Protection against gastrointestinal diseases--present facts and future developments

Adhesion of Lactobacilli and their anti-infectivity potential

The probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria primarily point toward colonizing ability of Lactobacilli as the most important attribute for endowing all the known beneficial effects in a host. Lactobacillus species exert health-promoting function in the gastrointestinal tract through various mechanisms such as pathogen exclusion, maintenance of microbial balance, immunomodulation, and other crucial functions. It has been seen that many surface layer proteins are involved in host adhesion, and play significant role in the modification of some signaling pathways within the host cells. Interaction between different bacterial cell surface proteins and host receptor has been imperative for a better understanding of the mechanism through which Lactobacilli exert their health-promoting functions.

Impact of the exopolysaccharide layer on biofilms, adhesion and resistance to stress in Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785

BACKGROUND

The bacterial cell surface is a crucial factor in cell-cell and cell-host interactions. Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 produces an exopolysaccharide (EPS) layer whose quantity and composition is altered in mutants that harbour genetic changes in their eps gene clusters. We have assessed the effect of changes in EPS production on cell surface characteristics that may affect the ability of L. johnsonii to colonise the poultry host and exclude pathogens.

RESULTS

Analysis of physicochemical cell surface characteristics reflected by Zeta potential and adhesion to hexadecane showed that an increase in EPS gave a less negative, more hydrophilic surface and reduced autoaggregation. Autoaggregation was significantly higher in mutants that have reduced EPS, indicating that EPS can mask surface structures responsible for cell-cell interactions. EPS also affected biofilm formation, but here the quantity of EPS produced was not the only determinant. A reduction in EPS production increased bacterial adhesion to chicken gut explants, but made the bacteria less able to survive some stresses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that manipulation of EPS production in L. johnsonii FI9785 can affect properties which may improve its performance as a competitive exclusion agent, but that positive changes in adhesion may be compromised by a reduction in the ability to survive stress.

Physiological Properties and Salmonella Growth Inhibition of Probiotic Bacillus Strains Isolated from Environmental and Poultry Sources

The objective of the present study was to describe the physiological properties of seven potential probiotic strains of Bacillus spp. Isolates were characterized morphologically, biochemically, and by 16S rRNA sequence analyses for identification. Tolerance to acidic pH, high osmotic concentrations of NaCl, and bile salts were tested. Isolates were also evaluated for their ability to metabolize different carbohydrates sources. The antimicrobial sensitivity profiles were determined. Inhibition of gastrointestinal Salmonella colonization in an avian model was also evaluated. Five strains of Bacillus were tolerant to acidic conditions (pH 2.0) and all strains were tolerant to a high osmotic pressure (NaCl at 6.5%). Moreover, all strains were able to tolerate concentration of 0.037% bile salts after 24 h of incubation. Three strains were able to significantly reduce Salmonella Typhimurium levels in the crop and in the ceca of broiler-type chickens. Among the 12 antibiotics tested for antibiotic resistance, all strains were resistant to bacitracin and susceptible to gentamycin, neomycin, ormethoprim, triple sulfa, and spectinomycin. Bacterial spore formers have been shown to prevent gastrointestinal diseases in animals and humans. The results obtained in this study show important characteristics to be evaluated when selecting Bacillus spp. candidates to be used as probiotics.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria probiotic culture treatment timing on Salmonella Enteritidis in neonatal broilers

In the present study, a series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of a combination of 3 ATCC lactobacilli (LAB3) or a commercially available probiotic culture (PROB) to reduce Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) in broiler chicks. Additionally, we varied the timing of PROB administration in relationship to Salmonella challenge and determined the influence on recovery of enteric Salmonella. In experiments 1 to 3, chicks were randomly assigned to treatment groups and were then challenged via oral gavage with Salmonella Enteritidis. Chicks were treated 1 h after Salmonella Enteritidis challenge with LAB3 or PROB. Twenty-four hours posttreatment, cecal tonsils were collected for recovery of enteric Salmonella. In experiments 4 to 7, day-of-hatch chicks were randomly assigned to treatment groups and were then treated with PROB via oral gavage and placed into pens. Chicks were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis 24 h after treatment via oral gavage. At 24 h after Salmonella Enteritidis challenge, cecal tonsils were collected and recovery of enteric Salmonella was determined. In experiments 8 to 10, 1-d-old chicks were randomly assigned to treatment groups and were then challenged via oral gavage with Salmonella Enteritidis and placed into pens. Chicks were treated 24 h after challenge with PROB via oral gavage. Twenty-four hours post PROB treatment, cecal tonsils were collected and enriched as described above. It was found that PROB significantly reduced cecal Salmonella Enteritidis recovery 24 h after treatment as compared with controls or LAB3-treated chicks in experiments 1 to 3 (P<0.05). Administration of PROB 24 h before Salmonella Enteritidis challenge significantly reduced recovery of Salmonella Enteritidis in 2 out of 4 experiments and no reduction in cecal Salmonella Enteritidis was observed when chicks were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis and treated 24 h later with PROB. These data demonstrate that PROB more effectively reduced Salmonella Enteritidis than LAB3, and the timing of PROB treatment affects Salmonella Enteritidis-associated reductions.

Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum PH04, a potential probiotic bacterium with cholesterol-lowering effects

The bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum PH04 was isolated from infant feces and tested positive for bile/acid tolerance and bile salt hydrolase activity. It was evaluated as a potential probiotic with cholesterol-lowering effect. Bile salt hydrolase activity was nine times greater in stationary phase than in exponential phase cells and increased when the cells were exposed to conjugated bile salts. L. plantarum PH04 was resistant to seven of nine antibiotics tested and did not produce beta-glucuronidase. L. plantarum PH04 was fed to hypercholesterolemic mice at numbers of 10(7) CFU per mouse per day for 14 days. Compared with a control group, the serum cholesterol and triglycerides were respectively 7 and 10% lower in the group fed L. plantarum PH04, and fecal lactic acid bacteria increased while no any significant differences (P<0.05) in body weight, visceral weigh index or bacteria translocation between two groups were observed. The results indicated that L. plantarum PH04 might be effective as a probiotic with cholesterol-lowering activities.

Colonic lymphoid aggregates in slow transit constipation

Information available on colonic lymphoid aggregates, apart from data of patients with inflammatory conditions, is scarce in other pathologic conditions. We investigated colonic lymphoid aggregates in patients with severe slow transit constipation, unresponsive to conventional therapeutic measures, and undergoing surgery for relief of their symptoms. Tissues from 27 patients with intractable slow transit constipation were obtained and compared with 10 controls. The number, diameter, lymphocyte distribution, and proliferative index were calculated and compared in both groups. Constipated patients displayed a significantly increased number of colonic lymphoid aggregates compared with controls. No differences were found concerning the other variables. The increase of colonic lymphoid aggregates found in severely constipated patients may represent a protective mucosal mechanism toward the chronic fecal stasis.

Aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): role of intestinal microbiota and gut-associated lymphoid tissue immune response

The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) probably involves a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors that may be channelled through an abnormality in gut-barrier function, with a loss of antigen tolerance. Some genetic markers that predispose to inflammatory disease have been identified (alleles DR2, DRB1*0103, DRB1*12 and mutations in the NOD2/CARD15 gene on chromosome 16). Alterations in the pattern of cytokine production by T cell subclasses leading to loss of tolerance to oral antigens have been documented. Moreover, a number of environmental factors (cigarette smoking, use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, psychological stress and the presence of the caecal appendix) have been postulated as a trigger of IBD. It has also been suggested that the gut microbiota plays a major role in the development and persistence of IBD, and numerous modifications of intestinal microbiota composition have been identified. As a result, manipulation of the microbiota with antibiotics is a current therapeutic strategy; more recently, however, a number of studies have reported promising results when using probiotic organisms to manipulate gut microbiota composition in order to restore tolerance to microbial antigens of the host's own microbiota.

In vitro inhibition of Eimeria tenella invasion by indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species isolates from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract on Eimeria tenella invasion in vitro and to characterise the nature of inhibition, if any. The effects of competitive exclusion, steric interference and bacterial extracellular factors on E. tenella invasion were examined in an MDBK cell model. Several Lactobacillus species were initially isolated from chickens and identified by biochemical characteristics and 16S-rRNA. All Lactobacillus species isolates tested, significantly inhibited E. tenella invasion. Steric interference did not affect parasite invasion. Extracellular metabolic factors secreted by Lactobacillus species isolates into the surrounding media were shown to inhibit parasite invasion and these factors appeared to be heat stable. These results show that the natural microflora of poultry can provide a source of E. tenella-inhibiting Lactobacillus species in vitro, and thus may contribute to the control of Eimeria infection.

In vivo characterization of Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 for use as a defined competitive exclusion agent against bacterial pathogens in poultry

AIMS

To test the efficacy of Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 in reducing the colonization and shedding of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O78:K80 and Clostridium perfringens in poultry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Specific pathogen-free chicks (1 day old) were dosed with a single oral inoculum of 1x10(9) CFU. Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 and 24 h later were challenged in separate experiments with S. Enteritidis (S1400, nalr) and E. coli O78:K80 (EC34195, nalr). There were no significant effects against S. Enteritidis whereas colonization of the small intestine by E. coli O78:K80 was reduced significantly. Both S. Enteritidis and E. coli colonized the caeca and colon to levels equivalent to control birds and there was no reduction in shedding as assessed by a semi-quantitative cloacal swabbing technique. Specific pathogen-free chicks (20 day old) were dosed with a single oral inoculum of 1x10(9) CFU L. johnsonii FI9785 and 24 h later were challenged with C. perfringens. A single oral dose of L. johnsonii FI9785 was sufficient to suppress all aspects of colonization and persistence of C. perfringens.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 may be given to poultry for use as a competitive exclusion agent to control C. perfringens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785 may be a valuable tool to control the endemic disease of necrotic enteritis, thereby reducing economic losses associated with reduced use of antimicrobials in the poultry industry.

The influence of Lactobacillus brevis on ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine profiles in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND

Functional probiotics may prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, and some evidence suggests that they also possess antitumor properties. Lactobacillus brevis (CD2) is a functional Lactobacillus strain with peculiar biochemical features, essentially related to the activity of arginine deiminase. This enzyme catalyzes the catabolism of arginine and affects the biosynthesis of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine). Polyamines are polycations found in high concentrations in both normal and neoplastic cells. Our aims were: 1, to assess whether oral administration of L. brevis (CD2) affects H. pylori survival in the human gastric mucosa; 2, to evaluate the effects of L. brevis (CD2) on polyamine biosynthesis in gastric biopsies from H. pylori-positive patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For 3 weeks before endoscopy, 22 H. pylori-positive dyspeptic patients randomly received (ratio 1 : 1) high oral doses of L. brevis (CD2) or placebo. Before and after treatment, H. pylori infection was determined by urea breath test (UBT). In gastric biopsies, ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels were, respectively, evaluated by a radiometric technique and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

L. brevis (CD2) treatment did not eradicate H. pylori. However, a reduction in the UBT delta values occurred, suggesting a decrease in intragastric bacterial load. Significantly, L. brevis (CD2) induced a decrease in gastric ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support the hypothesis that L. brevis (CD2) treatment decreases H. pylori colonization, thus reducing polyamine biosynthesis. Alternatively, the arginine deiminase activity following L. brevis (CD2) administration might cause arginine deficiency, preventing polyamine generation from gastric cells.

Dietary fructo-oligosaccharides dose-dependently increase translocation of salmonella in rats

Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), stimulate the protective gut microflora, resulting in an increased production of organic acids. This may result in increased luminal killing of acid-sensitive pathogens. However, host defense against invasive pathogens, like salmonella, also depends on the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. Rapid fermentation of prebiotics leading to high concentrations of organic acids may impair the barrier function. Therefore, we determined the dose-dependent effect of dietary FOS on the resistance of rats to Salmonella enteritidis. Male Wistar rats were fed restricted quantities of a "humanized" purified diet supplemented with 0, 3 or 6 g/100 g of FOS (n = 7 in the 6% FOS group and n = 8 in the other diet groups). After an adaptation period of 2 wk, rats were orally infected with 1.7 x 10(10) colony-forming units of S. enteritidis. Supplement-induced changes in the intestinal microflora and fecal cation excretion were determined before and after infection. Cytotoxicity of fecal water was determined with an in vitro bioassay, and fecal mucins were quantified fluorimetrically. Colonization of S. enteritidis was determined by quantification of salmonella in cecal contents and mucosa. Translocation of S. enteritidis was quantified by analysis of urinary nitric oxide metabolites in time. Before infection, FOS decreased cecal and fecal pH, increased fecal lactic acid concentration and increased bifidobacteria and enterobacteria. FOS also increased cytotoxicity of fecal water and fecal mucin excretion, indicating mucosal irritation. Remarkably, FOS dose-dependently increased salmonella numbers in cecal contents and mucosa and caused a major increase in infection-induced diarrhea. In addition, FOS enhanced translocation of salmonella. Thus, in contrast to most expectations, FOS dose-dependently impairs the resistance to salmonella infection in rats. These results await verification by other controlled animal and human studies.

Postnatal changes in bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs

OBJECTIVE

To describe postnatal changes in the populations of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of dogs.

ANIMALS

110 Beagles ranging from neonatal to adult dogs.

PROCEDURE

Contents of the stomach and proximal and distal portions of the colon and contents and mucosa of the mid region of the small intestine were collected from puppies at 1 day after birth and subsequent suckling; puppies at 21, 42, and 63 days after birth; and adult female dogs (ie, dams of the puppies) for enumeration of bacterial populations.

RESULTS

The entire GIT was colonized at day 1 by all groups of bacteria studied; aerotolerant forms were dominant. During subsequent postnatal development, there were changes in the relative proportions of the various groups of bacteria with anaerobic groups increasing in absolute and relative numbers.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Establishment of bacterial populations in the GIT of dogs is a gradual process that begins immediately after birth. Age-related changes in the relative proportions of bacterial groups coincided with changes in diet and physiologic processes of the host and can influence nutritional state and disease resistance of developing dogs. Differences among regions of the GIT suggest that fecal samples may have limited use for understanding the populations of bacteria and the age and diet-related changes in various regions of the GIT.

Microbially triggered drug delivery to the colon

Increasing acceptance of protein- and peptide-based drugs necessitates an investigation into the suitability of various sites for their administration. Colon is being investigated for delivery of such molecules. Colon-specific drug delivery is designed to target drug molecules specifically to this area. Development of site-specific delivery systems may exploit a specific property of the target site for drug activation/release. The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by over 400 bacterial species, each having a specific niche in the tract. Colon, the distal part of the intestine is inhabited by a large variety of gram negative microflora. This flora produces a vast number of enzymes which are being exploited for formulation of colon-specific drug delivery systems. A number of microbially activated systems for colon-specific drug delivery are being evaluated. These include prodrugs and synthetic or natural polymer-based delivery systems. This article aims at reviewing the various microbially activated drug delivery systems for colon-specific drug delivery with specific reference to the microflora of the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract and their role in targeting drug delivery to the colon.

Adaptation of bacteria to the intestinal niche: probiotics and gut disorder

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem host to a diverse and highly evolved microbial community composed of hundreds of different microbial species. The interactions that occur between this complex microbial community and the human host have become the focus of scientific research due to increases in the incidence of illnesses associated with deficient or compromised microflora (e.g., gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers). Effective multidisciplinary research programs now complement conventional microbiology with molecular ecology techniques to provide culture-independent analysis of the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Furthermore, as we acquire an understanding of gut microflora composition and processes such as intestinal adherence, colonization, translocation, and immunomodulation, we are also elucidating mechanisms by which these can be influenced. This knowledge not only allows scientists to define the activities and interactions of "functional food"-borne beneficial bacteria in the gut, but will also provide the scientific basis for the development of innovative biotechnology-based products tailored to prevent specific diseases and promote overall human gastrointestinal health.