Oligosaccharides isolated from goat milk reduce intestinal inflammation in a rat model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis

Impact of cow, buffalo, goat or camel milk consumption on oxidative stress, inflammation and immune response post weaning time

Milk is a whitish liquid that is secreted from mammary glands; and considered as the primary source of nutrition for newborns since they are not able to digest solid food. However, it contains primary nutrients, as well as growth and immune factors. Early weaning is a critical issue that face women and their babies in developing countries. To avoid infant malnutrition, they tend to use other milk types instead of baby formula. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of cow, buffalo, goat or camel milk consumption on oxidative stress, inflammation and immune response in male and female Sprague Dawley rats post weaning time. The amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins in the tested milk types were evaluated. Animals were divided into 5 groups (control, cow, buffalo, goat and camel milk administrated groups) (10 rats/group); each animal was administrated by 3.4 ml/day. Rats were administered with milk for 6 weeks; at the end of the 5th week, five animals of each group were isolated and the remaining five animals were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and kept for another week to mount immune response. The effect of different milk types on rats' immune response towards SRBCs was evaluated through pro-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, ESR and CRP measurement; together, with the histopathological examination of spleen samples and hemagglutination assay. Camel milk consumption reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in spleen that resulted from SRBCs immunization; in addition to, B cell stimulation that was apparent from the high level of anti-SRBCs antibodies. Camel milk is recommended for newborn consumption, due to its high-water content, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin C, as well as low lactose and fat content.

Milk: A Natural Guardian for the Gut Barrier

The gut barrier plays an important role in health maintenance by preventing the invasion of dietary pathogens and toxins. Disruption of the gut barrier can cause severe intestinal inflammation. As a natural source, milk is enriched with many active constituents that contribute to numerous beneficial functions, including immune regulation. These components collectively serve as a shield for the gut barrier, protecting against various threats such as biological, chemical, mechanical, and immunological threats. This comprehensive review delves into the active ingredients in milk, encompassing casein, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, the milk fat globular membrane, lactose, transforming growth factor, and glycopeptides. The primary focus is to elucidate their impact on the integrity and function of the gut barrier. Furthermore, the implications of different processing methods of dairy products on the gut barrier protection are discussed. In conclusion, this study aimed to underscore the vital role of milk and dairy products in sustaining gut barrier health, potentially contributing to broader perspectives in nutritional sciences and public health.

An Overview of the Influence of Breastfeeding on the Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The first 1000 days of life is a critical period that contributes significantly to the programming of an individual's future health. Among the many changes that occur during this period early in life, there is growing evidence that the establishment of healthy gut microbiota plays an important role in the prevention of both short- and long-term health problems. Numerous publications suggest that the quality of the gut microbiota colonisation depends on several dietary factors, including breastfeeding. In this respect, a relationship between breastfeeding and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been suggested. IBDs are chronic intestinal diseases, and perinatal factors may be partly responsible for their onset. We review the existence of links between breastfeeding and IBD based on experimental and clinical studies. Overall, despite encouraging experimental data in rodents, the association between breastfeeding and the development of IBD remains controversial in humans, partly due to the considerable heterogeneity between clinical studies. The duration of exclusive breastfeeding is probably decisive for its lasting effect on IBD. Thus, specific improvements in our knowledge could support dietary interventions targeting the gut microbiome, such as the early use of prebiotics, probiotics or postbiotics, in order to prevent the disease.

Isolation of a novel pentasaccharide Ebaliose from immunostimulant fraction of buffalo milk oligosaccharide

Buffalo milk processed by method of Kobata and Ginsburg for isolation of its oligosaccharide contents showed significant stimulation of anti-body, delayed type hypersensitivity response to sheep red blood cells in BALB/c mice. This oligosaccharide mixture also stimulated non-specific immune response in terms of MMI. In continuation to our previous studies of oligosaccharide contents of buffalo milk another novel pentasaccharide Ebaliose was isolated from immunostimulant oligosaccharide fraction of buffalo milk. Ebaliose was procured in its purest form, by combining the different chromatographic techniques like Gel filtration, Silica Gel column chromatography, and HPLC. The structure of novel oligosaccharide was determined by 1H,13C, HSQC, TOCSY, COSY, HMBC, ESI-MS, chemical transformation, and chemical degradation. The stereoscopic structure of this novel pentasaccharide was established as under.

Exploring the health benefits and functional properties of goat milk proteins

Goat milk proteins are unique in their nutritional and functional properties and have become increasingly popular in recent years. A variety of methods have been studied for extracting and isolating these proteins, with coprecipitation being a particularly effective approach. Compared to cow milk proteins, goat milk proteins contain higher levels of certain amino acids such as tryptophan and cysteine, while maintaining similar nutritional properties. Additionally, they have superior functional properties, including better emulsifying and foaming properties, which make them an attractive option for developing new food products. Research has shown that goat milk proteins have several health benefits, including immunomodulatory effects, allergy management, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, as well as antimicrobial and anticancer properties. They have the potential to be used as a treatment for autoimmune diseases, allergies, and other immune system disorders due to their ability to modulate the production of cytokines and other immune system components. Furthermore, their antimicrobial properties can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. Future research will focus on the potential of goat milk proteins as a functional food ingredient, their effects on gut health and microbiota, and their therapeutic potential for various health conditions. This research may lead to the development of new functional foods that promote health and prevent disease, and potentially pave the way for the use of goat milk proteins as a therapeutic agent for various health conditions.

Creation of a milk oligosaccharide database, MilkOligoDB, reveals common structural motifs and extensive diversity across mammals

The carbohydrate fraction of most mammalian milks contains a variety of oligosaccharides that encompass a range of structures and monosaccharide compositions. Human milk oligosaccharides have received considerable attention due to their biological roles in neonatal gut microbiota, immunomodulation, and brain development. However, a major challenge in understanding the biology of milk oligosaccharides across other mammals is that reports span more than 5 decades of publications with varying data reporting methods. In the present study, publications on milk oligosaccharide profiles were identified and harmonized into a standardized format to create a comprehensive, machine-readable database of milk oligosaccharides across mammalian species. The resulting database, MilkOligoDB, includes 3193 entries for 783 unique oligosaccharide structures from the milk of 77 different species harvested from 113 publications. Cross-species and cross-publication comparisons of milk oligosaccharide profiles reveal common structural motifs within mammalian orders. Of the species studied, only chimpanzees, bonobos, and Asian elephants share the specific combination of fucosylation, sialylation, and core structures that are characteristic of human milk oligosaccharides. However, agriculturally important species do produce diverse oligosaccharides that may be valuable for human supplementation. Overall, MilkOligoDB facilitates cross-species and cross-publication comparisons of milk oligosaccharide profiles and the generation of new data-driven hypotheses for future research.

Microbial-Derived Tryptophan Catabolites, Kidney Disease and Gut Inflammation

Uremic metabolites, molecules either produced by the host or from the microbiota population existing in the gastrointestinal tract that gets excreted by the kidneys into urine, have significant effects on both health and disease. Tryptophan-derived catabolites are an important group of bacteria-produced metabolites with an extensive contribution to intestinal health and, eventually, chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The end-metabolite, indoxyl sulfate, is a key contributor to the exacerbation of CKD via the induction of an inflammatory state and oxidative stress affecting various organ systems. Contrastingly, other tryptophan catabolites positively contribute to maintaining intestinal homeostasis and preventing intestinal inflammation—activities signaled through nuclear receptors in particular—the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). This review discusses the origins of these catabolites, their effect on organ systems, and how these can be manipulated therapeutically in the future as a strategy to treat CKD progression and gut inflammation management. Furthermore, the use of biotics (prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics) as a means to increase the presence of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to achieve intestinal homeostasis is discussed.

Nutritional Profile, Processing and Potential Products: A Comparative Review of Goat Milk

Goat milk contains an abundance of different macro and micro-nutrients. Compared with other milk, goat milk is a viable option due to its low allergy levels and is preferred for infants with cow milk allergies. A wide variety of goat milk-based products, including yoghurt, ice cream, fermented milk, and cheese, are available on the market. They are produced using effective processing technology and are known to exhibit numerous health benefits after consumption. However, goat milk consumption is limited in many nations (compared with cow, buffalo, camel, and sheep milk) due to a lack of awareness of its nutritional composition and the significance of its different byproducts. This review provides a detailed explanation of the various macronutrients that may be present, with special attention paid to each component, its purpose, and the health benefits it offers. It also compares goat milk with milk from other species in terms of its superiority and nutritional content, as well as the types, production methods, health advantages, and other beneficial properties of the various goat milk products that are currently available on the market.

Qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry comparison of characteristic galactosyl lactose isomers from goat milk at different lactation stages

Galactooligosaccharides are composed mainly of galactosyl lactose, which is important for infant growth and as a functional food additive. Although galactosyl lactose is abundant in goat milk, its complex structure has hindered the separation and analysis of its isomers. In this study, 5 isomers of goat milk galactosyl lactose were separated by HPLC: β6'-galactosyl lactose (β6'-GL), α6'-galactosyl lactose (α6'-GL), β4'-galactosyl lactose (β4'-GL), α3'-galactosyl lactose (α3'-GL), and β3'-galactosyl lactose (β3'-GL). This composition differs from that of commercial galactooligosaccharide products, which comprise mainly β-configuration oligosaccharides. The isomers were then qualitatively and quantitatively compared at different lactation stages using online HPLC-mass spectrometry. Relative quantitative analysis showed that the total content of the 5 galactosyl lactose isomers was highest in transitional goat milk. Specifically, β3'-GL was the main isomer in colostrum and α3'-GL was the main isomer in transitional and mature milk. β6'-Galactosyl lactose and β4'-GL tended to increase and then decrease during lactation. Moreover, α3'-GL content was 2 times higher than in colostrum and 10 times higher in transitional milk than in mature milk; in contrast, for β3'-GL, the values were 5 and 2 times higher, respectively. Absolute quantitative analysis revealed that β3'-GL was the most abundant isomers in colostrum (32.3 mg/L), and α3'-GL was the most abundant in transitional milk (88.1 mg/L) and mature milk (36.3 mg/L). These findings provide an important quantitative basis for understanding the relationship between structure and function of galactosyl lactose in goat milk, as well as its exploitation as a functional food.

Developmental Alterations of Colonic microRNA Profiles Imply Potential Biological Functions in Kid Goats

The colon is a crucial digestive organ of the hind gut in ruminants. The bacterial diversity and mucosal immune maturation in this region are related to age. However, whether the microRNA expression in the colon of goats is affected by age is still unclear. In the current study, we analyzed the transcriptomes of colon microRNAs during preweaning (Day 10 and Day 25) and postweaning (Day 31). A total of 1572 microRNAs were identified in the colon tissues. Of these, 39 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and 88 highly expressed microRNAs (HEmiRNAs) were screened. The target genes regulated by the DEmiRNAs and HEmiRNAs were commonly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules, focal adhesion, and adherens junction. Remarkably, the targeted genes of the DEmiRNAs were highly enriched for the prevention of microbial invasion via the Erbb−MAPK network while the targeted genes of HEmiRNAs contributed to the permeable barrier maintenance and cell damage surveillance. Additionally, there were eight different expression profiles of 87 dynamic miRNAs, in which approximately half of them were affected by age. Taken together, our study reveals the different roles of DEmiRNAs, HEmiRNAs, and dynamic microRNAs in the development of the colon and gives new insights into the regulatory mechanism of colon development in goats.

2-Deoxy-d-glucose induces deglycosylation of proinflammatory cytokine receptors and strongly reduces immunological responses in mouse models of inflammation

Anti‐proinflammatory cytokine therapies against interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and IL‐1 are major advancements in treating inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Such therapies are mainly performed by injection of antibodies against cytokines or cytokine receptors. We initially found that the glycolytic inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG), a simple monosaccharide, attenuated cellular responses to IL‐6 by inhibiting N‐linked glycosylation of the IL‐6 receptor gp130. Aglycoforms of gp130 did not bind to IL‐6 or activate downstream intracellular signals that included Janus kinases. 2‐DG completely inhibited dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colitis, a mouse model for inflammatory bowel disease, and alleviated laminarin‐induced arthritis in the SKG mouse, an experimental model for human rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases have been shown to be partially dependent on IL‐6. We also found that 2‐DG inhibited signals for other proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and interferon ‐γ, and accordingly, prevented death by another inflammatory disease, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock. Furthermore, 2‐DG prevented LPS shock, a model for a cytokine storm, and LPS‐induced pulmonary inflammation, a model for acute respiratory distress syndrome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). These results suggest that targeted therapies that inhibit cytokine receptor glycosylation are effective for treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

Comprehensive Identification and Absolute Quantification of Milk Oligosaccharides in Different Species

Human and animal milk contains a rich variety of oligosaccharides (OSs), which are of great interest due to a similar biological efficacy. In this study, the OSs were identified and the concentrations of eight specific OSs in human and four animal milk (cow, goat, sheep, and camel) were analyzed. In general, 30, 42, 32, 34, and 35 OSs were identified in bovine, caprine, ovine, camel, and human milk, respectively. Camel milk was the most similar in type to human milk than other four animal milk. The concentration of eight OSs in human milk was approximately six times higher than that in camel milk, 20 times higher than that in bovine and caprine milk, and 75 times higher than that in ovine milk. Collectively, these findings revealed the characteristics and concentrations of OSs in the milk of different species, providing insights into the potential application of OSs in medical and functional foods.

Recent Insights Into Processing Approaches and Potential Health Benefits of Goat Milk and Its Products: A Review

Goat milk is considered to be a potential source of various macro- and micro-nutrients. It contains a good proportion of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and other nutritional components which help in promoting nutritional and desirable health benefits. Goat milk is considered to be superior in terms of numerous health benefits, and lower risk of allergy, when compared to the milk of other species. Several processing techniques such as pasteurization, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and ultrasound have been employed to enhance the quality and shelf life of goat milk and its products. The diverse range of goat milk-based products such as yogurt, cheese, fermented milk, goat milk powder, and others are available in the market and are prepared by the intervention of advanced processing technologies. Goats raised in pasture-based feeding systems are shown to have a better milk nutritional composition than its counterpart. Goat milk contains potential bioactive components, which aids in the maintenance of the proper metabolism and functioning of the human body. This review gives insight into the key nutritional ingredients and bioactive constituents present in goat milk and their potential role in the development of various functional foods using different processing technologies. Goat milk could be considered as a significant option for milk consumption in infants, as compared to other milk available.

Climatic conditions and farm practices affected the prevalence of Aspergillus section Flavi on different types of dairy goat's feed

The present work aimed to determine the prevalence of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus section Flavi on different types of dairy goat's feed samples obtained from four dairy goat's farms around the central region of Peninsular Malaysia, and to examine the effects of climatic conditions (temperature, relative humidity) of the dairy goat's farms, and their feeding and storage practices on the fungal prevalence of different types of dairy goat's feed. A total of 60 goat's feed samples were obtained, and their proximate composition and water activity were determined, following which they were cultivated on DRBC and AFPA for total fungal load and Aspergillus section Flavi load determination, respectively. Fungal isolates were identified morphologically, and toxigenicity potentials of Aspergillus section Flavi isolates were determined using CCA. The temperature and relative humidity data of all farms were obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Department. The total fungal loads (on DRBC) of the goat's feed samples were log 0.767 to 7.071 CFU/g which included the common feed contaminants such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. The Aspergillus section Flavi loads (on AFPA) were log 0.667 to 3.206 CFU/g. Farm A yielded the highest number of Aspergillus section Flavi isolates as well as the highest number of aflatoxigenic isolates. It was found that climatic conditions and different practices between farms positively influenced the fungal prevalence on goat's feed samples based on the Pearson correlation analysis. The prevalence of mycotoxigenic isolates on goat's feed warrants for urgent intervention to ensure that goats are being fed with nutritionally adequate and safe feed. The presence of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus section Flavi isolates indicates the risk of aflatoxin B₁ contamination on the goat's feed, aflatoxicosis development in the goats, and aflatoxin M₁ bio-transformation in the goat's milk. This is a potential threat to the flourishing goat's milk industry in Malaysia.

Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host-microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log₁₀ copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long-term study.

Goat Milk Oligosaccharides: Their Diversity, Quantity, and Functional Properties in Comparison to Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Human milk is considered the golden standard in infant nutrition. Free oligosaccharides in human milk provide important health benefits. These oligosaccharides function as prebiotics, immune modulators, and pathogen inhibitors and were found to improve barrier function in the gut. Infant formulas nowadays often contain prebiotics but lack the specific functions of human milk oligosaccharides (hMOS). Milk from domesticated animals also contains milk oligosaccharides but at much lower levels and with less diversity. Goat milk contains significantly more oligosaccharides (gMOS) than bovine (bMOS) or sheep (sMOS) milk and also has a larger diversity of structures. This review summarizes structural studies, revealing a diversity of up to 77 annotated gMOS structures with almost 40 structures fully characterized. Quantitative studies of goat milk oligosaccharides range from 60 to 350 mg/L in mature milk and from 200 to 650 mg/L in colostrum. These levels are clearly lower than in human milk (5-20 g/L) but higher than in other domesticated dairy animals, e.g., bovine (30-60 mg/L) and sheep (20-40 mg/L). Finally, the review focuses on demonstrated and potential functionalities of gMOS. Some studies have shown anti-inflammatory effects of mixtures enriched in gMOS. Goat MOS also display prebiotic potential, particularly in stimulating growth of bifidobacteria preferentially. Although functional studies of gMOS are still limited, several structures are also found in human milk and have known functions as immune modulators and pathogen inhibitors. In conclusion, goat milk constitutes a promising alternative source for milk oligosaccharides, which can be used in infant formula.

Alteration of the goat milk glycoproteins N/O-glycome at different lactation stages

Goat milk oligosaccharides represent an unexplored multi-functional ingredient for the dairy industry. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively compared the N/O-glycome at different lactation stages via online hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Complex N-glycans and high mannose N-glycans constituted 82.1% and 17.9% of the glycan pool, respectively. N-glycans with isomers containing non-bisected antenna complex structures accounted for 30.8%. N-glycans modified with Neu5Ac, Neu5Gc and fucosylated were 3.7%, 5.3% and 35.3%. The triantennary trifucosylated complex N-glycan (H5N5F3) was reported for the first time. A comparison between colostrum and mature milk revealed a 1.20-fold decrease in total N-glycans and 1.66-fold decrease in fucosylation with ongoing lactation, echoing the trend in human milk. Similarly, Neu5Ac- and Neu5Gc-modified sialylation decreased by 1.69 and 3.62 times, respectively. In the O-glycome, 46.2% of structures were O-linked core 1, 23.1% were O-linked core 2, 7.7% were O-linked core 3 and core 4. As lactation progressed, overall O-glycans content decreased by 1.26-fold. Unlike human milk, Neu5Ac- and Neu5Gc-modified sialylation increased by 4.4 and 2 times, respectively. These findings will facilitate research on the structure-function relationship of goat milk oligosaccharides and the development of formula food targeting different age groups.

Increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents: significance of environmental factors

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing immune-mediated disease of the intestinal tract. Although its prevalence is reportedly lower in Asia than in Western countries, the rapid increase in the incidence of IBD has drawn attention to its etiology, including genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Specifically, recent studies concerning dietary treatments and intestinal microbiota suggest that these factors may interact with the immune system, and the imbalance of this relationship may lead to immune dysregulation in IBD. Changes in diet or alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota may be associated with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia. Here, we aim to review recent studies on the role of diet and intestinal microbiota in IBD pathogenesis and the results of the investigations performed to modulate these factors.

Hypoallergenic infant formula lacks transforming growth factor beta activity and has a lower anti-inflammatory activity than regular infant formula

Hypoallergenic formulas are recommended for infants who are not breastfed and cannot tolerate cow milk formulas due to allergy. These formulas are hydrolyzed to break down larger protein chains into shorter, easy-to-digest, and potentially less allergenic proteins. Hydrolysis, however, possibly occurs at the expense of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and anti-inflammatory activity that is inherent in regular formula. Our objective was to determine the TGF-β and the anti-inflammatory activity of commercially available hypoallergenic and regular formulas. Human gingival fibroblasts were incubated with reconstituted formulas followed by detection of TGF-β target genes and activation of Smad2/3 signaling. Gingival fibroblasts and the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC-2 were also exposed to formulas before adding interleukin (IL)1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α to provoke expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. For murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was stimulated with saliva. Changes in p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of smad3 and p38 were analyzed by immunostaining. Our study demonstrated that regular formula, but not hypoallergenic formula, enhanced the expression of TGF-β target genes IL11, PRG4, and NOX4 in gingival fibroblasts. Hypoallergenic formulas also failed to initiate nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 and phosphorylation of Smad3. Moreover, regular formulas were more potent than hypoallergenic formulas in reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in gingival fibroblasts, HSC-2 epithelial cells, and murine bone marrow macrophages. Hypoallergenic and regular formulas had a similar capacity to reduce p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of p38 in fibroblasts. These findings suggest that hypoallergenic formulas lack in vitro TGF-β activity and have a lower anti-inflammatory activity compared with regular formulas.

The in vivo effect of Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) on the expression of type 2 immune response involved genes in the wound healing process

Lacto-n-neotatraose (LNnT) oligosaccharide shows properties such as anti-inflammatory, type 2 immune response induction, induced angiogenesis, and anti-bacterial effects. Here, we hypothesized that the application of LnNT in the skin full-thickness wound can accelerate the healing process through its anti-inflammatory effect as well as induction of type 2 immune responses. In this study, we evaluated the cell viability of fibroblasts in the presence of LNnT. The full-thickness wound model was created by punch biopsy. The mice were treated intradermaly with LNnT at the concentrations of 100 and 200 µg or PBS as a control group. The wounds samples were compared based on the macroscopic and histological evaluations. The amount of collagen deposition and expression of genes involved in type 2 immunity were measured by the hydroxyproline assay and real time PCR method, respectively. Our results showed that LNnT had no negative effect on the cell viability of fibroblasts. LNnT increased the wound closure rate on day 7 post-wounding. H&E stain analysis revealed that mice treated with 200 µg LNnT exhibited better healing score, follicle formation, and lower epidermal thickness index. The mice treated with LNnT exhibited a lower collagen deposition on day 21 and higher collagen content on days 7 and 14 post-treatment. The LNnT groups also exhibited a lower number of neutrophils and a higher number of basal cells and fibroblasts. The expression rate of IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13 was higher in the LNnT groups. These results showed the high potential of LNnT for use in treatment of full-thickness wounds.

The role of the gut microbiota in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

The human intestinal microbiota coevolves with its host through a symbiotic relationship and exerts great influence on substantial functions including aspects of physiology, metabolism, nutrition and regulation of immune responses leading to physiological homeostasis. Over the last years, several studies have been conducted toward the assessment of the host-gut microbiota interaction, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of several diseases. A defect on the microbiota-host crosstalk and the concomitant dysregulation of immune responses combined with genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To this end, novel therapeutic options based on the gut microbiota modulation have been an area of extensive research interest. In this review we present the recent findings on the association of dysbiosis with IBD pathogenesis, we focus on the role of gut microbiota on the treatment of IBD and discuss the novel and currently available therapeutic strategies in manipulating the composition and function of gut microbiota in IBD patients. Applicable and emerging microbiota treatment modalities, such as the use of antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) constitute promising therapeutic options. However, the therapeutic potential of the aforementioned approaches is a topic of investigation and further studies are needed to elucidate their position in the present treatment algorithms of IBD.

Role of inulin as prebiotics on inflammatory bowel disease

The present review is focused on the prebiotic impact of inulin on the management of the gastrointestinal disorder. Prebiotics can be described as "non-digestible food ingredient stimulating the growth of a certain number of bacteria in the colon, which can improve the host health". In 2004 this definition was modernized to include other areas that may benefit from selective targeting of particular microorganisms: "selectively fermented ingredients that alter the configuration and activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confer positive effect". The positive impact of prebiotics in experimental colitis and human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has already been established. Prebiotics shows a positive effect in the prevention of IBD by modulating the trophic functions of the flora. Inulin enhances the growth of indigenous lactobacilli and/or bifidobacteria by inducing colonic production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA's) and these properties are related to decreased mucosal lesion scores and diminished mucosal inflammation. Inulin shows a positive approach to retain microbial populations and to support epithelial barrier function by their prebiotic effect which helps in the host defense against invasion and pathogens translocation (endogenous and/or exogenous) and in the inhibition of gastrointestinal diseases and this impact should be verified in further clinical studies. In the present review, we discussed the positive effect of prebiotics in rat IBD models and in human subjects along with their potential protective mechanisms. Preclinical and clinical data revealed that the gut mucosal barrier would be improved by the use of prebiotics in IBD.

Mining Milk for Factors which Increase the Adherence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis to Intestinal Cells

Bifidobacteria play a vital role in human nutrition and health by shaping and maintaining the gut ecosystem. In order to exert a beneficial effect, a sufficient population of bifidobacteria must colonise the host. In this study, we developed a miniaturised high-throughput in vitro assay for assessing the colonising ability of bacterial strains in human cells. We also investigated a variety of components isolated from different milk sources for their ability to increase the adherence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697, a common member of the gastrointestinal microbiota of breastfed infants, to HT-29 cells. Both conventional and miniaturised colonisation assays were employed to examine the effect of 13 different milk-derived powders on bacterial adherence, including positive controls which had previously resulted in increased bifidobacterial adherence (human milk oligosaccharides and a combination of 3'- and 6'-sialylactose) to intestinal cells. Immunoglobulin G enriched from bovine whey and goat milk oligosaccharides resulted in increased adhesion (3.3- and 8.3-fold, respectively) of B. infantis to the intestinal cells and the miniaturised and conventional assays were found to yield comparable and reproducible results. This study highlights the potential of certain milk components to favourably modulate adhesion of bifidobacteria to human intestinal cells.

Diets, functional foods, and nutraceuticals as alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease: Present status and future trends

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious health concern among western societies. The disease is also on the rise in some East Asian countries and in Australia. Health professionals and dietitians around the world are facing an unprecedented challenge to prevent and control the increasing prevalence of IBD. The current therapeutic strategy that includes drugs and biological treatments is inefficient and are associated with adverse health consequences. In this context, the use of natural products is gaining worldwide attention. In vivo studies and clinical evidence suggest that well-planned dietary regimens with specific nutrients can alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation by modulating inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10. Alternatively, the avoidance of high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets is regarded as an effective tool to eliminate the causes of IBD. Many functional foods and bioactive components have received attention for showing strong therapeutic effects against IBD. Both animal and human studies suggest that bioactive functional foods can ameliorate IBD by downregulating the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor κB, STAT1, STAT6, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, and interferon γ. Therefore, functional foods and diets have the potential to alleviate IBD by modulating the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Future comprehensive studies are needed to corroborate the potential roles of functional foods and diets in the prevention and control of IBD.

Anti-inflammatory effects of newly synthesized α-galacto-oligosaccharides on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice

α-Galacto-oligosaccharides have been reported to have beneficial health effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of a newly synthesized α-galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (α-GOSg), as well as raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. When administered in drinking water at 0.5% for 15 days, both α-GOSg and RFOs significantly decreased fecal hemoglobin content, partially prevented colon length shortening, reduced the severity of colon inflammation, and attenuated DSS-induced upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, the activation of the inflammatory regulator nuclear factor-kappa B was slightly inhibited by α-GOSg. The results showed that the newly synthesized α-GOSg preparation has similar anti-inflammatory activities as RFOs in this colitis model. The anti-inflammatory activity of α-GOSg in humans remains to be investigated.

Intestinal anti-inflammatory effects of goat whey on DNBS-induced colitis in mice

This study evaluated the intestinal anti-inflammatory effects of goat whey in a mouse model of colitis induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid that resembles human IBD. At a concentration of 4 g/kg/day, the goat whey improved the symptoms of intestinal inflammation, namely by decreasing the disease activity index, colonic weight/length, and leukocyte infiltration. Moreover, goat whey inhibited NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways and consequently down-regulated the gene expression of various proinflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, iNOS, MMP-9, ICAM-1. Also, goat whey increased the expression of proteins such as mucins, occludin proteins and cytokine signalling suppressors. The immunomodulatory properties of goat whey were also evaluated in vitro using the murine macrophage cell line Raw 264 and CMT-93 cells derived from mouse rectum carcinomas. The results revealed the ability of goat whey to inhibit the production of NO and reduce IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated cells. In conclusion, goat whey exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in the DNBS model of intestinal inflammation, and these observations were confirmed by its immunomodulatory properties in vitro. Together, our results indicate that goat whey could have applications for the treatment of IBD.

Dietary Propolis Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis and Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Rats Fed a Western Diet

Propolis is an important hive product and considered beneficial to health. However, evidence of its potential for improving gut health is still lacking. Here we use rats to examine whether dietary supplementation with propolis could be used as a therapy for ulcerative colitis. Rats were fed with a Western style diet alone (controls) or supplemented with different amounts of Chinese propolis (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) to examine effects on acute colitis induced by 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. Propolis at 0.3%, but not lower levels, significantly improved colitis symptoms compared with the control group, with a less pronounced disease activity index (DAI) (p < 0.001), a significant increase in colon length/weight ratio (p < 0.05) and an improved distal colon tissue structure as assessed by histology. Although short chain fatty acid levels in digesta were not altered by propolis supplementation, 16S rRNA phylogenetic sequencing revealed a significant increase in gut microbial diversity after 21 days of 0.3% propolis supplementation compared with controls including a significant increase in bacteria belonging to the Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria phyla. This is the first study to demonstrate that propolis can attenuate DSS-induced colitis and provides new insight into diet-microbiota interactions during inflammatory bowel disease.

Purification of caprine oligosaccharides at pilot-scale

The purification of caprine milk oligosaccharides (COS) by membrane filtration has been hampered by the low concentration of target COS and high concentration of lactose. In addition, their molecular weight proximity hinders the recovery of a COS fraction with high degree of purity and recovery yield. In this work, the recovery of a high purity COS concentrate was obtained by the optimization of an integrated approach including complete lactose hydrolysis, fermentation of the resulting monosaccharides and nanofiltration. All carbohydrates were quantified using High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC PAD). Defatted goat whey was ultrafiltered with discontinuous diafiltrations to increase the recovery of COS in the whey permeate which was then subsequently concentrated by nanofiltration. COS recovery yields of 75% with negligible amounts of monosaccharides (0.3% of the initial amount of lactose in the whey permeate) were achieved. A final retentate containing 67.6 and 34.4% of acidic and neutral oligosaccharides respectively was obtained from caprine milk.

Impact of multi-functional fermented goat milk beverage on gut microbiota in a dynamic colon model

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of grape probiotic fermented beverages made of goat milk, with or without added grape pomace on gut microbiota in a Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). SHIME® model was used to investigate to assess changes in microbial composition and fermentation metabolites (short- and branched-chain fatty acids and ammonium), as well as under the antioxidant capacity. The results demonstrated that the beverages formulated, with or without grape pomace extract, exhibited high dietary fiber, oleic acid, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity. Both beverages also kept L. rhamnosus and S. thermophilus viable during their passage through the intestinal tract and had a positive effect on gut microbiota metabolism, increasing the antioxidant capacity and the production of short-chain fatty acids, and decreasing the ammonium concentration. Therefore, the multifunctional beverages formulated in this study can offer a new perspective for the production of foods with positive potential effects on human health.

Changes in Caprine Milk Oligosaccharides at Different Lactation Stages Analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry

Changes of the abundance of caprine milk oligosaccharides (CMO) at different lactation stages have been evaluated by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HILIC-Q MS) and nanoflow liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nano-LC-Chip-QTOF MS). Eight major oligosaccharides (OS) were quantified at different lactation stages by HILIC-Q MS, while the use of nano-LC-Chip-QToF MS allowed expanding the study to forty-nine different OS by monitoring neutral non- and fucosylated species, as well as acidic species containing not only N-acetyl-neuraminic acid or N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid residues but also the combination of both sialic acids. Overall, the most abundant OS decreased with lactation time, whereas different trends were observed for minor OS. 6'-Sialyl-lactose was the most abundant acidic OS while galactosyl-lactose isomers were identified as the most abundant neutral OS. This is the first time that a comprehensive study regarding the changes of the abundance of CMO, both neutral and acidic, at different lactation stages is carried out.

The Microbiome in Visceral Medicine: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity and Beyond

It has become increasingly evident over the past two decades that the microbiota plays a nurturing role in the development of the immune system. This appears to be important since the amplitude of immune responses has a crucial regulatory function in homeostasis and the prevention of unwanted inflammation. Hence, a malfunctioning gut flora has been shown to play a key role in visceral medicine. Strong evidence demonstrates for example that intestinal inflammation can develop as a result of a dysregulated microbiota, deficient antimicrobial responses, and aberrant bacterial translocation into the bowel wall. In healthy individuals, the bacterial translocation is blocked by a single layer of highly specialized intestinal epithelial cells which forms a strong barrier that lines the gut wall. This structure is responsible for an efficient absorption of nutrients while keeping the luminal flora at bay. In susceptible individuals, for yet incompletely understood reasons, either defective epithelial barrier function or dysregulated microbial composition or microbial pathogens drive intestinal inflammation. Many therapeutic strategies focusing on the modulation of the microbiota have been proposed recently but future research including prospective human studies and gnotobiotic mouse models are still needed to evaluate the contribution and potential therapeutic value of individual bacteria to human health.

Goat whey ameliorates intestinal inflammation on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats

Complementary or alternative medicine is of great interest for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, with the aim of ameliorating the side effects of the drugs commonly used or improving their efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the ability of goat whey to prevent intestinal inflammation in the experimental model of acetic acid-induced rats and compared it to sulfasalazine. Pretreatment with goat whey (1, 2, and 4g/kg) and sulfasalazine (250mg/kg) on colitic rats improved colonic inflammatory markers, including myeloperoxidase activity, leukotriene B₄ levels, as well as the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, the administration of goat whey significantly reduced the colonic oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde levels and increased total glutathione content, a potent antioxidant peptide. The histological evaluation of the colonic specimens from colitic rats confirmed these beneficial effects, as goat whey preserved the colonic tissue, especially in those rats treated with the highest dose of goat whey or with sulfasalazine. The immunohistochemistry analysis of the colonic tissue evaluation also revealed a reduction in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, together with an increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1. These results suggest that goat whey exerted a preventive effect against the intestinal damage induced by acetic acid, showing a similar efficacy to that shown by sulfasalazine, therefore making it a potential treatment for human inflammatory bowel disease.