarding the dysregulated immune reactions and hyperactive immune system. Their administration in the short- and long-term exposure has been associated with numerous metabolic side effects. Probiotics have been shown to modulate basal metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress through the regulation of composition and function of the gut microbial environment. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> and <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> probiotics in dexamethasone-treated rats. The study comprised four groups, with 6 Charles River Wistar albino male rats/group; group 1 represented the negative control, rats from group 2 were administered dexamethasone, rats from group 3 were administered dexamethasone and probiotics containing the strain <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i>, and rats from group 4 were administered dexamethasone and probiotics containing the strain <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i>. We have assessed the plasmatic levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, catalase activity, and total antioxidant capacity. The administration of dexamethasone led to elevated serum concentrations of glycolipid metabolism parameters and cytokines and resulted in hepatic steatosis at the morphological level. Administration of probiotics containing <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> or <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> reduced glucose and tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum concentration in dexamethasone-treated rats. Moreover, the administration of <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> probiotics in rats that received dexamethasone increased interleukin-10 and reduced catalase activity. Regarding the liver tissue morphology, the rats that received probiotics showed improved liver histological aspects compared to the dexamethasone-treated group, suggesting that probiotics could provide positive effects regarding the metabolic and histological disturbances induced by glucocorticoids.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/739dexamethasonehyperglycemiahypercholesterolemiahepatic steatosisprobioticsinflammation
spellingShingle Andreea Ioana Inceu
Maria Adriana Neag
Corina Ioana Bocsan
Anca Elena Craciun
Carmen Stanca Melincovici
Dana Maria Muntean
Florentina Claudia Militaru
Mădălin Mihai Onofrei
Raluca Maria Pop
Luciana-Mădălina Gherman
Marius Bichescu
Anca Dana Buzoianu
The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
Microorganisms
dexamethasone
hyperglycemia
hypercholesterolemia
hepatic steatosis
probiotics
inflammation
title The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
title_full The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
title_fullStr The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
title_short The Effects of Different Probiotic Administration on Dexamethasone-Associated Metabolic Effects
title_sort effects of different probiotic administration on dexamethasone associated metabolic effects
topic dexamethasone
hyperglycemia
hypercholesterolemia
hepatic steatosis
probiotics
inflammation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/739
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