Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC11 Isolated from Sichuan Pickled Cabbages Antagonizes d-galactose-Induced Oxidation and Aging in Mice

Limosilactobacillus fermentum Strains as Novel Probiotic Candidates to Promote Host Health Benefits and Development of Biotherapeutics: A Comprehensive Review

Fruits and their processing by-products are sources of potentially probiotic strains. Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum strains isolated from fruit processing by-products have shown probiotic-related properties. This review presents and discusses the results of the available studies that evaluated the probiotic properties of L. fermentum in promoting host health benefits, their application by the food industry, and the development of biotherapeutics. The results showed that administration of L. fermentum for 4 to 8 weeks promoted host health benefits in rats, including the modulation of gut microbiota, improvement of metabolic parameters, and antihypertensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The results also showed the relevance of L. fermentum strains for application in the food industry and for the formulation of novel biotherapeutics, especially nutraceuticals. This review provides evidence that L. fermentum strains isolated from fruit processing by-products have great potential for promoting host health and indicate the need for a translational approach to confirm their effects in humans using randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Effect of tandem repeats of antimicrobial peptide CC34 on production of target proteins and activity of Pichia pastoris

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attracting attention in the fields of medicine, food, and agriculture because of their broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, low resistance, and low-residue in the body. However, the low yield and instability of the prepared AMP drugs limit their application. In this study, we designed a tetramer of the AMP CC34, constructed and transfected two recombinant expression vectors with pGAPZαA containing a haploid CC34 and tetraploid CC34 (CC34-4js) into Pichia pastoris to explore the effect of biosynthesized peptides. The results showed that CC34 and CC34-4js expression levels were 648.2 and 1105.3 mg/L, respectively, in the fermentation supernatant of P. pastoris. The CC34-4js tetramer showed no antibacterial activity, could be cleaved to the monomer using formic acid, and the hemolytic rate of the polyploid was slightly lower than that of monomeric CC34. The average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and immune organ index of rats fed CC34 and CC34-4js showed no differences. In conclusion, CC34-4js exhibited a higher yield and lower hemolysis in P. pastoris than those of CC34. Finally, CC34 and CC34-4js enterokinase lysates showed similar antibacterial activity and both expressed peptides potentially improved the growth performance and organ indices of rats.

Estrogen receptor alpha mediates 17β-estradiol, up-regulates autophagy and alleviates hydrogen peroxide-induced vascular senescence

Atherosclerosis threatens human health by developing cardiovascular diseases, the deadliest disease world widely. The major mechanism contributing to the formation of atherosclerosis is mainly due to vascular endothelial cell (VECs) senescence. We have shown that 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) may protect VECs from senescence by upregulating autophagy. However, little is known about how 17β-E2 activates the autophagy pathway to alleviate cellular senescence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the role of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β in the effects of 17β-E2 on vascular autophagy and aging through in vitro and in vivo models. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to establish Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) senescence. Autophagy activity was measured through immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining of light chain 3 (LC3) expression. Inhibition of ER activity was established using shRNA gene silencing and ER antagonist. Compared with ER-β knockdown, we found that knockdown of ER-α resulted in a significant increase in the extent of HUVEC senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) secretion. ER-α-specific shRNA was found to reduce 17β-E2-induced autophagy, promote HUVEC senescence, disrupt the morphology of HUVECs, and increase the expression of Rb dephosphorylation and SASP. These in vitro findings were found consistent with the in vivo results. In conclusion, our data suggest that 17β-E2 activates the activity of ER-α and then increases the formation of autophagosomes (LC3 high expression) and decreases the fusion of lysosomes with autophagic vesicles (P62 low expression), which in turn serves to decrease the secretion of SASP caused by H2O2 and consequently inhibit H2O2-induced senescence in HUVEC cells.

Comparison of the laxative effects of Korean Gochujang containing different microbiota on loperamide-induced constipation in ICR mice

The prevalence of constipation, one of the common gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, has been gradually increasing. Gochujang, a traditional Korean fermented paste, has various microbiota and exerts diverse health beneficial effects. However, the ameliorative effect of Gochujang on constipation is unexplored. Seven-week-old ICR mice were divided into five groups: the normal group, the loperamide (LOP) group, the LOP + mosapride citrate (3 mg per kg BW, MOSA) treated group, the LOP + BMG Gochujang (2 g per kg BW) group, and the LOP + VMG Gochujang (2 g per kg BW) group. Gochujang alleviated constipation by increasing defecation frequency and water content in feces by reducing AQP3 mRNA expression. Additionally, Gochujang increased GI transit time and excitatory neurotransmitter levels and decreased inhibitory neurotransmitter levels. Moreover, Gochujang reduced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and increased the c-Kit/SCF signaling pathway, suggesting that Gochujang regulates the enteric nervous system (ENS). Interestingly, BMG and VMG differently influenced the gut microbiota composition. Both Gochujang groups significantly decreased the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes ratio compared to the LOP group. However, among Firmicutes genera, Acetatifactor was only reduced in BMG, and VMG only decreased Caproiciproducens and Acutalibacter. In summary, Gochujang effectively alleviated LOP-induced constipation outcomes regardless of their different microbial communities by ameliorating GI motility and changing the gut microbiota composition.

Effect of Lactobacillus brevis (MG000874) on antioxidant-related gene expression of the liver and kidney in D-galactose-induced oxidative stress mice model

Oxidative stress (OS) is a phenomenon induced by excessive production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living cells. These increased ROS productions connected, coupled with many neurological and physiological diseases. Several antioxidants were utilized recently to combat OS, and lactic acid bacteria have a potent radical-scavenging activity to minimize OS. The present work was designed to find out the protective effects of Lactobacillus brevis MG000874 (L. brevis MG000874) against oxidative injuries induced by D-galactose (D-gal) in vivo and to explore the gene expression of OS-related gene mice. Sixty male mice were randomly split into six groups. The first four groups were different control groups as no treatment (N), positive (G), probiotic (B), and ascorbic acid (A); the remaining two groups were treatment groups such as probiotic treatment (BG) and ascorbic acid treatment (AG). L. brevis MG000874 (0.2 ml of 1010 CFU/ml) and ascorbic acid (0.2 ml of 25 mg/ml) were administered orally daily for 5 weeks. It was revealed that these significantly affect the weight of treated mice: 40.22 ± 1.5 and 33.0 ± 0.57 g on days 0 and 36, respectively. D-gal induction in mice declined the levels of SOD and CAT determined by spectrophotometer. Administration of L. brevis MG000874 improved the antioxidant status of the stress mice and recovered the antioxidant activities of SOD and CAT enzymes. In addition, L. brevis MG000874-altered gene expression of OS marker at the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels was determined by RT-PCR in the mouse model. L. brevis MG000874 significantly improved the GST, GPX, SOD, CAT, and ß-actin levels in the kidney and the liver of the D-gal-induced mice (p < 0.05). Moreover, the histological investigation indicated that L. brevis MG000874 mitigated damage to the kidney and liver effectively in mice induced by D-gal. Therefore, it could be concluded from the current results that L. brevis MG000874 may act as a powerful antioxidant agent, and this study can provide the baseline data for drug development against OS-linked diseases.

Oral supplementation of a cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 stimulates superoxide dismutase production in the livers of healthy and arthritis-induced mice

Hepatitis, a major human chronic inflammation disease, has been linked to oxidative stress, which can be initiated by radicals produced during the oxidative metabolism. Oxidative damage has been also observed in arthritis-induced mice. Here we evaluated whether supplementation of a cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis EC-12 could induce superoxide dismutase activity and/or damage in the livers of healthy mice or mice with arthritis. In Experiment 1, both healthy and arthritis-induced mice were orally given a saline solution, or a solution with a low (0.2 mg/mouse/day) or a high (2.0 mg/mouse/day) concentration of E. faecalis EC-12 for 49 consecutive days. Manganese superoxide dismutase activity increased in E. faecalis EC-12-supplemented mice but with no arthritis. In Experiment 2, mice received orally either a saline or an E. faecalis EC-12 suspension (10 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 28 consecutive days. No changes in tissues and levels of function markers and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were observed in mouse livers, inferring that E. faecalis EC-12 supplementation caused no damage. While mRNA expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase remained unaltered, that of manganese superoxide dismutase increased in E. faecalis EC-12 administration mice. In conclusion, at least in healthy mice, E. faecalis EC-12 supplementation stimulated manganese superoxide dismutase activity in liver tissues with no side effects.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY01 on the exercise capacity of D-galactose-induced oxidative stress-aged mice

Objectives

Aging is a process that involves comprehensive physiological changes throughout the body, and improvements in the exercise capacity of individuals may delay aging and relieve fatigue. Probiotics are subject to ongoing research to investigate their antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY01 (L. plantarum KSFY01) on exercise tolerance in mice induced into a state of accelerated physiological aging by oxidative stress.

Methods

A mouse model of accelerated aging was established using D-galactose to induce oxidative stress. The bacteria L. plantarum KSFY01 was isolated from fermented yak yogurt. The effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 on the improvement of exercise capacity in aging-accelerated mice was evaluated by measuring their running time until exhaustion, histopathological sections, related biochemical indicators, and underlying gene expression.

Results

The oral administration of L. plantarum KSFY01 prolonged the running time of mice and reduced their creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferasem (AST) levels. From this study, we observed that L. plantarum KSFY01 significantly improved the exercise capacity of mice and alleviated liver damage. Treatment with L. plantarum KSFY01 reduced the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactic acid (LD) accumulation, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevations produced by the accelerated aging state, and also reversed the changes in muscle glycogen (MG). Overall, L. plantarum KSFY01 could effectively improve metabolite accumulation, thereby relieving fatigue in exercised mice. The results of the antioxidant indices in vivo showed that L. plantarum KSFY01 intervention increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and restored the balance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems in fatigued mice. By investigating the underlying molecular mechanism, our results showed that L. plantarum KSFY01 intervention significantly reversed the decline in the expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related factors and improved the body's antioxidant capacity. We determined that the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the antioxidant effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 mainly involves the activation of the Nrf2 pathway. The effect of L. plantarum KSFY01 was dose-dependent, and the expression level of Nrf2 increased with increasing dosage of the probiotic.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the probiotic L. plantarum KSFY01 exerts antioxidant effects and improved the athletic ability of mice. These findings are of significance to the development and utilization of probiotic resources.

The therapeutic and preventive effects of a canine-origin VB12 -producing Lactobacillus on DSS-induced colitis in mice

Vitamin B12 (VB12 ) plays vital roles as a cofactor in reactions related to biosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Animals with diarrhoea from intestinal inflammation are susceptible to VB12 deficiency due to dysfunctional absorption. No current medications for canine intestinal inflammation can simultaneously act as VB12 supplements. Here we have tested a strain of VB12 -producing Lactobacillus, to investigate its safety in healthy dogs and test for hypothesized therapeutic and preventive effects on murine colitis. Results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histopathological analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed normal physical conditions of healthy dogs given Lactobacillus, and blood biochemical indices showed no significant differences in markers, indicating safety of Lactobacillus to healthy dogs. The microbiota in animals receiving VB12 -producing Lactobacillus probiotic exhibited decreased abundance of Escherichia coli and concomitant increase in Lactobacillus. The probiotic supplement also resulted in downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in murine colon tissues, reduced myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, and significantly increased serum VB12 level and decreased homocysteine in therapeutic and preventive experiments. Moreover, Lactobacillus supplement decreased colonic inflammation and injury, improved gut microbiota, and ameliorated VB12 deficiency as an adjunctive therapy. We conclude this product is potentially beneficial for efficient therapy and prevention of VB12 deficiency form intestinal inflammation in canine clinical practice.

D-galactose-induced cardiac ageing: A review of model establishment and potential interventions

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in an ageing society. The increased incidence and mortality rates of CVD are global issues endangering human health. There is an urgent requirement for understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of CVD and developing possible interventions for preventing CVD in ageing hearts. It is necessary to select appropriate models and treatment methods. The D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing model possesses the advantages of low mortality, short time and low cost and has been increasingly used in the study of cardiovascular diseases in recent years. Therefore, understanding the latest progress in D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing is valuable. This review highlights the recent progress and potential therapeutic interventions used in D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing in recent years by providing a comprehensive summary of D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing in vivo and in vitro. This review may serve as reference literature for future research on age‐related heart diseases.

Comparison and selection of probiotic Lactobacillus from human intestinal tract and traditional fermented food in vitro via PCA, unsupervised clustering algorithm, and heat-map analysis

Traditional fermented products and human intestines are rich sources of Lactobacillus strains which may have remarkable probiotic properties. In the present study, the probiotic properties of 40 Lactobacillus strains isolated from intestinal tracts of longevity population and traditional fermented food in China were determined, including the survival rates in simulated gastric acid and bile salt, aggregation, hydrophobicity, adhesion rate, antioxidant ability (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and antimicrobial ability. The differences between human strains and nonhuman strains were compared via t-test and principal component analysis (PCA). The significant differences were found in the survival rate at 0.3% bile salt, adhesion ability of the strains, and antioxidant ability of the fermentation broth (p < .05). The results of PCA showed that the first principal component (PC1) score of human strains was significantly higher than that of nonhuman strains (p < .01). And some probiotic Lactobacillus were selected for further application based on the unsupervised clustering algorithm, heat-map analysis, and K-means algorithm. Four strains, CS128, CS39, CS01, and CS1301, along with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were divided into cluster I. The four strains, all isolated from human tracts, have been selected. Thus, human Lactobacillus has better probiotic potential and application prospects than strains from the nonhuman source. PCA, the unsupervised clustering algorithm, and heat-map analysis can be used to analyze and select Lactobacillus visually and effectively.

Characterization, Hypoglycemic Activity, and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts From Amomum tsao-ko: in vitro and in vivo Studies

The dried fruit of Amomum tsao-ko is well-known as a spice as well as a Chinese traditional herb. This study aimed to identify the bioactive constituents in the powder of methanol extract from Amomum tsao-ko (PMEAT) and to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of PMEAT, in vitro and in vivo. We identified 36 phytochemicals in PMEAT by employing HPLC-MS/MS. PMEAT solution was found to have potent α-glucosidase-inhibiting activity (IC₅₀, 0.145 mg/mL) in vitro, twice as strong as that of acarbose (IC₅₀, 0.273 mg/mL). To investigate the hypoglycemic activity of PMEAT in vivo, we studied the impact of low-dose PMEAT (the addition of 100 mg/kg PMEAT to the mice diet) and high-dose PMEAT (200 mg/kg PMEAT addition) treatments in STZ-induced diabetic mice. After 6 weeks of intervention, significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p < 0.05), significantly decreased area under the curve (AUC) of the oral glucose tolerance test (p < 0.05), significantly decreased HOMA-IR (p < 0.05), and significantly increased HOMA-β (p < 0.05) were observed in the high-dose PMEAT group. Moreover, we performed an antioxidant activity experiment in vitro. The results showed that PMEAT had a strong ability to scavenge DPPH (IC₅₀, 0.044 mg/mL) as well as ABTS free radicals (IC₅₀, 0.040 mg/mL). In an animal experiment conducted on oxidative damage mice model which was induced by D-glucose and a high-fat diet, we observed significantly increased dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.01), glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.01), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p < 0.01) and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-ISO-prostaglandin-PGF2α (8-ISO-PGF2α), after treatment with PMEAT for 90 days. In conclusion, this study reveals the therapeutic potential of Amomum tsao-ko for the treatment of diabetes and helps us discover new antioxidant candidates from natural sources.

Fermented food: Should patients with cardiometabolic diseases go back to an early neolithic diet?

Fermentation has been used since the Early Neolithic period to preserve foods. It has inherent organoleptic and nutritive properties that bestow health benefits, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting the growth of salutogenic microbiota, enhancing intestinal mucosal protection and promoting beneficial immunometabolic health effects. The fermentation of food with specific microbiota increases the production salutogenic bioactive compounds that can activate Nrf2 mediated cytoprotective responses and mitigate the effects of the 'diseasome of aging' and its associated inflammageing, which presents as a prominent feature of obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. This review discusses the importance of fermented food in improving health span, with special reference to cardiometabolic diseases.

Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum HFY06 Combined with Arabinoxylan on Reducing Lipid Accumulation in Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet

In this experiment, a high-fat diet was used to induce hyperlipidemia in mice to determine the synergistic effect of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 on the prevention of hyperlipidemia and its potential regulatory mechanism. The results of this study showed that after the AX and L. fermentum HFY06 synergistic intervention, the body weight, epididymal fat index, blood lipid level, and liver function indexes of mice were improved. In addition, the synbiotics comprising AX and L. fermentum HFY06 increased the CAT activity in the serum of mice on a high-fat diet, reduced NO and MDA levels, and improved the body's oxidative stress. From the perspective of molecular biology, on the one hand, AX and L. fermentum HFY06 synergistic intervention activated the AMPK pathway to regulate body lipid metabolism; up-regulated the mRNA expressions of CPT-1, PPAR-α, CYP7A1, and HSL; and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of ACC, C/EBPα, and LPL. On the other hand, the synergistic effect of AX and HFY06 enhanced the mRNA expressions of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in the small intestine of mice, increased the strength of the intestinal barrier, and optimized the composition of the intestinal microbiota. From the above results, it can be concluded that AX and L. fermentum HFY06 have a synergistic effect in improving hyperlipidemia. However, this study was only performed using animal models, and the lipid synthesis and metabolism mechanism are complicated; hence, further clinical studies are needed.

Lyophyllum decastes fruiting body polysaccharide alleviates acute liver injury by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Polysaccharides have high antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, and anticancer activities. In this study, the ability of the Lyophyllum decastes fruiting body polysaccharide (LDFP) to protect against CCl₄-induced acute liver injury in mice by activating the Nrf2 pathway was studied. LDFP can inhibit the activity of ALT, AST, TC, TG, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum; significantly improve the inflammatory state of the liver; increase the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the glutathione (GSH) content; decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content; alleviate the toxicity caused by reactive oxygen species; and alleviate liver injury. Immunohistochemistry and western blot showed that LDFP can activate the Nrf2 pathway, up-regulate the expression of Nrf2, down-regulate the expression of Keap1, and increase the expression of the anti-oxidation factors HO-1 and CuZn-SOD. At the same time, it was found that the expression of the transcription factors TLR-4 and NF-κB were decreased in the NF-κB signaling pathway, the synthesis and secretion of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased consequently. These results suggest that LDFP protects the liver by activating the Nrf2 pathway and reducing the inflammatory response. Generally, the results of this study could be used to aid the development of hepatoprotective products and their application.

Probiotic supplementation demonstrates therapeutic potential in treating gut dysbiosis and improving neurocognitive function in age-related dementia

PURPOSE

Probiotics, as live microorganisms that improve intestinal microbial balance, have been implicated in the modulation of neurodegenerative diseases via the microbiome-gut-brain axis by improving gut dysbiosis. This review examines the association between probiotics and neurocognitive function in age-related dementia.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane library for in vivo studies using equivalent combinations of "probiotics" and "dementia" as per PRISMA. From the 52 in vivo studies identified, 5 human and 22 animal studies with comparable quantitative outcomes on neurocognitive/behavioural function were meta-analysed by forest plots, subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The analysis of biomarkers, risk of bias and publication bias were also performed.

RESULTS

In elderly humans, probiotics correlates with a non-significant difference of neurocognitive function in Mini-Mental State Examination, but with significant improvement only in those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In animals, probiotics significantly improved neurocognitive function as measured by Morris Water Maze, Y-Maze, and Passive Avoidance. Further analysis by subgrouping and meta-regression found that the probiotics-neurodegeneration association is age dependent in humans but is neither dose dependent nor duration dependent in animals or humans. Analysis of biomarkers suggested that the neurocognitive effect of probiotics is associated with an altered gut microbiome profile, downregulated proteinopathic, inflammatory and autophagic pathways, and upregulated anti-oxidative, neurotrophic, and cholinergic pathways.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we report promising results in animal studies but limited evidence of probiotics leading to neurocognitive improvement in humans. More research into probiotics should be conducted, especially on live biotherapeutic products for targeted treatment of gut dysbiosis and age-related dementia.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC11 attenuated the airway inflammation in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced Balb/c mouse model of asthma

This study investigated the antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus plantarum-CQPC11 (LP-CQPC11) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic Balb/c mice. Administration of different doses of LP-CQPC11 (10⁵ , 10⁷ , and 10⁹ colony-forming unit [CFU]/mouse) effectively reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and the lung W/D ratio in asthmatic mice. LP-CQPC11 treatment reduced the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the BALF and attenuated histologic edema in asthmatic mice. Administration of LP-CQPC11 decreased the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE, IgE, and OVA-specific IgG1. LP-CQPC11 treatment decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, and IL-6) in the BALF of asthmatic mice. In addition, LP-CQPC11 also elevated the mRNA levels of Foxp3 and T-bet and decreased the mRNA levels of Gata3 and RORγt in asthmatic mice lungs. Administration of LP-CQPC11 also reduced OVA-induced oxidative stress by improving the activities of GSH-Px, SOD, and catalase in the lungs. Finally, LP-CQPC11 treatment also significantly decreased the activation of the NF-κB pathway to modulate the inflammatory reaction in the lungs of asthmatic mice. The results from this study clearly demonstrated that oral administration of LP-CQPC11 exhibited outstanding activity in attenuating OVA-induced asthma in a mouse model. Furthermore, LP-CQPC11 may be an effective microecologic agent in preventing allergic asthma in the future. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Allergic asthma is a common chronic inflammation-associated respiratory disease. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known as a health product involved in modulating immune tolerance and play important roles in disease prevention and treatment. Many studies have reported that LAB, as probiotics, exhibits great antioxidation, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities and have health benefits in gastrointestinal disorders. In fact, human studies have confirmed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains have an effective activity to reduce the risk of allergic asthma. LP-CQPC11 was isolated from Sichuan pickled cabbages (a type of LAB-fermented vegetable product, also called Sichuan paocai) and was reported to reduce d-galactose-induced aging in mice in our previous study. However, the antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory activities of LP-CQPC11 are unclear. The current study investigated the antiasthmatic and anti-inflammatory effects of LP-CQPC11 on OVA-induced asthmatic Balb/c mice.

A Mixture of Lactobacillus fermentum HFY06 and Arabinoxylan Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Acute Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Objective

Colitis is one of the main gastrointestinal diseases threatening human health.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a synbiotic composed of arabinoxylan (AX) and Lactobacillus fermentum HFY06 was tested to determine its ability to relieve dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

Results

The experimental results showed that the synergistic effect of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 alleviated the weight loss of DSS-mediated colitis mice and lowered the disease activity index (DAI) score. Determination of biochemical indicators found that the synbiotic composed of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 increased the body’s antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation. The histopathological examination results showed that the colonic crypts of the mice in the model group were disordered, goblet cells were lost, and the mucous membrane was severely damaged. However, the combination of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 can significantly reverse the histopathological changes in the colon mediated by DSS. The gene expression of colon tissue was further determined, and the results showed that the synergistic effect of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 inhibited the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, downregulated the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-κB-p65 (NF-κBp65), upregulated the mRNA expression of NF-κB inhibitor-α (IκB-α), inhibited the release of cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and exerted anti-colitis effects.

Conclusion

This study shows that the synbiotic composed of AX and L. fermentum HFY06 has the potential to prevent and treat colitis.

Microbiota Targeted Interventions of Probiotic Lactobacillus as an Anti-Ageing Approach: A Review

With the implementation of modern scientific protocols, the average human lifespan has significantly improved, but age-related problems remain a challenge. With the advent of ageing, there are alterations in gut microbiota and gut barrier functions, weak immune responses, increased oxidative stress, and other age-related disorders. This review has highlighted and discussed the current understanding on the significance of gut microbiota dysbiosis and ageing and its inherent effects against age-related oxidative stress as well as on the gut health and gut-brain axis. Further, we have discussed the key mechanism of action of Lactobacillus strains in the longevity of life, alleviating gut dysbiosis, and improving oxidative stress and inflammation to provide an outline of the role of Lactobacillus strains in restoration of gut microbiota dysbiosis and alleviating certain conditions during ageing. Microbiota-targeted interventions of some characterized strains of probiotic Lactobacillus for the restoration of gut microbial community are considered as a potential approach to improve several neurological conditions. However, very limited human studies are available on this alarmed issue and recommend further studies to identify the unique Lactobacillus strains with potential anti-ageing properties and to discover its novel core microbiome-association, which will help to increase the therapeutic potential of probiotic Lactobacillus strains to ageing.

β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Administrated by Intraperitoneal Injection Mediates Protection Against UVB-Induced Skin Damage in Mice

Objective

Ultraviolet light is an important environmental factor that induces skin oxidation, inflammation, and other diseases. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has the effect of anti-oxidation and improving various physiological processes. This study explores the protective effect of NMN monomers given via intraperitoneal injection on UVB-induced photodamage.

Methods

We used a murine model of UVB-induced photodamage to evaluate the effect of an NMN monomer on photoaging skin by assessing skin and liver tissue sections, serum and skin oxidative stress levels, inflammatory markers, mRNA expression, and protein expression of skin- and liver-related genes.

Results

The results showed that NMN treatment blocked UVB-induced photodamage in mice, maintaining normal structure and amount of collagen fibers, normal thickness of epidermis and dermis, reducing the production of mast cells, and maintaining complete organized skin structure. NMN intraperitoneal injection also maintained the normal morphology of the mouse liver after UVB exposure. Meanwhile, NMN intraperitoneal injection was found to increase antioxidant ability and regulate the proinflammatory response of the skin and liver to UVB irradiation by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduction of hydrogen peroxide production (H₂O₂), and decreased inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, RT-qPCR results indicated that NMN reduced oxidative stress of skin and liver by promoting the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and further increasing the expression of downstream antioxidant genes of AMPK. RT-qPCR results also revealed that NMN treatment could downregulate the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and upregulate NF-kappa-B inhibitor-α (IκB-α) and interleukin (IL)-10 by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κBp65 (NFκB-p65). Finally, NMN upregulated AMPK, IκB-α, SOD1, and CAT in the skin and downregulated NF-κBp65 protein expression, which is in line with the RT-qPCR results.

Conclusion

Based on the above results, NMN monomer treatment with intraperitoneal injection also block the photodamage caused by UVB irradiation in mice by regulating the oxidative stress response and inflammatory response.

An Overview of NO Signaling Pathways in Aging

Nitric Oxide (NO) is a potent signaling molecule involved in the regulation of various cellular mechanisms and pathways under normal and pathological conditions. NO production, its effects, and its efficacy, are extremely sensitive to aging-related changes in the cells. Herein, we review the mechanisms of NO signaling in the cardiovascular system, central nervous system (CNS), reproduction system, as well as its effects on skin, kidneys, thyroid, muscles, and on the immune system during aging. The aging-related decline in NO levels and bioavailability is also discussed in this review. The decreased NO production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was revealed in the aged cardiovascular system. In the CNS, the decline of the neuronal (n)NOS production of NO was related to the impairment of memory, sleep, and cognition. NO played an important role in the aging of oocytes and aged-induced erectile dysfunction. Aging downregulated NO signaling pathways in endothelial cells resulting in skin, kidney, thyroid, and muscle disorders. Putative therapeutic agents (natural/synthetic) affecting NO signaling mechanisms in the aging process are discussed in the present study. In summary, all of the studies reviewed demonstrate that NO plays a crucial role in the cellular aging processes.

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02 on Fatigue and Biochemical Oxidation Levels in a Mouse Model of Physical Exhaustion

Chinese Sichuan pickle is a fermented food rich in microorganisms. Microorganisms have the potential to become an important new form of potent future therapeutic capable of treating human disease. Selecting vitamin C as a positive control, a lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC02, LP-CQPC02) isolated from Sichuan pickle was given to mice over 4 weeks to investigate the effect of CQPC02 on fatigue levels and biochemical oxidation phenomena in exercise-exhausted Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The fatigue model was established by forced swimming of mice, the levels of hepatic glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen, lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid were measured by physicochemical methods, serum serum creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by kits, the histopathological changes in the livers of mice were observed by H&E slicing, and the mRNA changes in the livers and skeletal muscles were observed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Both vitamin C and LP-CQPC02 increased swimming exhaustion time. The concentration of LP-CQPC02 and exhaustion time were positively correlated. LP-CQPC02 also increased liver glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen and free fatty acid content in mice and reduced lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen content in a dose-dependent manner. As walnut albumin antioxidant peptide concentration increased, levels of mouse CK, AST, and AST gradually decreased. LP-CQPC02 increased SOD and CAT levels and decreased MDA levels in a dose-dependent fashion. LP-CQPC02 up-regulated expression of mRNA encoding copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and CAT in swimming exhaustion mouse liver tissue. LP-CQPC02 also up-regulated alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter 1 (ASCT1) expression while down-regulating syncytin-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression in swimming exhaustion mouse skeletal muscle. Overall, LP-CQPC02 had a clear anti-fatigue and anti-oxidation effect. This suggests that LP-CQPC02 can be developed as a microbiological therapeutic agent.

D-Galactose Induces Chronic Oxidative Stress and Alters Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

Oxidative stress commonly occurs in pig production, which can severely damage the intestinal function of weaned piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of D-galactose with different levels used to induce chronic oxidative stress on growth performance, intestinal morphology and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. The results showed that addition of 10 and 20 g/kg BW D-galactose reduced average daily gain and average daily feed intake from the first to the third week. 10 g/kg BW D-galactose increased the concentration of serum MDA at the second and third week. 10 g/kg BW D-galactose significantly influenced the jejunal and ileal expressions of GPx1, CAT1, and MnSOD. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that compared with the control, 10 and 20 g/kg BW D-galactose significantly decreased the relative abundance of Tenericutes, Erysipelotrichia, Erysipelotrichales, and Erysipelotrichaceae, while increased the relative abundance of Negativicutes, Selenomonnadales, and Veillonellaceae. The results indicated that treatment with 10 g/kg BW/day D-galactose for 3 weeks could induce chronic oxidative stress, reduce the growth performance and alter gut microbiota in weaned piglets.

The Impact of Antarctic Ice Microalgae Polysaccharides on D-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Damage in Mice

Antarctic ice microalgae (Chlamydomonas sp.) are a polysaccharide-rich natural marine resource. In this study, we evaluated the impact of Antarctic ice microalgae polysaccharides (AIMP) on D-galactose-induced oxidation in mice. We conducted biological and biochemical tests on tissue and serum samples from mice treated with AIMP. We found that AIMP administration was associated with improved thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney index values. We also found that AIMP treatment inhibited the reduced aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels as well as the increased serum, splenic, and hepatic nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels arising from oxidation in these animals. Pathological examination revealed that AIMP also inhibited D-galactose-induced oxidative damage to the spleen, liver, and skin of these animals. AIMP was additionally found to promote the upregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cuprozinc-superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 as well as the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase in these animals. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed AIMP to be composed of five monosaccharides (mannitol, ribose, anhydrous glucose, xylose, and fucose). Together, these results suggest that AIMP can effectively inhibit oxidative damage more readily than vitamin C in mice with D-galactose-induced oxidative damage, which underscores the value of developing AIMP derivatives for food purposes.

Jares E, Jarvis D, Jassem E, Jenko K, Jiméneracruz Uscanga RD, Johnston SL, Joos G, Jošt M, Julge K, Jung K, Just J, Jutel M, Kaidashev I, Kalayci O, Kalyoncu F, Kapsali J, Kardas P, Karjalainen J, Kasala CA, Katotomichelakis M, Kavaliukaite L, Kazi BS, Keil T, Keith P, Khaitov M, Khaltaev N, Kim Y, Kirenga B, Kleine‐Tebbe J, Klimek L, Koffi N’Goran B, Kompoti E, Kopač P, Koppelman G, KorenJeverica A, Koskinen S, Košnik M, Kostov KV, Kowalski ML, Kralimarkova T, Kramer Vrščaj K, Kraxner H, Kreft S, Kritikos V, Kudlay D, Kuitunen M, Kull I, Kuna P, Kupczyk M, Kvedariene V, Kyriakakou M, Lalek N, Landi M, Lane S, Larenas‐Linnemann D, Lau S, Laune D, Lavrut J, Le L, Lenzenhuber M, Lessa M, Levin M, Li J, Lieberman P, Liotta G, Lipworth B, Liu X, Lobo R, Lodrup Carlsen KC, Lombardi C, Louis R, Loukidis S, Lourenço O, Luna Pech JA, Madjar B, Maggi E, Magnan A, Mahboub B, Mair A, Mais Y, Maitland van der Zee A, Makela M, Makris M, Malling H, Mandajieva M, Manning P, Manousakis M, Maragoudakis P, Marseglia G, Marshall G, Reza Masjedi M, Máspero JF, Matta Campos JJ, Maurer M, Mavale‐Manuel S, Meço C, Melén E, Melioli G, Melo‐Gomes E, Meltzer EO, Menditto E, Menzies‐Gow A, Merk H, Michel J, Micheli Y, Miculinic N, Midão L, Mihaltan F, Mikos N, Milanese M, Milenkovic B, Mitsias D, Moalla B, Moda G, Mogica Martínez MD, Mohammad Y, Moin M, Molimard M, Momas I, Mommers M, Monaco A, Montefort S, Mora D, Morais‐Almeida M, Mösges R, Mostafa B, Mullol J, Münter L, Muraro A, Murray R, Musarra A, Mustakov T, Naclerio R, Nadeau KC, Nadif R, Nakonechna A, Namazova‐Baranova L, Navarro‐Locsin G, Neffen H, Nekam K, Neou A, Nettis E, Neuberger D, Nicod L, Nicola S, Niederberger‐Leppin V, Niedoszytko M, Nieto A, Novellino E, Nunes E, Nyembue D, O’Hehir R, Odjakova C, Ohta K, Okamoto Y, Okubo K, Oliver B, Onorato GL, Pia Orru M, Ouédraogo S, Ouoba K, Paggiaro PL, Pagkalos A, Pajno G, Pala G, Palaniappan S, Pali‐Schöll I, Palkonen S, Palmer S, Panaitescu Bunu C, Panzner P, Papadopoulos NG, Papanikolaou V, Papi A, Paralchev B, Paraskevopoulos G, Park H, Passalacqua G, Patella V, Pavord I, Pawankar R, Pedersen S, Peleve S, Pellegino S, Pereira A, Pérez T, Perna A, Peroni D, Pfaar O, Pham‐Thi N, Pigearias B, Pin I, Piskou K, Pitsios C, Plavec D, Poethig D, Pohl W, Poplas Susic A, Popov TA, Portejoie F, Potter P, Poulsen L, Prados‐Torres A, Prarros F, Price D, Prokopakis E, Puggioni F, Puig‐Domenech E, Puy R, Rabe K, Raciborski F, Ramos J, Recto MT, Reda SM, Regateiro FS, Reider N, Reitsma S, Repka‐Ramirez S, Ridolo E, Rimmer J, Rivero Yeverino D, Angelo Rizzo J, Robalo‐Cordeiro C, Roberts G, Roche N, Rodríguez González M, Rodríguez Zagal E, Rolla G, Rolland C, Roller‐Wirnsberger R, Roman Rodriguez M, Romano A, Romantowski J, Rombaux P, Romualdez J, Rosado‐Pinto J, Rosario N, Rosenwasser L, Rossi O, Rottem M, Rouadi P, Rovina N, Rozman Sinur I, Ruiz M, Ruiz Segura LT, Ryan D, Sagara H, Sakai D, Sakurai D, Saleh W, Salimaki J, Samitas K, Samolinski B, Sánchez Coronel MG, Sanchez‐Borges M, Sanchez‐Lopez J, Sarafoleanu C, Sarquis Serpa F, Sastre‐Dominguez J, Savi E, Sawaf B, Scadding GK, Scheire S, Schmid‐Grendelmeier P, Schuhl JF, Schunemann H, Schvalbová M, Schwarze J, Scichilone N, Senna G, Sepúlveda C, Serrano E, Shields M, Shishkov V, Siafakas N, Simeonov A, FER Simons E, Carlos Sisul J, Sitkauskiene B, Skrindo I, SokličKošak T, Solé D, Sooronbaev T, Soto‐Martinez M, Soto‐Quiros M, Sousa Pinto B, Sova M, Soyka M, Specjalski K, Spranger O, Stamataki S, Stefanaki L, Stellato C, Stelmach R, Strandberg T, Stute P, Subramaniam A, Suppli Ulrik C, Sutherland M, Sylvestre S, Syrigou A, Taborda Barata L, Takovska N, Tan R, Tan F, Tan V, Ping Tang I, Taniguchi M, Tannert L, Tantilipikorn P, Tattersall J, Tesi F, Thijs C, Thomas M, To T, Todo‐Bom A, Togias A, Tomazic P, Tomic‐Spiric V, Toppila‐Salmi S, Toskala E, Triggiani M, Triller N, Triller K, Tsiligianni I, Uberti M, Ulmeanu R, Urbancic J, Urrutia Pereira M, Vachova M, Valdés F, Valenta R, Valentin Rostan M, Valero A, Valiulis A, Vallianatou M, Valovirta E, Van Eerd M, Van Ganse E, Hage M, Vandenplas O, Vasankari T, Vassileva D, Velasco Munoz C, Ventura MT, Vera‐Munoz C, Vicheva D, Vichyanond P, Vidgren P, Viegi G, Vogelmeier C, Von Hertzen L, Vontetsianos T, Vourdas D, Tran Thien Quan V, Wagenmann M, Walker S, Wallace D, Wang DY, Waserman S, Wickman M, Williams S, Williams D, Wilson N, Wong G, Woo K, Wright J, Wroczynski P, Xepapadaki P, Yakovliev P, Yamaguchi M, Yan K, Yeow Yap Y, Yawn B, Yiallouros P, Yorgancioglu A, Yoshihara S, Young I, Yusuf OB, Zaidi A, Zaitoun F, Zar H, Zedda M, Zernotti ME, Zhang L, Zhong N, Zidarn M, Zubrinich C. Cabbage and fermented vegetables: From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID‐19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS‐CoV‐2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT₁R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID‐19. The nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT₁R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof‐of‐concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2‐associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID‐19 severity.

Monotropein alleviates H2O2‑induced inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis via NF‑κB/AP‑1 signaling

Aging is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of CVD, and are closely associated with senescent vascular endothelial cells. Monotropein (Mtp) exerts various bioactive roles, including anti‑inflammatory and antioxidative effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of Mtp in senescent endothelial cells. An MTT assay was performed to evaluate the influence of Mtp on H2O2‑stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Senescent cells were assessed by determining the expression of senescence‑associated β‑galactosidase, high mobility group AT‑hook 1 and DNA damage marker γ‑H2A.X variant histone. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‑Px) and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations were estimated using assay kits to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in HUVECs. The TUNEL assay was performed to identify apoptotic cells. Furthermore, the expression levels of endothelial cell adhesion factors, NF‑κB, activator protein‑1 (AP‑1) and apoptotic proteins were determined via western blotting. Mtp enhanced HUVEC viability following H2O2 stimulation. H2O2‑mediated increases in MDA, proinflammatory cytokine and endothelial cell adhesion factor levels were decreased by Mtp treatment, whereas Mtp reversed H2O2‑mediated downregulation of SOD and GSH‑Px activity. Furthermore, Mtp inhibited cell apoptosis, NF‑κB activation and AP‑1 expression in H2O2‑stimulated HUVECs; however, NF‑κB activator counteracted the anti‑inflammatory, antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects of Mtp. The present study indicated that Mtp ameliorated H2O2‑induced inflammation and oxidative stress potentially by regulating NF‑κB/AP‑1.

Oxidative stress tolerance and antioxidant capacity of lactic acid bacteria as probiotic: a systematic review

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most frequently used probiotics in fermented foods and beverages and as food supplements for humans or animals, owing to their multiple beneficial features, which appear to be partially associated with their antioxidant properties. LAB can help improve food quality and flavor and prevent numerous disorders caused by oxidation in the host. In this review, we discuss the oxidative stress tolerance, the antioxidant capacity related herewith, and the underlying mechanisms and signaling pathways in probiotic LAB. In addition, we discuss appropriate methods used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of probiotic LAB. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the current state of the research associated with the oxidative stress tolerance and antioxidant capacity of LAB.

Preventive effect of insect tea primary leaf (Malus sieboldii (Regal) Rehd.) extract on D-galactose-induced oxidative damage in mice

Insect tea is consumed as a health beverage in China. The insect tea primary leaf (ITPL) is rich in bioactive substances, which are also used as traditional Chinese medicine. This study investigated the role of ITPL in reducing the oxidative response induced by D-galactose in mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose to induce oxidative damage. The effect of ITPL was tested by pathological observation, serum detection with kits, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. The experimental results show that ITPL increased the thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney indices of oxidized mice. ITPL increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels and reduced nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in the serum, liver, and spleen in oxidative damaged mice. The pathological observations show that ITPL reduced the oxidative damage of the liver and spleen in mice induced with D-galactose. Simultaneously, ITPL upregulated mRNA expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cuprozinc-superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1, and downregulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver and spleen of oxidized mice. ITPL had beneficial preventive effects on the oxidative damage caused by D-galactose in mice and was more effective as an antioxidant than vitamin C. The component analysis test by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that ITPL contained the following seven compounds: neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferin, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, and hesperidin. ITPL is a plant with excellent antioxidant activities derived from its bioactive substances.

Contributions of Lactobacillus plantarum PC170 administration on the recovery of gut microbiota after short-term ceftriaxone exposure in mice

This study aimed to determine the impact of Lactobacillus plantarum PC170 concurrent with antibiotic treatment and/or during the recovery phase after antibiotic treatment on the body weight, faecal bacterial composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration, and splenic cytokine mRNA expression of mice. Orally administrated ceftriaxone quantitatively and significantly decreased body weight, faecal total bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Lactobacillus plantarum, and faecal SCFAs concentration. Ceftriaxone treatment also dramatically altered the faecal microbiota with an increased Chao1 index, decreased species diversities and Bacteroidetes, and more Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. After ceftriaxone intervention, these changes all gradually started to recover. However, faecal microbiota diversities were still totally different from control by significantly increased α- and β-diversities. Bacteroidetes all flourished and became dominant during the recovery process. However, mice treated with PC170 both in parallel with and after ceftriaxone treatment encouraged more Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria, and the diversity by which to make faecal microbiota was very much closer to control. Furthermore, the expression of splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α mRNA in mice supplemented with PC170 during the recovery phase was significantly lower than natural recovery. These results indicated that antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, even with short-term intervention, could dramatically damage the structure of gut microbiota and their abilities to produce SCFAs with loss of body weight. Although such damages could be partly recovered with the cessation of antibiotics, the implication of antibiotics to gut microbiota might remain even after antibiotic treatment. The selected strain PC170 might be a potential probiotic because of its contributions in helping the host animal to remodel or stabilise its gut microbiome and enhancing the anti-inflammatory response as protection from the side effects of antibiotic therapy when it was administered in parallel with and after antibiotic treatment.

Effect of Anoectochilus roxburghii flavonoids extract on H2O2 - Induced oxidative stress in LO2 cells and D-gal induced aging mice model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii) is a popular folk medicine in many Asian countries, which has been used traditionally for treatment of some diseases such as diabetes, tumors, hyperlipemia, and hepatitis. The ethanol extract from A. roxburghii was recently shown to exert better ability to scavenge free radicals in vitro and possess antioxidant on natural aging mice in vivo.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study is to characterize the chemical composition, and investigate the protective effect of the A. roxburghii flavonoids extract (ARF) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in LO2 cells in vitro and D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice model in vivo, and explore the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical components of the flavonoids extract fromA. roxburghii were detected by ultraperformance lipid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). H₂O₂ was used to establish an oxidative stress model in LO2 cells. Cytotoxic and protective effects of ARF on the LO2 cells were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cell supernatants were measured by commercial reagent kits. Kun-Ming mice were induced to aging with D-gal (400 mg/kg, BW) by subcutaneous injection for 58 days. From the 28th day to the 58th day of D-gal treatment, ARF (122.5, 245 and 490 mg/kg, BW) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg, BW) were orally administrated to aging mice once a day for consecutive 30 days. After 25 days of the treatment with ARF, learning and memory were assessed using Morris Water Maze (MWM). At the end of the test period, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and the levels of SOD, GSH-PX, and MDA in serum, liver homogenates and brain homogenates were measured. The levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) were determined in brain homogenates. Skin and liver histopathological morphology were observed by H&E staining. Furthermore, antioxidant-related gene expression levels in the liver were carried out by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

Nine flavonoids were identified in the extracts of A. roxburghii. In vitro assay, a high concentration of ARF (>612.5 μg/ml) reduced the survival rate and had toxic effects on LO2 cells. In addition, ARF (245 μg/ml, 490 μg/ml) and Vitamin C (200 μg/ml) markedly inhibited generations of MDA and increased activities of SOD, GSH-PX in H₂O₂-induced LO2 cells supernatants. In vivo assay, ARF (122.5 mg/kg, 245 mg/kg and 490 mg/kg) and Vitamin E (100 mg/kg) not only ameliorated learning and memory ability but also improved skin and liver pathological alterations. Strikingly, ARF significantly decreased MDA and MAO levels, markedly enhanced antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX) activities. Further, compared to the D-gal group, ARF could obviously up-regulate glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx-4) mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that ARF protects LO2 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and exerts the potent anti-aging effects in D-gal aging mice model, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress. Flavonoid compounds may contribute to the anti-oxidative capability and modulating aging.

Neuroprotective Effect of Rhodiola crenulata in D-Galactose-Induced Aging Model

The medicinal plant Rhodiola crenulata grows at high altitudes in the Arctic and mountainous regions and is commonly used in phytotherapy in Eastern European and Asian countries. In the present study, we investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of Rhodiola crenulata and its neuroprotective mechanism of action in a rat model of D-galactose-induced aging. Two groups of twelve-week-old male Wistar rats received a daily injection of D-galactose (150mg/kg/day, i.p.) and orally administered Rhodiola crenulata (0, 248mg/kg/day) for eight weeks, while a control group received a saline injection (1ml/kg/day, i.p.). We examined apoptosis in the cortex and hippocampus of three groups of rats based on a terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) positive assay. The expression levels of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins in excised brains were analyzed by Western blotting. Our findings indicated that D-galactose caused marked neuronal apoptosis via activation of both extrinsic-dependent and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways. When compared to the control group, the protein levels of Fas receptor, Fas ligand, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), and activated caspase-8 (Fas-dependent apoptotic pathways), as well as those of t-Bid, Bax, cytochrome c, activated caspase-9, and activated caspase-3 (mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways), were significantly increased in the D-galactose treated group. In addition, D-galactose impaired the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt, an important survival signaling event in neurons. Rhodiola crenulata, however, protected against all these neurotoxicities in aging brains. The present study suggests that neuronal survival promoted by Rhodiola crenulata may be a potentially effective method to enhance the resistance of neurons to age-related disorders.

Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06 on d-galactose-induced oxidation and aging in Kunming mice

Yogurt from Xinjiang, China, is a traditional Chinese fermented food rich in beneficial microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus plantarum KSFY06. In this study, the effect of KSFY06 on oxidative aging was investigated using live animal experiments. Molecular biological methods were used to analyze the serum and tissues of mice with oxidative aging induced by d-galactose, which showed that KSFY06 can inhibit the decline of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney caused by aging. The KSFY06 strain increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in serum and liver of aging mice, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) is reduced. Pathological observation showed that KSFY06 alleviated damage to the liver, spleen, and skin of oxidative aging mice. qPCR showed that, at high dose (2 × 109 cfu/kg per day), KSFY06 upregulates copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), catalase (CAT) mRNA expression, and its downstream inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in liver and spleen tissues induced by d-gal. To a certain extent, these findings indicate that L. plantarum KSFY06 is able to protect against oxidative stress in the d-gal-induced aging model. In conclusion, L. plantarum KSFY06 may provide a potential research value in the prevention or alleviation of related diseases caused by oxidative stress.

The preventive effect of Apocynum venetum polyphenols on D-galactose-induced oxidative stress in mice

Apocynum venetum is a traditional medicine that is rich in polyphenols. Apocynum venetum polyphenol extract (AVP) contains the active substances neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, astragaloside and rosmarinic acid. In the present study, the preventive effect of AVP against D-galactose-induced oxidative stress was studied in a mouse model. The sera, skin, livers and spleens of mice were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. The biochemical results showed that AVP improved the thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen and kidney indices in a mouse model of oxidative stress. AVP was also able to reverse the reduction in levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase and glutathione, and increased the levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde identified in the serum, liver, spleen and brain of mice exposed to oxidative stress. Pathological observations confirmed that AVP could inhibit oxidative damage to the skin, liver and spleen of mice caused by D-galactose. Further molecular biological experiments also demonstrated that AVP increased the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 and reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver and spleen of treated mice compared to controls. Notably, the preventive effect of AVP against D-galactose-induced oxidative damage in mice was better than that of the confirmed antioxidant vitamin C. In conclusion, AVP exhibited an antioxidant effect and the AVP-rich Apocynum venetum may be considered a plant resource with potential antioxidative benefits.

Raw Bowl Tea (Tuocha) Polyphenol Prevention of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Intestinal Function in Mice

A high-fat diet-induced C57BL/6N mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was established. The effect and mechanism of Raw Bowl Tea polyphenols (RBTP) on preventing NAFLD via regulating intestinal function were observed. The serum, liver, epididymis, small intestine tissues, and feces of mice were examined by biochemical and molecular biological methods, and the composition of RBTP was analyzed by HPLC assay. The results showed that RBTP could effectively reduce the body weight, liver weight, and liver index of NAFLD mice. The serum effects of RBTP were: (1) decreases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), D-lactate (D-LA), diamine oxidase (DAO), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and an increase of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels; (2) a decrease of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (INF-γ); (3) a decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in liver tissue; and (4) alleviation of pathological injuries of liver, epididymis, and small intestinal tissues caused by NAFLD and protection of body tissues. qPCR and Western blot results showed that RBTP could up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of LPL, PPAR-α, CYP7A1, and CPT1, and down-regulate PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α in the liver of NAFLD mice. In addition, RBTP up-regulated the expression of occludin and ZO-1, and down-regulated the expression of CD36 and TNF-α in the small intestines of NAFLD mice. Studies on mice feces showed that RBTP reduced the level of Firmicutes and increased the minimum levels of Bacteroides and Akkermansia, as well as reduced the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroides in the feces of NAFLD mice, which play a role in regulating intestinal microecology. Component analysis showed that RBTP contained seven polyphenolic compounds: Gallic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin, catechin, L-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-gallocatechin gallate, and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and high levels of caffeine, (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and ECG. RBTP improved the intestinal environment of NAFLD mice with the contained active ingredients, thus playing a role in preventing NAFLD. The effect was positively correlated with the dose of 100 mg/kg, which was even better than that of the clinical drug bezafibrate.

The Inhibitory Effect of Cordycepin on the Proliferation of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells, and its Mechanism: An Investigation Using Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis

Cordyceps militaris is a well-known medicinal mushroom. It is non-toxic and has clinical health benefits including cancer inhibition. However, the anticancer effects of C. militaris cultured in brown rice on breast cancer have not yet been reported. In this study, we simultaneously investigated the anticancer effects of cordycepin and an extract of C. militaris cultured in brown rice on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using a cell viability assay, cell staining with Hoechst 33342, and an image-based cytometric assay. The C. militaris concentrate exhibited significant MCF-7 cell inhibitory effects, and its IC₅₀ value was 73.48 µg/mL. Cordycepin also exhibited significant MCF-7 cell inhibitory effects, and its IC₅₀ value was 9.58 µM. We applied network pharmacological analysis to predict potential targets and pathways of cordycepin. The gene set enrichment analysis showed that the targets of cordycepin are mainly associated with the hedgehog signaling, apoptosis, p53 signaling, and estrogen signaling pathways. We further verified the predicted targets related to the apoptosis pathway using western blot analysis. The C. militaris concentrate and cordycepin exhibited the ability to induce apoptotic cell death by increasing the cleavage of caspase-7 -8, and -9, increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression ratio, and decreasing the protein expression of XIAP in MCF-7 cells. Consequently, the C. militaris concentrate and cordycepin exhibited significant anticancer effects through their ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC05 Isolated from Sichuan Pickle in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice through PPAR-α Signaling Pathway

Sichuan pickle is a traditional fermented food in China which is produced by the spontaneous fermentation of Chinese cabbage. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of a new lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC05, LF-CQPC05) isolated from Sichuan pickles were assessed in vivo. An obese animal model was established in mice by inducing obesity with high-fat diet. Both serum and tissues were collected from the mice, and then subjected to qPCR and Western blot analyses. The results showed that LF-CQPC05 could decrease the values of hepatosomatic, epididymal fat, and perirenal fat indices that were induced by a high-fat diet in mice. Moreover, LF-CQPC05 reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in both serum samples and liver tissues of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet. Pathological observations demonstrated that LF-CQPC05 could alleviate the obesity-induced pathological changes in the liver tissue of mice, and reduce the degree of adipocyte enlargement. The results of qPCR and Western blot analyses further indicated that LF-CQPC05 upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), PPAR-α: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), (cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase) CYP7A1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A), and downregulated the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) in both liver tissue and epididymal adipose tissue. Taken altogether, this study reveals that LF-CQPC05 can effectively inhibit high-fat diet-induced obesity. Its anti-obesity effect is comparable to that of l-carnitine, and is superior to that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, a common strain used in the dairy industry. Therefore, LF-CQPC05 is a high-quality microbial strain with probiotic potential.

Preventive Effect of Small-Leaved Kuding Tea (Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Bl.) Polyphenols on D-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Aging in Mice

Small-leaved Kuding tea is a traditional Chinese tea that is rich in polyphenols. In the current study, we investigated the preventive effect of small-leaved Kuding tea (SLKDT) on D-galactose-induced oxidative aging in mice. Changes in serum, skin, liver, and spleen of experimental animals were determined using biochemical and molecular biology techniques. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that polyphenol extract of SLKDT (PSLKDT) improved the indices of the thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney function in model mice. PSLKDT prevented a decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH) as well as an increase in nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum, liver, and spleen. Pathological assessment also showed that PSLKDT reduced oxidative damage induced by D-galactose in skin, liver, and spleen. We further found that PSLKDT upregulated neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor (nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1) mRNA expression and downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. Protein levels of SOD1 (Cu/Zn-SOD), SOD2 (Mn-SOD), CAT, GSH1 (γ-glutamate-cysteine ligase), and GSH2 (glutathione synthetase) in the liver and spleen were also increased by PSLKDT treatment. Collectively, these results indicate that PSLKDT is effective in preventing D-galactose-induced oxidative aging in mice, and its efficacy is significantly higher than antioxidant vitamin C. Because PSLKDT is a potent antioxidant and antiaging polyphenol, Kuding tea rich in PSLKDT should be considered an ideal drink with antioxidative and antiaging effects.

Preventive Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC08 on 4-Nitroquineline-1-Oxide Induced Tongue Cancer in C57BL/6 Mice

Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC08 (LF-CQPC08) is a newly discovered strain of bacteria isolated and identified from traditional pickled vegetables in Sichuan, China. We used 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide to establish an experimental tongue cancer mouse model to evaluate the preventive effect of LF-CQPC08 on tongue cancer in vivo. Lactobacillus delbruechii subsp. bulgaricus, is a common commercial strain and is used as a positive control to compare the effect with LF-CQPC08. The preventive strength and mechanism of LF-CQPC08 on tongue cancer were determined by measuring the biochemical indicators in mouse serum and tissues. Our results showed LF-CQPC08 inhibits the decline of splenic index, thymus index, percentage of phagocytic macrophages, and phagocytic index effectively. LF-CQPC08 also increased levels of mouse serum granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF), immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM levels of serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma levels, thereby inhibiting the decline in immunity caused by tongue cancer. It also increased the activity levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde in the tissues of the tongue cancer mouse model, thereby suppressing the oxidative stress damage in the tissue caused by tongue cancer. Through quantitative PCR, LF-CQPC08 upregulated the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione-S-transferases-π (GST-π), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and downregulated the mRNA expression of p53, p63, p73, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) in the tongue tissues of the tongue cancer mouse. These results indicated that LF-CQPC08 reduced the influence of tongue cancer on the immune system and oxidative balance and improved the immunity and enhanced antioxidant capacity of the mouse model, thereby preventing tongue cancer. LF-CQPC08 could be used as a microbial resource with a preventive effect on tongue cancer.

Preventive Effect of Blueberry Extract on Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Mice

The blueberry is a common fruit that is rich in nutritional value and polyphenol substances. In this study, the blueberry polyphenol content in extract was analysed by spectrophotometry. The results showed that the blueberry polyphenol content in the extract reached 52.7%. A mouse model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) was established to study the preventive effect of blueberry extract (BE) on liver injury in mice and the experimental animals were examined using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are important clinical liver function indicators; the changes of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) are observed after liver injury; interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) are important inflammatory indexes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) are important changes of oxidative stress indexes. The in vivo animal experiment results showed that BE decreased the liver index of mice with liver injury, BE could reduce the AST, ALT, TG and TC levels and also could reduce the serum cytokine IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in mice with liver injury. Moreover, BE increased the SOD activity and decreased the TBARS level in the gastric tissues of mice with liver injury. After treatment with the highest concentration of BP in liver injury mice, these levels returned close to those obtained after treatment with the standard drug of silymarin. Detection of messenger RNA (mRNA) in liver tissue showed that BE upregulated the Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression levels and downregulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. The effect of BE on mice with liver injury was positively correlated with the BE concentration and was similar to that of silymarin, which is a drug for liver injury, suggesting that BE had a good preventive effect on liver injury. Thus, BE rich in polyphenols is a bioactive substance with value for development and utilization.

Preventive Effect of Alkaloids from Lotus plumule on Acute Liver Injury in Mice

Lotus plumule is a traditional Chinese food that can be used as a beverage. In this study, three kinds of Lotus plumules from different regions of China were selected to observe the preventive effects of extracted alkaloids on CCl₄-induced liver injuries. Animal experiments revealed that alkaloids extracted from Lotus plumules decreased the serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), and TBIL (total bilirubin) levels, enhanced SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, and reduced MDA (malondialdehyde) level in the liver tissues of mice with liver injury. H&E observation confirmed that alkaloids from Lotus plumules could alleviate CCl₄-induced injuries of liver tissues and inhibit the inflammatory effect on hepatocytes. Further qPCR experiments also demonstrated that alkaloids from Lotus plumules upregulated the expression of IκB-α (inhibitor of NF-κB alpha), Cu/Zn-SOD (copper/zinc superoxide dismutase), Mn-SOD (manganese superoxide dismutase), and CAT (catalase) mRNA and downregulated TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) expression in the liver tissues of mice with liver injury. All three kinds of alkaloids from Lotus plumules could prevent CCl₄-induced liver injuries by regulating the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in mice, and the therapeutic effect was comparable to that of silymarin, the medicine commonly used in the treatment of liver diseases. In summary, alkaloids from Lotus plumules contain bioactive substances with hepatic protective efficacy and possess potential application value in the field of functional food.

Lactobacillus Plantarum CQPC05 Isolated from Pickled Vegetables Inhibits Constipation in Mice

This study mainly investigated the influences of Lactobacillus plantarum CQPC05 (CQPC05) isolated from pickled vegetables on mouse constipation caused by activated carbon water. We used 16S rDNA technology to identify the microorganism, and activated carbon to establish a mouse constipation model. After the mice received L. plantarum (109 CFU/mL) by gavage, small intestine tissue sections were collected. The serum indices and small intestine-related mRNA expression were obtained. A strain of L. plantarum was identified, and named CQPC05. The body weight and activated carbon progradation rate in the mice of the CQPC05 treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the excretion time of the first tarry stool was earlier than that of the control group. The results of serum indices indicated that serum gastrin (Gas), endothelin (ET), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) levels in the CQPC05 treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the somatostatin (SS) level was significantly lower. Compared to the constipation control group, the result of q-PCR demonstrated that CQPC05 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of c-Kit (stem cell factor receptor), SCF (stem cell factor), and GDNF (glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor) genes, and down-regulate the expression of TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1) and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase). In conclusion, L. plantarum CQPC05 can effectively alleviate constipation, and has good probiotic potential and application value.