RESUMO

BACKGROUND: AferBio is a fermented prebiotic food that contains beta-glucans, which are oligosaccharides capable of stimulating the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of this functional food on the inflammatory response in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: AferBio (900 mg/kg) inhibited edema formation by 34% compared to the control group. We also observed inhibition of the primary and secondary reactions of inflammation after the injection of Freund's adjuvant in the animals fed AferBio. Daily administration of AferBio for 6 d inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue by 37%; additionally, inhibition of 31% of neutrophil migration downstream of carrageenan-induced peritonitis was observed. An ulcerogenic potency assay revealed that indomethacin produced a higher number of lesions compared to treatment with AferBio. Anti-inflammatory potency analysis showed that indomethacin inhibited 39% of carrageenan-induced edema but produced a higher number of lesions. However, animals treated with AferBio had areas of hyperemia without ulcerative lesions and 21% of edema was inhibited. CONCLUSION: Based on the results obtained in this study, AferBio appears to have anti-inflammatory activity during acute and chronic inflammatory processes.