Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of cecal microflora in rats simultaneously administrated Lactobacillus rhamnosus KY-3 and cellobiose

The cecal microflora of rats coadministered Lactobacillus rhamnosus KY-3 (L. rhamnosus KY-3) and cellobiose was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. When compared with L. rhamnosus KY-3 administration alone, simultaneous administration of L. rhamnosus KY-3 and cellobiose led to an increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly L. rhamnosus, and a significant decrease in the number of Gammaproteobacteria in the cecum. These results indicate that administration of L. rhamnosus KY-3 cells passed through the upper digestive tract to the cecum where it is likely that they proliferated through the assimilation of cellobiose.