Heat-Killed Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus johnsonii Reduce Liver Injury Induced by Alcohol In Vitro and In Vivo

Beyond probiotics, uses of their next-generation for poultry and humans: A review

The production of healthy food is one of the basic requirements and challenges. Research efforts have been introduced in the human's food industry to reduce the microbial resistance and use safe and healthy alternatives with a high durability. However, the conducted work about these issues in the field of livestock animal production have been started since 2015. Inappropriate and extensive use of antibiotics has resulted in the increase of antimicrobial resistance, presence of drug residues in tissues, and destruction of the gut microbiome. Therefore, discovering and developing antibiotic substitutes were urgent demands. Probiotic compounds containing living micro-organisms are important antibiotic alternative that have been beneficially and extensively used in humans, animals, and poultry. However, some probiotics show some obstacles during production and applications. Accordingly, this review article proposes a comprehensive description of the next-generation of probiotics including postbiotics, proteobiotics, psychobiotics, immunobiotics and paraprobiotics and their effects on poultry production and human's therapy. These compounds proved great efficiency in terms of restoring gut health, improving performance and general health conditions, modulating the immune response and reducing the pathogenic micro-organisms. However, more future research work should be carried out regarding this issue.

Goji Ferment Ameliorated Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in vitro and in vivo

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of lyophilized powder of goji ferment (LPGF) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic damage in Hep3B cells and in mice. Eleven strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were selected and their hepatoprotection against APAP-induced cellular damage in Hep3B cell line was evaluated. Four strains of LAB, including BCRC11652 (Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides), BCRC14619 (Lactobacillus gasseri), KODA-1 (Pediococcus acidilactici), and KODA-2 (Limosilactobacillus fermentum), have hepatoprotective potential against APAP in vitro. Goji significantly stimulated the growth of individual and combined strains of LAB and the optimal fermented condition was the treatment of goji at 10% (w/w) for 24 h. The prepared lyophilized powder of goji ferment (LPGF) containing fifteen combinations of LAB strains was used to explore their hepatoprotection in vitro. LPGF containing all combinations of LAB strains, except for KODA-2, significantly restored APAP-reduced cell viability and improved APAP-increased cellular levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). In mice model, LPGF containing BCRC11652, BCRC14619, and KODA-2 was chosen to evaluate its hepatoprotection against APAP-induced liver injury. LPGF at diverse doses have a tendency but no significant improvement on APAP-reduced body weight gain and liver weight. LPGF significantly decreased APAP-increased serum ALT and AST levels in a dose-dependent manner. At the end of experiment, LPGF significantly and dose-dependently reversed APAP-reduced activities of GSH and antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in hepatic tissue. Overall, LPGF was demonstrated to exhibit hepatoprotection against APAP-induced liver injury in vitro and in vivo.

Herbal formula BaWeiBaiDuSan alleviates polymicrobial sepsis-induced liver injury via increasing the gut microbiota Lactobacillus johnsonii and regulating macrophage anti-inflammatory activity in mice

Sepsis-induced liver injury (SILI) is an important cause of septicemia deaths. BaWeiBaiDuSan (BWBDS) was extracted from a formula of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Lilium brownie F. E. Brown ex Miellez var. viridulum Baker, Polygonatum sibiricum Delar. ex Redoute, Lonicera japonica Thunb., Hippophae rhamnoides Linn., Amygdalus Communis Vas, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., and Cortex Phelloderdri. Herein, we investigated whether the BWBDS treatment could reverse SILI by the mechanism of modulating gut microbiota. BWBDS protected mice against SILI, which was associated with promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and enhancing intestinal integrity. BWBDS selectively promoted the growth of Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) in cecal ligation and puncture treated mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation treatment indicated that gut bacteria correlated with sepsis and was required for BWBDS anti-sepsis effects. Notably, L. johnsonii significantly reduced SILI by promoting macrophage anti-inflammatory activity, increasing interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production and enhancing intestinal integrity. Furthermore, heat inactivation L. johnsonii (HI-L. johnsonii) treatment promoted macrophage anti-inflammatory activity and alleviated SILI. Our findings revealed BWBDS and gut microbiota L. johnsonii as novel prebiotic and probiotic that may be used to treat SILI. The potential underlying mechanism was at least in part, via L. johnsonii-dependent immune regulation and interleukin-10+ M2 macrophage production.

A randomized pilot trial assessing the reduction of gout episodes in hyperuricemic patients by oral administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632, a strain with the ability to degrade purines

Introduction

Hyperuricemia and gout are receiving an increasing scientific and medical attention because of their relatively high prevalence and their association with relevant co-morbidities. Recently, it has been suggested that gout patients have an altered gut microbiota. The first objective of this study was to investigate the potential of some Ligilactobacillus salivarius strains to metabolize purine-related metabolites. The second objective was to evaluate the effect of administering a selected potential probiotic strain in individuals with a history of hyperuricemia.

Methods

Inosine, guanosine, hypoxanthine, guanine, xanthine, and uric acid were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The uptake and biotransformation of these compounds by a selection of L. salivarius strains were assessed using bacterial whole cells and cell-free extracts, respectively. The efficacy of L. salivarius CECT 30632 to prevent gout was assessed in a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial involving 30 patients with hyperuricemia and a history of recurrent gout episodes. Half of the patients consumed L. salivarius CECT 30632 (9 log₁₀ CFU/day; probiotic group; n = 15) for 6 months while the remaining patients consumed allopurinol (100-300 mg/daily; control group; n = 15) for the same period. The clinical evolution and medical treatment received by the participants were followed, as well as the changes in several blood biochemical parameters.

Results

L. salivarius CECT 30632 was the most efficient strain for inosine (100%), guanosine (100%) and uric acid (50%) conversion and, therefore, it was selected for the pilot clinical trial. In comparison with the control group, administration of L. salivarius CECT 30632 resulted in a significant reduction in the number of gout episodes and in the use of gout-related drugs as well as an improvement in some blood parameters related to oxidative stress, liver damage or metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

Regular administration of L. salivarius CECT 30632 reduced serum urate levels, the number of gout episodes and the pharmacological therapy required to control both hyperuricemia and gout episodes in individuals with a history of hyperuricemia and suffering from repeated episodes of gout.

Microbial treatment of alcoholic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by impaired liver function due to chronic alcohol consumption, even fatal in severe cases. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether microbial agents have therapeutic potential for ALD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-one studies were eligible for this meta-analysis after searching the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. The combined analysis showed that microbial therapy significantly decreased hepatic enzymatic parameters, including alanine transaminase [standardized mean difference (SMD): -2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.33 to -2.07], aspartate aminotransferase (SMD: -3.37, 95% CI: -4.25 to -2.49), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (SMD: -2.07, 95% CI: -3.01 to -1.12), and alkaline phosphatase (SMD: -2.12, 95% CI: -3.32 to -0.92). Microbial agents endotoxin to enter the portal circulation and increasing reduced total cholesterol (SMD = -2.75, 95%CI -4.03 to -1.46) and triglycerides (SMD = -2.64, 95% CI: -3.22 to -2.06). Microbial agents increased amounts of the beneficial flora Lactobacillus (SMD: 4.40, 95% CI: 0.97-7.84) and Bifidobacteria (SMD: 3.84, 95% CI: 0.22-7.45), Bacteroidetes (SMD: 2.51, 95% CI: 0.29-4.72) and decreased harmful Proteobacteria (SMD: -4.18, 95% CI: -6.60 to -1.77), protecting the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and relieving endotoxin (SMD: -2.70, 95% CI: -3.52 to -2.17) into the portal vein, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (SMD: -3.35, 95% CI: -4.31 to -2.38), interleukin-6 (SMD: -4.28, 95% CI: -6.13 to -2.43), and interleukin-1β (SMD: -4.28, 95% CI: -6.37 to -2.19). Oxidative stress was also relieved, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde levels (SMD: -4.70, 95% CI: -6.21 to -3.20). Superoxide dismutase (SMD: 2.65, 95% CI: 2.16-3.15) and glutathione levels (SMD: 3.80, 95% CI: 0.95-6.66) were elevated.

CONCLUSION

Microbial agents can reverse dysbiosis in ALD, thus significantly interfering with lipid metabolism, relieving inflammatory response and inhibiting oxidative stress to improve liver function.

Heat-Killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Ameliorated UVB-Induced Oxidative Damage and Photoaging and Its Underlying Mechanisms

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a major environmental causative factor of skin oxidative damage and photoaging. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei is a well-known probiotic strain that can regulate skin health. The present study investigated the effects of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (PL) on UVB linked oxidative damage and photoaging in skin cells (Normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells and B16F10 murine melanoma cells). Results demonstrated that: (1) PL prevented UVB-induced cytotoxicity relating to decreased DNA damage in NHDF and B16F10 cells; (2) PL alleviated UVB-induced oxidative damage through increasing GSH content, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities and mRNA levels (except MnSOD activity and mRNA levels as well as CAT mRNA level) relating to the activation of Sirt1/PGC-1α/Nrf2 signaling in NHDF cells; (3) PL attenuated UVB-induced photoaging was noticed with a decrease in the percentage of SA-β-gal positive cells in NHDF cells model. Moreover, PL attenuated UVB-induced photoaging through exerting an anti-wrinkling effect by enhancing the type I collagen level relating to the inhibition (JNK, p38)/(c-Fos, c-Jun) of signaling in NHDF cells, and exerting an anti-melanogenic effect by suppressing tyrosinase and TYRP-1 activity and/or expressions relating to the inhibition of PKA/CREB/MITF signaling in B16F10 cells. In conclusion, PL could ameliorate UVB-induced oxidative damage and photoaging. Therefore, PL may be a potential antioxidant and anti-photoaging active ingredient for the cosmetic industry.

Vibrio metschnikovii, a Potential Pathogen in Freshwater-Cultured Hybrid Sturgeon

Simple Summary

In an era of shrinking stocks and intensive fisheries production, pathogenic microorganisms are a serious threat to fish health. This study confirms that Vibrio metschnikovii—a pathogen mainly found in aquatic environments—was the pathogenic bacterium causing disease in hybrid sturgeon. The authors reveal the hazard of V. metschnikovii to hybrid sturgeon and the potential risks to the sturgeon farming industry.

Abstract

In July 2021, a disease with a high mortality rate broke out in freshwater cultured hybrid sturgeon in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. A dominant strain, H-701, was isolated from diseased fish; physiological changes in diseased fish were investigated and molecular identification, biochemical characterization, and pathogenicity and drug sensitivity tests of H-701 were performed. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of H-701 was 99.86% homologous with that of Vibrio metschnikovii in GenBank. The 50% lethal dose of H-701 was 3.72 ± 0.929 × 10⁴ CFU/g fish weight. The proportion of monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the blood of diseased sturgeon increased significantly, whereas the proportion of lymphocytes decreased. In diseased fish, the serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly, and those of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and complement C3 increased significantly. There were obvious pathological changes in several tissues of the diseased fish. H-701 was sensitive to antibiotics such as florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline. This study not only demonstrated that V. metschnikovii was the cause of death of a large number of hybrid sturgeon but also revealed its potential risk in hybrid sturgeon aquaculture. The results provide a basis for the diagnosis and prevention of this disease.

Interaction between Lactobacillus reuteri and periodontopathogenic bacteria using in vitro and in vivo (G. mellonella) approaches

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease, and the major cause of tooth loss in adults. New therapies have been proposed for its treatment, including the use of probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of L. reuteri: live, heat-killed and culture filtrate (cell-free supernatant), on periodontopathogenic bacteria (Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) in vitro, as well as the in vivo survival curve, hemocyte density and microbial recovery using Galleria mellonella. For in vitro assays, all preparations reduced colony forming units of F. nucleatum, while only live L. reuteri reduced the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. All treatments reduced periodontopathogenic bacteria growth in vivo. The treatment with the supernatant increased the survival of larvae infected with F. nucleatum more than the treatment with live L. reuteri, and none of the treatments altered the survival of A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected larvae. In addition, the treatment with L. reuteri preparations did not alter the hemocyte count of F. nucleatum- and A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected larvae. This study demonstrated that L. reuteri preparations exerted antimicrobial effects and increased the survival of G. mellonella infected by F. nucleatum, although only live L. reuteri was able to reduce the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans in vitro.

Hepatoprotective effects of Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is correlated with alcohol consumption, and ALD progression depends on various factors. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial for mitigating ALD. However, the valuable effects of LAB-derived dairy products remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 1447 dry cells (CAU 1447) and cream cheese derived from CAU 1447 on ALD progression following long-term alcohol consumption in rats. Oral administration of CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglyceride levels. We found that CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese downregulated mRNA encoding various cytokines and antioxidative factors in the liver. Oral CAU 1447 cream cheese administration increased short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, and acetate levels in feces. Thus, administration of CAU 1447 and CAU 1447 cream cheese induced hepatoprotective effects, indicating potential applications as a supplement for ALD mitigation.

Effects of garlic polysaccharide on alcoholic liver fibrosis and intestinal microflora in mice

CONTEXT

Alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF) is treatable and reversible consequence of liver disease. Intestinal microflora plays an important role in the progression of liver disease. Garlic (Allium sativum L. [Amaryllidaceae]) has been consumed as a traditional medicine to treat liver injury.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of garlic polysaccharide (GP) on ALF and intestinal microflora in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

KM mice were orally administered with alcohol (56%, 6 mL/kg) for 30 d to establish ALF model, and divided into four groups together with control group (water only). Hugan tablet (60 mg/kg) or GP (250 and 150 mg/kg) were given 5 h after each dose of alcohol. Biochemical markers in serum and liver homogenate were determined with kits. Alteration of intestinal microflora, and protein expressions of TGF-β1, TNF-α and decorin were detected.

RESULTS

In GP-H group, ALT and AST decreased to 18.85 ± 4.71 U/L and 40.84 ± 7.89 U/L. MDA, TC, TG and LDL-C decreased to 2.32 ± 0.86 mmol/mg, 0.21 ± 0.12 mmol/L, 0.96 ± 0.31 mmol/L and 0.084 ± 0.027 mmol/L. SOD, GSH-Px and GSH increased to 118.32 ± 16.32 U/mg, 523.72 ± 64.20 U/mg and 0.56 ± 0.05 mg/g. Ratios of TGF-β1 and TNF-α decreased to 0.608 ± 0.170 and 1.057 ± 0.058, decorin increased to 2.182 ± 0.129. Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillus increased, Facklamia and Firmicutes decreased with GP pretreatment.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal microflora provides novel insight into the mechanisms of GP that may be used to treat ALF and intestinal microflora dysbiosis.

Combined Use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 Improves Intestinal Health and Reduces the Amount of Lipids in Serum via Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice

The study was conducted to investigate whether combined use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 could improve the intestinal health and reduce the lipid levels in sera of mice and whether these benefits were related to regulating the intestinal microflora. Eighty Kunming male mice were divided into four groups with five replicates per group and four mice per replicate. Mice in the control group were administrated with 0.2 mL normal saline; mice in three experimental groups were daily orally administrated with 4 × 10⁸ cfu of L. salivarius, 4 × 10⁸ cfu of C. butyricum, and a combination thereof (2 × 10⁸ cfu of L. salivarius, and 2 × 10⁸ cfu of C. butyricum), respectively. The experiment lasted for 14 days. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed/gain (F/G) ratio of growing mice underwent no significant changes (p > 0.05); however, the average daily gain (ADG) tended to increase over short periods of time. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in serum in the combination group were significantly increased (p < 0.05); The triglyceride, and total cholesterol, contents in serum in the combined treatment group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05); The total volatile fatty acids and butyric acid in faecal matter of mice in the experimental groups were all significantly increased at 14 days (p < 0.05); The length of villi, and the mucosal thickness of colon and caecum (p < 0.05) were significantly improved; The relative abundance of some bacteria with antioxidant capacity or decomposing cholesterol capacity or butyrate producing capacity was increased, while the relative abundance of some pathogenic bacteria was decreased in the colon. Furthermore, our results showed that the beneficial effects of the combined use of the two strains was higher than that of single use. Overall, the results demonstrated that the combined use of C. butyricum Sx-01 and L. salivarius C-1-3 can significantly improve intestinal health and reduce the amount of lipids in sera of mice. The reason for these effects might be that besides their own probiotic effects, combined use of the two strains could regulate the intestinal microflora.

A Controlled Fermented Samjunghwan Herbal Formula Ameliorates Non-alcoholic Hepatosteatosis in HepG2 Cells and OLETF Rats

Hepatosteatosis (HS), a clinical feature of fatty liver with the excessive intracellular accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes, is manifested by perturbation of the maintenance of liver lipid homeostasis. Samjunghwan (SJH) is an herbal formula used mostly in Korean traditional medicine that is effective against a number of metabolic diseases, including obesity. Herbal drugs, enriched with numerous bioactive substances, possess health-protective benefits. Meanwhile, fermented herbal products enriched with probiotics are known to improve metabolic processes. Additionally, current lines of evidence indicate that probiotics-derived metabolites, termed as postbiotics, produce the same beneficial effects as their precursors. Herein, the anti-HS effects of 5-weeks naturally fermented SJH (FSJH) was investigated with FSJH-mixed chow diet in vivo using Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as animal models of HS and controls, respectively. In parallel, the anti-HS effects of postbiotic-metabolites of three bacterial strains [Lactobacillus brevis (LBB), Lactococcus lactis (LCL) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LBP)] isolated from FSJH were also evaluated in vitro using the FFAs-induced HepG2 cells. Feeding OLETF rats with FSJH-diet effectively reduced body, liver, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) weights, produced marked hypolipidemic effects on serum and hepatic lipid parameters, decreased serum AST and ALT levels, and upregulated the HMGCOR, SREBP, and ACC, and downregulated the AMPK and LDLR gene expressions levels. Additionally, exposure of FFAs-induced HepG2 cells to postbiotic metabolic media (PMM) of bacterial strains also produced marked hypolipidemic effects on intracellular lipid contents and significantly unregulated the HMGCOR, SREBP, and ACC, and downregulated the AMPK and LDLR genes expressions levels. Overall, our results indicate that FSJH enriched with fermented metabolites could be an effective anti-HS formulation.