A critical review of the recent concept of artificial mechanical uterus design in relation to the maternal microbiome: An Update to past researches

Potential probiotic characteristics and genomic analysis of a new folate-producing lactic acid bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM55

BACKGROUND

Folate is crucial for maintaining health, but humans are unable to synthesize folate and need to obtain it from food. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum can produce the necessary vitamin B for the human body, including folate. Whole genome sequencing technology can clarify the physiological characteristics of folate production in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. In order to explore new Lactiplantibacillus plantarum that produce folate, the folate production and probiotic characteristics of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM55 isolated from infant feces were investigated, and whole genome sequencing was performed.

RESULTS

The folate synthesis ability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM55 were measured, and its total folate production was 299.72 ± 28.81 ng mL-1. Subsequently, its probiotic properties were explored. The antibacterial test showed that its inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium was 15.5 ± 0.82 mm and 13.88 ± 0.98 mm, respectively. The tolerance test results indicated that it maintained good activity in simulated gastrointestinal tract and bile salt environments. In vitro intestinal simulation experiments had confirmed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM55 can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria in the intestine and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia_Shigella. Genomic sequencing indicated that the genetic material of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZFM55 contains one chromosome and three plasmids, and it has 20 genes related to folate synthesis, which explains its ability to produce folate.

CONCLUSION

This study reports a new potential probiotic that produces folate, and provides ideas for exploring probiotics with specific probiotic characteristics. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Study of Lactobacillus plantarum coated with Tremella polysaccharides to improve its intestinal adhesion

BACKGROUND

The adhesion of probiotics to the intestine is crucial for their probiotic function. In previous studies, Tremella polysaccharides (TPS) (with sodium casein) have shown the potential to encapsulate probiotics and protect them in a simulated gastrointestinal tract. This study explored the effect of TPS (with sodium casein) on the adhesion of probiotics.

RESULTS

Lactobacillus plantarum was coated with TPS and sodium casein in different proportions, and was freeze-dried. The rheological properties of the mixture of probiotics powder and mucin solution were determined by static and dynamic rheological analysis. Aqueous solutions of probiotic powder and mucin mixture exhibited pseudoplastic fluid rheological properties. The higher the proportion of TPS content, the higher the apparent viscosity and yield stress. The mixed bacterial powder and mucin fluid displayed thixotropy and was in accordance with the Herschel-Bulkley model. The TPS increased the bio-adhesive force of the probiotic powder and mucin. When using TPS as the only carbon source, the adhesion of L. plantarum to Caco-2 cells increased by 228% in comparison with glucose in vitro. Twelve adhesive proteins were also detected in the whole-cell proteome of L. plantarum. Among them, ten adhesive proteins occurred abundantly when grown with TPS as a carbon source.

CONCLUSION

Tremella polysaccharides therefore possess probiotic properties and can promote the intestinal adhesion of L. plantarum. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of SNPs on Litter Size in Swine

Although sows do not directly enter the market, they play an important role in piglet breeding on farms. They consume large amounts of feed, resulting in a significant environmental burden. Pig farms can increase their income and reduce environmental pollution by increasing the litter size (LS) of swine. PCR-RFLP/SSCP and GWAS are common methods to evaluate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes. We conducted a systematic meta-analysis of the effect of SNPs on pig LS. We collected and analysed data published over the past 30 years using traditional and network meta-analyses. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to analyse population data. Gene set enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis were used to analyse the GWAS dataset. The results showed that the candidate genes were positively correlated with LS, and defects in PCR-RFLP/SSCP affected the reliability of candidate gene results. However, the genotypes with high and low LSs did not have a significant advantage. Current breeding and management practices for sows should consider increasing the LS while reducing lactation length and minimizing the sows' non-pregnancy period as much as possible.

From whole genomes to probiotic candidates: A study of potential lactobacilli strains selection for vaginitis treatment

Vaginitis, characterized by pathogenic invasion and a deficiency in beneficial lactobacilli, has recognized lactobacilli supplementation as a novel therapeutic strategy. However, due to individual differences in vaginal microbiota, identifying universally effective Lactobacillus strains is challenging. Traditional methodologies for probiotic selection, which heavily depend on extensive in vitro experiments, are both time-intensive and laborious. The aim of this study was to pinpoint possible vaginal probiotic candidates based on whole-genome screening. We sequenced the genomes of 98 previously isolated Lactobacillus strains, annotating their genes involved in probiotic metabolite biosynthesis, adherence, acid/bile tolerance, and antibiotic resistance. A scoring system was used to assess the strains based on their genomic profiles. The highest-scoring strains underwent further in vitro evaluation. Consequently, two strains, Lactobacillus crispatus LG55-27 and Lactobacillus gasseri TM13-16, displayed an outstanding ability to produce d-lactate and adhere to human vaginal epithelial cells. They also showed higher antimicrobial activity against Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to reference Lactobacillus strains. Their resilience to acid and bile environments highlights the potential for oral supplementation. Oral and vaginal administration of these two strains were tested in a bacterial vaginosis (BV) rat model at various doses. Results indicated that combined vaginal administration of these strains at 1 × 106 CFU/day significantly mitigated BV in rats. This research offers a probiotic dosage guideline for vaginitis therapy, underscoring an efficient screening process for probiotics using genome sequencing, in vitro testing, and in vivo BV model experimentation.

Investigation the nutritional properties of Auricularia auricula pulp fermented with Lactobacillus strains and their effects on gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Auricularia auricula is rich in bioactive components, and microbial fermentation can further dramatically increase its content and bioavailability. However, there are few studies on the relationship between fermented A. auricula pulp (FAAP) and gut microbiota. In this study, standard strains Lactobacillus plantarum 21801 and 21805 purchased from the China Center of Industrial Culture Collection were used to ferment A. auricula pulp at a ratio of 2:1, with an inoculum of 5%, a fermentation temperature of 31 °C, and a fermentation time of 22 h. The nutritional properties, aroma, and color of FAAP and their effects on the body characteristics of mice and the structure and abundance of gut microbiota are discussed.

RESULTS

The results showed that, compared with A. auricula pulp, FAAP significantly increased the nutritional properties while maintaining favorable sensory quality and flavor profiles. Among them, the content of total polyphenols and total flavonoids reached 22.04 μg mL-1 and 20.56 μg mL-1 respectively, and the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid free-radical scavenging rate increased to 73.21%. The consumption of FAAP had no negative effects on weight or liver and kidney function in mice and dramatically enhanced the antioxidant capacity in the liver and serum. The production of short-chain fatty acids in the gut was promoted, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, norank_f__Muribaculaceae and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae) increased, and the growth of some pathogenic bacteria (Helicobacter, Mucispirillum, and Alloprevotella) was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that FAAP is rich in nutrients and has unique functional properties that promote host health and regulate the gut microbiota. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Safety assessment of potential probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus AM13-1 with high cholesterol-lowering capability isolated from human gut

An important risk factor for cardiovascular disease is dyslipidemia, especially abnormal cholesterol levels. The relation between probiotics and cholesterol-lowering capability has been extensively studied. Lactobacillus acidophilus plays a significant role in affecting host health, and produces multitudinous metabolites, which have prohibitory functions against pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we identified a cholesterol-lowering strain AM13-1, isolated from a fecal sample obtained from a healthy adult male, and performed comprehensive function analysis by whole-genome analysis and in vitro experiments. Genome analyses of L. acidophilus AM13-1 revealed that carbohydrate and amino acid transport, metabolism, translation, ribosomal structure, and biogenesis are abundant categories of functional genes. No virulence factors or toxin genes with experimentally verified were found in the genome of strain AM13-1. Besides, plenty of probiotic-related genes were predicted from the L. acidophilus AM13-1 genome, such as cbh, atpA-D, and dltD, with functions related to cholesterol-lowering and acid resistance. And strain AM13-1 showed high-efficiency of bile salt hydrolase activity and the capacity for removing cholesterol with efficiency rates of 70%. These function properties indicate that strain AM13-1 can be considered as a probiotic candidate for use in food and health care products.

Safety assessment, whole genome sequence, and metabolome analysis of Streptococcus thermophilus CICC 20372 for bone cement fermentation

Bone is a kind of meat processing by-product with high nutritional value but low in calorie, which is a typical food in China and parts of East Asian countries. Microbial fermentation by lactic acid bacteria showed remarkable advantages to increase the absorption of nutrients from bone cement by human body. Streptococcus thermophilus CICC 20372 is proven to be a good starter for bone cement fermentation. No genes encoding virulence traits or virulence factors were found in the genome of S. thermophilus CICC 20372 by a thorough genomic analysis. Its notable absence of antibiotic resistance further solidifies the safety. Furthermore, the genomic analysis identified four types of gene clusters responsible for the synthesis of antimicrobial metabolites. A comparative metabolomic analysis was performed by cultivating the strain in bone cement at 37 °C for 72 h, with the culture in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium as control. Metabolome analysis results highlighted the upregulation of pathways involved in 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, amino acid synthesis, and nucleotide metabolism during bone cement fermentation. S. thermophilus CICC 20372 produces several metabolites with health-promoting function during bone cement fermentation, including indole-3-lactic acid, which is demonstrated ameliorative effects on intestinal inflammation, tumor growth, and gut dysbiosis. In addition, lots of nucleotide and organic acids were accumulated at higher levels, which enriched the fermented bone cement with a variety of nutrients. Collectively, these features endow S. thermophilus CICC 20372 a great potential strain for bone food processing.

Probiotic and Safety Evaluation of Twelve Lactic Acid Bacteria as Future Probiotics

The human gut flora is highly diverse. Most lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used as probiotics in human and animal husbandry and have a variety of physiological benefits. This article mainly studied the bacteriostatic ability of LAB against four pathogenic bacteria, gastrointestinal environment tolerance, and adhesion ability to Caco-2 cells. The genome of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L461 was sequenced and analyzed. The results showed that strains F512, L461, and D469 had the most significant inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica B, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, strains L461, C502, and P231 showed good tolerance after exposure to simulated gastric fluid for 0-4 h. Strains C502, H781, and L461 showed good tolerance in simulated intestinal fluid. Strains L461 and H781 showed good adhesion to Caco-2 cells. The number of viable bacteria was more than 60. Therefore, we screened L. plantarum L461 from 12 LAB strains through three aspects of evaluation, and conducted whole genome sequencing and analysis. Sequencing results showed that L. plantarum L461 had more defense mechanisms and phage annotation genes than L. plantarum WCFS1. Virulence factor studies showed that L. plantarum L461 has iron absorption system and adhesion-related gene annotation, indicating that L. plantarum L461 has survival advantage in intestinal tract. The predicted results showed that there were eight phages with phage resistance in L. plantarum L461. L. plantarum L461 is sensitive to several antibiotics, notably penicillin and oxacillin. In summary, the results of this study prove that L. plantarum L461 has good prebiotic function and is safe. Therefore, L. plantarum L461 can be safely used as a potential functional probiotic.

Probiotic management and inflammatory factors as a novel treatment in cirrhosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The interaction between intestinal microecological dysregulation, altered inflammatory factors, and cirrhosis is unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the results of previous studies to assess the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of cirrhosis and their effect on inflammatory factors, as well as to explore the relationship between gut microecological dysregulation and liver disease to gain a deeper understanding of this interaction. Up to December 2022, eligible studies were identified by searching the following databases: National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Statistical analysis was performed using software RevMan Version 5.4. A total of 33 eligible randomized controlled trials were included in the study, and data on probiotic strains, duration of intervention, measures in the control group, and outcomes were extracted and evaluated. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significant improvements in overall efficacy. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that probiotic use significantly decreased biochemical parameters for liver function, including aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and total bilirubin. Similar result was obtained in interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and endotoxin. However, probiotic intervention did not significantly affect interleukin-2 and interleukin-10. The current meta-analysis illustrates that probiotic supplementation reduces inflammatory markers and biochemical parameters for liver function in patients with cirrhosis, suggesting that probiotic management may be a novel treatment for cirrhosis. Furthermore, the interaction of the gut microbiota, associated metabolites, and inflammation factors with cirrhosis may provide a promising therapeutic target for the pharmacological and clinical treatment of cirrhosis.