Nisin reduces uterine inflammation in rats by modulating concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines

Problem The Staphylococcus aureus has been found to be associated with clinical endometritis of cow. The result of oral antibiotic remains poor. Therefore, this study investigates the role of nisin in endometritis. Method of study The effect of nisin on the growth and cell wall of S aureus were determined in vitro. Besides the blank control group, animals with established post-partum were inoculated with 0.1 mL S aureus intravaginally. Two days post-inoculation, the animals were administered nisin (25 mg/kg), kanamycin (30 mg/kg), and water (model group) for 7 days. On the seventh day, serum and uterine organs were obtained for pro- and anti-inflammatory analysis. The uterine tissue samples were weighed, and histopathological analysis was performed. Results The results showed that nisin had an inhibitory effect on the growth and cell wall formation of S aureus. Nisin and kanamycin treatment prevented a S aureus-induced decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoted an increase in the level of serum anti-inflammatory cytokines in the endometrium of these animals. Nisin and kanamycin, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the endometritis-induced increases in uterine weight, restored endometrial architecture and significantly (P < 0.05) normalized uterine neutrophils to control levels. Additionally, improved levels of B7-2, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-8 were observed when treated with nisin. Conclusion Our findings suggest that nisin compared favorably with kanamycin in endometritis prevention, suggesting that nisin can be used in S aureus-induced endometritis by protecting the uterus from S aureus infection.