The Effects of Single Strains and Mixtures of Probiotic Bacteria on Immune Profile in Liver, Spleen, and Peripheral Blood

Probiotic bacteria have potential use as immunomodulators but comparative data on their immunological effects are very limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of oral administration of probiotic strains, alone or as mixtures, on systemic and organ-specific immune responses. For this purpose, healthy C57BL/6 mice were perorally administered probiotics for 3 weeks. A total of five common probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus species GG (LGG) and LC705, Bifidobacterium breve 99 (Bb99), Propionibacterium freudenreichii Shermanii JS (PJS), and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), and two of their mixtures, were tested. Livers, spleens, and blood were collected for investigation. A number of five treatments increased the abundance of the natural killer (NK) cells. Bb99 had the most prominent effect on hepatic NK cells (20.0 ± 1.8%). LGG (liver: 5.8 ± 1.0%; spleen: 1.6 ± 0.4%), Bb99 (liver: 13.9 ± 4.3%; spleen: 10.3 ± 3.7%), and EcN (liver: 8.5 ± 3.2%; spleen: 1.0 ± 0.2%) increased the percentage of both the hepatic and splenic T-helper 17 cells. Moreover, LGG (85.5 ± 3.0%) and EcN (89.6 ± 1.2%) increased the percentage of splenic regulatory T-cells. The tested mixtures of the probiotics had different immunological effects from their individual components on cell-mediated responses and cytokine production. In conclusion, our results confirm that the immunomodulatory potential of the probiotics is strain- and organ/tissue-specific, and the effects of probiotic mixtures cannot be predicted based on their single constituents.

Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome

SCOPE

Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of cardiometabolic risk. Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are rich in polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the impact of bilberries on inflammation and gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In randomized, controlled dietary intervention, the participants consumed either a diet rich in bilberries (n = 15) or a control diet (n = 12). The bilberry group consumed daily an equivalent dose of 400 g fresh bilberries, while the control group maintained their habitual diet. No differences were found between the groups in body weight, glucose, or lipid metabolism, but bilberry supplementation tended to decrease serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-12, and LPS concentrations. An inflammation score was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.024). In transcriptomics analyses (three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group), Toll-like receptor signaling, cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways were differently regulated. QPCR analyses (n = 13 and 11 in the bilberry and control groups, respectively) showed decreased expression of MMD and CCR2 transcripts associated with monocyte and macrophage function associated genes.

CONCLUSION

Regular bilberry consumption may reduce low-grade inflammation indicating decreased cardiometabolic risk in the long term.

Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Hempseed oil is a rich and balanced source of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Anecdotal evidence indicated that dietary hempseed oil might be useful in treating symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Dietary hempseed oil and olive oil were compared in a 20-week randomized, single-blind crossover study with atopic patients. Fatty acid profiles were measured in plasma triglyceride, cholesteryl and phospholipid fractions. A patient questionnaire provided additional information on skin dryness, itchiness and usage of dermal medications. Skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was also measured.

RESULTS

Levels of both essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (18:2n6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n6) increased in all lipid fractions after hempseed oil, with no significant increases of arachidonic acid (20:4n6) in any lipid fractions after either oil. Intra-group TEWL values decreased (p=0.074), qualities of both skin dryness and itchiness improved (p=0.027) and dermal medication usage decreased (p=0.024) after hempseed oil intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary hempseed oil caused significant changes in plasma fatty acid profiles and improved clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis. It is suggested that these improvements resulted from the balanced and abundant supply of PUFAs in this hempseed oil.

Fecal and urinary excretion of aflatoxin B1 metabolites (AFQ1, AFM1 and AFB-N7-guanine) in young Chinese males

Our study was designed to assess the fecal and urinary excretion of 3 aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolites, aflatoxins M1 (AFM1) and Q1 (AFQ1) and aflatoxin B1-N7-guanine (AFB-N7-guanine) that are produced by the predominant forms of cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of AFB1. Fecal and urinary AFM1, AFQ1 and urinary AFB-N7-guanine were assessed in 83 young Chinese males selected from a larger population (n = 300) based on detectable urinary AFM1. The concentration of fecal AFQ1 (median 137 ng/g fresh weight, IQR 9.1 to 450) was approximately 60 times higher than that of AFM1 (2.3 ng/g, IQR 0.0 to 7.3). In urine, the median AFQ1 was 10.4 ng/ml (IQR 3.4 to 23.3), and the median AFM1 and AFB-N7-guanine 0.04 ng/ml (IQR 0.01 to 0.33) and 0.38 ng/ml (IQR 0.0 to 2.15), respectively. A subgroup (n = 14) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection had significantly higher fecal concentrations of AFQ1 (p = 0.043) and AFM1 (p = 0.001) than those who were hepatitis B-virus antigen (HBsAg) negative, and the respective differences in urinary AFQ1 and AFM1 concentrations approached statistical significance (p = 0.054, p = 0.138). Our study demonstrates that AFQ1 is excreted in urine and feces at higher levels than AFM1, and feces are an important route of excretion of these AFB1 metabolites. AFQ1 should be further assessed for its predictive value as a marker for exposure and risk of dietary aflatoxins.