Prophylactic use of probiotic chocolate modulates intestinal physiological functions in constipated rats

Soluble Dietary Fiber of Hawthorn Relieves Constipation Induced by Loperamide Hydrochloride by Improving Intestinal Flora and Inflammation, Thereby Regulating the Aquaporin Ion Pathway in Mice

Dietary fiber can be fermented and utilized by gut microbiota to reshape the gut microbiota, thereby alleviating constipation. This experiment mainly studied the physicochemical functions of hawthorn soluble dietary fiber (HSDF)and its effect and mechanism in alleviating constipation in mice. Forty-five mice were divided into blank control group C, model group M, positive control HS group, low-dose LHSDF group (1 g/kg/bw), and high-dose HHSDF group (2 g/kg/bw). The mice were modeled at a dose of 10 mg/kg/bw of loperamide hydrochloride for 7 days, while the remaining groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water and test samples. After continuous gavage for 45 days we performed a bowel movement test, and then continued gavage for 7 days and performed a small intestine propulsion test and indicator testing. The results showed that HSDF is mainly composed of galacturonic acid, belonging to the type I crystal structure, with a loose surface resembling a snowflake, a small molecular weight, and strong water-holding and antioxidant abilities. Animal experiments showed that compared with group M, HSDF significantly upregulated AQP3 and AQP8 by 52.67% and 164.54%, respectively, and downregulated AQP9 protein expression by 45.88%, thereby promoting intestinal peristalsis. It can also alleviate constipation by increasing the levels of excitatory hormones such as MTL, GAS, and SP in the gastrointestinal tract, and reducing the levels of inhibitory hormones such as SS, NO, and MDA. In addition, HSDF can reduce the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and PL-1 β, increase the content of various short-chain fatty acids, alleviate intestinal inflammation, maintain intestinal integrity, and promote defecation. It can also promote the growth of probiotics such as Bacteroides, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and alter the diversity of gut microbiota.

How do probiotics alleviate constipation? A narrative review of mechanisms

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, which may occur at any age and affects countless people. The search for new treatments for constipation is ongoing as current drug treatments fail to provide fully satisfactory results. In recent years, probiotics have attracted much attention because of their demonstrated therapeutic efficacy and fewer side effects than pharmaceutical products. Many studies attempted to answer the question of how probiotics can alleviate constipation. It has been shown that different probiotic strains can alleviate constipation by different mechanisms. The mechanisms on probiotics in relieving constipation were associated with various aspects, including regulation of the gut microbiota composition, the level of short-chain fatty acids, aquaporin expression levels, neurotransmitters and hormone levels, inflammation, the intestinal environmental metabolic status, neurotrophic factor levels and the body's antioxidant levels. This paper summarizes the perception of the mechanisms on probiotics in relieving constipation and provides some suggestions on new research directions.

Probiotic potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus VHProbi M15 on sucralfate-induced constipation in mice

The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential probiotic properties of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus VHProbi®M15 (M15). This study examined the effects of M15 on sucralfate-induced constipation in a mouse model. The BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: the normal group (NOR) was without any treatment, while the constipation (CON), phenolphthalein (PHE), and probiotic (PRO) treatment groups were fed with sucralfate until the appearance of constipation symptoms. Afterward, the NOR and CON groups were given 1 ml saline orally every day until the end of the experiment; the PHE and PRO groups were given phenolphthalein or M15 suspension in 1 ml orally, respectively. Compared with the CON group, the fecal water content and intestinal peristalsis improved in the PRO group. Here, intake of M15 effectively attenuated sucralfate-induced constipation, recuperated colonic epithelial integrity, and increased serum levels of gastrointestinal excitatory neurotransmitters (motilin, gastrin, substance P). Analysis of the intestinal microbiota of mice by 16S rRNA metagenomic revealed an increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Sclerotinia, Verrucosa and Proteus in the PRO group. Compared with the CON group, the constipation-induced intestinal microecological changes were partially recovered in the PHE and PRO groups. These results demonstrate that M15 enhanced gastrointestinal transit and alleviated in mice with sucralfate-induced constipation.

Screening for Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains as Probiotics Exhibiting Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidative Characteristic Via Immune Modulation in HaCaT Cell

In this study, the basic probiotic characteristics and functional properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were investigated using two in vitro models of inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and H2O2. Fifteen strains were prescreened out of 60 LAB candidates based on their radical scavenging activity to determine the antioxidant capacity of the strains. The top 15 candidates were further investigated to evaluate their survival rate under low pH and bile salt conditions that mimic the intestinal environment. Three strains, Levilactobacillus brevis D70 (Levilact), Lactiplantibacillus pentosus S16 (Lactipla), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum MF10 (Limosilact), were capable of scavenging free radicals and survived under artificial intestinal conditions. Therefore, Levilact. brevis D70, Lactipla. pentosus S16, and Limosilact. fermentum MF10 were selected for further antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and mitochondrial activity examinations via cell models of inflammation and oxidative stress. Among the three strains, Limosilact. fermentum MF10 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activities by significantly downregulating the relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) induced by LPS (P < 0.05). Moreover, Limosilact. fermentum MF10 was also capable of upregulating the gene expression levels of antioxidative mediator glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both human HT-29 epithelial cells and human HaCaT keratinocytes. Limosilact. fermentum MF10 was also capable of regulating mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which plays a key role in the mitochondrial activity of HaCaT cells. As a result, Limosilact. fermentum MF10 showed the highest potential for probiotic properties and impacts the immune-related gut-skin axis by altering proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidative biomarkers, and MMP.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in chronic constipation: Outstanding aspects to be considered for the current evidence

This integrative aimed to evaluate the effects and the potential mechanism of action of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on constipation-associated gastrointestinal symptoms and to identify issues that still need to be answered. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. Animal models (n = 23) and clinical trials (n = 39) were included. In animal studies, prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation showed a decreased colonic transit time (CTT) and an increase in the number and water content of feces. In humans, inulin is shown to be the most promising prebiotic, while B. lactis and L. casei Shirota probiotics were shown to increase defecation frequency, the latter strain being more effective in improving stool consistency and constipation symptoms. Overall, synbiotics seem to reduce CTT, increase defecation frequency, and improve stool consistency with a controversial effect on the improvement of constipation symptoms. Moreover, some aspects of probiotic use in constipation-related outcomes remain unanswered, such as the best dose, duration, time of consumption (before, during, or after meals), and matrices, as well as their effect and mechanisms on the regulation of inflammation in patients with constipation, on polymorphisms associated with constipation, and on the management of constipation via 5-HT. Thus, more high-quality randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating these lacking aspects are necessary to provide safe conclusions about their effectiveness in managing intestinal constipation.

Gut microbiota: A target for prebiotics and probiotics in the intervention and therapy of food allergy

Food allergy has become a major public health problem all over the world. Evidence showed that allergic reactions induced by food proteins often lead to disturbances in the gut microbiota (symbiotic bacteria). Gut microbiota plays an important role in maintaining the balance between intestinal immune tolerance and allergic reactions. Dietary intervention has gradually become an important method for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases, and changing the composition of gut microbiota through oral intake of prebiotics and probiotics may serve as a new effective adjuvant treatment measure for allergic diseases. In this paper, the main mechanism of food allergy based on intestinal immunity was described firstly. Then, the clinical and experimental evidence showed that different prebiotics and probiotics affect food allergy by changing the structure and composition of gut microbiota was summarized. Moreover, the molecular mechanism in which the gut microbiota and their metabolites may directly or indirectly regulate the immune system or intestinal epithelial barrier function to affect food immune tolerance of host were also reviewed to help in the development of food allergy prevention and treatment strategies based on prebiotics and probiotics.

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf aqueous extract ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in mice by promoting gastrointestinal motility and regulating the gut microbiota

Slow transit constipation (STC) is the most common type of functional constipation. Drugs with good effects and few side effects are urgently needed form the treatment of STC. Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (CC) is an important medicinal and edible spice plant. The wide range of biological activities suggested that CC may have laxative effects, but thus far, it has not been reported. In this study, the loperamide-induced STC mouse model was used to evaluate the laxative effect of the aqueous extract of CC (CCAE), and the laxative mechanism was systematically explored from the perspectives of the enteric nervous system (ENS), neurotransmitter secretion, gastrointestinal motility factors, intestinal inflammation, gut barrier and gut microbiota. The results showed that CCAE not only decreased the serum vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), induced nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in STC mice but also increased the expression of gastrointestinal motility factors in colonic interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), thereby significantly shortening the defecation time and improving the gastrointestinal transit rate. The significantly affected gastrointestinal motility factors included stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit), stem cell factor (SCF), anoctamin 1 (Ano1), ryanodine receptor 3 (RyR3), smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK) and Connexin 43 (Cx43). Meanwhile, CCAE could repair loperamide-induced intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier damage by reducing the expression of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β and increasing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10, chemical barrier (Muc-2) and mechanical barrier (Cldn4, Cldn12, Occludin, ZO-1, and ZO-2). Interestingly, CCAE could also partially restore loperamide-induced gut microbial dysbiosis in various aspects, such as microbial diversity, community structure and species composition. Importantly, we established a complex but clear network between gut microbiota and host parameters. Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and UCG-010 showed the most interesting associations with the laxative phenotypes; several other specific taxa showed significant associations with serum neurotransmitters, gastrointestinal motility factors, intestinal inflammation, and the gut barrier. These findings suggested that CCAE might promote intestinal motility by modulating the ENS-ICCs-SMCs network, intestinal inflammation, intestinal barrier and gut microbiota. CC may be an effective and safe therapeutic choice for STC.

Different Bifidobacterium bifidum strains change the intestinal flora composition of mice via different mechanisms to alleviate loperamide-induced constipation

Constipation is a condition with a high prevalence rate worldwide and may occur in men and women of any age. Bifidobacterium bifidum has been shown to have a relieving effect on constipation, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study explored the effects of gavage of three strains of B. bifidum (CCFM668, FHNFQ25M12 and FXJCJ32M2) from different sources in mice with loperamide-induced constipation. After 38 days of intervention, B. bifidum CCFM668, FHNFQ25M12 and FXJCJ32M2 showed the ability to modify the levels of gastrointestinal active peptides and promote the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin) receptor 4 (5-HT4R), thereby promoting small intestinal peristalsis. The strains could also effectively increase the thickness of the colonic mucosa. However, what was different from previous studies was that these results were independent of the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and 5-HT. Further analysis of the intestinal flora revealed that the relative abundances of the genera Faecalibaculum and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014 in the constipated mice increased significantly, whereas that of Erysipelatoclostridium decreased. A correlation analysis between the intestinal flora and evaluated gastrointestinal indicators demonstrated that the relative abundances of the genera Anaerotruncus, Angelakisella, Erysipelatoclostridium and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014 were negatively correlated with the levels of gastrointestinal active peptides. B. bifidum FXJCJ32M2 can increase the relative abundances of Turicibacter and Dubosiella, and this was positively correlated with the expression of aquaporin 8 and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 but could not effectively alleviate faecal dryness or promote colonic motility. These findings suggest that B. bifidum shows significant intraspecific differences in the remission mechanism and provides a theoretical basis for subsequent population experiments and personalised treatment for constipation.

Selection and Characterization of Probiotic Bacteria Exhibiting Antiadipogenic Potential in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Abnormal adipocyte growth, distinguished by an increase in cell numbers and cellular differentiation, is regarded as a major pathological characteristic of obesity. Thus, inhibition of adipogenic differentiation in adipocytes could prevent obesity. Recently, certain probiotic stains have been reported to regulate lipid metabolism in vitro and/or in vivo. In this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate basic probiotic properties and potential antiobesity characteristics of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were prescreened for their cholesterol-lowering activity, antioxidant activity, and survival at low pH and in a solution containing bile salts. These six strains were investigated for antiadipogenic activity by employing 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with selected strains during the differentiation process. Lactobacillus johnsonii 3121 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 86 were found to be more capable of reducing triglyceride and lipid accumulation, as compared to control group, which are fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These strains also inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the adipogenic transcription factor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 could potentially act as probiotic bacteria and prevent fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis-related markers.

Antiobesity Effect of Novel Probiotic Strains in a Mouse Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Obesity is one of the major causes of the development of metabolic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Increased lipid accumulation and abnormal adipocyte growth, which is an increase in cell numbers and differentiation, have been documented as major pathological characteristics of obesity. Thus, the inhibition of adipogenic differentiation prevents and suppresses obesity. Recently, specific probiotic strains have been known to regulate lipid metabolism in vitro and/or in vivo. Previously, we demonstrated that Lactobacillus johnsonni 3121 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 86 could act as novel probiotic strains and reduce cholesterol levels. Moreover, both strains significantly reduced lipid accumulation and inhibited adipocyte differentiation by downregulating the adipogenic transcription factor in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 were selected for in vivo evaluation of their anti-obesity effects using a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model. Daily oral administration of L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 for 12 weeks significantly improved serum lipid profile and downregulated the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis in epididymal white adipose tissue of high-fat diet fed obese mice (p < 0.05). Fecal analysis also suggested that the two probiotic strains could normalize the altered obesity-related gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed obese mice. These results collectively demonstrate that oral administration of L. johnsonni 3121 and L. rhamnosus 86 could prevent obesity, thereby improving metabolic health.

Lactobacillus-fermented milk products attenuate bone loss in an experimental rat model of ovariectomy-induced post-menopausal primary osteoporosis

AIM

In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic effect of two fermented milk products (FMPs) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum A41 and Lactobacillus fermentum SRK414 on a rat model of ovariectomy-induced post-menopausal primary osteoporosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The two Lactobacillus FMPs increased the bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and normalized the bone biomarkers in the serum. Additionally, they altered the gene expression levels of bone-metabolism-related markers. Furthermore, the two Lactobacillus FMPs downregulated bone-apoptosis-related genes stimulated by ovariectomy. Interestingly, the Lactobacillus FMPs decreased the levels of inflammation markers in the serum, bone, ileum and colon of the rats. Gut bacterial populations were also affected upon FMP treatment due to increase in the abundance of the genus Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

CONCLUSIONS

Milk products fermented by L. plantarum A41 and L. fermentum SRK414 can exhibit anti-osteoporotic effects on post-menopausal osteoporosis via regulating the expression of bone-metabolism-related markers.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The two Lactobacillus FMPs used in the study can be an ideal method that has its potential of treating post-menopausal osteoporosis instead of drug treatments.

Amylase-Producing Maltooligosaccharide Provides Potential Relief in Rats with Loperamide-Induced Constipation

Constipation is a chronic disease caused by infrequent, inadequate, and difficult bowel movements. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential laxative effect of maltooligosaccharide (MOS) on loperamide-induced constipation in a rat model. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of MOS on the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Moreover, to examine the effect of MOS administration on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with loperamide-induced constipation, the drinking water for the rats was supplemented with 10% or 15% of MOS for 14 days, and, thereafter, the improvement in constipation was assessed. For this, the rats were divided into five groups: normal (Nor), loperamide-induced constipated (Con), positive control (15% of dual-oligosaccharide (DuO-15)), 10% MOS treated (MOS-10), and 15% MOS-treated (MOS-15). In an in vitro test, MOS treatment promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria except Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Treatment with higher MOS dose relieved constipation in rats by improving the fecal pellet and water content. Furthermore, in the high MOS dose group, the cecal short-chain fatty acid levels significantly increased compared to those in the control group (P < 0.001). MOS treatment also improved the mucosal thickness as well as mucin secretion and increased the area of intestinal Cajal cells compared to that in the control group (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that MOS relieves constipation and has beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and, therefore, it can be used as an ingredient in functional foods for treating constipation or improving intestinal health.