Standard colonic lavage alters the natural state of mucosal-associated microbiota in the human colon.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Past studies of the human intestinal microbiota are potentially confounded by the common practice of using bowel-cleansing preparations. We examined if colonic lavage changes the natural state of enteric mucosal-adherent microbes in healthy human subjects.

Methods

Twelve healthy individuals were divided into three groups; experimental group, control group one, and control group two. Subjects in the experimental group underwent an un-prepped flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies. Within two weeks, subjects were given a standard polyethylene glycol-based bowel cleansing preparation followed by a second flexible sigmoidoscopy. Subjects in control group one underwent two un-prepped flexible sigmoidoscopies within one week. Subjects in the second control group un

SUBMITTER: Harrell L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3289660 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature