Selenium-mediated protection in reversing the sensitivity of bacterium to the bactericidal antibiotics

In vitro evaluation of probiotic properties and selenium bioaccumulation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from poultry gastrointestinal, as an organic selenium source

The purpose of this study was to examine the probiotic characteristics and selenium (Se) bioaccumulation potential of five Lactobacillus strains in vitro. Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, L. reuteri, L. gallinarum, and L. animalis were among the strains employed. As significant aspects of probiotics, identification, and evaluation of their survival potential in the gastrointestinal system were undertaken. Although all experimental Lactobacillus strains bioaccumulated Se (IV) concentrations in media culture, three Lactobacillus strains (L. animalis, L. gallinarum, and L. acidophilus) bioaccumulated the highest Se concentrations (23.08, 8.62, and 8.51 mg/g, respectively) after culture in the presence of 1.5 mg/ml sodium selenite. By disc diffusion, all isolates were evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility against six antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, methicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Many of the isolates tested positive for resistance to some of the antibiotics utilized. The L. reuteri and L. gallinarum were found to be resistant to about 50% of the antibiotics that were tested. In terms of acid tolerance, L. animalis showed significant resistance at acidic pH by 1.72 log unit reduction whereas L. delbrueckii and L. galliinarum showed significant sensitivity at acidic pH (P > 0.05). Bile tolerance was addressed as an important aspect of the safety assessment for probiotics. There were variances in acid and bile tolerance among species, although all of them tolerated stress conditions to an acceptable degree. Upon comparing the various species, it was observed that L. gallinarum exhibited a significant decline in growth, as evidenced by a decrease of 1.39 log units in cell viability. On the other hand, L. acidophilus and L. animalis demonstrated remarkable bile tolerance, with 0.09 and 0.23 log unit reduction respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggest that L. animalis, L. gallinarum, and L. acidophilus, can be good candidates to evaluate them in vivo in further investigations due to their tolerance to acid, and bile, antibiotic resistance, and strong ability to bioaccumulate Se in chickens.

Microbial functional communities and the antibiotic resistome profile in a high-selenium ecosystem

Enshi City, in the Hubei Province of China, is known as the world capital of selenium with the most abundant selenium resource. An important selenium hyperaccumulator plant, Cardamine violifolia, was found to naturally grow in this high-selenium ecosystem. However, relatively little is known about the impact of the selenium levels on microbial community and functional shifts in C. violifolia rhizosphere. Here, we tested the hypothesis that underground microbial diversity and function vary along a selenium gradient, including antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Comprehensive metagenomic analyses, such as taxonomic investigation, functional detection, and ARG annotation, showed that selenium, mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and available phosphorus and potassium were correlated with microbial diversity and function. Thaumarchaeota was exclusively dominant in the highest selenium concentration of mine outcrop, and Rhodanobacter and Nitrospira were predominant in the high-selenium ecosystem. The plant C. violifolia enriched a high concentration of selenium in the rhizosphere compared to those in the bulk soil, and it recruited Variovorax and Polaromonas in its rhizosphere. Microbial abundance showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing from low to high selenium concentrations. Annotation of ARGs showed that the multidrug resistance genes adeF, mtrA, and poxtA, the aminoglycoside resistance gene rpsL, and the sulfonamide resistant gene sul2 were enriched in the high-selenium system. It was discovered that putative antibiotic resistant bacteria displayed obvious differences in the farmland and the soils with various selenium concentrations, indicating that a high-selenium ecosystem harbors the specific microbes with a higher capacity to enrich or resist selenium, toxic metals, or antibiotics. Taken together, these results reveal the effects of selenium concentration and the selenium hyperaccumulator plant C. violifolia on shaping the microbial functional community and ARGs. Metalloid selenium-inducible antibiotic resistance is worth paying attention to in future.

Selenocompounds and Sepsis-Redox Bypass Hypothesis: Part B-Selenocompounds in the Management of Early Sepsis

Significance: Endothelial barrier damage, which is in part caused by excess production of reactive oxygen, halogen and nitrogen species (ROHNS), especially peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), is a major event in early sepsis and, with leukocyte hyperactivation, part of the generalized dysregulated immune response to infection, which may even become a complex maladaptive state. Selenoenzymes have major antioxidant functions. Their synthesis is related to the need to limit deleterious oxidant redox cycling by small selenocompounds, which may be of therapeutic cytotoxic interest. Plasma selenoprotein-P is crucial for selenium transport from the liver to the tissues and for antioxidant endothelial protection, especially against ONOO^-. Above micromolar concentrations, sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) becomes cytotoxic, with a lower cytotoxicity threshold in activated cells, which has led to cancer research. Recent Advances: Plasma selenium (<2% of total body selenium) is mainly contained in selenoprotein-P, and concentrations decrease rapidly in the early phase of sepsis, because of increased selenoprotein-P binding and downregulation of hepatic synthesis and excretion. At low concentrations, Na₂SeO₃ acts as a selenium donor, favoring selenoprotein-P synthesis in physiology, but probably not in the acute phase of sepsis. Critical Issues: The cytotoxic effects of Na₂SeO₃ against hyperactivated leukocytes, especially the most immature forms that liberate ROHNS, may be beneficial, but they may also be harmful for activated endothelial cells. Endothelial protection against ROHNS by selenoprotein-P may reduce Na₂SeO₃ toxicity, which is increased in sepsis. Future Direction: The combination of selenoprotein-P for endothelial protection and the cytotoxic effects of Na₂SeO₃ against hyperactivated leukocytes may be a promising intervention for early sepsis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 998-1029.

Delayed increase of plasma selenoproteins and absence of side effect induced by infusion of pharmacological dose of sodium selenite in septic shock: Secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In sepsis, neutrophil respiratory bursts participate in endothelium damage, the first step to multiple organ failure. In plasma two antioxidant selenoenzymes, which protect the endothelium, decrease: selenoprotein-P, and to a lesser extent glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) is a Se donor, but also an oxidant chemotherapy drug depending on its concentration. In a previous published study, Na₂SeO₃ continuous infusion in septic shock patients at a pharmacological dose of 4 mg¹ Se/day on day-1, followed by a high nutritional dose of 1 mg Se/day during 9 days, showed no beneficial effect on weaning of catecholamine nor on survival. In this ancillary study, we report clinical and biological effects of such continuous infusion of Na₂SeO_3. METHODS: This was a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on 60 patients. Na₂SeO₃ or placebo in continuous infusion as described above. Evolution with time of plasma Se, selenoprotein-P, GPX3, Organ dysfunction (sequential organ failure assessment SOFA scores, including PaO2/FiO2, for respiratory failure, and plasma lactate) and quality of life at 6 months (by SF36 scores) were analyzed using two-way (time, treatment) non-parametric repeated-measures analysis of variance (Friedman test).

MAIN RESULTS

At baseline, plasma Se was about a quarter of reference values. From baseline to day-4 plasma Se, selenoprotein-P and GPX3 significantly increased by 3.9, 2.7 and 1.8 respectively in the Na₂SeO₃ group as compared with placebo and remained elevated by 2.3, 2.7 and 2.1 at day-14 respectively (p < 0.001). Na₂SeO₃ did not affect global and organ by organ SOFA Scores and plasma lactate concentration at day-1 and later up to day-14. The evolution of PaO2/FiO2 until day-14 was similar in the two groups. Quality of life in the surviving patients at 6 months was similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Continuous infusion of Na₂SeO₃ at 4 mg Se at day-1 seems to have neither beneficial nor toxic effect at day-1 or later and induces a late increase of selenoprotein-P at day-4. Preclinical studies are required to confirm the use of Na₂SeO₃ as a cytotoxic drug against neutrophils and protection of the endothelium by selenoprotein-P.

Natural selenium stress influences the changes of antibiotic resistome in seleniferous forest soils

BACKGROUND

Metal(loid)s can promote the spread and enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment through a co-selection effect. However, it remains unclear whether exposure of microorganisms to varying concentrations of selenium (Se), an essential but potentially deleterious metal(loid) to living organisms, can influence the migration and distribution of ARGs in forest soils.

RESULTS

Precisely 235 ARGs conferring resistance to seven classes of antibiotics were detected along a Se gradient (0.06-20.65 mg kg^-1) across 24 forest soils. (flor)/(chlor)/(am)phenicol resistance genes were the most abundant in all samples. The total abundance of ARGs first increased and then decreased with an elevated available Se content threshold of 0.034 mg kg^-1 (P = 2E-05). A structural equation model revealed that the dominant mechanism through which Se indirectly influences the vertical migration of ARGs is by regulating the abundance of the bacterial community. In addition, the methylation of Se (mediated by tehB) and the repairing of DNA damages (mediated by ruvB and recG) were the dominant mechanisms involved in Se resistance in the forest soils. The co-occurrence network analysis revealed a significant correlated cluster between Se-resistance genes, MGEs and ARGs, suggesting the co-transfer potential. Lelliottia amnigena YTB01 isolated from the soil was able to tolerate 50 μg mL^-1 ampicillin and 1000 mg kg^-1 sodium selenite, and harbored both Se resistant genes and ARGs in the genome.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that the spread and enrichment of ARGs are enhanced under moderate Se pressure but inhibited under severe Se pressure in the forest soil (threshold at 0.034 mg kg^-1 available Se content). The data generated in this pilot study points to the potential health risk associated with Se contamination and its associated influence on ARGs distribution in soil.

Selenocompounds and Sepsis: Redox Bypass Hypothesis for Early Diagnosis and Treatment: Part A-Early Acute Phase of Sepsis: An Extraordinary Redox Situation (Leukocyte/Endothelium Interaction Leading to Endothelial Damage)

Significance: Sepsis is a health disaster. In sepsis, an initial, beneficial local immune response against infection evolves rapidly into a generalized, dysregulated response or a state of chaos, leading to multiple organ failure. Use of life-sustaining supportive therapies creates an unnatural condition, enabling the complex cascades of the sepsis response to develop in patients who would otherwise die. Multiple attempts to control sepsis at an early stage have been unsuccessful. Recent Advances: Major events in early sepsis include activation and binding of leukocytes and endothelial cells in the microcirculation, damage of the endothelial surface layer (ESL), and a decrease in the plasma concentration of the antioxidant enzyme, selenoprotein-P. These events induce an increase in intracellular redox potential and lymphocyte apoptosis, whereas apoptosis is delayed in monocytes and neutrophils. They also induce endothelial mitochondrial and cell damage. Critical Issues: Neutrophil production increases dramatically, and aggressive immature forms are released. Leukocyte cross talk with other leukocytes and with damaged endothelial cells amplifies the inflammatory response. The release of large quantities of reactive oxygen, halogen, and nitrogen species as a result of the leukocyte respiratory burst, endothelial mitochondrial damage, and ischemia/reperfusion processes, along with the marked decrease in selenoprotein-P concentrations, leads to peroxynitrite damage of the ESL, reducing flow and damaging the endothelial barrier. Future Directions: Endothelial barrier damage by activated leukocytes is a time-sensitive event in sepsis, occurring within hours and representing the first step toward organ failure and death. Reducing or stopping this event is necessary before irreversible damage occurs.

The complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis 01 and its integral components of antioxidant defense system

The strain Bifidobacterium animalis 01, isolated from centenarians, showed promising antioxidant potential in our previous studies. In this study, the genome information on strain 01 and the important antioxidant components are presented. The complete genome comprises a single circular chromosome (1,931,632 bp; 60.49% G + C content) with 1569 coding DNA sequences, 52 tRNA, and 9 rRNA operons. Based on phylogenomic analyses, strain 01 was designated as B. animalis subsp. lactis 01. The genomic analysis reveals that at least eight protein-coding genes are antioxidant-related genes. The conditions for simulating the oxidative stress have been determined. The results of quantitative reverse transcription PCR further demonstrated that the genes encoding the thioredoxin system (ahpC, ahpF, bcp, trxB, trxA, nrdH, and msrAB) and non-enzyme factors of the divalent cation transporter gene (mntH) were upregulated under the H₂O₂ challenge, indicating that the eight genes were effective components of the antioxidant system. The results of this study could benefit for understanding the antioxidant mechanism of B. animalis 01 and future utilization of it as a potential antioxidant agent.

Sustainable pollutant removal by periphytic biofilm via microbial composition shifts induced by uneven distribution of CeO2 nanoparticles

The responses of periphytic biofilm to CeO₂ nanoparticle (CNP) exposure were explored by investigating community shifts and pollutant removal. Results showed that CNPs entered the sensitive microbial cells in the periphytic biofilm, leading to cytomembrane damage and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The periphytic biofilm communities were, however, able to adapt to the prolonged exposure and maintain their pollutant removal (i.e., phosphorus, nitrogen and copper, organic matter) performance. Observations under synchrotron radiation scanning transmission X-ray microscopy revealed that fewer CNPs were distributed in algal cells compared to bacterial cells, wherein the transformation between Ce(IV) and Ce(III) occurred. High-throughput sequencing further showed that the proportion of algae, such as Leptolyngbya and Nostoc, significantly increased in the periphytic biofilm exposed to CNPs while the proportion of bacteria, such as Bacilli and Gemmatimonadetes, decreased. This change in community composition might be the primary reason for the sustained pollutant removal performance of the periphytic biofilm.

Responses of Periphyton to Fe2O3 Nanoparticles: A Physiological and Ecological Basis for Defending Nanotoxicity

The toxic effects of nanoparticles on individual organisms have been widely investigated, while few studies have investigated the effects of nanoparticles on ubiquitous multicommunity microbial aggregates. Here, periphyton as a model of microbial aggregates, was employed to investigate the responses of microbial aggregates exposed continuously to Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (5.0 mg L^-1) for 30 days. The exposure to Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles results in the chlorophyll (a, b, and c) contents of periphyton increasing and the total antioxidant capacity decreasing. The composition of the periphyton markedly changes in the presence of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and the species diversity significantly increases. The changes in the periphyton composition and diversity were due to allelochemicals, such as 3-methylpentane, released by members of the periphyton which inhibit their competitors. The functions of the periphyton represented by metabolic capability and contaminant (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and copper) removal were able to acclimate to the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exposure via self-regulation of morphology, species composition and diversity. These findings highlight the importance of both physiological and ecological factors in evaluating the long-term responses of microbial aggregates exposed to nanoparticles.