Osteoarthritis is a most widespread chronic degenerative joint disease that causes pain, cartilage deformation, and joint inflammation. Adverse alterations of intestinal microbiota like dysbiosis may lead to metabolic syndrome and inflammation, two important components of osteoarthritis progression. Aim. In this study we investigated the effect of chondroitin sulfate and probiotics on the gut microbiome in monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis model in rats. Methods. The species and quantitative composition of feces were determined using diagnostic media with selective properties. Further identification of isolated microorganisms was carried out according to morphological, tinctorial, physiological and metabolic parameters. The results are presented in the form of lg CFU/g. Results. Induction of osteoarthritis caused significant increasing the number of opportunistic enterobacteria and lactose-negative Escherichia coli against the decreasing of lacto- and bifidobacteria that may indicate a dysbiotic condition. Coadministration of chondroitin sulfate and probiotic bacteria has led to improvement the quantitative composition of the gut microbiota in experimental animals, the numerous of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus were increasing against decreasing the quantitative composition of opportunistic microorganisms. Conclusions. Monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis caused dysbiosis of gut in rat. We observed beneficial effect of combined administration of chondroitin sulfate and probiotics on gut microbiota composition in rats with experimental osteoarthritis. Thus, adding of supplements like probiotics to standard treatment of osteoarthritis may have potentials to prevent and treat this disease.
