Enhancement of natural and acquired immunity by Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HN001), Lactobacillus acidophilus (HN017) and Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019)

Probiotic-Based Mineralized Living Materials to Produce Antimicrobial Yogurts

Mineralization of living cells represents an evolutionary adaptation that enhances cellular resilience to physicochemical stress. Inspired by this strategy, we have here developed hybrid living materials (HLMs), incorporating probiotics into mineralized collagen 3D matrices, with the aim of protecting and promoting the successful oral delivery of the bacteria. Collagen fibrils are simultaneously self-assembled and mineralized in the presence of the probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, La, was used as model), resulting in the integration of the probiotics into the hybrid matrix (i.e., bulk encapsulation). During this process, probiotics are also coated with a nanofilm of apatite mineral (single-cell encapsulation), which provides them with extra protection and reinforces their viability and activity. In fact, the resulting HLM is metabolically active, and maintain the capacity to ferment milk into yogurt with antibacterial activity against the two major foodborne pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and Staphylococcus aureus (Sa). Interestingly, the HLM provides probiotics an additional protection in the gastrointestinal environment (i.e., simulated gastric fluid), which is of special interest for healthcare materials for oral administration. The results pave the way for the creation of innovative healthcare materials with enhanced functionalities and the potential to produce probiotic foods with notable antimicrobial properties.

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Calcium, and Moringa oleifera leaves extract co-administration can prevent chemical-induced carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The present study evaluated the chemopreventive effect of the combined treatment of Lactobacillus acidophilus, calcium citrate, and Moringa oleifera leaves extract against DMH (1,1-dimethylhydrazine hydrochloride) induced colon cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were grouped into 10 different groups and treated with DMH 30 mg/kg s.c. for 8 weeks, Successful induction of colon cancer was confirmed with the help of symptoms, Individual and combined treatments of Lactobacillus acidophilus (109 cfu p.o.), calcium citrate (2 mg/kg p.o.) and Moringa oleifera (100 & 200 mg/kg p.o.) leaves extracts were used for 4 weeks.

RESULT

After 4 weeks of treatment, it was observed that a significant reduction in aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) count, whereas liver and kidney function, AST (aspartate transaminase), ALT (alanine transaminase), urea and creatinine biomarkers were retained in its normal range. Upon DMH treatment, liver tissue loses histoarchitecture with mononuclear cell infiltration, nuclear enlargement, and hyperchromasia, this reverts due to the combined treatment of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), calcium citrate (CC) and hydroalcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (ME). From the results, it was revealed that individual and combined treatment of Lactobacillus acidophilus, calcium citrate, and hydroalcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves shows beneficial effects against the carcinogen.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment of Lactobacillus acidophilus, calcium citrate, and hydroalcoholic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves showed positive effects against carcinogenesis and lowered aberrant crypt foci count and shows histoarchitectural improvements in liver histology with no nuclear enlargement and hyperchromasia in liver tissue.

Impact of Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-Based Direct-Fed Microbials on the Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Fecal Bacterial Populations of Nursery Pigs

Weaning is a critical stage in the swine production cycle, as young pigs need to adjust to sudden and dramatic changes in their diet and environment. Among the various organ systems affected, the gastrointestinal tract is one of the more severely impacted during this transition. Traditionally, challenges at weaning have been managed by prophylactic use of antibiotics, which not only provides protection against diarrhea and other gut dysfunction but also has growth-promoting effects. With banning or major restrictions on the use of antibiotics for this purpose, various alternative products have been developed as potential replacements, including direct-fed microbials (DFMs) such as probiotics and postbiotics. As their efficiency needs to be improved, a continued effort to gain a deeper understanding of their mechanism of action is necessary. In this context, this report presents a study on the impact of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic (LPr) and a Bifidobacterium-based postbiotic (BPo) when added to the diet during the nursery phase. For animal performance, an effect was observed in the early stages (Day 0 to Day 10), as pigs fed diets supplemented with either DFMs were found to have higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to pigs fed the control diet (p < 0.05). Histological analysis of intestinal morphology on D10 revealed that the ileum of supplemented pigs had a higher villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05) compared to controls, indicating a benefit of the DFMs for gut health. In an effort to further explore potential mechanisms of action, the effects of the DFMs on gut microbial composition were investigated using fecal microbial communities as a non-invasive representative approach. At the bacterial family level, Lactobacillaceae were found in higher abundance in pigs fed either LPr (D10; p < 0.05) or BPo (D47; p < 0.05). At the Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) level, which can be used as a proxy to assess species composition, Ssd-00950 and Ssd-01187 were found in higher abundance in DFM-supplemented pigs on D47 (p < 0.05). Using nucleotide sequence identity, these OTUs were predicted to be putative strains of Congobacterium massiliense and Absicoccus porci, respectively. In contrast, OTU Ssd-00039, which was predicted to be a strain of Streptococcus alactolyticus, was in lower abundance in BPo-supplemented pigs on D47 (p < 0.05). Together, these results indicate that the DFMs tested in this study can impact various aspects of gut function.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 facilitates the efficacy of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition prolonging cardiac transplant survival and enhancing antitumor effect

Solid organ transplantation is a crucial treatment for patients who have reached the end stage of heart, lung, kidney, or liver failure. However, the likelihood of developing cancer post-transplantation increases. Additionally, primary malignant tumors remain a major obstacle to the long-term survival of transplanted organs. Therefore, it is essential to investigate effective therapies that can boost the immune system's ability to combat cancer and prevent allograft rejection. We established a mouse orthotopic liver tumor model and conducted allogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation. Various treatments were administered, and survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. We also collected graft samples and measured inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum using an inflammatory array. The specificity of the histochemical techniques was tested by staining sections. We administered a combination therapy of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) dual inhibitor BEZ235 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 to primary liver cancer model mice with cardiac allografts. Consistent with our prior findings, L. rhamnosus HN001 alleviated the intestinal flora imbalance caused by BEZ235. Our previous research confirmed that the combination of BEZ235 and L. rhamnosus HN001 significantly prolonged cardiac transplant survival.

IMPORTANCE

We observed that the combination of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) dual inhibitor BEZ235 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 notably prolonged cardiac transplant survival while also inhibiting the progression of primary liver cancer. The combination therapy was efficacious in treating antitumor immunity and allograft rejection, as demonstrated by the efficacy results. We also found that this phenomenon was accompanied by the regulation of inflammatory IL-6 expression. Our study presents a novel and effective therapeutic approach to address antitumor immunity and prevent allograft rejection.

Effect of Heat-Treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 on the Immune System Including Natural Killer Cell Activity: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

Heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 (HT-nF1) increases immune cell activation and the production of various immunomodulators (e.g., interleukin (IL)-12) as well as immunoglobulin (Ig) G, which plays an important role in humoral immunity, and IgA, which activates mucosal immunity. To determine the effect of HT-nF1 intake on improving immune function, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 100 subjects with normal white blood cell counts. The HT-nF1 group was administered capsules containing 5 × 1011 cells of HT-nF1 once a day for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of HT-nF1 intake, significant changes in IL-12 were observed in the HT-nF1 group (p = 0.045). In particular, the change in natural killer (NK) cell activity significantly increased in subjects with low secretory (s) IgA (≤49.61 μg/mL) and low NK activity (E:T = 10:1) (≤3.59%). These results suggest that HT-nF1 has no safety issues and improves the innate immune function by regulating T helper (Th)1-related immune factors. Therefore, we confirmed that HT-nF1 not only has a positive effect on regulating the body's immunity, but it is also a safe material for the human body, which confirms its potential as a functional health food ingredient.

The probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 influences the architecture and gene expression of small intestine tissue in a piglet model

This study investigated the effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 supplementation on the architecture and gene expression in small intestinal tissues of piglets used as an animal model for infant humans. Twenty-four 10-d-old entire male piglets (4·3 (sd 0·59) kg body weight) were fed an infant formula (IF) (control) or IF supplemented with 1·3 × 105 (low dose) or 7·9 × 106 (high dose) colony-forming units HN001 per ml of reconstituted formula (n 8 piglets/treatment). After 24 d, piglets were euthanised. Samples were collected to analyse the histology and gene expression (RNAseq and qPCR) in the jejunal and ileal tissues, blood cytokine concentrations, and blood and faecal calprotectin concentrations. HN001 consumption altered (false discovery rate < 0·05) gene expression (RNAseq) in jejunal tissues but not in ileal tissues. The number of ileal goblet cells and crypt surface area increased quadratically (P < 0·05) as dietary HN001 levels increased, but no increase was observed in the jejunal tissues. Similarly, blood plasma concentrations of IL-10 and calprotectin increased linearly (P < 0·05) as dietary HN001 levels increased. In conclusion, supplementation of IF with HN001 affected the architecture and gene expression of small intestine tissue, blood cytokine concentration and frequencies, and blood calprotectin concentrations, indicating that HN001 modulated small intestinal tissue maturation and immunity in the piglet model.

Effect of synbiotic supplementation on immune parameters and gut microbiota in healthy adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Synbiotics are increasingly used by the general population to boost immunity. However, there is limited evidence concerning the immunomodulatory effects of synbiotics in healthy individuals. Therefore, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 106 healthy adults. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either synbiotics (containing Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 1.5 × 108 CFU/d, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 7.5 × 107 CFU/d, and fructooligosaccharide 500 mg/d) or placebo for 8 weeks. Immune parameters and gut microbiota composition were measured at baseline, mid, and end of the study. Compared to the placebo group, participants receiving synbiotic supplementation exhibited greater reductions in plasma C-reactive protein (P = 0.088) and interferon-gamma (P = 0.008), along with larger increases in plasma interleukin (IL)-10 (P = 0.008) and stool secretory IgA (sIgA) (P = 0.014). Additionally, synbiotic supplementation led to an enrichment of beneficial bacteria (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Collinsella) and several functional pathways related to amino acids and short-chain fatty acids biosynthesis, whereas reduced potential pro-inflammatory Parabacteroides compared to baseline. Importantly, alternations in anti-inflammatory markers (IL-10 and sIgA) were significantly correlated with microbial variations triggered by synbiotic supplementation. Stratification of participants into two enterotypes based on pre-treatment Prevotella-to-Bacteroides (P/B) ratio revealed a more favorable effect of synbiotic supplements in individuals with a higher P/B ratio. In conclusion, this study suggested the beneficial effects of synbiotic supplementation on immune parameters, which were correlated with synbiotics-induced microbial changes and modified by microbial enterotypes. These findings provided direct evidence supporting the personalized supplementation of synbiotics for immunomodulation.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 has antimicrobial activity against endodontic pathogens in vitro

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in vitro, the antimicrobial activity of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019, through the well technique, against 10 microorganisms can be found involved in endodontic infections. The antimicrobial activity of the probiotic was performed on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia. For the control group, it was used non-pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kocuria rizhopilla. After 48 to 72 h of incubation of the petri dishes containing the culture medium, the microorganism strains, and the probiotic, the plates were examined to assess the uniformity of microbial growth, presence of contaminants, and the halo of inhibition. After visual inspection, the reading of the halo of inhibition was performed with the aid of a digital caliper using a reflected light source to illuminate the inverted plate on a black, opaque background after removing the cap. Thus, 3 values were obtained from each bacterial inoculum, which were added and divided by three to obtain the average of the values. The results of the in vitro study demonstrated that the probiotic B. animalis subsp. lactis HN019 promoted the inhibition of all strains of the pathogens evaluated, with the exception of Candida albicans, demonstrating antimicrobial activity on these microorganisms.

The Effect of Delivery Matrix on Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 Survival through In Vitro Human Digestion

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 is a probiotic with several documented human health benefits. Interest in probiotics has led to the development of new formats that probiotics, including HN019, can be supplemented into. In this study, we looked at common HN019 formats such as frozen culture and freeze-dried powder as well as supplementing it into the following food matrices: yogurts (dairy, soy, and oat based), xanthan gum-based tablets, pulpless orange juice, whey sports drink, and dark chocolate (70% cocoa). In this work, our aim was to investigate whether the food matrix that carried HN019 via simulated human digestion (a dual model system mimicking both upper and lower gastrointestinal digestion) influenced probiotic delivery. To that end, we validated and used a real-time qPCR assay to detect HN019 after simulated digestion. In addition, we also measured the effect on a panel of metabolites. After simulated digestion, we were able to detect HN019 from all the matrices tested, and the observed changes to the metabolite profile were consistent with those expected from the food matrix used. In conclusion, this work suggests that the food matrix supplemented with HN019 did not interfere with delivery to the colon via simulated human digestion.

In Vivo Investigation of Supportive Immunotherapeutic Combination of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and Doxorubicin in Murine Breast Cancer

The aim of the study is to investigate the anti-tumor effect of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in a xenograft model in BALB/c mice injected with 4T1 cells as a support for chemotherapeutic treatments of doxorubicin in vivo. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin against cancer cells, and apoptosis was analyzed by using flow cytometry. 4T1 cells (2 × 104 cells/mouse) were injected to BALB/c mice, and mice were fed with/without gavage B. infantis milk (108 CFU/mL) for 14 days and treated with doxorubicin on 5th and 10th days. The weights of the mice were recorded during the study, and the tumor sizes were measured by caliper at the 14th day. CD8 + T cell response was analyzed by using flow cytometer, and the results were compared to control and tumor control groups. The IC50 value for doxorubicin on 4T1 cell lines was determined as 0.053 ± 0.012 µg/mL. The apoptotic effect of doxorubicin at IC50 concentration was determined as 82.3% of cells to late apoptosis, 3.6% of cells to pro-apoptosis, and 6.2% of cells to necrosis. The treatment of doxorubicin, B. infantis milk, and the combination of them inhibited the tumor volumes by 55.50%, 40.69%, and 75.95%, respectively. B. infantis administration significantly enhanced the PHA-induced splenocyte proliferation (P < 0.05). It was shown that IFN-γ was effective in tumor growth and regression of metastasis. Consequently, the combination of B. infantis milk and doxorubicin showed the best anti-tumor effect.

A Diet Enriched with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Milk Fat Globule Membrane Alters the Gut Microbiota and Decreases Amygdala GABA a Receptor Expression in Stress-Sensitive Rats

Brain signalling pathways involved in subclinical anxiety and depressed mood can be modulated via the gut brain axis (GBA), providing the potential for diet and dietary components to affect mood. We investigated behavioural, physiological and gut microbiome responses to the Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strain HN001 (LactoB HN001™), which has been shown to reduce postpartum anxiety and depression, and a milk fat globule membrane-enriched product, Lipid 70 (Surestart^TM MFGM Lipid 70), which has been implicated in memory in stress-susceptible Wistar Kyoto rats. We examined behaviour in the open field, elevated plus maze and novel object recognition tests in conjunction with the expression of host genes in neuro-signalling pathways, and we also assessed brain lipidomics. Treatment-induced alterations in the caecal microbiome and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles were also assessed. Neither ingredient induced behavioural changes or altered the brain lipidome (separately or when combined). However, with regard to brain gene expression, the L. rhamnosus HN001 + Lipid 70 combination produced a synergistic effect, reducing GABAA subunit expression in the amygdala (Gabre, Gat3, Gabrg1) and hippocampus (Gabrd). Treatment with L. rhamnosus HN001 alone altered expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (Grm4) in the amygdala but produced only minor changes in gut microbiota composition. In contrast, Lipid 70 alone did not alter brain gene expression but produced a significant shift in the gut microbiota profile. Under the conditions used, there was no observed effect on rat behaviour for the ingredient combination. However, the enhancement of brain gene expression by L. rhamnosus HN001 + Lipid 70 implicates synergistic actions on region-specific neural pathways associated with fear, anxiety, depression and memory. A significant shift in the gut microbiota profile also occurred that was mainly attributable to Lipid 70.

Tumor-targeted induction of intrinsic apoptosis in colon cancer cells by Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the widespread and lethal types of malignancies. Recently, antineoplastic attributes of probiotics have attracted lots of attention. Here, we investigated anti-proliferative potential of the non-pathogenic strains Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14,917 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 on human colorectal adenocarcinoma-originated Caco-2 cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Caco-2 and HUVEC control cells were treated with ethyl acetate extracts of the two Lactobacillus strains to assess cell viability by MTT assay. Annexin/PI staining flow cytometry, and caspase-3, -8 and - 9 activity assays were performed to determine the type of cell death induced in extract-treated cells. Expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were evaluated by RT-PCR. Extracts from both L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus specifically targeted the Caco-2 cells and not HUVEC controls, and significantly affected the viability of the colon cancer cell line in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This effect was shown to occur through activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, as indicated by the increased caspase-3 and - 9 activities. While there are limited and conflicting data about the mechanisms underlying the specific antineoplastic attributes of Lactobacillus strains, we clarified the overall induced mechanism. The Lactobacillus extracts specifically down-regulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 and bcl-xl, and simultaneously up-regulated the pro-apoptotic bak, bad, and bax genes in treated Caco-2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethyl acetate extracts of L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus strains could be considered as targeted anti-cancer treatments specifically inducing the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in colorectal tumor cells.

Immunomodulatory Properties of Probiotics and Their Derived Bioactive Compounds

Immune system modulation is an intriguing part of scientific research. It is well established that the immune system plays a crucial role in orchestrating cellular and molecular key mediators, thus establishing a powerful defense barrier against infectious pathogens. Gut microbiota represent a complex community of approximately a hundred trillion microorganisms that live in the mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract, contributing to the maintenance of gut homeostasis via regulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, impairment in the crosstalk between intestinal immunity and gut microbiota may reflect on detrimental health issues. In this context, many studies have indicated that probiotics and their bioactive compounds, such as bacteriocins and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), display distinct immunomodulatory properties through which they suppress inflammation and enhance the restoration of microbial diversity in pathological states. This review highlights the fundamental features of probiotics, bacteriocins, and SCFAs, which make them ideal therapeutic agents for the amelioration of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. It also describes their underlying mechanisms on gut microbiota modulation and emphasizes how they influence the function of immune cells involved in regulating gut homeostasis. Finally, it discusses the future perspectives and challenges of their administration to individuals.

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

The microbiome in the female reproductive tract plays an essential role in immune modulation and reproductive health. However, various microbes become established during pregnancy, the balance of which plays a crucial role in embryonic development and healthy births. The contribution of disturbances in the microbiome profile to embryo health is poorly understood. A better understanding of the relationship between reproductive outcomes and the vaginal microbiota is needed to optimize the chances of healthy births. In this regards, microbiome dysbiosis refers to conditions in which the pathways of communication and balance within the normal microbiome are imbalanced due to the intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms into the reproductive system. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the natural human microbiome, with a focus on the natural uterine microbiome, mother-to-child transmission, dysbiosis, and the pattern of microbial change in pregnancy and parturition, and reviews the effects of artificial uterus probiotics during pregnancy. These effects can be studied in the sterile environment of an artificial uterus, and microbes with potential probiotic activity can be studied as a possible therapeutic approach. The artificial uterus is a technological device or biobag used as an incubator, allowing extracorporeal pregnancy. Establishing beneficial microbial communities within the artificial womb using probiotic species could modulate the immune system of both the fetus and the mother. The artificial womb could be used to select the best strains of probiotic species to fight infection with specific pathogens. Questions about the interactions and stability of the most appropriate probiotics, as well as dosage and duration of treatment, need to be answered before probiotics can be a clinical treatment in human pregnancy.

Effects of oral administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on the treatment of plaque-induced generalized gingivitis

OBJECTIVES

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the adjuvant effects of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on the treatment of plaque-induced generalized gingivitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients were submitted to professional supragingival scaling and prophylaxis. They were randomly assigned to test (probiotic lozenges containing B. lactis HN019, n = 30) or control (placebo lozenges, n = 30) groups. Lozenges were consumed twice a day for 8 weeks. Bleeding on probing (BoP), Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 8 weeks. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected at baseline and at 8 weeks for analysis of the inflammatory mediators IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1β. Data were statistically analyzed (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

After 8 weeks, both groups showed reduction in the percentage of PI, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.7423). The test group presented a lower percentage of BoP and a higher percentage of sites with GI ≤ 1 when compared with the control group at the end of the study (p < 0.0001). At 8 weeks, the test group had a greater number of patients without generalized gingivitis than the control group (20 and 11 patients, respectively; p < 0.05). The test group presented significantly lower levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in GCF than the control group at the end of the study (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The adjunct use of B. lactis HN019 promotes additional clinical and immunological benefits in the treatment of generalized gingivitis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

B. lactis HN019 can be an efficient and side-effect-free adjunct strategy in the treatment of generalized gingivitis.

Ameliorative effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity via PKC/Nrf2/PGC-1α pathway

Background

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a common cause of hepatotoxicity. Antioxidants like N-acetyl cysteine are recommended as a therapeutic option; nevertheless, it has limitations. The search for efficient alternatives is ongoing. Probiotics are live microorganisms that maintain a healthy gut microecology. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is one of the widely used probiotics. Our study aimed to assess the protective and therapeutic effects of probiotic LGG on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and evaluate the molecular pathways behind this effect.

Methods

Wistar Albino male rats were randomly distributed into the following experimental groups: group 1, non-treated rats (vehicle); group 2, rats received oral gavage of suspension of probiotic LGG (5 × 10¹⁰ CFU GG/0.5 ml in PBS) daily for 2 weeks (probiotic control); group 3, rats received APAP dose of 2 g/kg body weight (positive control); group 4, rats received oral gavage of suspension of probiotic LGG for 2 weeks followed by a single dose of APAP injection (prophylactic); and group 5, rats received a single dose of APAP and then 24 h later treated with oral gavage of probiotic LGG daily for 2 weeks (treatment).

Results

Our study revealed that administration of probiotic LGG (either as prophylactic or treatment) exhibited a remarkable reduction in APAP-induced liver injury as resembled by the decrease in liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and the histopathological features of liver sections. Moreover, the significant reduction in the oxidative marker malondialdehyde, along with the enhancement in glutathione reductase, and the significant reduction in inflammatory markers (nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α) were all indicators of the efficiency of LGG in ameliorating the alterations accompanied with APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Our findings also demonstrate that LGG administration boosted the expression of Nrf2 and PGC-1 while decreasing the expression of protein kinase C (PKC). As a result, the nuclear abundance of Nrf2 is increased, and the expression of various antioxidants is eventually upregulated.

Conclusion

Our study shows that probiotic LGG supplementation exerts a prophylactic and therapeutic effect against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through modulating the expression of PKC and the Nrf2/PGC-1α signaling pathway and eventually suppressing oxidative damage from APAP overdose.

Effects of oral exposure to leachate from boiled-water treated plastic products on gut microbiome and metabolomics

By simulating plastic exposure patterns in modern society, the impact of daily exposure to plastic products on mammals was explored. In this study, Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used to establish drinking water exposure models of three popular kinds of plastic products, including non-woven tea bags, food-grade plastic bags and disposable paper cups. Feces and urine of mice were collected for gut microbiome and metabolomics analysis. Our results showed that the diversity and composition of gut microbiota changed at genus level compared to control group. Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Escherichia-shigella and Staphylococcus decreased while Lachnospiraceae increased treated with non-woven tea bags. Escherichia-shigella and Alistipes increased while Parabacteroides decreased treated with food grade plastic bags. Muribaculaceae decreased in the gut microbiota of mice treated with disposable paper cups. Metabolomics has seen changes in the number of metabolites and enrichment of metabolic pathways related to inflammatory responses and immune function. Inflammatory responses were found in histological and biochemical examination. In summary, this study demonstrated that long-term oral exposure to leachate form boiled-water treated plastic products might have effects on gut microbiome and metabolome, which further provided new insights about potential adverse effects for human beings.

Arsenic trioxide modulates the composition and metabolic function of the gut microbiota in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis

The mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been widely investigated, and studies on the use of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in the treatment of RA have been reported in recent years. However, the exact mechanism of action of ATO in RA remains unclear. This study explores alterations in the gut microbiota and metabolism during ATO treatment in a mouse model of RA and provides an integrative analysis of the biomechanism. The purpose of this study was to verify whether ATO can alleviate RA by altering the gut microbiota. In this study, the mice were randomly divided into four different groups: the normal control (NC) group, the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group, the ATO 1.0 mg/kg/day group, and the ATO 2.0 mg/kg/day group. Fecal samples were collected. Through 16S rDNA gene sequencing and metabolomic analysis, the effect of ATO on the composition and metabolites of gut microbiota in CIA mice was investigated. The results showed that compared with NC mice, CIA mice showed differences at both the phylum level (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) and the genus level (Muribaculaceae_unclassified and Alistipes). Meanwhile, many metabolites were significantly changed between the two groups, including benzoic acid and (s)-2-acetolactate. However, these alterations were partially reversed in ATO-treated CIA mice. These results indicated that ATO treatment modulated gut microbiota disorder and improved fecal metabolite abnormalities. In conclusion, this study provided important evidence for alterations of the gut microbiota and metabolites and the role of these alterations in a potential novel mechanism of ATO treatment in RA.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 Ameliorates BEZ235-Induced Intestinal Dysbiosis and Prolongs Cardiac Transplant Survival

Cardiac allograft rejection remains a major factor limiting long-term engraftment after transplantation. A novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR dual inhibitor, BEZ235, prolonged cardiac allograft survival by effectively suppressing activation of the PI3K/serine/threonine kinase (AKT)/mTOR pathway. However, long-term usage of pharmacological immunosuppressant drugs can cause intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. We established mouse models of allogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation with different treatments. Fecal samples were collected and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted fecal metabolomic analysis. Graft samples were taken for immune cell detection by flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokines in serum were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to single-target approaches (IC-87114 and rapamycin), BEZ235 more efficiently prolongs cardiac transplant survival. Interestingly, BEZ235 reduces the diversity and abundance of the intestinal microbiota community. We demonstrated that Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 rescues the intestinal microbiota imbalance induced by BEZ235. IMPORTANCE Our data confirmed that the combination of BEZ235 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 significantly prolongs cardiac transplant survival. A main metabolic product of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, propionic acid (PA), enriches regulatory T (Treg) cells and serves as a potent immunomodulatory supplement to BEZ235. Our study provides a novel and efficient therapeutic strategy for transplant recipients.

A randomized trial of probiotic supplementation in nurses to reduce stress and viral illness

Animal studies demonstrate how the gut microbiota influence psychological health and immunity to viral infections through their actions along multiple dynamic pathways in the body. Considerable interest exists in probiotics to reduce stress and illness symptoms through beneficial effects in the gut, but translating pre-clinical evidence from animal models into humans remains challenging. We conducted a large trial in nurses working during the 2020 COVID19 pandemic year to establish whether daily ingestion of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 reduced perceived stress and the number of days participants reported symptoms of a viral illness. Our results showed no significant difference in perceived stress or the average number of illness days between probiotic supplemented nurses and the placebo group. Stress and viral illness symptoms reduced during the study for all participants, a trajectory likely influenced by societal-level factors. The powerful effect of a well-managed public health response to the COVID19 pandemic and the elimination of COVID19 from the community in 2020 may have altered the trajectory of stress levels and reduced circulating viral infections making it difficult to detect any effect of probiotic supplementation. Our study highlights the challenge in controlling environmental factors in human trials.

Use of the Probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 in Oral Diseases

The oral cavity is one of the environments on the human body with the highest concentrations of microorganisms that coexist harmoniously and maintain homeostasis related to oral health. Several local factors can shift the microbiome to a pathogenic state of dysbiosis. Existing treatments for infections caused by changes in the oral cavity aim to control biofilm dysbiosis and restore microbial balance. Studies have used probiotics as treatments for oral diseases, due to their ability to reduce the pathogenicity of the microbiota and immunoinflammatory changes. This review investigates the role of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 in oral health, and its mechanism of action in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This probiotic strain is a lactic acid bacterium that is safe for human consumption. It mediates bacterial co-aggregation with pathogens and modulates the immune response. Studies using B. lactis HN019 in periodontitis and peri-implant mucositis have shown it to be a potential adjuvant treatment with beneficial microbiological and immunological effects. Studies evaluating its oral effects and mechanism of action show that this probiotic strain has the potential to be used in several dental applications because of its benefit to the host.

Bioactive metabolites in functional and fermented foods and their role as immunity booster and anti-viral innate mechanisms

Live microorganisms in the fermented foods termed probiotics and their secondary metabolites with bioactive potential were considered as potential anti-viral capabilities through various mechanisms. Given the importance of functional and fermented foods in disease prevention, there is a need to discuss the contextualization and deep understanding of the mechanism of action of these foods, particularly considering the appearance of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which is causing health concerns and increased social services globally. The mechanism of probiotic strains or their bioactive metabolites is due to stimulation of immune response through boosting T-lymphocytes, cytokines, and cell toxicity of natural killer cells. Proper consumption of these functional and fermented foods may provide additional antiviral approaches for public benefit by modulating the immune functions in the hosts.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05528-8.

Roles of Microbiota in Cancer: From Tumor Development to Treatment

Cancer as a second leading cause of death arises from multifactorial pathology. The association of microbiota and their products with various pathologic conditions including cancer is receiving significant attention over the past few years. Mounting evidence showed that human microbiota is an emerging target in tumor onset, progression, prevention, and even diagnosis. Accordingly, modulating this composition might influence the response to tumor therapy and therapeutic resistance as well. Through this review, one could conceive of complex interaction between the microbiome and cancer in either positive or negative manner by which may hold potential for finding novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Investigating the effects of peptide-based, MOS and protease feed additives on the growth performance and fecal microbial composition of weaned pigs

Background

Digestive disorders in weaning pigs remain a major challenge for swine producers. Different types of commercial feed additives have been developed to promote gut health and development in young pigs, but their effects on resident gut microbial communities remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a peptide-based product (Peptiva) in combination with mannose oligosaccharides (MOS) and an exogenous protease on the performance and fecal microbiome of nursery pigs.

Methods

A total of 1097 weaned pigs were divided into 44 pens (24–26 pigs/pen) with each pen randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets as part of Phase II and Phase III of a standard nursery phase feeding program. Fecal samples collected from representative control and treatment pigs were used to investigate bacterial composition profiles by high throughput sequencing of PCR-generated amplicons targeting the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Results

Higher gain:feed was observed for pigs fed Peptiva and MOS compared to Controls during the period when experimental diets were fed, but the benefits of supplementation were not maintained after pigs were transitioned to a non-supplemented diet. Three candidate bacterial species, identified as Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), were found to have significantly different abundances between control samples and treatment samples during the same phase. In Phase III samples, SD_Ssd-00039, predicted to be a strain of Streptococcus alactolyticus based on nucleotide sequence identity, was the most highly represented of these OTUs with an average abundance in pigs fed Peptiva, MOS and protease that was 3.9 times higher than in Controls. The report also presents evidence of microbial succession that occurred during the trial, with 16 of the 32 most abundant OTUs found to vary between Phase II and Phase III samples for the same dietary treatment.

Conclusions

Dietary supplementation with a combination of a peptide-based product, MOS, and protease increased the growth performance of weaned pigs compared to control animals during the nursery phase, but these benefits were no longer observed within 2 weeks after all animals were transitioned to a non-supplemented diet. Supplementation with these feed additives was found to modulate the composition of the swine gut microbiome during this period.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-022-00681-8.

Recent Development of Probiotic Bifidobacteria for Treating Human Diseases

Bifidobacterium is a non-spore-forming, Gram-positive, anaerobic probiotic actinobacterium and commonly found in the gut of infants and the uterine region of pregnant mothers. Like all probiotics, Bifidobacteria confer health benefits on the host when administered in adequate amounts, showing multifaceted probiotic effects. Examples include B. bifidum, B. breve, and B. longum, common Bifidobacterium strains employed to prevent and treat gastrointestinal disorders, including intestinal infections and cancers. Herein, we review the latest development in probiotic Bifidobacteria research, including studies on the therapeutic impact of Bifidobacterial species on human health and recent efforts in engineering Bifidobacterium. This review article would provide readers with a wholesome understanding of Bifidobacteria and its potentials to improve human health.

Effects of Probiotic Mixture Supplementation on the Immune Response to the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in People Living with HIV

Background: In people living with HIV, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces the risk of death, but the persistent immune-deficient state predisposes them to pneumococcal infections. Current guidelines encourage administering pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar 13 to patients living with HIV. Since probiotic supplementation could act as adjuvants and improve vaccine immunogenicity by modulating gut microbiota, the present study aimed to assess whether the effect of a formulation containing a combination of specific probiotics (Vivomixx^®) could improve the immune response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in adult people living with HIV. Methods: Thirty patients who were clinically stable and virologically suppressed, without opportunistic infections during this time and no ART changes in the 12 months before the study started were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) received a placebo dose and (2) received Vivomixx^® (1800 billion CFU) for four weeks before and after the vaccination with a single dose of PCV13. Results: Vivomixx^® supplementation induced a better response to PCV13 immunization, as shown by greater change in anti-Pn CPS13 IgG and increase in salivary IgA, IL-10 and IL-8. Conclusions: Additional investigations will help to clearly and fully elucidate the optimal strains, doses, and timing of administration of probiotics to improve protection upon vaccination in immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.

Investigation of the supportive therapy potential of propolis extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 milk combination against breast cancer in mice

Immunotherapy has been applied in cancer treatments for many years as an alternative treatment method to radiotherapy, chemotherapy. It is well known that immunotherapy could suppress tumor formation by modulating the immune system of the host. The aim of the study is to investigate supportive therapy potential of acidophilus milk (AS) and propolis extract (PE) in the mouse xenograft breast cancer model. For this purpose, firstly cytotoxic effect of PE was determined by MTT assay against 4 T1 mouse breast cancer cells. Apoptotic effect of PE analyzed by flow cytometry. The antibacterial activity of PE was determined by the 96-well microplate broth-dilution method on Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5. Then, Balb/c mice were injected subcutaneously with 4 T1 cells (2x10⁵ cells/mouse) and also mice were given daily oral gavage with PE (66 mg/kg/day) and/or acidophilus milk (10⁸ CFU/mL/mouse/day) for 14 days. The Balb/c mice were weighed throughout the study, and the tumor sizes were measured by caliper at the 14th day. The proliferation of splenocytes which collected spleen from mice was measured by MTT. CD8 + T cell response was analyzed by flow cytometry and results were evaluated in comparison with control and tumor control groups. The IC₅₀ value for PE on 4 T1 cells was determined as 129.25 ± 1.90 µg/mL. The apoptotic effect of PE at IC₅₀ concentration was determined as 3.3% of cells to late-apoptosis, 4.3% of cells to pro-apoptosis and 2.5% of cells to necrosis. The MIC and MBC values for PE on L. acidophilus LA-5 were 5000 ppm. The treatment of PE, AS and the combination of PE and AS were inhibited the tumor volumes by 59.16%, 28.29% and 63.39%, respectively. Acidophilus milk and PE combination significantly enhanced the ConA-, LPS- and PHA-induced splenocyte proliferation (P < 0.05). The acidophilus milk and PE combination were also found to stimulate IFN- γ production. In conclusion, the best anti-tumor effect was obtained by the combination of acidophilus milk and propolis.

Co-Fermentation by Lactobacillus brevis B7 Improves the Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activities of Hydroponic Ginseng-Fortified Yogurt

The development of convenient and accessible health-functional foods has become an area of increased interest in recent years. Probiotics, ginseng, and yogurts have been recognized as representative nutraceutical products. To improve the functionality of yogurts, co-fermentation was performed during yogurt preparation. Four kinds of yogurt were prepared using a combination of probiotic Lactobacillus brevis B7 and hydroponic ginseng based on plain yogurt. The fundamental characteristics of yogurts, including pH, titratable acidity, microbial counts, color, and physicochemical properties, were determined. To assess functionality, four different antioxidant assays and real-time PCR analysis using RAW 264.7 cells were performed. Finally, sensory evaluation was conducted to evaluate customer preference. Hydroponic ginseng supplementation influenced pH, solid content, lightness, and yellowness. However, probiotic supplementation did not affect most factors except pH. In functionality analysis, the yogurt co-fermented with probiotics and ginseng showed the highest antioxidant activity and gene expression levels of the immune-related factors TNF-α and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. Although ginseng supplementation received poor acceptance because of its color and flavor, these attempts were considered beneficial despite the risk. Overall, co-fermentation within a short yogurt preparation time presented the potential for improvement of functionality. These findings suggest a range of feasibility for the development of attractive nutraceutical products.

Characterization of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its In Vitro Assessment Against Colorectal Cancer Cells

Silver nanoparticles are the most desirable nanoparticles broadly used in diverse fields. This study intends to investigate the anticancer properties of synthesized silver/Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG nanoparticles (Ag-LNPs) as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis process. To prepare silver/Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG nanoparticles, 1 mg/ml cell lysate of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and 1 mM silver nitrate solution were mixed and incubated for 72 h. XRD, FTIR, and TEM methods were used for nanoparticle characterization. MTT assay and annexin/PI staining were employed to analyze the toxicity and apoptotic cells levels of Ag-LNPs, respectively. TEM showed that these nanoparticles are spherical shaped about 233 nm in size. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated that Ag-LNPs were functionalized with biomolecules. XRD pattern showed high purity and face-centered crystal structure of Ag-LNPs. MTT assay revealed that the percentages of HT-29 live cells significantly reduced in the high concentration of Ag-LNPs. Annexin/PI staining showed that these nanoparticles could lead HT-29 cells to apoptosis. This study showed the new Ag-LNP-synthesizing method using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as a cost-effective and efficient approach. Also, it showed that these nanoparticles can be considered as a potential active agent for biomedical applications and drug delivery due to their anticancer activities.

Involvement of Probiotics and Postbiotics in the Immune System Modulation

Intestinal microbiota interacts with other systems, especially the immune system, which is responsible for protecting the body by recognizing “stranger” (pathogen associated molecular patterns-PAMPs) and “danger” (damage-associated molecular patterns-DAMPs) molecular motifs. In this manner, it plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases and health. Despite the use of probiotics that modulate the intestinal microbiota in providing health benefits and in the treatment of diseases, there are some possible concerns about the possibility of developing adverse effects, especially in people with suppressed immune systems. Since probiotics provide health benefits with bioactive compounds, studies are carried out on the use of products containing non-living probiotic microorganisms (paraprobiotics) and/or their metabolites (postbiotics) instead of probiotic products. It is even reported that these microbial compounds have more immunomodulatory activities than living microorganisms via some possible mechanism and eliminates some disadvantages of probiotics. Considering the increasing use of functional foods in health and disease, further studies are needed with respect to the benefits and advantages of parabiotic and/or postbiotic use in the food and pharmaceutical industry as well as immune system modulation. Although probiotics have been extensive studied for a long time, it seems that postbiotics are promising tools for future research and applications according to the recent literature. This review aimed to evaluate the interaction of probiotics and postbiotics with the immune systems and also their advantages and disadvantages in the area of food-pharmaceutical industry and immune system modulation.

Microbiome analysis reveals gut microbiota alteration in mice with the effect of matrine

Mounting evidence revealed the negative effects of abuse of antibiotic including the induction of decreased immunity and dysbacteriosis. Matrine displayed multiple beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial, but studies of its influence on gut microbiota are still insufficient to report. Here, the present study was conducted to investigate the influence of matrine on the gut microbiota of mice and amoxicillin was used as a positive control. A total of 21 cecal samples were obtained from seven groups for high-throughput sequencing analysis based on V3-V4 variable region of 16S rRNA genes. Results revealed that the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in mice gradually decreased with the increase of the concentration of amoxicillin, whereas matrine administration did not effect the intestinal microbial community structure. Additionally, amoxicillin and matrine supplementation also caused significant changes in the relative abundance of some intestinal bacteria. Specifically, the ratio of Klebsiella and Corynebacterium_1, Bacteroides and Parasutterella in the amoxicillin treated-group were increased as compared to the control group, whereas Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Alistipes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased. Conversely, matrine administration significantly increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Ruminiclostridium_9, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Ruminococcaceae_unclassified. In conclusion, amoxicillin administration could change the microbial community composition and structure by increasing the proportion of pathogenic to beneficial bacteria, whereas matrine could increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical basis for finding alternatives to antibiotics to decrease bacterial resistance and intestinal flora imbalance.

Intestinal Dysbiosis Correlates With Sirolimus-induced Metabolic Disorders in Mice

BACKGROUND

Long-time use of pharmacological immunosuppressive agents frequently leads to metabolic disorders. Most studies have focused on islet toxicity leading to posttransplantation diabetes mellitus. In contrast, the link between intestinal dysbiosis and immunosuppressive drug-induced metabolic disorders remains unclear.

METHODS

We established a mouse model of metabolic abnormality via sirolimus treatment. Fecal microbiota was examined using 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing. Intestinal barrier function was assessed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran assay and mucus immunostaining. Systemic inflammation was determined using a multiplexed fluorescent bead-based immunoassay.

RESULTS

Sirolimus induced dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the clinical-mimicking dose of sirolimus altered the intestinal microbiota community, which was characterized by the enrichment of Proteobacteria, depletion of Akkermansia, and potential function shifts to those involved in lipid metabolism and the immune system. In addition, the clinical-mimicking dose of sirolimus reduced the thickness of the intestinal mucosal layer, increased the intestinal permeability, and enriched the circulating pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-12, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and IL-1β. Our results showed a close association between intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal barrier failure, systemic inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, we demonstrated that oral intervention in the gut microbiota by Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 protected against intestinal dysbiosis, especially by depleting the lipopolysaccharide-producing Proteobacteria, and attenuated the sirolimus-induced systemic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated a potentially causative role of intestinal dysbiosis in sirolimus-induced metabolic disorders, which will provide a novel therapeutic target for transplant recipients.

Isolation of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris LRCC5306 and Optimization of Diacetyl Production Conditions for Manufacturing Sour Cream

The sensory properties and flavor of sour cream are important factors that influence consumer acceptability. The present study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria with excellent diacetyl production ability and to optimize the fermentation conditions for sour cream manufacture. Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris was isolated as a lactic acid bacterium derived from raw milk. This strain showed the greatest diacetyl production among other strains and was named LRCC5306. Various culture conditions were optimized to improve the diacetyl production of LRCC5306. The highest diacetyl production was found to be at 105.04±2.06 mg/L, when 0.2% citric acid and 0.001% Fe2+ were added and cultured at 20°C for 15 h. Based on the optimal cultivation conditions, sour cream was manufactured using LRCC5306, with a viable count of 1.04×108 CFU/g and a diacetyl concentration of 106.56±1.53 mg/g. The electronic tongue system was used to compare the sensory properties of the sour cream; the fermented product exhibited sweetness and saltiness which was similar to that of an imported commercial product, but with slightly reduced bitterness and a significantly greater degree of sour taste. Therefore, our study shows that if cream is fermented using the LRCC5306, it is possible to produce sour cream with greatly improved sensory attractiveness, resulting in increased acceptance by consumers. Since this sour cream has a higher viable count of lactic acid bacteria, it is also anticipated that it will have a better probiotic effect.

Immune System Efficiency in Cancer and the Microbiota Influence

The immune system plays a critical role in preventing cancer development and progression. However, the complex network of cells and soluble factor that form the tumor microenvironment (TME) can dictate the differentiation of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes and shift the antitumor immune response into promoting tumor growth. With the advent of cancer immunotherapy, there has been a reinvigorated interest in defining how the TME shapes the antitumor immune response. This interest brought to light the microbiome as a novel player in shaping cancer immunosurveillance. Indeed, accumulating evidence now suggests that the microbiome may confer susceptibility or resistance to certain cancers and may influence response to therapeutics, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. As we move forward into the age of precision medicine, it is vital that we define the factors that influence the interplay between the triad immune system-microbiota-cancer. This knowledge will contribute to improve the therapeutic response to current approaches and will unravel novel targets for immunotherapy.

Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 Prevents Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Acute Liver Injury Induced by D-Gal/LPS in Mice

AIM

The purpose of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 (LP-KSFY06) on D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal/LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.

METHODS

We evaluated the antioxidant capacity of LP-KSFY06 in vitro, detailed the effects of LP-KSFY06 on the organ index, liver function index, biochemical index, cytokines, and related genes, and noted the accompanying pathological changes.

RESULTS

The results clearly showed that LP-KSFY06 can remove 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline -6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radicals in vitro. The analysis of the organ index and pathology demonstrated that LP-KSFY06 significantly prevented ALI. Biochemical and molecular biological analysis showed that LP-KSFY06 prevented a decrease in the antioxidant-related levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and also prevented an increase in aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. LP-KSFY06 upregulated the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin (IL)-10 and downregulated the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). These oxidative and inflammatory indicators were consistent with the results of gene detections. Furthermore, we determined that LP-KSFY06 downregulated Keap1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), IL-18, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14 or p38), upregulated Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), B-cell inhibitor-α (IκB-α), and thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA expression. These may be related to the regulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NLRP3/NF-κB pathways.

CONCLUSION

LP-KSFY06 is an effective multifunctional Lactobacillus with strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ability that can prevent D-gal/LPS-induced ALI in mice and assist in maintaining health.

Isolation of Novel Probiotic Lactobacillus and Enterococcus Strains From Human Salivary and Fecal Sources

Probiotics are non-pathogenic microorganisms that can interact with the gastrointestinal microbiota. They have numerous beneficial health effects that include enhancement of the host immune response, antiallergic, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Probiotics are capable of restoring the impaired microbiome of a dysbiotic gut. They can be isolated from different environments. However, it is frequently suggested that probiotics for human use should come from human sources. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize novel probiotic strains from the saliva and feces of healthy human individuals. To meet the criteria for probiotic attributes, the isolates were subjected to numerous standard morphological and biochemical tests. These tests included Gram staining, catalase tests, antibiotic susceptibility testing, hemolytic and antagonistic evaluation, tolerance tests involving temperature, NaCl levels, pH and bile salts, adherence ability assays, and genotypic characterization involving 16S rRNA gene sequencing. From 26 saliva and 11 stool samples, 185 microbial strains were isolated. Based on morphological and biochemical characteristics, 14 potential probiotic candidates were selected and identified genotypically. The new strains belonged to Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus hire. The selected strains were non-hemolytic, showed high tolerance to low pH and bile salts, and strong adherence abilities. Furthermore, the strains displayed a wide range of antimicrobial activities, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, five of the selected isolates demonstrated antiproliferative features against human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2). The results of this investigation confirm the diversity of microbial populations in the human gut and saliva, and since these strains are of human origin, they will highly likely display maximal activities in food and drugs set for human use. Hence, the new strains of this study require additional in vivo experiments to assess their health-promoting effects.

Research on the Effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus on Salmonella enteritidis-Infected Chicken

Salmonella enteritidis can cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and economic loss in the animal industry. Improving the innate immunity is an effective method to prevent S. enteritidis infection. Pediococcus pentosaceus is a Gram-positive coccus which had probiotics properties. Numerous previously published studies reported that probiotics were beneficial to gut microbiota by changing the intestinal flora structure and inhibiting the harmful microbial growth to enhance the innate immunity. We investigated the immunological effects of P. pentosaceus on Salmonella-infected chickens by the following experiment. A total of 120 broilers from AA line were fed and divided into 2 groups (treated and control groups) for the experiment from day 1. The control group was fed with the basic diet, while the treated group was fed with the basic diet adding P. pentosaceus microcapsule with the bacterial concentration of 1 g/kg in the feed and bacterial counts 2.5 × 10⁹ CFU/g. All the birds were given with 0.5 ml of S. enteritidis bacterial suspension (10⁹ CFU/ml) through oral cavity at day 9. The number of dead birds was recorded and used in the analysis. The bacterial culture method and quantitative real-time PCR analysis were used to evaluate the effects of P. pentosaceus on chickens infected with S. enteritidis and to ascertain the mechanism of the effect. The results showed that the P. pentosaceus could restrain the pathogenicity of S. enteritidis and reduce the death rate from 44.4% to 23.3%. The flora in the caecum exhibited “rising-declining” trends, and the gene (TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6 NF-κB, IFN-β, TNF-a, IL6, and IL8) expression pattern was different between the experimental and control group. P. pentosaceus as a probiotic may competitively inhibit the growth of S. enteritidis and control the inflammatory response through regulating the gene expression which involved in the toll-like receptor pathway and inflammation pathway.

Immunomodulatory Activity of Lactococcus lactis GCWB1176 in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression Model

Recently, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis has been reported to have immunostimulating properties in an immunosuppressed-animal model. However, the immunological activities of Lactococcus lactis and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this report, we evaluated the immunostimulating activity and associated mechanisms of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis GCWB1176 (GCWB1176) in macrophages and cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice. In a series of safety tests, GCWB1176 was found to have a negative response to hemolysis, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics. Administration of GCWB1176 elevated natural killer (NK) cell activities; concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation; and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. In RAW264.7 macrophages, treatment with GCWB1176 induced phagocytic activity and increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible NO synthase. Simultaneously, GCWB1176 increased the production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12 from mouse splenocytes and RAW264.7 cells. In addition, GCWB1176 significantly increased the transcriptional activities of NF-κB and iNOS. Taken together, GCWB1176 improved immune function through the activation of macrophages and NK cells. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of GCWB1176 may be used to enhance immunity.

A combination of three probiotic strains for treatment of acute diarrhoea in hospitalised children: an open label, randomised controlled trial

Acute diarrhoea continues to be a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalisation, and mortality worldwide, and probiotics have been proposed as a complementary therapy in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of three combined probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, as an adjunct to rehydration therapy in treatment of acute watery diarrhoea in hospitalised children. Eligible diarrheal children were randomised into intervention group (IG, n=96, conventional treatment for diarrhoea in combination with probiotics) and control group (CG, n=98, conventional treatment for diarrhoea without probiotics). The primary assessments of this study were duration of diarrhoea and hospital stay and improvement in diarrhoea symptoms. Significantly more children in the IG showed improvements in diarrhoea (defined as a decrease of stool frequency to no more than four times per day and an improved stool consistency within 24-48 h after the treatment) than those in the CG (96.9 vs 79.6%, P<0.05). Children supplemented with the mixed strains had a 22.5 h shorter (121.4±13.7 h vs 143.9±19.8 h) mean duration of diarrhoea and 1.2 d shorter hospital stays (5.1±1.2 d vs 6.3±1.4 d) than children only receiving the rehydration therapy (P<0.05). The prevalence of constipation of children in the IG (3.1%) was markedly lower (P<0.05) than that of children in the CG (13.3%) after treatment. In conclusion, the mixture of three probiotic strains given to children aged 1-3 years resulted in shorter durations of diarrhoea and hospitalisation and a higher percentage of improved children.

Warding Off Recurrent Yeast and Bacterial Vaginal Infections: Lactoferrin and Lactobacilli

Vaginal infections are the most prevalent women's health problem. Incompetent diagnosis, inappropriate treatments, and antibiotic resistance are the main causes of the unsatisfactory results of conventional, antimicrobic treatment for these infections. Research has thus been conducted to identify new treatments for these genital diseases. The significant enhancement in our knowledge of vaginal microbiota has permitted the development of new, nonpharmacological strategies for the treatment of vaginal infections that seek to restore the balance of vaginal microflora, as opposed to modifying its components. Among these approaches, bioactive compounds, such as probiotics and nutraceutical proteins (such as lactoferrin), deserve particular attention. The aim of this review is to examine the role of probiotics (mainly Lactobacillus spp.) and lactoferrin as new strategies for counteracting bacterial and fungal vaginal infections.

Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activities of the Heat-Killed Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus casei IMAU60214 on Macrophages In Vitro

Most Lactobacillus species have beneficial immunological (“immunoprobiotic”) effects in the host. However, it is unclear how probiotic bacteria regulate immune responses. The present study investigated the effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei IMAU60214 on the activity of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Human MDMs were treated with heat-killed L. casei at a ratio (bacteria/MDM) of 50:1, 100:1, 250:1, and 500:1, and then evaluated for the following: NO production, by Griess reaction; phagocytosis of FITC-labeled Staphylococcus aureus particles; cytokine secretion profile (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β) by ELISA; and costimulatory molecule (CD80 and CD86) surface expression, by flow cytometry. Heat-killed L. casei IMAU60214 enhanced phagocytosis, NO production, cytokine release, and surface expression of CD80 and CD86 in a dose-dependent manner. All products were previously suppressed by pretreatment with a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-neutralizing antibody. Overall, our findings suggest that this probiotic strain promotes an M1-like pro-inflammatory phenotype through the TLR2 signaling pathway. These effects on macrophage phenotype help explain the probiotic efficacy of Lactobacillus and provide important information for the selection of therapeutic targets and treatments compatible with the immunological characteristics of this probiotic strain.

Microbiota-dependent and -independent effects of dietary fibre on human health

Dietary fibre, such as indigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, occurs in many foods and has gained considerable importance related to its beneficial effects on host health and specific diseases. Dietary fibre is neither digested nor absorbed in the small intestine and modulates the composition of the gut microbiota. New evidence indicates that dietary fibre also interacts directly with the epithelium and immune cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract by microbiota-independent effects. This review focuses on how dietary fibre improves human health and the reported health benefits that are connected to molecular pathways, in (a) a microbiota-independent manner, via interaction with specific surface receptors on epithelial and immune cells regulating intestinal barrier and immune function, and (b) a microbiota-dependent manner via maintaining intestinal homeostasis by promoting beneficial microbes, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, limiting the growth, adhesion, and cytotoxicity of pathogenic microbes, as well as stimulating fibre-derived microbial short-chain fatty acid production. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc.

Isolation and characterization of five novel probiotic strains from Korean infant and children faeces

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing viable, non-pathogenic microorganisms that interact with the gastrointestinal microflora and directly with the immune system. The possible health effects of probiotics include modulating the immune system and exerting antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-mutagenic effects. The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize novel strains of probiotics from the faeces of Korean infants. Various assays were conducted to determine the physiological features of candidate probiotic isolates, including Gram staining, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, tolerance assays to stimulated gastric juice and bile salts, adherence ability assays, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and assays of immunomodulatory effects. Based on these morphological and biochemical characteristics, five potential probiotic isolates (Enterococcus faecalis BioE EF71, Lactobacillus fermentum BioE LF11, Lactobacillus plantarum BioE LPL59, Lactobacillus paracasei BioE LP08, and Streptococcus thermophilus BioE ST107) were selected. E. faecalis BioE EF71 and L. plantarum BioE LPL59 showed high tolerance to stimulated gastric juice and bile salts, and S. thermophilus BioE ST107 as well as these two strains exhibited stronger adherence ability than reference strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. All five strains inhibited secretion of lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. L. fermentum BioE LF11, L. plantarum BioE LPL59, and S. thermophilus BioE ST107 enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the five novel strains have potential as safe probiotics and encouraged varying degrees of immunomodulatory effects.

Effect of a Synbiotic Mix on Intestinal Structural Changes, and Salmonella Typhimurium and Clostridium Perfringens Colonization in Broiler Chickens

Synbiotics can prevent gastrointestinal infections in broilers. This work studies the effect of a Synbiotic on broilers. One-day-old male broilers were divided into groups: Control; Synbiotic; Synbiotic + S. Typhimurium; Synbiotic + C. perfringens; Synbiotic + S. Typhimurium + C. perfringens; S. Typhimurium; C. perfringens; and S. Typhimurium + C. perfringens. Histopathological analysis revealed that the Synbiotic promoted longer villi, less deep crypts, and better villi-crypt ratio. Broilers treated with the Synbiotic, infected with pathogens or not, had healthier mucosa. In groups infected with pathogens, the frequency and intensity of histopathologic lesions were lessened often in groups treated with the Synbiotic. The Synbiotic group had higher lactic acid bacteria counts than the Control group on day 39, and the isolation frequency of S. Typhimurium was lower (p < 0.05) in the Synbiotic-treated groups. On day 18, mucosa, villi, villi-crypt ratio, crypt, and feed intake were influenced by Enterobacteriaceae. However, on day 39 (end of the trial), those parameters were influenced by lactic acid bacteria. The Synbiotic influenced morphological modifications in the duodenal mucosa, which in turn gave the broilers the ability to resist infections caused by S. Typhimurium and C. perfringens, by inhibiting their growth and decreasing the intensity and frequency of histopathological injuries.

Novel production of natural bacteriocin via internalization of dextran nanoparticles into probiotics

Recently, probiotics has drawn much attention as an alternative of antibiotics because overuse use of antibiotics has caused widespread bacterial resistance. Given that prebiotics enhance the activity of probiotics, we prepared phthalyl dextran nanoparticles (PDNs) by conjugation of phthalic anhydride with dextran to form a prebiotic and checked its effects on the cellular and antimicrobial properties of the probiotics. First, we found that the internalization of PDNs by probiotics was dependent on temperature, time, and glucose transporters. Internalization of PDNs enhanced the production of antimicrobial peptides by probiotics through self-defense mechanism and resulted in higher antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and -negative pathogens compared to probiotics themselves. Moreover, pediocin produced by PDN-internalized probiotics was able to suppress pathogenic gut infections and alter the population of gut microbiome in vivo. The enhanced antimicrobial property of Pediococcus acidilactidi internalized with PDNs could decrease the number of pathogens and increase beneficial bacteria species in mice. Furthermore, the composition of gut microbiome was changed, and resulted in preventing reduction of the diversity of the microflora. Our results indicate that PDNs as a new type of prebiotic can regulate probiotic bacterial metabolism, suggesting a new avenue for probiotic modulation and their use in addressing the challenge of bacterial resistance.