Abstract
The aim of this study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) against UPEC for prevention and amelioration of UTIs. We screened LAB strains with antimicrobial effects on UPEC using a well-diffusion assay, bacterial adherence to the uroepithelium cell line SV-HUC-1 (BCRC 60358), and a co-culture inhibition assay. The results showed that the 7 LAB strains (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. salivarius, two Pediococcus pentosaceus strains, two L. plantarum strains, and L. crispatus) and the fermented probiotic products produced by these multi-LAB strains exhibited potent zones of inhibition against UPEC. Moreover, the LAB strains and probiotic products adhered strongly to the uroepithelium SV-HUC-1 cell line. The growth of UPEC strains was also markedly inhibited after co-culture with the LAB strains and probiotic products in human urine. In addition, the enhanced levels of IL-6, IL-8 and lactic acid dehydrogenase were significantly decreased by treatments with the LAB strains and probiotic products in UPEC-induced SV-HUC-1 cells. Furthermore, oral administration of probiotic products reduced the number of viable UPEC in the urine of UPEC-challenged BALB/c mice. Taken together, this study demonstrates that probiotic supplementation may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bacterial-induced urinary tract infections.
Highlights
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in humans and are a major cause of morbidity [1]
We evaluated the viabilities of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, probiotic products and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains in human urine to simulate the conditions of human infection
The increasing incidence of disease caused by UPEC, the associated costs, and the burgeoning problems associated with the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant UPEC strains indicate that an effective strategy against UPEC infection is urgently needed [25,26]
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in humans and are a major cause of morbidity [1]. UTIs usually start as bladder infections (cystitis), but can develop into acute kidney infections (pyelonephritis), resulting in scarring and renal failure. UPEC strains possess harmful factors including fimbrial adhesins, toxins, flagella, auto transporter proteins and iron-acquisition systems, and that contribute to cause clinical diseases [4]. It has been recognized that UPEC can invade host uroepithelial tissue, contributing significantly to the pathogenesis of UTIs by escaping a great number of antibiotics [2]. UPEC can suppress the innate immune response via expression of specific virulence-associated proteins that result in clinical symptoms [5]
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