Health benefits of probiotics: are mixtures more effective than single strains? Eur J Nutr. 2011;50:1-17. [PMID: 21229254 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-010-0166-z]

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the effects of synbiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics in controlling glucose homeostasis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Background: Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been suggested as a possible therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their efficacy in improving blood glucose levels in NAFLD patients remains uncertain. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in NAFLD patients. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant trials published up to March 2024. Out of 3369 identified studies, 24 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Results: Probiotic, prebiotic, or synbiotic supplementation substantially reduced FBG (n = 23; standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.17; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.30, -0.03; P = 0.02), fasting insulin levels (n = 12; SMD = -0.28; 95% CI: -0.49, -0.07; P = 0.01), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; n = 14; SMD = -0.28; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.09; P = 0.004). However, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c; n = 3; SMD = -0.17; 95% CI: -0.48, 0.13; P = 0.27) was not significantly affected. The FBG-decreasing effect diminished as the body mass index (BMI) of volunteers increased in the baseline. Additionally, the number of probiotic strains and geographic region were shown to significantly affect FBG levels. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics may aid in controlling glucose homeostasis in patients with NAFLD.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation Added to a Weight Loss Program on Anthropometric Measures, Body Composition, Eating Behavior, and Related Hormone Levels in Patients with Food Addiction and Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

Weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery is a common problem. Food addiction is an eating disorder that can be one of the reasons for weight regain in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation with a weight loss program and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on anthropometric measures, eating behavior, food addiction, and related hormone levels, in patients with food addiction and weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients with food addiction and weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery. Participants (n = 50) received a weight loss program and CBT plus probiotic, or placebo for 12 weeks. Then, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, eating behavior, and food addiction were assessed.

RESULTS

Weight and body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly in the probiotic group compared to placebo (p = 0.008, p = 0.001, respectively). Fat mass was significantly decreased in the probiotic group (p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant improvement was observed in the probiotic group's eating behavior and food addiction compared to the placebo group (p < 0.001). Serum levels of leptin decreased significantly (p = 0.02), and oxytocin serum levels increased significantly (p = 0.008) in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

Adding probiotic supplements to the weight loss program and CBT is superior to the weight loss program and CBT alone in improving weight loss, eating behavior, and food addiction in patients with food addiction and weight regain after metabolic bariatric surgery.

Oral supplementation with probiotics, potassium citrate, and magnesium in reducing crystalluria in stone formers: A phase II study

INTRODUCTION

Crystalluria is an important indicator of renal stone recurrence. Mechanisms underlying urinary stone formation are still not fully understood and raising interests has been giving to intestinal commensal bacteria for their contribute in maintaining urinary solutes equilibrium. The aim of our phase II study was to examine the administration of potassium citrate, magnesium and probiotics in order to reduce crystalluria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Since May 2021, we enrolled 23 patients candidates for ureterorenolithotripsy for calcium oxalate kidney stones with crystalluria and a normal metabolic profile. The analysis was validated by the Institution's Ethical Committee (no. approval STS CE Lazio 1/N-823). At discharge, patients were provided with daily food supplementation for 20 days of 1 billion Lactobacillus paracasei LPC09, 1 billion Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, 1 billion Bifidobacterium breve BR03, potassium (520 mg), citrate (1400 mg), and magnesium (80 mg). Crystalluria was re-assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months follow-up by polarized light microscopy.

RESULTS

After one month from the oral supplementation, no patient reported crystalluria; at 3 months, among the 20 participants available for re-evaluation, still no patient reported crystalluria. Instead, crystalluria was reported in three patients (15%) at 6 months, and in five patients (25%) at 12 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The oral supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. was found able to reduce the prevalence of crystalluria in a cohort of patients with diagnosis of calcium oxalate kidney stones with crystalluria candidate to ureterorenolithotripsy.

Effect of Bifidobacterium Intake on Body Weight and Body Fat in Overweight and Obese Adult Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of Bifidobacterium genus probiotics on body weight and body composition parameters in overweight and obese individuals.

A systematic search for randomized controlled trials was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases until April 17, 2023. The inclusion criteria required the trials to involve Bifidobacterium genus probiotics interventions and the evaluation of obesity-related anthropometric and body composition outcomes in overweight or obese subjects. Studies were excluded when involving obese individuals with genetic syndromes or pregnant women, as well as probiotic mixture interventions. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was utilized to assess the quality of the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using the mean difference between endpoint measurements and change from baseline for body mass index, body weight, body fat mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and visceral fat area.

From 1,527 retrieved reports, 11 studies (911 subjects) were included in this review. Bifidobacterium probiotics administration resulted in significant reductions in body fat mass (MD = -0.64 kg, 95% CI: -1.09, -0.18, p = 0.006), body fat percentage (MD = -0.64%, 95% CI: -1.18, -0.11, p = 0.02), waist circumference (MD = -1.39 cm, 95% CI: -1.99, -0.79, p < 0.00001), and visceral fat area (MD = -4.38 cm2, 95% CI: -7.24, -1.52, p = 0.003). No significant differences were observed for body mass index, body weight, or waist-to-hip ratio.

This systematic review suggests that Bifidobacterium genus probiotics may contribute to managing overweight and obesity by reducing body fat mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and visceral fat area. Further research is required to understand strain and species interactions, optimal dosages, and effective delivery methods for probiotics in obesity management. This review was pre-registered under the PROSPERO record CRD42022370057.

Dietary Triple-Strain Bacillus-Based Probiotic Supplementation Improves Performance, Immune Function, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaned Pigs

Probiotics provide health benefits and are used as feed supplements as an alternative prophylactic strategy to antibiotics. However, the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics containing more than two strains when supplemented to pigs are rarely elucidated. SOLVENS (SLV) is a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic. In this study, we investigate the effects of SLV on performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbial community in piglets. A total of 480 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) of 8.13 ± 0.08 kg and 28 days of age] were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design: P0: basal diet (CON); P200: CON + 200 mg SLV per kg feed (6.5 × 108 CFU/kg feed); and P400: CON + 400 mg SLV per kg feed (1.3 × 109 CFU/kg feed). Each treatment had 20 replicated pens with eight pigs (four male/four female) per pen. During the 31 d feeding period (Phase 1 = wean to d 14, Phase 2 = d 15 to 31 after weaning), all pigs were housed in a temperature-controlled nursery room (23 to 25 °C). Feed and water were available ad libitum. The results showed that the pigs in the P400 group increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and tended (p = 0.10) to increase ADG overall. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups tended (p = 0.10) to show improved feed conversion ratios overall in comparison with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups increased (p < 0.05) serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and haptoglobin on d 14, and serum C-reactive protein on d 31. The pigs in the P200 group showed an increased (p < 0.01) villus height at the jejunum, decreased (p < 0.05) crypt depth at the ileum compared with other treatments, and tended (p = 0.09) to have an increased villus-crypt ratio at the jejunum compared with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups showed increased (p < 0.05) goblet cells in the small intestine. Moreover, the pigs in the P400 group showed down-regulated (p < 0.05) interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions, whereas the pigs in the P400 group showed up-regulated occludin gene expression in the ileum. These findings suggest that SLV alleviates immunological reactions, improves intestinal microbiota balance, and reduces weaning stress in piglets. Therefore, SOLVENS has the potential to improve health and performance for piglets.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a probiotic for preterm infants: a strain specific systematic review and meta-analysis

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a widely used and extensively researched probiotic. Probiotic effects are considered to be strain specific. We aimed to comprehensively assess the strain-specific effects of LGG in preterm infants. A systematic review of RCTs and non-RCTs to evaluate the effect of LGG in preterm infants. We followed the Cochrane methodology, and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA) statement for conducting and reporting this review. We searched the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL databases till December 2023. The review was registered in PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022324933. Meta-analysis of data from RCTs that used LGG as the sole probiotic showed significantly lower risk of NEC ≥Stage II [5 RCTs, n = 851, RR:0.50 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.93), P = 0.03] in the LGG group. There was no significant difference in the risk of LOS [7 RCTs, n = 1037, RR:1.08 (95% CI 0.84, 1.39), P = 0.55], mortality [3 RCTs, n = 207, RR: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.42, 2.33), P = 0.99], time to reach full feeds [2 RCTs, n = 19, SMD = 0.11 days (95% CI: -0.22, 0.45), P = 0.51] and duration of hospital stay [3 RCTs, n = 293, SMD: -0.14 days (95% CI: -0.37 to 0.09), P = 0.23]. Meta-analysis of data from non-RCTs showed no significant effect of LGG on NEC, LOS, and mortality. RCTs showed beneficial effects of LGG when used as the sole probiotic in reducing the risk of NEC, whereas observational studies did not. Strain-specific systematic review of LGG provides important data for guiding research and clinical practice.

Integrative Analysis of the Microbiome and Metabolome of Broiler Intestine: Insights into the Mechanisms of Probiotic Action as an Antibiotic Substitute

Antibiotic substitutes have become a research focus due to restrictions on antibiotic usage. Among the antibiotic substitutes on the market, probiotics have been extensively researched and used. However, the mechanism by which probiotics replace antibiotics remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate this mechanism by comparing the effects of probiotics and antibiotics on broiler growth performance and intestinal microbiota composition. Results shown that both probiotics and antibiotics increased daily weight gain and reduced feed conversion rate in broilers. Analysis of ileum and cecum microorganisms via 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that both interventions decreased intestinal microbial diversity. Moreover, the abundance of Bacteroides increased in the mature ileum, while that of Erysipelatoclostridium decreased in the cecum in response to both probiotics and antibiotics. The main metabolites of probiotics and antibiotics in the intestine were found to be organic acids, amino acids, and sugars, which might play comparable roles in growth performance. Furthermore, disaccharides and trisaccharides may be essential components in the ileum that enable probiotics to replace antibiotics. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying the use of probiotics as antibiotic substitutes in broiler breeding.

A Lactobacillus Combination Ameliorates Lung Inflammation in an Elastase/LPS-induced Mouse Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the world's leading lung disease and lacks effective and specific clinical strategies. Probiotics are increasingly used to support the improvement of the course of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) combination containing Limosilactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei GMNL-133 to decrease lung inflammation and emphysema in a COPD mouse model. This model was induced by intranasal stimulation with elastase and LPS for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of oral LAB administration. The results showed that the LAB combination decreased lung emphysema and reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the lung tissue of COPD mice. Microbiome analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila, reduced in the gut of COPD mice, could be restored after LAB treatment. Microbial α-diversity in the lungs decreased in COPD mice but was reversed after LAB administration, which also increased the relative abundance of Candidatus arthromitus in the gut and decreased Burkholderia in the lungs. Furthermore, LAB-treated COPD mice exhibited increased levels of short-chain fatty acids, specifically acetic acid and propionic acid, in the cecum. Additionally, pulmonary emphysema and inflammation negatively correlated with C. arthromitus and Adlercreutzia levels. In conclusion, the combination of L. reuteri GMNL-89 and L. paracasei GMNL-133 demonstrates beneficial effects on pulmonary emphysema and inflammation in experimental COPD mice, correlating with changes in gut and lung microbiota, and providing a potential strategy for future adjuvant therapy.

Adjunctive efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 for functional constipation in children

Functional constipation (FC) can seriously affect the physical and mental health of children. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 in treating FC in children through a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled approach. Eligible children were randomized into either the intervention group (IG, n = 65, receiving conventional treatment with probiotics) or the control group (CG, n = 66, receiving conventional treatment without probiotics). The primary outcome measure was fecal frequency. Fecal gut microbiota analysis and PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) were used to predict gene family abundances based on 16S information. Over the course of treatment, the weekly frequency of feces within each group increased significantly (F = 41.97, p < 0.001). The frequency of feces (times/week (t/w)) in the IG was significantly higher than that in the CG (3.69 ± 2.62 t/w vs.3.18 ± 1.43 t/w, 4.03 ± 2.54 t/w vs. 2.89 ± 1.39 t/w and 3.74 ± 2.36 t/w vs. 2.94 ± 1.18 t/w and 3.45 ± 1.98 vs. 3.17 ± 1.41 t/w for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week after intervention, respectively) (F = 7.60, p = 0.0067). After the intervention, dominate species shifted to Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Escherichia coli in the IG. Additionally, genes related to short-chain fatty acid (SCF) metabolism were upregulated, while methane metabolism was downregulated. Administration of XLTG11 at a dose of 1 × 1010 CFU/day to children increased fecal frequency, induced beneficial changes in gut microbiota, and regulated SCFs and methane metabolism-related genes.

The Effect of Microbiome-Modulating Agents (MMAs) on Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Gut microbiome-modulating agents (MMAs), including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics, are shown to ameliorate type 1 diabetes (T1D) by restoring the microbiome from dysbiosis. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of MMAs on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and biomarkers associated with (T1D). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, National Knowledge Infrastructure, WeiPu, and WanFang Data up to 30 November 2023. Ten randomized controlled trials (n = 630) were included, with study quality evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Random-effect models with standardized mean differences (SMDs) were utilized. MMA supplementation was associated with improvements in HbA1c (SMD = -0.52, 95% CI [-0.83, -0.20]), daily insulin usage (SMD = -0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.76, -0.07]), and fasting C-peptide (SMD = 0.99, 95% CI [0.17, 1.81]) but had no effects on FBG, CRP, TNF-α, IL-10, LDL, HDL, and the Shannon index. Subgroup analysis of HbA1c indicated that a long-term intervention (>3 months) might exert a more substantial effect. These findings suggest an association between MMAs and glycemic control in T1D. Further large-scale clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings with investigations on inflammation and gut microbiota composition while adjusting confounding factors such as diet, physical activity, and the dose and form of MMA intervention.

Evaluation of Safety and Beneficial Health Effects of the Human-Milk Strain Bifidobacterium breve DSM32583: An Infant Pilot Trial

Human milk promotes the growth of bifidobacteria in the infant gut. Adding bifidobacterial species to infant formula may contribute to increasing their presence in the gut of formula-fed infants. Therefore, the safety and anti-infectious effects of Bifidobacterium breve DSM32583, a breast milk isolate, were assessed in a pilot trial involving 3-month-old infants. The infants were randomly assigned to either the probiotic (PG) or the control (CG) groups. All the infants consumed the same formula, although it was supplemented with the strain (1 × 107 cfu/g of formula) in the PG. Overall, 160 infants (80 per group) finished the intervention. Infants in CG gained more weight compared to PG (p < 0.05), but the weights for age Z-scores at 6 months were within the normal distribution for this age group. The rates of infections affecting the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and antibiotic therapy were significantly lower in the PG. The bifidobacterial population and the level of short-chain fatty acids were higher (p < 0.05) in the fecal samples of PG infants. No adverse events related to formula consumption were observed. In conclusion, the administration of an infant formula with B. breve DSM32583 was safe and exerted potential beneficial effects on gut health.

Gut-Brain Interactions and Their Impact on Astrocytes in the Context of Multiple Sclerosis and Beyond

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to physical and cognitive impairment in young adults. The increasing prevalence of MS underscores the critical need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Recent advances in neuroimmunology have highlighted the significant role of the gut microbiome in MS pathology, unveiling distinct alterations in patients' gut microbiota. Dysbiosis not only impacts gut-intrinsic processes but also influences the production of bacterial metabolites and hormones, which can regulate processes in remote tissues, such as the CNS. Central to this paradigm is the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract to the brain and spinal cord. Via specific routes, bacterial metabolites and hormones can influence CNS-resident cells and processes both directly and indirectly. Exploiting this axis, novel therapeutic interventions, including pro- and prebiotic treatments, have emerged as promising avenues with the aim of mitigating the severity of MS. This review delves into the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and the brain in the context of MS, summarizing current knowledge on the key signals of cross-organ crosstalk, routes of communication, and potential therapeutic relevance of the gut microbiome. Moreover, this review places particular emphasis on elucidating the influence of these interactions on astrocyte functions within the CNS, offering insights into their role in MS pathophysiology and potential therapeutic interventions.

A Novel Multi-Strain E3 Probiotic Formula Improved the Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Chinese Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the skin and other systems. Gastrointestinal disease was found to be correlated with psoriasis in previous studies and it can significantly affect the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Despite the importance of the gut microbiome in gut and skin health having already been demonstrated in many research studies, the potential effect of probiotics on GI comorbidities in psoriasis patients is unclear. To investigate the effects of probiotics on functional GI comorbidities including irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea in psoriasis patients, we conducted a targeted 16S rRNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatic analysis among southern Chinese patients to compare the gut microbiome profiles of 45 psoriasis patients over an 8-week course of novel oral probiotics. All the participants were stratified into responders and non-responders according to their improvement in GI comorbidities, which were based on their Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) scores after intervention. The Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score revealed a significant improvement in quality of life within the responder group (DLQI: mean 10.4 at week 0 vs. mean 15.9 at week 8, p = 0.0366). The proportion of psoriasis patients without GI comorbidity manifestation at week 8 was significantly higher than that at week 0 (week 0: Normal 53.33%, Constipation/Diarrhea 46.67%; week 8: Normal 75.56%, Constipation/Diarrhea 24.44%, p = 0.0467). In addition, a significant difference in the gut microbiome composition between the responders and non-responders was observed according to alpha and beta diversities. Differential abundance analysis revealed that the psoriasis patients exhibited (1) an elevated relative abundance of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Ruminococcus bromii and (2) a reduced relative abundance of Oscillibacter, Bacteroides vulgatus, Escherichia sp., and Biophila wadsworthia after the 8-week intervention. The responders also exhibited a higher relative abundance of Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans when compared to the non-responders. In summary, our study discovers the potential clinical improvement effects of the novel probiotic formula in improving GI comorbidities and quality of life in psoriasis patients. We also revealed the different gut microbiome composition as well as the gut microbial signatures in the patients who responded to probiotics. These findings could provide insight into the use of probiotics in the management of psoriasis symptoms.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of the human small intestinal microbiome and its response to a synbiotic

Although fecal microbiota composition is considered to preserve relevant and representative information for distal colonic content, it is evident that it does not represent microbial communities inhabiting the small intestine. Nevertheless, studies investigating the human small intestinal microbiome and its response to dietary intervention are still scarce. The current study investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of the small intestinal microbiome within a day and over 20 days, as well as its responses to a 14-day synbiotic or placebo control supplementation in 20 healthy subjects. Microbial composition and metabolome of luminal content of duodenum, jejunum, proximal ileum and feces differed significantly from each other. Additionally, differences in microbiota composition along the small intestine were most pronounced in the morning after overnight fasting, whereas differences in composition were not always measurable around noon or in the afternoon. Although overall small intestinal microbiota composition did not change significantly within 1 day and during 20 days, remarkable, individual-specific temporal dynamics were observed in individual subjects. In response to the synbiotic supplementation, only the microbial diversity in jejunum changed significantly. Increased metabolic activity of probiotic strains during intestinal passage, as assessed by metatranscriptome analysis, was not observed. Nevertheless, synbiotic supplementation led to a short-term spike in the relative abundance of genera included in the product in the small intestine approximately 2 hours post-ingestion. Collectively, small intestinal microbiota are highly dynamic. Ingested probiotic bacteria could lead to a transient spike in the relative abundance of corresponding genera and ASVs, suggesting their passage through the entire gastrointestinal tract. This study was registered to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02018900.

A tailored series of engineered yeasts for the cell-dependent treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by rational butyrate supplementation

Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disruption are considered essential characteristics in inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). Reasonable butyrate supplementation can help patients regulate intestinal flora structure and promote mucosal repair. Here, to restore microbiota homeostasis and butyrate levels in the patient's intestines, we modified the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce butyrate. We precisely regulated the relevant metabolic pathways to enable the yeast to produce sufficient butyrate in the intestine with uneven oxygen distribution. A series of engineered strains with different butyrate synthesis abilities was constructed to meet the needs of different patients, and the strongest can reach 1.8 g/L title of butyrate. Next, this series of strains was used to co-cultivate with gut microbiota collected from patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. After receiving treatment with engineered strains, the gut microbiota and the butyrate content have been regulated to varying degrees depending on the synthetic ability of the strain. The abundance of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increased, while the abundance of harmful bacteria like Candidatus Bacilloplasma decreased. Meanwhile, the series of butyrate-producing yeast significantly improved trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in mice by restoring butyrate content. Among the series of engineered yeasts, the strain with the second-highest butyrate synthesis ability showed the most significant regulatory and the best therapeutic effect on the gut microbiota from IBD patients and the colitis mouse model. This study confirmed the existence of a therapeutic window for IBD treatment by supplementing butyrate, and it is necessary to restore butyrate levels according to the actual situation of patients to restore intestinal flora.

Integrated multi-omics reveals the roles of cecal microbiota and its derived bacterial consortium in promoting chicken growth

IMPORTANCE

The improvement of chicken growth performance is one of the major concerns for the poultry industry. Gut microbes are increasingly evidenced to be associated with chicken physiology and metabolism, thereby influencing chicken growth and development. Here, through integrated multi-omics analyses, we showed that chickens from the same line differing in their body weight were very different in their gut microbiota structure and host-microbiota crosstalk; microbes in high body weight (HBW) chickens contributed to chicken growth by regulating the gut function and homeostasis. We also verified that a specific bacterial consortium consisting of isolates from the HBW chickens has the potential to be used as chicken growth promoters. These findings provide new insights into the potential links between gut microbiota and chicken phenotypes, shedding light on future manipulation of chicken gut microbiota to improve chicken growth performance.

Reviewing the potential of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: advancements in treatment of ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis (UC) are multifactorial pathologies caused by environmental factors and genetic background. UC is a chronic inflammatory disorder that specifically targets the colon, resulting in inflammation. Various chemical interventions, including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biological therapies, have been extensively employed for the purpose of managing symptoms associated with UC. Nevertheless, it is important to note that these therapeutic interventions may give rise to undesirable consequences, including, but not limited to, the potential for weight gain, fluid retention, and heightened vulnerability to infections. Emerging therapeutic approaches for UC are costly due to their chronic nature. Alternatives like synbiotic therapy, combining prebiotics and probiotics, have gained attention for mitigating dysbiosis in UC patients. Prebiotics promote beneficial bacteria proliferation, while probiotics establish a balanced gut microbiota and regulate immune system functionality. The utilisation of synbiotics has been shown to improve the inflammatory response and promote the resolution of symptoms in individuals with UC through the stimulation of beneficial bacteria growth and the enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity. Hence, this review article aims to explore the potential benefits and underlying reasons for incorporating alternative approaches in the management of UC with studies performed using prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics to treat ulcerative colitis and to highlight safety and considerations in UC and future perspectives. This will facilitate the utilisation of novel treatment strategies for the safer and more efficacious management of patients with UC.

Fermented cereal-origin gerobiotic cocktails promote healthy longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

There is growing interest in dietary interventions, particularly gerobiotics, that directly target aging. Several single-strain gerobiotics have proven to be beneficial in alleviating aging and age-related functional declines across species, but multistrain/multispecies gerobiotics have been proven even more advantageous due to the potential synergy and additive effects among individual isolates. However, there is very limited research on how multistrain/multispecies gerobiotic combinations or cocktails extend healthy longevity. This study comprehensively analyzed probiotic bacteria from traditionally fermented Barnyard millet and compared their efficacy in promoting healthy longevity under various combinations using Caenorhabditis elegans. We have shown that dramatic lifespan extension can be achieved by combining gerobiotics, and the effect was found to be strictly strain-specific. Among the 120 combinations tested, we identified two synergistic gerobiotic combinations, cocktail 55 (combination of B. licheniformis PS70, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus PS77, and L. amylovorus PS60) and cocktail 112 (combination of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus PS77, L. lactis PS10, and P. pentosaceus PS91), extending the mean lifespan of C. elegans by up to 46.2% and 53.1%, respectively. Our mechanistic study showed that the life-promoting effect of cocktail 55 relied on the p38 MAPK-SKN-1 pathway, while cocktail 112 acted on multiple signaling pathways, including IIS, β-catenin, and TGF-β pathways, to achieve its impact on the host. Moreover, feeding gerobiotic cocktails improved several healthspan markers reported to decline with age. These observations showed that the gerobiotic cocktails target different subsets of the gene regulatory network controlling the aging process in C. elegans, thereby extending healthy longevity.

In Vitro Evaluation of Probiotic Properties of Two Novel Probiotic Mixtures, Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome

Changes in the gut microbiome cause recolonization by pathogens and inflammatory responses, leading to the development of intestinal disorders. Probiotics administration has been proposed for many years to reverse the intestinal dysbiosis and to enhance intestinal health. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of two newly designed probiotic mixtures, Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome, on two enteric pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli that may cause intestinal disorders. Additionally, the study was designed to evaluate whether Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome could modulate the immune response, produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and reduce gas production. Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome showed superior adhesion ratios to HT-29 cells and competitively suppressed pathogen adhesion. Moreover, the probiotic mixtures decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β. Cell-free supernatants (CFSs) were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of metabolites on growth and biofilms of pathogens. Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome CFSs exhibited antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity, where microscopic analysis confirmed an increase in the number of dead cells and the structural disruption of pathogens. Gas chromatographic analysis of the CFSs revealed their ability to produce SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. SCFA secretion by probiotics may demonstrate their potential activities against pathogens and gut inflammation. In terms of intestinal symptoms regarding abdominal bloating and discomfort, Consti-Biome and Sensi-Biome also inhibited gas production. Thus, these two probiotic mixtures have great potential to be developed as dietary supplements to alleviate the intestinal disorders.

Probiotics alleviate constipation and inflammation in late gestating and lactating sows

Constipation and systemic inflammation are common in late pregnant and lactating sows, which cause health problems like uteritis, mastitis, dystocia, or even stillbirth, further influencing piglets' survival and growth. Probiotic supplementation can improve such issues, but the beneficial mechanism of relieving constipation and enhancing gut motility remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of probiotic supplementation in drinking water to late pregnant sows on constipation, inflammation, and piglets' growth performance. Seventy-four sows were randomly allocated to probiotic (n = 36) and control (n = 38) groups. Probiotic treatment significantly relieved sow constipation, enhanced serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels while reducing serum IL-1β, IL-12p40, and TNF-α levels, and increased piglet daily gain and weaning weight. Furthermore, probiotic administration reshaped the sow gut bacteriome and phageome structure/diversity, accompanied by increases in some potentially beneficial bacteria. At 113 days of gestation, the probiotic group was enriched in several gut microbial bioactive metabolites, multiple carbohydrate-active enzymes that degrade pectin and starch, fecal butyrate and acetate, and some serum metabolites involved in vitamin and amino acid metabolism. Our integrated correlation network analysis revealed that the alleviation of constipation and inflammation was associated with changes in the sow gut bacteriome, phageome, bioactive metabolic potential, and metabolism.

Screening of Potential Probiotic Lactobacillaceae and Their Improvement of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Promoting PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in db/db Mice

The study aimed to isolate Lactobacillaceae strains with in vitro hypoglycemic activity and probiotic properties and to determine their antidiabetic abilities in vivo. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, Limosilactobacillus fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 with high in vitro hypoglycemic activity were screened from 23 strains of Lactobacillaceae isolated from human feces and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the mice was recorded weekly. After 12 weeks, liver, kidney, and pancreas tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to observe histomorphology; the inflammatory factors were assayed by Quantitative Real-time PCR; PI3K and AKT were measured by Western blot; the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by LC-MS/MS. Inhibitory activities of L. plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, L. fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 against α-amylase were 62.29 ± 0.44%, 51.81 ± 3.65%, 58.40 ± 1.68%, and 57.48 ± 5.04%, respectively. Their inhibitory activities to α-glucosidase were 14.89 ± 0.38%, 15.32 ± 0.89%, 52.63 ± 3.07%, and 51.79 ± 1.13%, respectively. Their survival rate after simulated gastrointestinal test were 12.42 ± 2.84%, 9.10 ± 1.12%, 5.86 ± 0.52%, and 8.82 ± 2.50% and their adhesion rates to Caco-2 cell were 6.09 ± 0.39%, 6.37 ± 0.28%, 6.94 ± 0.27%, and 6.91 ± 0.11%, respectively. The orthogonal tests of bacterial powders of the four strains showed that the maximum inhibitory activities to α-amylase and α-glucosidase were 93.18 ± 1.19% and 75.33 ± 2.89%, respectively. The results showed that the mixture of Lactobacillaceae could lower FBG, reduce inflammation, and liver, kidney, and pancreas damage, promote PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and increase the content of SCFAs. The combination of L. plantarum 22, L. plantarum 25, L. fermentum 11, and L. fermentum 305 can potentially improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Probiotic supplements are effective in people with cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

CONTEXT

Cognitive function is a significant concern among the elderly and has a major negative effect on their quality of life. Probiotics have a positive effect on improving cognition, but the exact nature of the association between probiotic supplements and cognitive function is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate how probiotic supplements improve cognitive function.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was conducted of the PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for all relevant studies published in English, with no date restrictions.

DATA EXTRACTION

The estimated, pooled results were analyzed with a standardized mean difference (SMD) and a corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Publication bias was analyzed by the Egger's and Begg's tests. Funnel plots were also constructed to assess the probability of publication bias. The robustness of the results was tested using the method of sequential removal and cumulation of each trial.

DATA ANALYSIS

Overall, the pooled SMD showed significant differences between the probiotic and placebo groups (SMD = 0.64; 95%CI, 0.15-1.12), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 92%). Subgroup analyses showed a significant effect of probiotics on cognition in the studies involving populations with Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment (SMD = 1.34; 95%CI, 0.51-2.16; P < 0.01). In addition, subgroup analysis showed that single probiotic strains, receiving probiotic supplements over 12 weeks, and doses >1 × 109 CFU/g were more beneficial for improving cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

According to this meta-analysis, probiotic supplementation had a highly significant effect on cognitive function in people with cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. For people without cognitive impairment, probiotic supplementation may be ineffective.

Clinical efficacy of probiotics in prevention of infectious diseases among hospitalized patients in ICU and non-ICU wards in clinical randomized trials: A systematic review

Background and Aims

The present study aimed to review probiotics' clinical efficacy in preventing infectious diseases among hospitalized patients in ICU and non-ICU wards.

Methods

A search of Medline, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Open Grey, and Google Scholar was conducted for eligible publications from 2002 to 2020 following the requirements outlined in the PRISMA guideline. The search strategy was based on the combination of the following terms: "probiotics," "prebiotics," "synbiotics," and "cross-infection." The logical operators "AND" (or the equivalent operator for the databases) and "OR" (e.g., probiotics OR prebiotics OR synbiotics) were used.

Results

The results indicated that the probiotic consumption caused a significant reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in 2/8 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating AAD/CDI. Also, 5/12 clinical trials highlighted the considerable effects of probiotics on the reduction or prevention of ventilator associated pneumoniae (VAP), so the mean prevalence of VAP was lower in the probiotic group than in the placebo group. The total rate of nosocomial infections among preterm infants was nonsignificantly higher in the probiotic group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

This systematic review shows that the administration of probiotics has moderate preventive or mitigating effects on the occurrence of VAP in ICU patients, CDI, AAD, and nosocomial infections among children. Consequently, applying antibiotics along with the proper probiotic species can be advantageous.

Influence of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance, plasma variables, and ruminal bacterial community of growth-retarded lamb

Introduction

Growth-retarded lambs would reduce the economic incomes of sheep farming. Nutritional interventions are supposed to promote gastrointestinal health and the compensatory growth of growth-retarded lambs. This study evaluated the effects of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance, plasma characteristics and ruminal bacterial community of growth-retarded lambs.

Methods

Twenty-four 50-days old male Hu lambs, including 8 healthy lambs (13.2 ± 1.17 kg) and 16 growth-retarded lambs (9.46 ± 0.81 kg), were used in this study. The 8 healthy lambs were fed the basal diet and considered the positive control (GN), and the other 16 growth-retarded lambs were randomly assigned into 2 groups (basal diet without probiotic [negative control, GR] and basal diet supplementation with 1 g/kg concentrate feed probiotic [GRP]), with each group having 4 replicate pens. The feeding trial lasted for 60 days with 7 days for adaptation.

Results

The results showed that dietary supplementation with probiotic increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain and dry matter intake of growth-retarded lambs. For growth-retarded lambs, supplementation with probiotic increased (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the concentrations of growth hormone and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, the highest (p < 0.05) concentrations of interleukin-6, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha were observed in the GR group. The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetate in growth-retarded lambs were increased by probiotic supplementation (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Ruminococcus, Succiniclasticum and Acidaminococcus were lower (p < 0.05) in growth-retarded lambs. However, probiotic supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundances of these three genera.

Discussion

These results indicate that dietary supplementation with probiotic are promising strategies for improving the growth performance of growth-retarded lambs by enhancing immunity and altering the ruminal microbiota.

Alginate Nanoencapsulated Synbiotic Composite of Pomegranate Peel Phytogenics and Multi-Probiotic Species as a Potential Feed Additive: Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities

A synbiotic composed of alginate nanoencapsulated prebiotic (pomegranate peel phytogenics) and multi-species probiotics (Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been developed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics. The physicochemical properties of the encapsulated synbiotic were evaluated, and its gastric and storage tolerance, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, were tested and compared to that of the non-encapsulated synbiotic (free synbiotic). The results showed that the prebiotic pomegranate peel ethanolic extract contained seven phenolic compounds, with cinnamic being the most abundant (13.26 µL/mL). Sodium alginate-CaCl2 nanocapsules were effective in encapsulating 84.06 ± 1.5% of the prebiotic's phenolic compounds and 98.85 ± 0.57% of the probiotics. The particle size of the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic was 544.5 nm, and the polydispersity index and zeta potential values were 0.593 and -12.3 mV, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic had high thermal stability at high temperatures, with only 2.31% of its weight being lost within the temperature range of 70-100 °C. The count of viable probiotics in the nanoencapsulated synbiotic was significantly higher than that in the free synbiotic after exposure to gastric acidity and storage for six months at room temperature. The percent inhibition values of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid (as a standard antioxidant) were comparable and significantly greater than those of the free synbiotic. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid were significantly lower than those of the free synbiotic (3.96 ± 0.42 µg/mL and 4.08 ± 0.79 µg/mL for nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid, respectively, vs. 65.75 ± 2.14 µg/mL for free synbiotic). The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed the highest significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). Both the nanoencapsulated and free synbiotics showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), similar to that of gentamicin, although the nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed significantly higher inhibition activity compared to the free synbiotic. The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed antimicrobial activity comparable to gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 90274), whereas the free synbiotic showed the least antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05). Both synbiotics showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) than gentamicin. Both synbiotics showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, with a stronger effect observed for the nanoencapsulated synbiotic. However, the activity of both synbiotics was significantly lower than that of fluconazole (an antifungal drug).

The Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Glucolipid Metabolism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a persistent metabolic condition with an unknown pathophysiology. Moreover, T2DM remains a serious health risk despite advances in medication and preventive care. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have provided evidence that probiotics may have positive effects on glucolipid metabolism. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of RCTs to measure the effect of probiotic therapy on glucolipid metabolism in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

With no constraints on the language used in the literature, Excerpta Medica Database, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science were searched for pertinent RCTs published between the date of creation and 18 August 2022. Stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied by two reviewers to independently examine the literature. The risk of bias associated with the inclusion of the original studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and Stata 15.0 was used to perform the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven publications containing a total of 2502 research participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that after a probiotic intervention, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in body mass index (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.76, -0.08]), fasting glucose concentration (SMD = -0.73, 95% CI [-0.97, -0.48]), fasting insulin concentration (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI [-0.99, -0.36]), glycated haemoglobin concentration (SMD = -0.55, 95% CI [-0.75, -0.35]), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance score (SMD = -0.88, 95% CI [-1.17, -0.59]), triglyceride concentration (SMD = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.43, -0.17]), total cholesterol concentration (SMD = -0.27, 95% CI [-0.43, -0.11]), and low-density lipoprotein concentration (SMD = -0.20, 95% CI [-0.37, -0.04]), and an increase in high-density lipoprotein concentration (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI [0.08, 0.54]). Moreover, subgroup analyses showed that patients with a longer intervention time, or those who were treated with multiple strains of probiotics, may benefit more than those with a shorter intervention time or those who were treated with a single probiotic strain, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Probiotic supplementation improves glucolipid metabolism in patients with T2DM, offering an alternative approach for the treatment of these patients.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and mechanism of action of the Chang-Kang-Fang formula combined with bifid triple viable capsules on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Introduction

The Chang-Kang-Fang (CKF) formula, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, can decrease serotonin (5-HT) levels and treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics have a better synergistic effect on diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) when combined with 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists. The present study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and the mechanisms of action of the CKF formula combined with bifid triple viable capsules (PFK) against IBS-D.

Methods

The rat models of IBS-D were induced by gavage with senna decoction plus restraint stress. The CKF formula, PFK and their combination were administered to the rats. Their effects were evaluated based on general condition of the rats and the AWR score. The levels of 5-HT and fos protein in the colon and hippocampus were measured by immunohistochemistry. The levels of SP and VIP, as well as ZO-1 and occludin in the colon, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry. The intestinal microbiota in faeces was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing.

Results

The results showed that the oral CKF formula combined with PFK (CKF + PFK) could significantly relieve the symptoms of IBS-D, including elevating the weight rate and decreasing the AWR score. Compared with the MC group, administration of CKF + PFK significantly reduced the expression of fos in the colon and hippocampus and that of 5-HT, SP and VIP in the colon and increased the levels of 5-HT in the hippocampus and ZO-1 and occludin in the colon. The above indexes exhibited statistical significance in the CKF + PFK group relative to those in the other groups. Moreover, treatment with CKF + PFK improved the diversity of intestinal microbiota and the abundance of Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae but decreased those of Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae.

Conclusions

The CKF formula combined with PFK may have a synergistic effect on IBS-D by slowing gastrointestinal motility, lowering visceral hypersensitivity, enhancing the intestinal barrier function and modulating the composition of intestinal microbiota.

Deconstruction of a multi-strain Bacillus-based probiotic used for poultry: an in vitro assessment of its individual components against C. perfringens

OBJECTIVE

Probiotics have been used in poultry production to improve the performance and health of chickens raised without antibiotics. The combination of different probiotic strains has been used with the hope of conferring multiple benefits to the host. However, the inclusion of several strains does not necessarily boost benefits. There is a lack of studies that compare the efficacy of multi-strain probiotics to their individual components. In this study, the effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic product mix containing B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus, and B. subtilis against Clostridium perfringens were tested in vitro using a co-culture method. The individual strains and different combinations of the strains used in the product were also tested against C. perfringens.

RESULTS

The probiotic product mix tested in this study did not show effects against C. perfringens (P = 0.499). When tested individually, the strain of B. subtilis was the most efficient strain to decrease C. perfringens concentrations (P ≤ 0.01), and the addition of other Bacillus species strains significantly decreased its efficacy against C. perfringens. We concluded that the probiotic mix of Bacillus strains used in this study (B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus and B subtilis) was not effective in decreasing C. perfringens concentrations in vitro. However, when deconstructing the probiotic, the strain of B. subtilis alone or combined with the strain of B. licheniformis were effective against C. perfringens. This suggests that the anticlostridial properties of the particular strains of Bacillus used in this study were negatively affected when combined with other Bacillus spp. strains.

Harnessing the potential of probiotics in the treatment of alcoholic liver disorders

In the current scenario, prolonged consumption of alcohol across the globe is upsurging an appreciable number of patients with the risk of alcohol-associated liver diseases. According to the recent report, the gut-liver axis is crucial in the progression of alcohol-induced liver diseases, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite several factors associated with alcoholic liver diseases, the complexity of the gut microflora and its great interaction with the liver have become a fascinating area for researchers due to the high exposure of the liver to free radicals, bacterial endotoxins, lipopolysaccharides, inflammatory markers, etc. Undoubtedly, alcohol-induced gut microbiota imbalance stimulates dysbiosis, disrupts the intestinal barrier function, and trigger immune as well as inflammatory responses which further aggravate hepatic injury. Since currently available drugs to mitigate liver disorders have significant side effects, hence, probiotics have been widely researched to alleviate alcohol-associated liver diseases and to improve liver health. A broad range of probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli, Sacchromyces, and Lactococcus are used to reduce or halt the progression of alcohol-associated liver diseases. Several underlying mechanisms, including alteration of the gut microbiome, modulation of intestinal barrier function and immune response, reduction in the level of endotoxins, and bacterial translocation, have been implicated through which probiotics can effectively suppress the occurrence of alcohol-induced liver disorders. This review addresses the therapeutic applications of probiotics in the treatment of alcohol-associated liver diseases. Novel insights into the mechanisms by which probiotics prevent alcohol-associated liver diseases have also been elaborated.

The Role of the Microbiome in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Asthma

The role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis and treatment of asthma is significant. The purpose of this article is to show the interplay between asthma and the microbiome, and main areas that require further research are also highlighted. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. After a screening process of studies published before May 2023, a total of 128 articles were selected in our paper. The pre-treatment bronchial microbiome in asthmatic patients plays a role in their responsiveness to treatment. Gut microbiota and its dysbiosis can contribute to immune system modulation and the development of asthma. The association between the microbiome and asthma is complex. Further research is necessary to clarify which factors might moderate that relationship. An appropriate gut microbiome and its intestinal metabolites are a protective factor for asthma development. Prebiotics and certain dietary strategies may have a prophylactic or therapeutic effect, but more research is needed to establish final conclusions. Although the evidence regarding probiotics is ambiguous, and most meta-analyses do not support the use of probiotic intake to reduce asthma, several of the most recent studies have provided promising effects. Further studies should focus on the investigation of specific strains and the examination of their mechanistic and genetic aspects.

Effects of cold storage time on the quality and active probiotics of yogurt fermented by Bifidobacterium lactis and commercial bacteria Danisco

In this study, the commercial bacteria Danisco and Bifidobacterium lactis were used to ferment soy yogurt, and then the quality of yogurt and the number of active probiotics in yogurt during storage were investigated. The results showed that the total number of viable bacteria in soy yogurt increased first and then decreased, but all of them met the standard for the number of viable bacteria in probiotic foods. The content of protein, lipid, and total sugar in soy yogurt decreased gradually with the extension of storage time. The texture, water holding capacity, and rheological properties of soy yogurt were improved within 0-10 days, and there was no significant change after 15 days. However, brightness and whiteness of yogurt were significantly reduced. Based on realizing the reuse of soy whey, this study provided a theoretical basis for the research of the shelf life of soy yogurt. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study developed a soy yogurt with good quality and provided a theoretical basis for the study of the shelf life of soy yogurt. In addition, some technical support was provided for the reuse of soy whey.

Comparative effectiveness of different probiotics supplements for triple helicobacter pylori eradication: a network meta-analysis

Background

Probiotics has been reported as an effective supplement for Helicobacter pylori eradication. However, knowledge of their comparative efficacy is still lacking.

Aim

In this study, we used network meta-analysis of current probiotics supplement used in standard triple therapy to assess and rank their comparative effectiveness.

Methods

All randomized controlled trials from three main databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) up to April 2022 were collected and filtered to meet our criterion. We used Bayesian network meta-analysis to evaluate the eligible randomized controlled trials and gave a rank for the efficiency and incidence of side effects of each probiotics supplement. The ranking probability for each therapy was assessed by means of surfaces under cumulative ranking values. Subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate other possible influencing factors.

Results

34 eligible randomized controlled trials entered the following meta-analysis, including 9,004 patients randomized to 10 kinds of therapies. Result showed that most probiotics added therapies had better outcomes than triple therapy, among which Bifidobacterium-Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces adjuvant therapy could obtain comprehensive benefit with high eradication rate (78.3% and 88.2% respectively), and cause few side effects. Combination of different probiotics, adding probiotics before or after triple therapy and longer duration of probiotics can improve therapeutic effect in H.pylori infected individuals.

Conclusion

For triple therapy of H.pylori infection, adding probiotics can increase eradication rate and bring protective effect. Considering the overall influence, Bifidobacterium-Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces therapy can be a better choice in improving H.pylori eradication process.

Effects of probiotic supplementation with weight reducing intervention on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

One of the unfortunate events after bariatric surgery is the weight regain, which occurs in some patients. Food addiction is an eating disorder related to the brain-intestinal axis and can be effective in weight regain after bariatric surgery. In addition, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in eating behaviors, including food addiction. So, this study will aim to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation with a weight-reducing diet and cognitive behavioral therapy on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels, leptin, oxytocin, and serotonin, in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

We will carry out a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial for 12 weeks to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation with a weight-reducing diet and cognitive behavioral therapy on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels including leptin, oxytocin, and serotonin, in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery.

DISCUSSION

Based on the available evidence, probiotic supplementation by modifying the intestinal microbiome can improve food addiction and subsequent weight loss.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20220406054437N1 Registered on 2022-06-01.

The effects of probiotics on VCAM-1 and ICAM-1: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

We performed the present systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of probiotics on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels in adults.

METHODS

A systematic search current to April 2022 was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database using relevant keywords to detect eligible articles. A random-effects model was used to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

Six eligible trials were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in VCAM-1 from baseline to post-probiotic course with standardized mean difference [SMD: -0.66 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.09, -0.23 ng/ml; P = 0.003]. The effects of probiotic intake on VCAM-1 were more pronounced when it was received via supplements [SMD: -0.61 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.08, -0.14 ng/ml; P = 0.010], for 12 weeks [SMD: -0.60 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.09, -0.12 ng/ml; P = 0.014] and when it was prescribed for individuals with metabolic syndrome [SMD: -0.79 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.40, -0.19 ng/ml; P = 0.010]. Moreover, VCAM-1 levels were decreased in the subgroup of multispecies probiotic regiments [SMD: -0.71 ng/ml; 95% CI: -1.38, -0.04 ng/ml; P = 0.039].

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates potential beneficial effects of probiotics on VCAM-1 in adults. However, more larger-scale, long-time RCTs are needed to confirm the accurate effect of probiotics on endothelial dysfunction biomarkers.

Multi-Species Probiotic Strain Mixture Enhances Intestinal Barrier Function by Regulating Inflammation and Tight Junctions in Lipopolysaccharides Stimulated Caco-2 Cells

Although leaky gut syndrome is not recognized as an official diagnosis for human diseases, it is now believed that dysfunction of the cell barrier causes increased permeability of intestinal epithelial cells leading to this condition. Probiotics have been widely used to improve gut health, and studies have investigated the relevance of protecting the intestinal barrier by taking probiotic strains in vitro and in vivo. However, most studies have restricted the use of single or several probiotic strains and do not consider commercially available probiotic products composed of multi-species. In this study, we provide experimental evidence that a multi-species probiotic mixture composed of eight different strains and a heat-treated probiotic strain is effective in preventing leaky gut conditions. We employed an in vitro co-culture model system utilizing two different differentiated cell lines to mimic human intestinal tissue. The integrity of epithelial barrier function was protected by the preserving the occludin protein level and activating the AMPK signaling pathway, associated with tight junctions (TJs), through treatment with the probiotic strain mixture in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, we confirmed that application of the multi-species probiotic mixture reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes by inhibiting NFκB signaling pathway when artificial inflammation was induced in an in vitro co-culture model system. Finally, we proved that the epithelial permeability measured by trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was significantly decreased in the probiotic mixture treated cells, indicating that the integrity of the epithelial barrier function was not compromised. The multi-species probiotic strain mixture exhibited the protective effect on the integrity of intestinal barrier function via enhancing TJ complexes and reducing inflammatory responses in the human intestinal cells.

Update on the Effect of the Urinary Microbiome on Urolithiasis

Microbiota are ecological communities of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms. The microbiome could be involved in kidney stone formation through hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate supersaturation, biofilm formation and aggregation, and urothelial injury. Bacteria bind to calcium oxalate crystals, which causes pyelonephritis and leads to changes in nephrons to form Randall's plaque. The urinary tract microbiome, but not the gut microbiome, can be distinguished between cohorts with urinary stone disease (USD) and those without a history of the disease. In the urine microbiome, the role is known of urease-producing bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia stuartii, Serratia marcescens, and Morganella morganii) in stone formation. Calcium oxalate crystals were generated in the presence of two uropathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae). Non-uropathogenic bacteria (S. aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) exhibit calcium oxalate lithogenic effects. The taxa Lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae best distinguished the healthy cohort from the USD cohort, respectively. Standardization is needed in urine microbiome research for urolithiasis. Inadequate standardization and design of urinary microbiome research on urolithiasis have hampered the generalizability of results and diminished their impact on clinical practice.

The Use of Probiotics during Rearing of Hermetia illucens: Potential, Caveats, and Knowledge Gaps

Given the novelty of the industrial production of the edible insects sector, research has primarily focused on the zootechnical performances of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in response to different substrates and rearing conditions as a basis to optimize yield and quality. However recently, research has started to focus more on the associated microbes in the larval digestive system and their substrates and the effect of manipulating the composition of these communities on insect performance as a form of microbiome engineering. Here we present an overview of the existing literature on the use of microorganisms during rearing of the BSFL to optimize the productivity of this insect. These studies have had variable outcomes and potential explanations for this variation are offered to inspire future research that might lead to a better success rate for microbiome engineering in BSFL.

Complex probiotics alleviate ampicillin-induced antibiotic-associated diarrhea in mice

Aim

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common side effect during antibiotic treatment, which can cause dysbacteriosis of the gut microbiota. Previous studies have shown beneficial effects in AAD treatment with Bifidobacterium lactis XLTG11, Lactobacillus casei Zhang, Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8661, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9. However, no studies have been conducted on the immunomodulatory effects and protective intestinal barrier function of four complex probiotics. The aim of our study is to investigate the alleviation effects of complex probiotics on ampicillin-induced AAD.

Methods

Thirty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group (NC), model control group (MC), low-, medium-, and high-dose probiotics groups (LD, MD, and HD), and positive drug (Bifico, 1 × 10⁷ cfu) control group (PDC; Bifico, also known as Bifidobacterium Triple Live Capsule, is composed of Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus faecalis). An AAD model was established by intragastric administration of ampicillin, by gavage of different doses of complex probiotics and Bifico. The weight gain, fecal water content, loose stool grade, intestinal permeability, total protein and albumin levels, intestinal barrier, cytokine levels, and gut microbiota were determined.

Results

The results showed that complex probiotics significantly decreased the fecal water content, loose stool grade, intestinal permeability, and ileum tissue damage. Their application increased the weight gain, SIgA, TP, and ALB levels. Additionally, complex probiotics significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased those of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and MUC2 were significantly upregulated in the probiotic-treated group. Furthermore, the complex probiotics increased the gut microbiota diversity and modulated the changes in the gut microbiota composition caused by ampicillin. At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria in the HD group was lower than that in the MC group, whereas that of Bacteroidetes was higher. At the genus level, the abundances of Klebsiella and Parabacteroides in the HD group were lower, whereas those of Bacteroides, Muribaculaceae, and Lactobacillus were higher than those in the MC group. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis also found that several specific gut microbiota were significantly correlated with AAD-related indicators.

Conclusion

We found that complex probiotics improved the diarrhea-related indexes, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, increased the expression levels of intestinal protective barrier-related genes, preserved the intestinal barrier function, and relieved inflammation and intestinal injury, thereby effectively improving AAD-associated symptoms. Graphical Abstract.

Three-stage fermentation of the feed and the application on weaned piglets

Numerous studies have demonstrated that soybean meal (SBM) contains high levels of anti-nutritional factors, which interrupt gastrointestinal homeostasis or metabolism normally of the weaned piglets. Here, the mixed probiotics, including Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis, CGMCC 8147), Saccharomyces cerevisiae H11 (S. cerevisiae H11) and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei, CGMCC 8149) were applied to the three-stage fermentation of functional feed. Our research investigated the optimum ratio of inoculation, optimal time of inoculation, combination of substrates, and nutritional value of the fermented feed. The optimal microbial combination was B. licheniformis: S. cerevisiae: L. casei = 2:2:1, inoculating at 0, 12 and 24 h, respectively. The results revealed that crude protein and acid-soluble protein were remarkably improved and had lower pH. Trypsin inhibitor, glycine and β-glycine were reduced by 79.86, 77.18, and 69.29%, respectively. Moreover, animal trials further evaluated the growth-promoting effects of the fermented feed. It was noted that the average daily gain of weaned piglets was significantly higher, and the ratio of feed with weight, diarrhea incidence and mortality were lower significantly. The concentrations of serum immunoglobulin G(IgG), IgA, IgM, Complement C3 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and lysozyme activity were all increased. The relative abundance of fecal microbiota improved, especially lactobacillus, which increased the abundance of fecal dominant probiotics. Overall, the fermented feed may be conducive to the growth and health of weaned piglets by improving nutritional value, immunity properties, relative abundance of fecal microflora, and decreasing anti-nutritional factors of feed, thereby making them viable and usable feedstuffs for potential use in livestock industries.

Spraying compound probiotics improves growth performance and immunity and modulates gut microbiota and blood metabolites of suckling piglets

One factor that shapes the establishment of early neonatal intestinal microbiota is environmental microbial exposure, and probiotic application has been shown to promote health and growth of piglets. Thus, this study hypothesized that environmental probiotic application in early days of life would be beneficial to newborn piglets. This study aimed to investigate the effect of spraying a compound probiotic fermented liquid (CPFL) into the living environment of piglets on their early growth performance and immunity. This work included 68 piglets, which were randomized into probiotic and control groups. Blood and fecal samples were collected at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Spraying CPFL significantly reshaped the microbiota composition of the delivery room environment, increased piglets' daily weight gain and weaning weight (P<0.001), and modulated piglets' serum cytokine levels (increases in IgA, IgG, and IL-10; decrease in IFN-γ; P<0.05 in each case) in piglets. Additionally, spraying CPFL during early days of life modified piglets' gut microbiota structure and diversity, increased the abundance of some potentially beneficial bacteria (such as Bacteroides uniformis, Butyricimonas virosa, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens) and decreased the abundance of Escherichia coli (P<0.05). Interestingly, CPFL application also significantly enhanced the gut microbial bioactive potential and levels of several serum metabolites involved in the metabolism of vitamins (B2, B3, B6, and E), medium/long-chain fatty acids (caproic, tetradecanoic, and peptadecanoic acids), and dicarboxylic acids (azelaic and sebacic acids). Our study demonstrated that spraying CPFL significantly could improve piglets' growth performance and immunity, and the beneficial effects are associated with changes in the gut microbiota and host metabolism. Our study has provided novel data for future development of probiotic-based health-promoting strategies and expanded our knowledge of probiotic application in animal husbandry.

Biotherapeutic microbial supplementation for ameliorating fish health: developing trends in probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics use in finfish aquaculture

Nutrition demands in aquaculture can be realized through quality aquafeeds as compounded diets that contribute to the growth and health of aquaculture species. Functional additives in feed, notably probiotics, prebiotics, and their admixture synbiotics, have been recently recognized for their biotherapeutic role as immunostimulants capable of conferring disease resistance, stress tolerance, and gastrointestinal health; counteracting the negative effects of anti-nutrients, pathogenic prevalence, and antimicrobials in finfish aquaculture. Formulated diets based on probiotics, prebiotics, and as a supplemental combination for synbiotics can significantly influence fish gut microbiomes, establishing the modalities of microbial dynamics to maximize host-associated benefits. These microbial functional-feed supplements are acclaimed to be biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe for dietary consumption as well as the environment. In fed fish aquaculture, prebiotic appended probiotic diet 'synbiotic' has propounded larger attention for its additional health and nutritional benefits. Synbiotic, prebiotic, and probiotic usage as functional feeds for finfish aquaculture thus provides promising prospects. Developing trends in their intended application are reviewed here forth.

Oral Administration of Recombinant Lactoferrin-Expressing Probiotics Ameliorates Diet-Induced Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

We have recently developed probiotics that can express bovine, human, or porcine lactoferrin (LF), and the present study evaluated the effect of these probiotics in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Three kinds of probiotic supplements, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB), LAB/LF, and inactivated LAB/LF, were prepared. The LAB supplement was prepared from 10 viable LAB without recombinant LF-expression, the LAB/LF supplement was prepared from 10 viable probiotics expressing LF, and the inactivated LAB/LF supplement was prepared from 10 inactivated probiotics expressing LF. A model of obese/NAFLD mice induced by a high-fat diet was established, and the mice were randomly divided into four groups and fed with a placebo, LAB, LAB/LF, or inactivated LAB daily for four weeks via oral gavage. The body weight, food intake, organ weight, biochemistry, and hepatic histopathological alterations and severity scoring were measured. The results revealed that the obese mice fed with any one of the three probiotic mixtures prepared from recombinant probiotics for four weeks exhibited considerably improved hepatic steatosis. These findings confirmed the assumption that specific probiotic strains or LF supplements could help to control NAFLD, as suggested in previous reports. Our data also suggest that the probiotics and LFs in probiotic mixtures contribute differently to improving the efficacy against NAFLD, and the expressed LF content in probiotics may help to boost their efficacy in comparison with the original probiotic mixtures. Moreover, when these LF-expressing probiotics were further inactivated by sonication, they displayed better efficacies than the viable probiotics against NAFLD. This study has provided intriguing data supporting the potential of recombinant probiotics in improving hepatic steatosis.

Influence of direct-fed microbial blend and Ferula elaeochytris on in vitro rumen fermentation pattern and degradability during simulated ruminal acidosis

Introduction

The use of probiotics and phytobiotics has attracted interest because of their protective effect against acidosis. Ferula elaeochytris (FE) is considered a good source of bioactive compounds, mainly monoterpene α-pinene. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a direct-fed microbial blend (Pro) and FE on rumen fermentation parameters in vitro under normal and acidosis conditions.

Material and Methods

An in vitro experiment using the Hohenheimer Futterwerttest (HFT) gas production system was conducted. An acidosis challenge was made to compare the effectiveness of the probiotics blend and FE extract on ruminal pH regulation. To generate different ruminal fermentation parameters, the design of the trial considered the 2 additives (Pro and FE) × 6 incubation times (2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h) × 2 conditions (acidosis and normal) × 2 incubation runs for each feedstuff (barley, alfalfa and straw).

Results

An acidosis challenge was successfully induced. The Pro and FE additives had no impact on the observed rumen fermentation parameters such as volatile fatty acid concentration or ammonia (P = 0.001). The acidosis condition decreased total in vitro degradability (IVD) by 3.5% and 21.9% for barley and straw, respectively (P < 0.001). The additives had different significant effects on the IVD of nutrients during both normal and acidosis conditions. In alfalfa samples, FE supplementation significantly decreased the IVD of all observed nutrients under the ruminal acidosis condition, although it had no effect during the normal condition.

Conclusion

An acidosis challenge was successfully induced and the effect of additives was varied on fermentation parameters and rumen degradability of different feeds either under normal or acidosis conditions.

Review on Preventive Measures to Reduce Post-Weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets

In many countries, medical levels of zinc (typically as zinc oxide) are added to piglet diets in the first two weeks post-weaning to prevent the development of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). However, high levels of zinc constitute an environmental polluting agent, and may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria. Consequently, the EU banned administering medical levels of zinc in pig diets as of June 2022. However, this may result in an increased use of antibiotic therapeutics to combat PWD and thereby an increased risk of further AMR development. The search for alternative measures against PWD with a minimum use of antibiotics and in the absence of medical levels of zinc has therefore been intensified over recent years, and feed-related measures, including feed ingredients, feed additives, and feeding strategies, are being intensively investigated. Furthermore, management strategies have been developed and are undoubtedly relevant; however, these will not be addressed in this review. Here, feed measures (and vaccines) are addressed, these being probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, proteobiotics, plants and plant extracts (in particular essential oils and tannins), macroalgae (particularly macroalgae-derived polysaccharides), dietary fibre, antimicrobial peptides, specific amino acids, dietary fatty acids, milk replacers, milk components, creep feed, vaccines, bacteriophages, and single-domain antibodies (nanobodies). The list covers measures with a rather long history and others that require significant development before their eventual use can be extended. To assess the potential of feed-related measures in combating PWD, the literature reviewed here has focused on studies reporting parameters of PWD (i.e., faeces score and/or faeces dry matter content during the first two weeks post-weaning). Although the impact on PWD (or related parameters) of the investigated measures may often be inconsistent, many studies do report positive effects. However, several studies have shown that control pigs do not suffer from diarrhoea, making it difficult to evaluate the biological and practical relevance of these improvements. From the reviewed literature, it is not possible to rank the efficacy of the various measures, and the efficacy most probably depends on a range of factors related to animal genetics and health status, additive doses used, composition of the feed, etc. We conclude that a combination of various measures is probably most recommendable in most situations. However, in this respect, it should be considered that combining strategies may lead to additive (e.g., synbiotics), synergistic (e.g., plant materials), or antagonistic (e.g., algae compounds) effects, requiring detailed knowledge on the modes of action in order to design effective strategies.

The ameliorative role of specific probiotic combinations on bone loss in the ovariectomized rat model

Background

Osteoporosis, a skeletal disease described by impaired bone strength, cause an increased risk of fractures. We aimed in this study to clarify which particular wise combination of probiotics has the most beneficial effect in the rat model of osteoporosis.

Methods

Sixty-three mature female Sprague Dawley rats (12–14 weeks old, weight 200 ± 20 g) were ovariectomized and then divided into nine random groups, each group consisting of 7 rats. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from traditional fermented yogurt on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. Seven combinations of probiotics, each containing three probiotic strains, were designed and administered (1 × 10 9 CFU / ml/strain daily along with their water) to treat ovariectomized rats. The period from ovariectomy to eutanásia was 3 months. For evaluating femur, spine, and tibia, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC), Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were performed. Also, effect of probiotic combinations was assessed on biochemical markers including vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase in serum.

Results

Combination NO 4, containing L. acidophilus, B. longum, and L. reuteri, is the most influential group on global, spine, and femur BMD. Combination NO 3, containing L. acidophilus, L. casei, and L. reuteri, also significantly affects the BMD of the tibia among the treatment group. We found that the combination NO 4 had the most significant ameliorative effect on global BMC. Also, combination NO 1 (comprising L. acidophilus, L. casei, and B. longum), NO 6 (containing L. casei, B. longum, and Bacillus coagulans), NO 7 (containing L. casei, L. reuteri, and B. longum), and NO 4 had the most considerable raising effect on spine BMC. In addition, the serum calcium and Vitamin D concentration in the groups NO 4, 6, and 7 were significantly higher than in OVX groups, whereas the alkaline phosphatase concentration was considerably reduced in these groups.

Conclusion

Among nine effective probiotics, a combination containing L. acidophilus, B. longum, and L. reuteri is the most influential group in ovariectomized osteoporotic rat.

Role of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control: A critical umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

The evidence regarding the beneficial effects of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation have been revealed by several meta-analyses, however some of these studies have fielded inconsistent results and a conclusion has yet to be reached. Therefore, the aim of present umbrella meta-analyses was to assess relevant evidence and elucidate the efficacy of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control. A comprehensive search in four databases (Cochrane library, PubMed, Web of science and Scopus) was performed to collect relevant studies up to August 2022, the pooled effects were measured with the use of random/fix-effect model depends on the heterogeneity. A total of 47 eligible meta-analyses involving 47,720 participants were identified to evaluate the pooled effects. The overall results showed that probiotics/synbiotic supplementation delivered significant decreases in fast plasma glucose (ES = -0.408, 95% CI: -0.518, -0.298; P < 0.001; I2 = 82.996, P < 0.001), fast plasma insulin (ES = -1.165, 95% CI: -1.454, -0.876; P < 0.001; I2 = 89.629, P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (ES = -0.539, 95% CI: -0.624, -0.454; P < 0.001; I2 = 56.716, P < 0.001), and glycosylated hemoglobin (ES = -0.186, 95% CI: -0.270, -0.102; P < 0.001; I2 = 59.647, P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with impaired glucose homeostasis might benefit the most from probiotics/synbiotic supplementation. In conclusion, current umbrella meta-analysis strongly supporting the beneficial health effects of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control.

Choice Experiment Assessment of Consumer Preferences for Yogurt Products Attributes: Evidence from Taiwan

Previous studies on consumer yogurt preferences have mainly focused on added sugar, nutrient content, and health claims, leaving several knowledge gaps that should be filled through in-depth research. In this study, a more complete multi-attribute preference model was developed using the number of probiotic types, type of milk source, presence of edible gels (GEL), and usage of health food labels as the main yogurt attributes. A choice experiment (CE) was then conducted to investigate the relationship between multiple attribute preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP). A total of 435 valid questionnaires were collected by the convenience sampling method. The results show that (1) respondents highly value the health food label (HEA), followed by the number of probiotic types (PRO); (2) the highest WTP in the conditional logit (CL) model was New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) (USD 10.5 for HEA, and the lowest was NTD 1.0 for 100% milk powder (MLK2); (3) in the random-parameter logit (RPL) model, the highest WTP was NTD 14.6 for HEA, and the lowest was NTD 2.8 for GEL; (4) the most preferred attribute combination of yogurt was “8 or more probiotic types”, “a blend of raw milk and milk powder”, “the absence of edible gels”, “the presence of a health food label”, and “a price premium of NTD 6–10”; (5) married respondents with children were more willing to pay extra for yogurt products with a higher number of probiotic types and a health food label. The results may help the food industry understand and pay attention to consumer needs, which will, in turn, provide a reference for future product development and marketing strategies.

Probiotic Mechanisms Affecting Glucose Homeostasis: A Scoping Review

The maintenance of a healthy status depends on the coexistence between the host organism and the microbiota. Early studies have already focused on the nutritional properties of probiotics, which may also contribute to the structural changes in the gut microbiota, thereby affecting host metabolism and homeostasis. Maintaining homeostasis in the body is therefore crucial and is reflected at all levels, including that of glucose, a simple sugar molecule that is an essential fuel for normal cellular function. Despite numerous clinical studies that have shown the effect of various probiotics on glucose and its homeostasis, knowledge about the exact function of their mechanism is still scarce. The aim of our review was to select in vivo and in vitro studies in English published in the last eleven years dealing with the effects of probiotics on glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. In this context, diverse probiotic effects at different organ levels were highlighted, summarizing their potential mechanisms to influence glucose metabolism and its homeostasis. Variations in results due to different methodological approaches were discussed, as well as limitations, especially in in vivo studies. Further studies on the interactions between probiotics, host microorganisms and their immunity are needed.