Probiotics and the gut microbiota in intestinal health and disease

New clues for postbiotics to improve host health: a review from the perspective of function and mechanisms

Strain activity and stability severely limit the beneficial effects of probiotics in modulating host health. Postbiotics have emerged as a promising alternative as they can provide similar or even enhanced efficacy to probiotics, even under inactivated conditions. This review introduces the ingredients, preparation, and identification techniques of postbiotics, focusing on the comparison of the advantages and limitations between probiotics and postbiotics based on their mechanisms and applications. Inactivation treatment is the most significant difference between postbiotics and probiotics. We highlight the use of emerging technologies to inactivate probiotics, optimize process conditions to maintain the activity of postbiotics, or scale up their production. Postbiotics have high stability which can overcome unfavorable factors, such as easy inactivation and difficult colonization of probiotics after entering the intestine, and are rapidly activated, allowing continuous and rapid optimization of the intestinal microecological environment. They provide unique mechanisms, and multiple targets act on the gut-organ axis, co-providing new clues for the study of the biological functions of postbiotics. We summarize the mechanisms of action of inactivated lactic acid bacteria, highlighting that the NF-κB and MAPK pathways can be used as immune targeting pathways for postbiotic modulation of host health. Generally, we believe that as the classification, composition, and efficacy mechanism of postbiotics become clearer they will be more widely used in food, medicine, and other fields, greatly enriching the dimensions of food innovation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Acute Pre- and Post-administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 2034 and Its Secretory Metabolites Ameliorates Hyperglycaemia, Hyperlipidaemia, and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats

The global prevalence rate of diabetes in 2021 was 6.1% making diabetes one of the top 10 causes of death. Prolonged use of antidiabetic medications is associated with various side effects; therefore, alternative treatment strategies for diabetes need exploration. The antidiabetic properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 2034 was explored both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Secretory metabolites of probiotic L. plantarum 2034 exhibited alpha-glucosidase, alpha-amylase, and lipase inhibitory activities, in vitro. Further, the antidiabetic efficacy of 2034 was evaluated in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. In the therapeutic model, oral administration of L. plantarum resulted in normalization of body weight, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), and liver enzymes, and significant (p < 0.05) reduction in insulin and triglyceride (TG) levels. Histological evaluation of pancreas, liver, and kidney showed restoration of normal architecture in probiotic-treated group. Similarly, in a preventive + therapeutic model, 14 days of pre-administration of 2034 in pre, pre + post, and cell-free supernatant resulted in significant reduction in glucose, TG, TC, and liver biochemistry of diabetic rats as compared to untreated diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test showed that the glucose levels normalized within 90 min in all the treated groups. Further, the oxidative stress parameters were also studied that showed that in all the treated groups, the concentration of antioxidant enzymes significantly (p < 0.05) increased as compared to diabetic untreated rats. Thus, administration of L. plantarum 2034 and its metabolites successfully ameliorated hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolemia in both the models probably due to inhibition of gut enzymes and by increasing the concentration of liver antioxidant enzymes.

Intestinal Delivery of Probiotics: Materials, Strategies, and Applications

Probiotics with diverse and crucial properties and functions have attracted broad interest from many researchers, who adopt intestinal delivery of probiotics to modulate the gut microbiota. However, the major problems faced for the therapeutic applications of probiotics are the viability and colonization of probiotics during their processing, oral intake, and subsequent delivery to the gut. The challenges of simple oral delivery (stability, controllability, targeting, etc.) have greatly limited the use of probiotics in clinical therapies. Nanotechnology can endow the probiotics to be delivered to the intestine with improved survival rate and increased resistance to the adverse environment. Additionally, the progress in synthetic biology has created new opportunities for efficiently and purposefully designing and manipulating the probiotics. In this article, a brief overview of the types of probiotics for intestinal delivery, the current progress of different probiotic encapsulation strategies, including the chemical, physical, and genetic strategies and their combinations, and the emerging single-cell encapsulation strategies using nanocoating methods, is presented. The action mechanisms of probiotics that are responsible for eliciting beneficial effects are also briefly discussed. Finally, the therapeutic applications of engineered probiotics are discussed, and the future trends toward developing engineered probiotics with advanced features and improved health benefits are proposed.

Postbiotics as Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Care

Postbiotics are defined as a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit to the host. They range from cell wall fragments to metabolites, bacterial lysates, extracellular vesicles, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Postbiotics may influence carcinogenesis via a variety of mechanisms. They can promote homeostatic immune responses, reduce inflammation, induce selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells, as well as the enabling the control of tumor cell proliferation and enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier function. Therefore, probiotics can serve as an adjunct strategy in anticancer treatment together with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Up to now, the only relevant postbiotics used as interventions in oncological patients remain vitamin K molecules, with few phase-II and III trials available. In fact, postbiotics' levels are strictly dependent on the gut microbiota's composition, which may vary between individuals and can be altered under different physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, the lack of consistent clinical evidence supporting postbiotics' efficacy is due to their poor bioavailability, short half-life, and fluctuating levels. Synbiotics, a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics, are expected to have a more homogeneous bioavailability with respect to postbiotics and may have greater potential for future development. In this review, we focus on the role of postbiotics as an adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment.

Comprehensive Metagenomic Analysis of Veterinary Probiotics in Broiler Chickens

Probiotics are widely used in broiler chickens to support the gut microbiome, gut health, and to reduce the amount of antibiotics used. Despite their benefits, there is concern over their ability to carry and spread antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), posing a significant public health risk. This study utilized next-generation sequencing to investigate ARGs in probiotics approved for poultry, focusing on their potential to be transferred via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids and phages. We examined the gut microbiome and resistome changes in 60 broiler chickens over their rearing period, correlating these changes with different probiotic treatments. Specific resistance mechanisms against critically important antibiotics were identified, including genes related to fluoroquinolone resistance and peptide antibiotic resistance. We also found genes with significant relevance to public health (aadK, AAC(6')-Ii) and multiple drug-resistance genes (vmlR, ykkC, ykkD, msrC, clbA, eatAv). Only one phage-encoded gene (dfrA43) was detected, with no evidence of plasmid or mobile genetic element transmission. Additionally, metagenomic analysis of fecal samples showed no significant changes corresponding to time or diet across groups. Our findings highlight the potential risks associated with the use of probiotics in poultry, particularly regarding the carriage of ARGs. It is crucial to conduct further research into the molecular genetics of probiotics to develop strategies that mitigate the risk of resistance gene transfer in agriculture, ensuring the safe and effective use of probiotics in animal husbandry.

Gut microbiome and inflammation among athletes in wheelchair in a crossover randomized pilot trial of probiotic and prebiotic interventions

Disorders related to gut health are a significant cause of morbidity among athletes in wheelchair. This pilot feasibility trial aims to investigate whether probiotics compared to prebiotics can improve inflammatory status and gut microbiome composition in elite athletes in wheelchair. We conducted a 12-week, randomized, cross-over controlled trial involving 14 elite Swiss athletes in wheelchair. Participants were given a multispecies-multistrain probiotic or prebiotic (oat bran) daily for 4 weeks (Clinical trials.gov NCT04659408 09/12/2020). This was followed by a 4-week washout and then crossed over. Thirty inflammatory markers were assessed using bead-based multiplex immunoassays (LegendPlex) from serum samples. The gut microbiome was characterized via 16S rRNA sequencing of stool DNA samples. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear mixed-effect models (LMM). At baseline, most athletes (10/14) exhibited low levels of inflammation which associated with higher gut microbiome alpha diversity indices compared to those with high inflammation levels. The use of probiotic had higher decrease in 25 (83%) inflammatory markers measured compared to prebiotic use. Probiotic has the potential in lowering inflammation status and improving the gut microbiome diversity. The future trial should focus on having sufficient sample sizes, population with higher inflammation status, longer intervention exposure and use of differential abundance analysis.

A Shotgun Metagenomics Investigation into Labeling Inaccuracies in Widely Sold Probiotic Supplements in the USA

While probiotics are generally considered safe, concerns persist regarding the accuracy of labels on these supplements and their potential contribution to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Given that probiotics are predominantly ingested with a view towards obtaining particular health benefits. The objective of this study is to assess the composition of 50 widely available probiotic supplements in the USA using shotgun metagenome sequencing. The study also determines the potential resistome profile, and the functional characteristics of these products. This study finds that 67% of products does not contain any labeling inaccuracies. Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARGs) are identified in several products, particularly Bacillus-based products carrying between 10 and 56 genes. The risk posed by the presence of these ARGs requires further study. Functional analysis reveals differences in metabolic profiles among probiotic supplements, indicating the importance of strain-level selection for personalized probiotics. This study provides updated and comprehensive analysis to evaluate a snapshot of the USA market. The study demonstrates that label inaccuracies occur on approximately one third of popular dietary supplement products sold in the USA, supporting the need for improved approaches to marketing and quality control. Further, the risk of antibiotic resistance, especially in Bacillus-based formulations, should be assessed.

A comprehensive review of medium chain monoglycerides on metabolic pathways, nutritional and functional properties, nanotechnology formulations and applications in food system

A large and growing body of literature has investigated the broad antibacterial spectrum and strong synergistic antimicrobial activity of medium chain monoglycerides (MCMs) have been widely investigated. Recently, more and more researches have focused on the regulation of MCMs on metabolic health and gut microbiota both in vivo and in vitro. The current review summarizes the digestion, absorption and metabolism of MCMs. Subsequently, it focuses on the functional and nutritional properties of MCMs, including the antibacterial and antiviral characteristics, the modulation of metabolic balance, the regulation of gut microbiota, and the improvement in intestinal health. Additionally, we discuss the most recent developments and application of MCMs using nanotechnologies in food industry, poultry and pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, we analyze recent application examples of MCMs and their nanotechnology formation used in food. The development of nanotechnology platforms facilitating molecular encapsulation and functional presentation contribute to the application of hydrophobic fatty acids and monoglycerides in food preservation and their antibacterial effectiveness. This study emphasizes the metabolic mechanisms and biological activity of MCMs by summarizing the prevailing state of knowledge on this topic, as well as providing insights into prospective techniques for developing the beneficial applications of MCMs to realize the industrialized production.

Postbiotics as Metabolites and Their Biotherapeutic Potential

This review highlights the role of postbiotics, which may provide an underappreciated avenue doe promising therapeutic alternatives. The discovery of natural compounds obtained from microorganisms needs to be investigated in the future in terms of their effects on various metabolic disorders and molecular pathways, as well as modulation of the immune system and intestinal microbiota in children and adults. However, further studies and efforts are needed to evaluate and describe new postbiotics. This review provides available knowledge that may assist future research in identifying new postbiotics and uncovering additional mechanisms to combat metabolic diseases.

The Yin and Yang of pathogens and probiotics: interplay between Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium and Bifidobacterium infantis during co-infection

Probiotic bacteria have been proposed as an alternative to antibiotics for the control of antimicrobial resistant enteric pathogens. The mechanistic details of this approach remain unclear, in part because pathogen reduction appears to be both strain and ecology dependent. Here we tested the ability of five probiotic strains, including some from common probiotic genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to reduce binding of Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium to epithelial cells in vitro. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis emerged as a promising strain; however, S. Typhimurium infection outcome in epithelial cells was dependent on inoculation order, with B. infantis unable to rescue host cells from preceding or concurrent infection. We further investigated the complex mechanisms underlying this interaction between B. infantis, S. Typhimurium, and epithelial cells using a multi-omics approach that included gene expression and altered metabolism via metabolomics. Incubation with B. infantis repressed apoptotic pathways and induced anti-inflammatory cascades in epithelial cells. In contrast, co-incubation with B. infantis increased in S. Typhimurium the expression of virulence factors, induced anaerobic metabolism, and repressed components of arginine metabolism as well as altering the metabolic profile. Concurrent application of the probiotic and pathogen notably generated metabolic profiles more similar to that of the probiotic alone than to the pathogen, indicating a central role for metabolism in modulating probiotic-pathogen-host interactions. Together these data imply crosstalk via small molecules between the epithelial cells, pathogen and probiotic that consistently demonstrated unique molecular mechanisms specific probiotic/pathogen the individual associations.

Interleukin-1 family cytokines at the crossroads of microbiome regulation in barrier health and disease

Recent advances in understanding how the microbiome can influence both the physiology and the pathogenesis of disease in humans have highlighted the importance of gaining a deeper insight into the complexities of the host-microbial dialogue. In tandem with this progress, has been a greater understanding of the biological pathways which regulate both homeostasis and inflammation at barrier tissue sites, such as the skin and the gut. In this regard, the Interleukin-1 family of cytokines, which can be segregated into IL-1, IL-18 and IL-36 subfamilies, have emerged as important custodians of barrier health and immunity. With established roles as orchestrators of various inflammatory diseases in both the skin and intestine, it is now becoming clear that IL-1 family cytokine activity is not only directly influenced by external microbes, but can also play important roles in shaping the composition of the microbiome at barrier sites. This review explores the current knowledge surrounding the evidence that places these cytokines as key mediators at the interface between the microbiome and human health and disease at the skin and intestinal barrier tissues.

Dietary inclusion of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite improved reproductive performance but did not affect intestinal permeability in two chicken meat breeder lines

Gastrointestinal dysbiosis is a disturbance in mucosal homeostasis, producing low-grade chronic intestinal inflammation and impaired intestinal barrier function. It is induced by several factors, including nutrition and stress, which are both significant factors when considering current broiler breeder practices. A great grandparent (GGP) chicken meat line was identified displaying clinical signs characteristic of potential dysbiosis, including wet droppings and litter, in addition to reduced reproductive performance when compared to a consistently high performing line. This study aimed to determine whether the reduced reproductive performance observed in these hens was a result of dysbiosis and whether dietary supplementation with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) fermentation product would alleviate clinical signs. Dietary inclusion of SC did not influence intestinal permeability, WBC differentials, or corticosterone concentration in either the wet litter (WL) or high-performing (HP) breeder lines. Compared to hens from the HP line, WL line hens had a significant increase in intestinal permeability at 26 wk (onset of lay). WL hen heterophil counts were increased markedly at week 26 before declining. At weeks 26, 32, and 37 there were also significant increases in monocytes. Higher plasma corticosterone was also observed in WL hens at 37 wk. No significant differences in heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratios or feather corticosterone were observed between lines. Dietary inclusion of SC supplementation to breeder diets had some benefit in regards to reducing hen mortality, improving egg production and hatchability but only in the WL line. Results from this study did not indicate that hens from the wet litter line were experiencing gut dysbiosis. Chronic intestinal inflammation may be a possible reason for the increase in intestinal permeability. These results do indicate that both breeder lines may be exhibiting physiological stress. Future investigation into the physiology and behavior around point of lay is required to find novel strategies to alleviate this stress and in turn, potentially improve welfare and production outcomes.

Impact of Limosilactobacillus fermentum probiotic treatment on gut microbiota composition in sahiwal calves with rotavirus diarrhea: A 16S metagenomic analysis study"

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea poses a major threat to bovine calves leading to mortality and economic losses. Among the causes of calf diarrhea, bovine rotavirus is a major etiological agent and may result in dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum (Accession No.OR504458) on the microbial composition of rotavirus-infected calves using 16S metagenomic analysis technique. Screening of rotavirus infection in calves below one month of age was done through clinical signs and Reverse Transcriptase PCR. The healthy calves (n = 10) were taken as control while the infected calves (n = 10) before treatment was designated as diarrheal group were treated with Probiotic for 5 days. All the calves were screened for the presence of rotavirus infection on each day and fecal scoring was done to assess the fecal consistency. Infected calves after treatment were designated as recovered group. Fecal samples from healthy, recovered and diarrheal (infected calves before sampling) were processed for DNA extraction while four samples from each group were processed for 16S metagenomic analysis using Illumina sequencing technique and analyzed via QIIME 2.

RESULTS

The results show that Firmicutes were more abundant in the healthy and recovered group than in the diarrheal group. At the same time Proteobacteria was higher in abundance in the diarrheal group. Order Oscillospirales dominated healthy and recovered calves and Enterobacterials dominated the diarrheal group. Alpha diversity indices show that diversity indices based on richness were higher in the healthy group and lower in the diarrheal group while a mixed pattern of clustering between diarrheal and recovered groups samples in PCA plots based on beta diversity indices was observed.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that probiotic Limosilactobacillus Fermentum N-30 ameliorate the dysbiosis caused by rotavirus diarrhea and may be used to prevent diarrhea in pre-weaned calves after further exploration.

Transition from active motion to anomalous diffusion for Bacillus subtilis confined in hydrogel matrices

We investigate the motility of B. subtilis under different degrees of confinement induced by transparent porous hydrogels. The dynamical behavior of the bacteria at short times is linked to characteristic parameters describing the hydrogel porosity. Mean squared displacements (MSDs) reveal that the run-and-tumble dynamics of unconfined B. subtilis progressively turns into sub-diffusive motion with increasing confinement. Correspondingly, the median instantaneous velocity of bacteria decreases and becomes more narrowly distributed, while the reorientation rate increases and reaches a plateau value. Analyzing single-trajectories, we show that the average dynamical behavior is the result of complex displacements, in which active, diffusive and sub-diffusive segments coexist. For small and moderate confinements, the number of active segments reduces, while the diffusive and sub-diffusive segments increase. The alternation of sub-diffusion, diffusion and active motion along the same trajectory can be described as a hopping ad trapping motion, in which hopping events correspond to displacements with an instantaneous velocity exceeding the corresponding mean value along a trajectory. Different from previous observations, escape from local trapping occurs for B. subtilis through active runs but also diffusion. Interestingly, the contribution of diffusion is maximum at intermediate confinements. At sufficiently long times transport coefficients estimated from the experimental MSDs under different degrees of confinement can be reproduced using a recently proposed hopping and trapping model. Finally, we propose a quantitative relationship linking the median velocity of confined and unconfined bacteria through the characteristic confinement length of the hydrogel matrix. Our work provides new insights for the bacterial motility in complex media that mimic natural environments and are relevant to important problems like sterilization, water purification, biofilm formation, membrane permeation and bacteria separation.

Integrating microbiome science and evolutionary medicine into animal health and conservation

Microbiome science has provided groundbreaking insights into human and animal health. Similarly, evolutionary medicine - the incorporation of eco-evolutionary concepts into primarily human medical theory and practice - is increasingly recognised for its novel perspectives on modern diseases. Studies of host-microbe relationships have been expanded beyond humans to include a wide range of animal taxa, adding new facets to our understanding of animal ecology, evolution, behaviour, and health. In this review, we propose that a broader application of evolutionary medicine, combined with microbiome science, can provide valuable and innovative perspectives on animal care and conservation. First, we draw on classic ecological principles, such as alternative stable states, to propose an eco-evolutionary framework for understanding variation in animal microbiomes and their role in animal health and wellbeing. With a focus on mammalian gut microbiomes, we apply this framework to populations of animals under human care, with particular relevance to the many animal species that suffer diseases linked to gut microbial dysfunction (e.g. gut distress and infection, autoimmune disorders, obesity). We discuss diet and microbial landscapes (i.e. the microbes in the animal's external environment), as two factors that are (i) proposed to represent evolutionary mismatches for captive animals, (ii) linked to gut microbiome structure and function, and (iii) potentially best understood from an evolutionary medicine perspective. Keeping within our evolutionary framework, we highlight the potential benefits - and pitfalls - of modern microbial therapies, such as pre- and probiotics, faecal microbiota transplants, and microbial rewilding. We discuss the limited, yet growing, empirical evidence for the use of microbial therapies to modulate animal gut microbiomes beneficially. Interspersed throughout, we propose 12 actionable steps, grounded in evolutionary medicine, that can be applied to practical animal care and management. We encourage that these actionable steps be paired with integration of eco-evolutionary perspectives into our definitions of appropriate animal care standards. The evolutionary perspectives proposed herein may be best appreciated when applied to the broad diversity of species under human care, rather than when solely focused on humans. We urge animal care professionals, veterinarians, nutritionists, scientists, and others to collaborate on these efforts, allowing for simultaneous care of animal patients and the generation of valuable empirical data.

Evaluation of immunomodulatory potential of probiotic conditioned medium on murine macrophages

Probiotics are a mixture of beneficial live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally exist in our bodies. Recently, numerous studies have focused on the immunostimulatory effects of single-species or killed multi-species probiotic conditioned mediums on macrophages. This study investigates the immunostimulatory effect of commercially available active, multi-species probiotic conditioned medium (CM) on RAW264.7 murine macrophages. The probiotic CM was prepared by culturing the commercially available probiotic in a cell-culture medium overnight at 37 °C, followed by centrifugation and filter-sterilization to be tested on macrophages. The immunostimulatory effect of different dilution percentages (50%, 75%, 100%) of CM was examined using the MTT assay, proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor TNF-alpha) production in macrophages, migration, and phagocytosis assays. For all the examined CM ratios, the percentages of cell viability were > 80%. Regarding the migration scratch, TNF-alpha and phagocytosis assays, CM demonstrated a concentration-dependent immunostimulatory effect. However, the undiluted CM (100%) showed a significant (p-value < 0.05) stimulatory effect compared to the positive and negative controls. The findings suggest that the secretions and products of probiotics, as measured in the CM, may be closely associated with their immune-boosting effects. Understanding this relationship between probiotic secretions and immune function is crucial for further exploring the potential benefits of probiotics in enhancing overall health and well-being.

A Mini Literature Review of Probiotics: Transforming Gastrointestinal Health Through Evidence-Based Insights

As our understanding of the intricate interaction between gut bacteria and human health continues to expand, so too has interest in the ability of probiotics to manage gut microbiota and confer multiple health benefits to the host. The mini literature review focuses on the expanding potential of the use of probiotics in GI health, with a focus on probiotics' potential therapeutic advantages in a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. Probiotics play a significant role in managing diarrhea and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) by modulating gut microbial communities. Specific probiotic strains have been found to reduce the abundance of harmful bacteria, regulate inflammatory markers like interleukin 6, and improve GI symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and stool consistency. Additionally, probiotic blends have shown potential for preventing GI infections and alleviating GI pain in IBS-D patients. Studies have demonstrated that certain multi-strain probiotics, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, can significantly increase the frequency of bowel movements and reduce the proportion of individuals experiencing constipation. It has also been found that probiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality, particularly in patients undergoing colorectal adenocarcinoma surgery. Additionally, probiotics have been associated with decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improved clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Furthermore, probiotics have been associated with enhanced digestive tolerance, reduced GI inflammation, and prolonged clinical remission in certain UC patients. Studies have also shown that probiotics, administered either directly to infants or pregnant women during the perinatal stage, can alleviate symptoms such as inconsolable crying and irritation associated with infant colic, improve bowel movement frequency in cases of functional constipation, and enhance overall conditions in premature infants, including reducing regurgitation and improving feeding tolerance. The review addresses both encouraging results and challenges with probiotic therapy, while also arguing for more studies to elucidate underlying mechanisms and enhance therapeutic techniques. As we traverse the complex field of probiotic therapy in the treatment of GI illnesses, researchers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals can benefit from the informative information provided by this study.

Nanozyme-Enhanced Probiotic Spores Regulate the Intestinal Microenvironment for Targeted Acute Gastroenteritis Therapy

Antibiotic therapeutics to combat intestinal pathogen infections often exacerbate microbiota dysbiosis and impair mucosal barrier functions. Probiotics are promising strategies, because they inhibit pathogen colonization and improve intestinal microbiota imbalance. Nevertheless, their limited targeting ability and susceptibility to oxidative stress have hindered their therapeutic potential. To tackle these challenges, Ces3 is synthesized by in situ growth of CeO2 nanozymes with positive charges on probiotic spores, facilitating electrostatic interactions with negatively charged pathogens and possessing a high reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity. Importantly, Ces3 can resist the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract. In mice with S. Typhimurium-infected acute gastroenteritis, Ces3 shows potent anti-S. Typhimurium activity, thereby alleviating the dissemination of S. Typhimurium into other organs. Additionally, owing to its O2 deprivation capacity, Ces3 promotes the proliferation of anaerobic probiotics, reshaping a healthy intestinal microbiota. This work demonstrates the promise of combining antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and O2 content regulation properties for acute gastroenteritis therapy.

Overview of T-2 Toxin Enterotoxicity: From Toxic Mechanisms and Detoxification to Future Perspectives

Fusarium species produce a secondary metabolite known as T-2 toxin, which is the primary and most harmful toxin found in type A trichothecenes. T-2 toxin is widely found in food and grain-based animal feed and endangers the health of both humans and animals. T-2 toxin exposure in humans and animals occurs primarily through food administration; therefore, the first organ that T-2 toxin targets is the gut. In this overview, the research progress, toxicity mechanism, and detoxification of the toxin T-2 were reviewed, and future research directions were proposed. T-2 toxin damages the intestinal mucosa and destroys intestinal structure and intestinal barrier function; furthermore, T-2 toxin disrupts the intestinal microbiota, causes intestinal flora disorders, affects normal intestinal metabolic function, and kills intestinal epidermal cells by inducing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. The primary harmful mechanism of T-2 toxin in the intestine is oxidative stress. Currently, selenium and plant extracts are mainly used to exert antioxidant effects to alleviate the enterotoxicity of T-2 toxin. In future studies, the use of genomic techniques to find upstream signaling molecules associated with T-2 enterotoxin toxicity will provide new ideas for the prevention of this toxicity. The purpose of this paper is to review the progress of research on the intestinal toxicity of T-2 toxin and propose new research directions for the prevention and treatment of T-2 toxin toxicity.

The Role of Gut Microbiota and the Potential Effects of Probiotics in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide and posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. HF is a syndrome of intricate pathophysiology, involving systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic perturbations, and maladaptive structural changes in the heart. It is influenced by complex interactions between cardiac function, systemic physiology, and environmental factors. Among these factors, the gut microbiota has emerged as a novel and intriguing player in the landscape of HF pathophysiology. The gut microbiota, beyond its role in digestion and nutrient absorption, impacts immune responses, metabolic processes, and, as suggested by evidence in the literature, the development and progression of HF. There is a bidirectional communication between the gut and the heart, often known as the gut-heart axis, through which gut microbiota-derived metabolites, immune signals, and microbial products exert profound effects on cardiovascular health. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and HF. Additionally, we explore the potential of using probiotics as a therapeutic strategy to modulate the gut microbiota's composition and attenuate the adverse effects observed in HF. Conventional therapeutic approaches targeting hemodynamic and neurohormonal dysregulation have substantially improved the management of HF, but emerging research is exploring the potential implications of harnessing the gut microbiota for innovative approaches in HF treatment.

Injectable Living Probiotic Dressing Built by Droplet-Based Microfluidics and Photo-Cross-Linking to Prevent Pathogenic Infection and Promote Wound Repair

The treatment of infected wounds faces great challenges due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the lack of persistence in drug release. Here, a living probiotic dressing is constructed by integrating droplet-shearing and photo-cross-linking. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii), the only probiotic used clinically, is encapsulated and attached to a wound under light irradiation. A double-layer hydrogel provides a protective barrier for cell growth and proliferation while preventing the escape of S. boulardii. The living probiotic dressing shows superior biosafety with fibroblast cells. Strikingly, in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that the living probiotic dressing not only inhibits bacterial survival and colonization, but also alleviates inflammation and accelerates wound closure. More significantly, the living probiotic dressing promotes collagen deposition and neovascularization, which accelerates wound healing. This work can provide new ideas for clinical wound treatment and widen the application of probiotics in tissue engineering.

Manipulating the diseased oral microbiome: the power of probiotics and prebiotics

Dental caries and periodontal disease are amongst the most prevalent global disorders. Their aetiology is rooted in microbial activity within the oral cavity, through the generation of detrimental metabolites and the instigation of potentially adverse host immune responses. Due to the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, alternative approaches to readdress the balance are necessary. Advances in sequencing technologies have established relationships between disease and oral dysbiosis, and commercial enterprises seek to identify probiotic and prebiotic formulations to tackle preventable oral disorders through colonisation with, or promotion of, beneficial microbes. It is the metabolic characteristics and immunomodulatory capabilities of resident species which underlie health status. Research emphasis on the metabolic environment of the oral cavity has elucidated relationships between commensal and pathogenic organisms, for example, the sequential metabolism of fermentable carbohydrates deemed central to acid production in cariogenicity. Therefore, a focus on the preservation of an ecological homeostasis in the oral environment may be the most appropriate approach to health conservation. In this review we discuss an ecological approach to the maintenance of a healthy oral environment and debate the potential use of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, specifically targeted at sustaining oral niches to preserve the delicately balanced microbiome.

The Efficacy of a Mix of Probiotics (Limosilactobacillus reuteri LMG P-27481 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103) in Preventing Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Clostridium difficile Infection in Hospitalized Patients: Single-Center, Open-Label, Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a condition reported in 5-35% of patients treated with antibiotics, especially in older patients with comorbidities. In most cases, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not associated with serious complications, but it can prolong hospitalization and provoke Clostridium difficile infection. An important role in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea is carried out by some probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus GG or the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii that showed good efficacy and a significant reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Similarly, the Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 showed significant benefits in acute diarrhea, reducing its duration and abdominal pain.

AIM

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a mix of two probiotic strains (Limosilactobacillus reuteri LMG P-27481 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103; Reuterin GG®, NOOS, Italy), in association with antibiotics (compared to antibiotics used alone), in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, clostridium difficile infection, and other gastrointestinal symptoms in adult hospitalized patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 113 (49M/64F, mean age 69.58 ± 21.28 years) adult patients treated with antibiotics who were hospitalized at the Internal Medicine Department of the San Carlo di Nancy Hospital in Rome from January 2023 to September 2023. Patients were randomized to receive probiotics 1.4 g twice/day in addition with antibiotics (Reuterin GG® group, total: 56 patients, 37F/19M, 67.16 ± 20.5 years old) or antibiotics only (control group, total: 57 patients, 27F/30 M, 71 ± 22 years old).

RESULTS

Patients treated with Reuterin GG® showed a significant reduction in diarrhea and clostridium difficile infection. In particular, 28% (16/57) of patients in the control group presented with diarrhea during treatment, compared with 11% (6/56) in the probiotic group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, 7/57 (11%) of patients treated only with antibiotics developed clostridium difficile infection compared to 0% in the probiotic group (p < 0.01). Finally, 9% (5/57) of patients in the control group presented with vomiting compared with 2% (1/56) in the probiotic group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed, for the first time, the efficacy of these two specific probiotic strains in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and clostridium difficile infection in adult hospitalized patients treated with antibiotic therapy. This result allows us to hypothesize that the use of specific probiotic strains during antibiotic therapy can prevent dysbiosis and subsequent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and clostridium difficile infection, thus resulting in both patient and economic health care benefits.

Novel approaches in IBD therapy: targeting the gut microbiota-bile acid axis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Disturbed gut microbiota and abnormal bile acid (BA) metabolism are notable in IBD, suggesting a bidirectional relationship. Specifically, the diversity of the gut microbiota influences BA composition, whereas altered BA profiles can disrupt the microbiota. IBD patients often exhibit increased primary bile acid and reduced secondary bile acid concentrations due to a diminished bacteria population essential for BA metabolism. This imbalance activates BA receptors, undermining intestinal integrity and immune function. Consequently, targeting the microbiota-BA axis may rectify these disturbances, offering symptomatic relief in IBD. Here, the interplay between gut microbiota and bile acids (BAs) is reviewed, with a particular focus on the role of gut microbiota in mediating bile acid biotransformation, and contributions of the gut microbiota-BA axis to IBD pathology to unveil potential novel therapeutic avenues for IBD.

Evaluating Gut Microbiota Modification as a Next-Generation Therapy for Obesity and Diabetes

The human body is a complex ecosystem that thrives on symbiosis. It is estimated that around 10^14 commensal microorganisms inhabit the human body, with the gut microbiota being one of the most diverse and complex populations of bacteria. This community is thought to comprise over a thousand different species that play a crucial role in the development of critical human diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, mental depression, hypertension, and others. The gut microbiota has been identified as one of the most recent contributors to these metabolic disorders. With the emergence of inexpensive and high-performance sequence technology, our understanding of the function of the intestinal microbiome in host metabolism regulation and the development of (cardio) metabolic diseases has increased significantly. The symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiota and the host is essential for properly developing the human metabolic system. However, if this balance is disrupted by various factors such as infection, diet, exercise, sleep patterns, or exposure to antibiotics, it can lead to the development of various diseases in the body, including obesity and diabetes type 1 and 2. While many approaches and medications have been developed globally to treat these diseases, none have proven to be entirely effective, and many show side effects. Therefore, scientists believe that treating the gut microbiota using tried-and-true methods is the best option for combating obesity and diabetes. In this study, we aim to identify several feasible ways and prospects for gut microbiota therapy that can shape a new format for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection

Probiotics have been claimed as a valuable tool to restore the balance in the intestinal microbiota following a dysbiosis caused by, among other factors, antibiotic therapy. This perturbed environment could favor the overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, and in fact, the occurrence of C. difficile-associated infections (CDI) is increasing in recent years. In spite of the high number of probiotics able to in vitro inhibit the growth and/or toxicity of this pathogen, its application for treatment or prevention of CDI is still scarce since there are not enough well-defined clinical studies supporting efficacy. Only a few strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii, have been studied in more extent. The increasing knowledge about the probiotic mechanisms of action against C. difficile, some of them reviewed here, makes promising the application of these live biotherapeutic agents against CDI. Nevertheless, more effort must be paid to standardize the clinical studies conducted to evaluate probiotic products, in combination with antibiotics, in order to select the best candidate for C. difficile infections.

HMO-primed bifidobacteria exhibit enhanced ability to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells

The ability of gut commensals to adhere to the intestinal epithelium can play a key role in influencing the composition of the gut microbiota. Bifidobacteria are associated with a multitude of health benefits and are one of the most widely used probiotics for humans. Enhanced bifidobacterial adhesion may increase host-microbe, microbe-nutrient, and/or microbe-microbe interactions, thereby enabling consolidated health benefits to the host. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to enhance bifidobacterial intestinal adhesion in vitro. This study assessed the colonisation-promoting effects of HMOs on four commercial infant-associated Bifidobacterium strains (two B. longum subsp. infantis strains, B. breve and B. bifidum). HT29-MTX cells were used as an in vitro intestinal model for bacterial adhesion. Short-term exposure of four commercial infant-associated Bifidobacterium strains to HMOs derived from breastmilk substantially increased the adherence (up to 47%) of these probiotic strains. Interestingly, when strains were incubated with HMOs as a four-strain combination, the number of viable bacteria adhering to intestinal cells increased by >90%. Proteomic analysis of this multi-strain bifidobacterial mixture revealed that the increased adherence resulting from exposure to HMOs was associated with notable increases in the abundance of sortase-dependent pili and glycosyl hydrolases matched to Bifidobacterium bifidum. This study suggests that HMOs may prime infant gut-associated Bifidobacterium for colonisation to intestinal epithelial cells by influencing the expression of various colonization factors.

Activation of Immune and Antiviral Effects by Euglena Extracts: A Review

Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza virus infection, which is managed using vaccines and antiviral drugs. Recently, the antiviral effects of plants and foods have gained attention. Euglena is a motile unicellular alga and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganism. It has secondary chloroplasts and is a mixotroph able to feed by photosynthesis or phagocytosis. This review summarizes the influenza treatment effects of Euglena from the perspective of a functional food that is attracting attention. While it has been reported that Euglena contributes to suppressing blood sugar levels and ameliorates symptoms caused by stress by acting on the autonomic nervous system, the immunostimulatory and antiviral activities of Euglena have also been reported. In this review, I focused on the immunostimulation of antiviral activity via the intestinal environment and the suppression of viral replication in infected cells. The functions of specific components of Euglena, which also serves as the source of a wide range of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and β-1,3-glucan (paramylon), are also reviewed. Euglena has animal and plant properties and natural compounds with a wide range of functions, providing crucial information for improved antiviral strategies.

Investigating the antidiabetic efficacy of dairy-derived Lacticaseibacillus paracasei probiotic strains: modulating α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme functions

The current study aims to evaluate and characterize the probiotic andantidiabetic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) obtained from milk and other dairy-based products. The strains were tested physiologically, biochemically, and molecularly. Based on biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing, all three isolates RAMULAB18, RAMULAB19, and RAMULAB53 were identified as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei with homology similarity of more than 98%. The inhibitory potential of each isolate against carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) was assessed using three different preparations of RAMULAB (RL) isolates: the supernatant (RL-CS), intact cells (RL-IC), and cell-free extraction (RL-CE). Additionally, the isolate was evaluated for its antioxidant activity against free radicals (DPPH and ABTS). The strain's RL-CS, RL-CE, and RL-IC inhibited α-amylase (17.25 to 55.42%), α-glucosidase (15.08-59.55%), DPPH (56.42-87.45%), and ABTS (46.35-78.45%) enzymes differently. With the highest survival rate (>98%) toward tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions, hydrophobicity (>42.18%), aggregation (>74.21%), as well as attachment to an individual's colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) (>64.98%), human buccal and chicken crop epithelial cells, all three isolates exhibited extensive results. All three isolates exhibited high resistance toward antibiotics (methicillin, kanamycin, cefixime, and vancomycin), and other assays such as antibacterial, DNase, hemolytic, and gelatinase were performed for safety assessment. Results suggest that the LAB described are valuable candidates for their significant health benefits and that they can also be utilized as a beginning or bio-preservative tradition in the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors. The LAB isolates are excellent in vitro probiotic applicants and yet additional in vivo testing is required.

Experimental evidence of shikonin as a novel intervention for anti-inflammatory effects

Shikonin is a natural product with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The biological activity of shikonin is still not fully understood, as well as its association with innate immunity and immune and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans. In this study, the toxicity of shikonin on Raw264.7 cells was assayed by MTT, and polarization of inflammatory macrophages was determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that shikonin can inhibit the polarization of macrophages towards M1 type and significantly inhibited the production of NO in the concentration range of 0.5-1 μM. In addition, after treatment with shikonin, the production of IL-1β and TNF-α was significantly decreased. After shikonin administration, the body weight loss and decrease of colon length were significantly suppressed in DSS-treated colitis C57BL/6 mice. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in colonic homogenate were significantly decreased. Shikonin treatment resulted in a notable improvement in the histopathological manifestations in DSS-treated animals at 25/50 mg/kg. Meanwhile, we found that shikonin can regulate differentiation of T helper 17 cell (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg), thereby regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells and exerting an anti-inflammatory effect in IBD animal models. In conclusion, we found that shikonin protects against DSS-induced acute colitis by, among other things, reducing immune cell infiltration, polarizing macrophages, and regulating Th17/Treg differentiation, as well as by downregulating the release of inflammatory cytokines. These findings showed that shikonin can improve inflammation by affecting macrophage polarization. Our experimental data provide experimental evidence and theory basis for research on anti-inflammatory effects for the shikonin as health or functional food.

SARS-CoV-2 infection threatening intestinal health: A review of potential mechanisms and treatment strategies

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought great problems to mankind, including economic recession and poor health. COVID-19 patients are frequently reported with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting in clinical diagnosis. Maintaining intestinal health is the key guarantee to maintain the normal function of multiple organs, otherwise it will be a disaster. Therefore, the purpose of this review was deeply understanded the potential mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection threatening intestinal health and put forward reasonable treatment strategies. Combined with the existing researches, we summarized the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection threatening intestinal health, including intestinal microbiome disruption, intestinal barrier dysfunction, intestinal oxidative stress and intestinal cytokine storm. These adverse intestinal events may affect other organs through the circulatory system or aggravate the course of the disease. Typically, intestinal disadvantage may promote the progression of SARS-CoV-2 through the gut-lung axis and increase the disease degree of COVID-19 patients. In view of the lack of specific drugs to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, the current review described new strategies of probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics and nutrients to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and maintain intestinal health. To provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms and pneumonia in patients with COVID-19.

Research progress on Limosilactibacilus reuteri in diseases

Limosilactibacilus reuteri (L. reuteri) is a gram-positive probiotic that does not produce peroxidase. Certain strains of L. reuteri have been approved for use in human health products in China. The probiotic mechanism of L. reuteri in organisms can be divided into two directions: first, L. reuteri directly regulates the gut microbiota and indirectly affecting the host; second, L. reuteri secretes substances that directly affect the host. Numerous studies have shown that a deficiency in this commensal bacterium is associated with various diseases in different systems (such as inflammation in the digestive system, systemic lupus erythematosus in the autoimmune system, metabolic syndrome in the endocrine system, and mastitis in the reproductive system). However, although recent studies have found that L. reuteri can also promote disease progression, but overall, it is more beneficial than harmful in general. Further, more in-depth experiments are needed to determine whether L. reuteri should be removed from probiotics in the future. In this review, we provide an overview of the research history of L. reuteri and conclude with the main mechanisms through which this intestinal symbiont can improve health or aggravate diseases.

Topical application of Lactobacilli successfully eradicates Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and promotes wound healing in chronic wounds

Chronic wounds are difficult to treat due to the presence of biofilm which prevents wound healing. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens found in chronic wounds and conventional treatment strategies have been ineffective in the eradication of its biofilm, without harming the surrounding healthy tissue at the same time. Here, we introduced an innovative approach applying the probiotic product Bio-K+ (containing three lactobacilli) topically as an antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent. We identified lactic acid as the main active component. While antibiotics and antiseptics such as silver-ions only demonstrated limited efficacy, Bio-K+ was able to completely eradicate mature P. aeruginosa biofilms established in an in-vitro and ex-vivo human skin model. Furthermore, it demonstrated biocompatibility in the co-culture with human dermal fibroblasts and accelerated the migration of fibroblasts in a cell migration assay promoting wound healing. To enhance clinical practicability, we introduced Bio-K+ into the hydrocolloid dressing Aquacel, achieving sustained release of lactic acid and biofilm eradication. This new treatment approach applying probiotics could represent a major improvement in the management of chronic wounds and can be extended in treating other biofilm-associated infections.

A relational framework for microbiome research with Indigenous communities

Ethical practices in human microbiome research have failed to keep pace with scientific advances in the field. Researchers seeking to 'preserve' microbial species associated with Indigenous groups, but absent from industrialized populations, have largely failed to include Indigenous people in knowledge co-production or benefit, perpetuating a legacy of intellectual and material extraction. We propose a framework centred on relationality among Indigenous peoples, researchers and microbes, to guide ethical microbiome research. Our framework centres accountability to flatten historical power imbalances that favour researcher perspectives and interests to provide space for Indigenous worldviews in pursuit of Indigenous research sovereignty. Ethical inclusion of Indigenous communities in microbiome research can provide health benefits for all populations and reinforce mutually beneficial partnerships between researchers and the public.

Novel Genetically Engineered Probiotics for Targeted Elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Intestinal Colonization

The intestinal carriage rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are notably elevated in immunosuppressed individuals and hospitalized patients, increasing the risk of infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A potential solution to this issue lies in autonomous antibacterial therapy, remaining inactive until a pathogen is detected, and releasing antibacterial compounds on demand to eliminate the pathogen. This study focuses on the development of genetically engineered probiotics capable of detecting and eradicating P. aeruginosa by producing and secreting PA2-GNU7, a P. aeruginosa-selective antimicrobial peptide (AMP), triggered by the presence of P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3OC12HSL). To achieve this goal, plasmid-based systems were constructed to produce AMPs in response to 3OC12HSL and secrete them into the extracellular medium using either the microcin V secretion system or YebF as a carrier protein. Following the transfer of these plasmid-based systems to Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), we successfully demonstrated the ability of the engineered EcN to express and secrete PA2-GNU7, leading to the inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth in vitro. In addition, in a mouse model of intestinal P. aeruginosa colonization, the administration of engineered EcN resulted in reduced levels of P. aeruginosa in both the feces and the colon. These findings suggest that engineered EcN holds promise as a potential option for combating intestinal P. aeruginosa colonization, thus mitigating the risk of future endogenous infections in vulnerable patients.

Metabolite profiling of peripheral blood plasma in pigs in early postnatal life fed whole bovine, caprine or ovine milk

Ruminants' milk is commonly used for supplying nutrients to infants when breast milk is unavailable or limited. Previous studies have highlighted the differences between ruminants' milk composition, digestion, absorption, and fermentation. However, whether consuming different ruminants' milk impact the appearance of the circulatory blood metabolites in the early postnatal life is not well understood. The analysis conducted here aimed to determine the effect of feeding exclusively whole milk from bovine, caprine or ovine species to pigs, approximately 7 days-old for 15 days, on circulatory blood plasma metabolites. Relative intensities of plasma metabolites were detected using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based metabolomic approach. Seven polar and 83 non-polar (lipids) metabolites in plasma were significantly different (false discovery rate < 0.05) between milk treatments. These included polar metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism and lipids belonging to phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and triglycerides. Compared to the caprine or bovine milk group, the relative intensities of polar metabolites and unsaturated triglycerides were higher in the peripheral circulation of the ovine milk group. In contrast, relative intensities of saturated triglycerides and phosphatidylcholine were higher in the bovine milk group compared to the ovine or caprine milk group. In addition, correlations were identified between amino acid and lipid intake and their appearance in peripheral blood circulation. The results highlighted that consuming different ruminants' milk influences the plasma appearance of metabolites, especially lipids, that may contribute to early postnatal life development in pigs.

Unveiling the hidden world of gut health: Exploring cutting-edge research through visualizing randomized controlled trials on the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal and overall health. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge and evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiota.

AIM

To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the literature on RCTs involving the gut microbiota.

METHODS

Using bibliometric tools, a descriptive cross-sectional investigation was conducted on scholarly publications concentrated on RCTs related to gut microbiota, spanning the years 2003 to 2022. The study used VOSviewer version 1.6.9 to examine collaboration networks between different countries and evaluate the frequently employed terms in the titles and abstracts of the retrieved publications. The primary objective of this analysis was to identify key research areas and focal points associated with RCTs involving the gut microbiota.

RESULTS

A total of 1061 relevant articles were identified from the 24758 research articles published between 2003 and 2022. The number of publications showed a notable increase over time, with a positive correlation (R2 = 0.978, P < 0.001). China (n = 276, 26.01%), the United States (n = 254, 23.94%), and the United Kingdom (n = 97, 9.14%) were the leading contributing countries. Københavns Universitet (n = 38, 3.58%) and Dankook University (n = 35, 3.30%) were the top active institutions. The co-occurrence analysis shows current gut microbiota research trends and important topics, such as obesity interventions targeting the gut microbiota, the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation, and the effects of dietary interventions on humans.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the rapid growth and importance of research on RCTs that involve the gut microbiota. This study provides valuable insight into research trends, identifies key players, and outlines potential future directions in this field. Additionally, the co-occurrence analysis identified important topics that play a critical role in the advancement of science and provided insights into future research directions in this field.

Multi-omics reveals the mechanisms underlying Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P8-mediated attenuation of oxidative stress in broilers challenged with dexamethasone

Oxidative stress is a common phenomenon in poultry production. Several molecules, including antioxidant genes, miRNAs, and gut microbiota metabolites, have been reported to participate in redox regulation. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P8 (P8) was shown to improve the antioxidant capacity of chickens, but the specific molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 400 broilers were allocated to 4 treatment groups: control diet (Con group), control diet + dexamethasone injection (DEX group), control diet containing 1 × 108 CFU/g P8 (P8 group), and control diet containing 1 × 108 CFU/g P8 + DEX injection (DEX_P8 group). Integrated analysis of the microbiome, metabolomics, and miRNAomics was conducted to investigate the roles of P8 in oxidative stress in broilers. Results demonstrated that P8 supplementation significantly improved growth performance, jejunal morphology, and antioxidant function in DEX-treated broilers. Analysis of the gut microbiota revealed a higher abundance of Barnesiella (P = 0.01) and Erysipelatoclostridium (P = 0.05) in the DEX_P8 group than in the DEX group. Functional prediction indicated that certain pathways, including the phenylacetate degradation pathway, were enriched in the DEX_P8 group compared to the DEX group. Metabolites in the cecal contents were distinct between the groups. P8 supplementation increased the content of metabolites with antioxidant capacity, e.g., urobilinogen (P < 0.01), and decreased that of metabolites related to oxidative stress, e.g., genistein (P < 0.01). Functional prediction indicated that metabolites that differed between the DEX_P8 and DEX groups were enriched in pathways including "tryptophan metabolism" and "primary bile acid biosynthesis". The miRNAomics analysis further showed that, compared to the DEX group, several miRNAs in the jejunum, such as gga-miR-21-3p (P = 0.03), were increased, whereas gga-miR-455-3p (P = 0.02) was decreased in the DEX_P8 group. The PI3K-Akt, Ras, and Rap1 signaling pathways were enriched in the DEX_P8 group compared to the DEX group through KEGG analysis. Correlation analysis revealed potential interactions between growth performance, oxidation/antioxidation, jejunal morphology, gut microbiota, cecal content metabolites, and jejunal miRNAs. Overall, our results indicate that P8 supplementation may improve the growth performance, jejunal morphology and antioxidant capacity of DEX-treated broilers by regulating gut microbiota, its metabolites, and intestinal miRNAs.

Melatonin promotes gut anti-oxidative status in perinatal rat by remodeling the gut microbiome

Gut health is important for nutrition absorption, reproduction, and lactation in perinatal and early weaned mammals. Although melatonin functions in maintaining circadian rhythms and preventing obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections, its impact on the gut microbiome and its function in mediating gut health through gut microbiota remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the microbiome of rats was monitoring after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and foster care (FC). The results showed that FMT and FC increased intestinal villus height/crypt depth in perinatal rats. Mechanistically, the melatonin-mediated remodeling of gut microbiota inhibited oxidative stress, which led to attenuation of autophagy and inflammation. In addition, FMT and FC encouraged the growth of more beneficial intestinal bacteria, such as Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibaculum, which produce more short-chain fatty acids to strengthen intestinal anti-oxidation. These findings suggest that melatonin-treated gut microbiota increase the production of SCFAs, which improve gut health by reducing oxidative stress, autophagy and inflammation. The transfer of melatonin-treated gut microbiota may be a new and effective method by which to ameliorate gut health in perinatal and weaned mammals.

Elucidating the Mechanisms of Cell-to-Cell Crosstalk in Probiotics Co-culture: A Proteomics Study of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ZJ625 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ZJ614

Limosilactobacillus reuteri ZJ625 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 are potential probiotic bacteria with improved benefits when administered to the host as a multi-strain preparation. To elucidate the mechanisms of cell-to-cell crosstalk between these two strains, we studied their intracellular and extracellular proteomes in co-culture by liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS) using Dionex Nano-RSLC and fusion mass spectrometer. The experiment consisted of five biological replicates, and samples were collected during the mid-exponential growth phase. The quantitative proteomic profiles revealed several differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), which are down- or up-regulated between and within groups for both the intracellular and extracellular proteomes. These DEPs include proteins synthesising autoinducer-2, a sensor compound for cell-to-cell bacterial crosstalk during quorum sensing in mixed culture. Other important DEPs identified include enolase, phosphoglycerate kinase, and l-lactate dehydrogenase, which play roles in carbohydrate metabolism. Proteins associated with transcription, ATP production and transport across the membrane, DNA repair, and those with the potential to bind to the host epithelium were also identified. The post-translational modifications associated with the proteins include oxidation, deamidation, and ammonia loss. Importantly, this study revealed a significant expression of S-ribosylhomocysteine lyase (luxS) involved in synthesising autoinducer-2 that plays important roles in quorum sensing, aiding bacterial cell-to-cell crosstalk in co-cultures. The proteome of L. salivarius ZJ614 was most affected when co-cultured with L. reuteri ZJ625. In contrast, omitting some medium components from the defined medium exerted more effects on L. reuteri ZJ625 than L. salivarius ZJ614.

Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 supplementation during and after antibiotic treatment positively influences the bacterial gut microbiota

Introduction

Antibiotic effects on gut bacteria have been widely studied, but very little is known about the consequences of such treatments on the mycobiota, the fungal part of the microbiota and how the length of administration influences both microbiota. Here, we examined the effect of antibiotics (ATB) on the composition of bacterial and fungal microbiota and how the administration of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 influences both microbiota.

Methods

In order to get closer to the human microbiota, the mice used in this study were subjected to fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) using human feces and subsequently called human microbiotaassociated (HMA) mice. These mice were then treated with amoxicillinclavulanate antibiotics and supplemented with S. boulardii during and after ATB treatment to understand the effect of the yeast probiotic on both bacterial and fungal microbiota. Bacterial and fungal microbiota analyses were done using 16S and ITS2 rRNA amplicon-based sequencing.

Results

We showed that the administration of S. boulardii during ATB treatment had very limited effect on the fungal populations on the long term, once the yeast probiotic has been cleared from the gut. Concerning bacterial microbiota, S. boulardii administration allowed a better recovery of bacterial populations after the end of the ATB treatment period. Additionally, 16S and ITS2 rRNA sequence analysis revealed that 7 additional days of S. boulardii administration (17 days in total) enhanced the return of the initial bacterial equilibrium.

Discussion

In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of how probiotic yeast administration can influence the fungal and bacterial microbiota in a model of broad-spectrum antibiotherapy.

Immunostimulatory Activity of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CAB701 Isolated from Jeju Cabbage

This study explored the potential of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CAB701 as a probiotic strain, focusing on its immunostimulatory properties. Despite adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal environment, this strain exhibited remarkable survivability, as evidenced by its tolerance to acid, bile, and pancreatin, coupled with its impressive ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells. It also exhibited significant antioxidant activity, similar to the established probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Our research elucidates the potent immunostimulatory effects of L. lactis subsp. lactis CAB701. This strain significantly enhanced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7, far exceeding that obtained with LGG. An in-depth examination revealed elevated expression of key inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, and IL-6. L. lactis subsp. lactis CAB701 increases the expression of critical signaling proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This prompted a substantial increase in the expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinases and extracellular signal-regulated kinases, suggesting their role in modulating these immune-related pathways. Overall, these findings demonstrate the significant immunostimulatory capacity of L. lactis subsp. lactis CAB701, positioning it as a potential candidate for probiotic use, especially in applications that enhance immune responses.

Probiotics and Postbiotics as an Alternative to Antibiotics: An Emphasis on Pigs

Probiotics are being used as feed/food supplements as an alternative to antibiotics. It has been demonstrated that probiotics provide several health benefits, including preventing diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and immunomodulation. Alongside probiotic bacteria-fermented foods, the different structural components, such as lipoteichoic acids, teichoic acids, peptidoglycans, and surface-layer proteins, offer several advantages. Probiotics can produce different antimicrobial components, enzymes, peptides, vitamins, and exopolysaccharides. Besides live probiotics, there has been growing interest in consuming inactivated probiotics in farm animals, including pigs. Several reports have shown that live and killed probiotics can boost immunity, modulate intestinal microbiota, improve feed efficiency and growth performance, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea, positioning them as an interesting strategy as a potential feed supplement for pigs. Therefore, effective selection and approach to the use of probiotics might provide essential features of using probiotics as an important functional feed for pigs. This review aimed to systematically investigate the potential effects of lactic acid bacteria in their live and inactivated forms on pigs.

Dynamic distribution of gut microbiota during Alzheimer's disease progression in a mice model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease that affects more than 44 million people worldwide. The pathogenic mechanisms of AD still remain unclear. Currently, there are numerous studies investigating the microbiota-gut-brain axis in humans and rodents indicated that gut microbiota played a role in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. However, the underlying relationship between the progress of AD disease and the dynamic distribution of gut microbiota is not well understood. In the present study, APP^swe /PS1^ΔE9 transgenic mice of different ages and sex were employed. After the evaluation of the AD mice model, gut metagenomic sequencing was conducted to reveal gut microbiota, moreover, probiotics intervention was treated in the AD mice. The results showed that (1) AD mice had reduced microbiota richness and a changed gut microbiota composition, and AD mice gut microbiota richness was correlated with cognitive performance. We have also found some potential AD-related microbes, for example, in AD-prone mice, the genus Mucispirillum was strongly associated with immune inflammation. (2) Probiotics intervention improved cognitive performance and changed gut microbiota richness and composition of AD mice. We revealed the dynamics distribution of gut microbiota and the effect of probiotics on AD in a mice model, which provides an important reference for the pathogenesis of AD, intestinal microbial markers associated with AD, and AD probiotic intervention.

Modulating gastrointestinal microbiota to alleviate diarrhea in calves

The calf stage is a critical period for the development of heifers. Newborn calves have low gastrointestinal barrier function and immunity before weaning, making them highly susceptible to infection by various intestinal pathogens. Diarrhea in calves poses a significant threat to the health of young ruminants and may cause serious economic losses to livestock farms. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat diarrhea and promote calf growth, leading to bacterial resistance and increasing antibiotic residues in meat. Therefore, finding new technologies to improve the diarrhea of newborn calves is a challenge for livestock production and public health. The operation of the gut microbiota in the early stages after birth is crucial for optimizing immune function and body growth. Microbiota colonization of newborn animals is crucial for healthy development. Early intervention of the calf gastrointestinal microbiota, such as oral probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation and rumen microbiota transplantation can effectively relieve calf diarrhea. This review focuses on the role and mechanisms of oral probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium in relieving calf diarrhea. The aim is to develop appropriate antibiotic alternatives to improve calf health in a sustainable and responsible manner, while addressing public health issues related to the use of antibiotics in livestock.

Antimicrobial peptides as drugs with double response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfections in lung cancer

Tuberculosis and lung cancer are, in many cases, correlated diseases that can be confused because they have similar symptoms. Many meta-analyses have proven that there is a greater chance of developing lung cancer in patients who have active pulmonary tuberculosis. It is, therefore, important to monitor the patient for a long time after recovery and search for combined therapies that can treat both diseases, as well as face the great problem of drug resistance. Peptides are molecules derived from the breakdown of proteins, and the membranolytic class is already being studied. It has been proposed that these molecules destabilize cellular homeostasis, performing a dual antimicrobial and anticancer function and offering several possibilities of adaptation for adequate delivery and action. In this review, we focus on two important reason for the use of multifunctional peptides or peptides, namely the double activity and no harmful effects on humans. We review some of the main antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory bioactive peptides and highlight four that have anti-tuberculosis and anti-cancer activity, which may contribute to obtaining drugs with this dual functionality.

pH-sustaining nanostructured hydroxyapatite/alginate composite hydrogel for gastric protection and intestinal release of Lactobacillus rhamnosusGG

The gut microbiome is closely linked to gastrointestinal health and disease status. Oral administration of known probiotic strains is now considered a promising therapeutic strategy, especially for refractory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we developed a nanostructured hydroxyapatite/alginate (HAp/Alg) composite hydrogel that protects its encapsulated probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) by neutralizing hydrogen ions that penetrate the hydrogel in a stomach without inhibiting LGG release in an intestine. Surface and transection analyses of the hydrogel revealed characteristic patterns of crystallization and composite-layer formation. TEM revealed the dispersal of the nanosized HAp crystals and encapsulated LGG in the Alg hydrogel networks. The HAp/Alg composite hydrogel maintained its internal microenvironmental pH, thereby enabling the LGG to survive for substantially longer. At intestinal pH, the encapsulated LGG was completely released upon disintegration of the composite hydrogel. In a dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mouse model, we then assessed the therapeutic effect of the LGG-encapsulating hydrogel. This achieved intestinal delivery of LGG with minimal loss of enzymatic function and viability, ameliorating colitis by reducing epithelial damage, submucosal edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the number of goblet cells. These findings reveal the HAp/Alg composite hydrogel as a promising intestinal-delivery platform for live microorganisms including probiotics and live biotherapeutic products.

Lactobacillus Probiotics Improve Vaginal Dysbiosis in Asymptomatic Women

Vaginal dysbiosis can lead to serious infections in asymptomatic women. Lactobacillus probiotics (LBPs) are being investigated as a promising therapy for reversing vaginal microbiota dysbiosis. This study aimed to investigate whether administering LBPs could improve vaginal dysbiosis and facilitate the colonization of Lactobacillus species in asymptomatic women. 36 asymptomatic women were classified based on the Nugent score as Low-NS (n = 26) and High-NS (n = 10) groups. A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT LA1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CBT LR5, and Lactobacillus reuteri CBT LU4 was administered orally for 6 weeks. The study found that among women with a High-NS, 60% showed improved vaginal dysbiosis with a Low-NS after LBP intake, while four retained a High-NS. Among women with a Low-NS, 11.5 % switched to a High-NS. Genera associated with vaginal dysbiosis were positively correlated with the alpha diversity or NS, while a negative correlation was observed between Lactobacillus and the alpha diversity and with the NS. Vaginal dysbiosis in asymptomatic women with an HNS improved after 6 weeks of LBP intake, and qRT-PCR revealed the colonization of Lactobacillus spp. in the vagina. These results suggested that oral administration of this LBP could improve vaginal health in asymptomatic women with an HNS.

The Oral Delivery System of Modified GLP-1 by Probiotics for T2DM

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide with incretin activity and plays an important role in glycemic control as well as the improvement of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the short half-life of the native GLP-1 in circulation poses difficulties for clinical practice. To improve the proteolytic stability and delivery properties of GLP-1, a protease-resistant modified GLP-1 (mGLP-1) was constructed with added arginine to ensure the structural integrity of the released mGLP-1 in vivo. The model probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 was chosen as the oral delivery vehicle with controllable endogenous genetic tools driven for mGLP-1 secretory constitutive expression. The feasibility of our design was explored in db/db mice which showed an improvement in diabetic symptoms related to decreased pancreatic glucagon, elevated pancreatic β-cell proportion, and increased insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, this study provides a novel strategy for the oral delivery of mGLP-1 and further probiotic transformation.

Bacteria-based multiplex system eradicates recurrent infections with drug-resistant bacteria via photothermal killing and protective immunity elicitation

BACKGROUND

The high mortality associated with drug-resistant bacterial infections is an intractable clinical problem resulting from the low susceptibility of these bacteria to antibiotics and the high incidence of recurrent infections.

METHODS

Herein, a photosynthetic bacteria-based multiplex system (Rp@Al) composed of natural Rhodopseudomonas palustris (Rp) and Food and Drug Administration-approved aluminum (Al) adjuvant, was developed to combat drug-resistant bacterial infections and prevent their recurrence. We examined its photothermal performance and in vitro and in vivo antibacterial ability; revealed its protective immunomodulatory effect; verified its preventative effect on recurrent infections; and demonstrated the system's safety.

RESULTS

Rp@Al exhibits excellent photothermal properties with an effective elimination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, Rp@Al enhances dendritic cell activation and further triggers a T helper 1 (T_H1)/T_H2 immune response, resulting in pathogen-specific immunological memory against recurrent MRSA infection. Upon second infection, Rp@Al-treated mice show significantly lower bacterial burden, faster abscess recovery, and higher survival under near-lethal infection doses than control mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This innovative multiplex system, with superior photothermal and immunomodulatory effects, presents great potential for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant bacterial infections.