Acidophilus Strain Research Articles

The Therapeutic Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Spotted Hyena on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent episodes and an unclear etiology. Given the limitations of current therapeutic options, which include suboptimal efficacy and significant side effects, there is a pressing need to explore novel treatments. Probiotics derived from diverse species have been identified as a promising approach for managing IBD, owing to their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to regulate gut flora, among other beneficial effects. In this study, three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the feces of the scavenger spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), a scavenging mammal. Based on their capability to survive within and adhere to the gastrointestinal tract, along with their profile of antibiotic resistance, a high-quality strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) was selected and demonstrated to be safe for mice. Subsequently, the therapeutic efficacy of LA was evaluated using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced model of ulcerative colitis in mice. The results indicated that LA restored the disease activity index and improved histopathological lesions in the model group. It also reduced inflammation and oxidative stress and significantly restored the expression of mucins and intestinal tight junction (TJ) proteins (ZO-1, Occludin). Furthermore, LA corrected the DSS-induced disruption of the intestinal flora, leading to a significant decrease in the prevalence of potentially harmful bacterial genera, such as Bacteroides, and an increase in beneficial bacterial genera, including Lactobacillus. In conclusion, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA1, isolated from spotted hyena feces, has potential as a functional supplement for alleviating symptoms of IBD and regulating intestinal flora.

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Commercially Available Pediatric Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of commercially available pediatric dentifrices containing different compositions against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus activity. Four different commercially available brands of pediatric dentifrices, designated as sample I-fluoride, sample II-herbal, sample III-xylitol with nanosilver particles, and sample IV-xylitol with fluoride, along with two control groups (a positive control-ciprofloxacin and a negative control-distilled water), were tested for their antibacterial activity by measuring the zone of inhibition, followed by MIC against two dental bacterial pathogens, S. mutans strain and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LB) strain, at five different twofold dilutions of 100, 50, 25%, 12.5, and 6.25% concentrations. All four dentifrices were found to have wide variations in their effectiveness against the two tested microorganisms at 100% (pure) and 50% concentrations, with sample I having the highest activity, followed by sample IV and sample II. At 25% concentration, only sample I and sample IV showed antibacterial activity, while at 12.5 and 6.25% concentrations, none of the tested toothpastes exhibited any antibacterial activity. Sample III failed to show antibacterial activity even in pure form against the two microorganisms. In our present study, the fluoride-containing pediatric dentifrice with a lower fluoride concentration (458 ppm) exhibited the highest zone of inhibition, followed by the xylitol with fluoride dentifrice and the herbal dentifrice. No zone of inhibition was observed in the nanosilver with xylitol dentifrice. Dureha R, Navit S, Khan SA, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Commercially Available Pediatric Dentifrices: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):938-944.

Rapid Identification of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium by a 16S rRNA PCR Method

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered, have beneficial effects on human health. Hence, various probiotic organisms belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are being increasingly used in food and pharmaceutical products. For regulatory compliance, simple and reliable analytical methods are required for selective enumeration of different probiotic organisms present in food and pharmaceutical formulations. Objective: This study aimed to establish a rapid PCR-based method for the identification and differentiation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium strains. objective: The aim of our study is to establish a rapid PCR based method for the identification and differentiation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium strains. Methods: Species-specific and genus-specific primers for Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were designed based on their 16S rRNA gene sequence. Genomic DNA of different Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains were subjected to PCR with annealing temperature specific for respective primer pairs. Results: Lactobacillus acidophilus primers gave positive PCR results only with Lactobacillus acidophilus strains and not with other Lactobacillus species, whereas Bifidobacterium genus-specific primers gave positive PCR results with most of the Bifidobacterium strains. Conclusion: The three species-specific L. acidophilus primer pairs and three genus-specific primer pairs of Bifidobacterium used in this study could easily identify and differentiate Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium with high specificity.

Antitumor properties of traditional lactic acid bacteria: Short-chain fatty acid production and interleukin 12 induction

This paper presents an in vitro evaluation of antitumor properties through producing short-chain fatty acids and inducing interleukin 12. In addition, it offers the most important and functional probiotic properties of 24 Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains isolated from humans, foods, and fermented foods. To this end, survival in an acidic environment (pH = 2.5), tolerance in bile salt, viability in the presence of pepsin-pancreatin, adhesion percentage, antibiotic resistance, auto-aggregation, and potential percentage of co-aggregation are studied in contact with three human intestinal pathogens. These pathogens are Escherichia coli O157: H7 NCTC 12900, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ATCC 13076, and Listeria monocytogenes ATTC 7644. Also, in vitro induction amount of IL-12 in mouse splenocytes is investigated to evaluate antitumor properties by 19 strains of L. gasseri and L. plantarum along with the development of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by 5 strains of L. fermentum and L. acidophilus. Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to measure short-chain fatty acids and IL-12, respectively. All strains had high viability under acidic conditions. The highest levels of pancreatin and pepsin resistance were found in strains LF56, LF57, LF55, OF, and F and strains LF56, LF57, and A7, respectively. All strains except LF56 had high resistance to bile salts. L. gasseri 54C had the highest average adhesion score (hydrophobicity) of 62.9 % among 19 strains. Despite the susceptibility of different strains of L. plantarum to the tested antibiotics, M8 and M11, S2G, A7, LF55, LF57, and 5G were resistant to kanamycin and chloramphenicol, respectively. Also, 21G was resistant to ampicillin, LF56 to tetracycline and M8, and M11, LF56, and 21G to Erythromycin. In addition, L. gasseri showed moderate resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline, while L. fermentum ATCC 9338 showed good resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol. In this respect, L. plantarum LF56 and gasseri 54C had the highest average auto-aggregation and co-aggregation against three pathogenic bacteria, respectively. The highest and lowest levels of acetic acid as short-chain fatty acids were produced by L. fermentum 19SH isolated from Horre 41.62 and L. fermentum 21SH from fermented seeds 27.047, respectively. Moreover, L. fermentum, with the OF code of traditional-fermented food origin, produced the most isobutyric acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid, with values of 0.6828, 0.74165, and 0.49915 mmol, respectively. L. fermentum isolated from the human origin with code F produced the most isovaleric acid of 1.1874 mmol. All the tested strains produced good propionic acid except L. fermentum 21SH from fermented seeds. Among strains, L. plantarum M11 isolated from milk and L. gasseri 52B from humans had the highest in vitro induction of IL-12, which is probably related to their cell wall compositions and structure.

Formulation optimization of a probiotic low-calorie chocolate milk and investigating its qualitative properties during storage

Due to concern regarding the consumption of high amount of sugar in diet and role of diet in combating overweigh and related disease, the aim of present study was to optimize a reduced calorie probiotic chocolate milk formula with suitable physicochemical properties. The formula comprising inulin, stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed gum (CSG), and whey protein concentrate (WPC) which optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD) and then enriched with an encapsulated probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus (DSM1643). The independent variables included inulin (2–8%), CSG (0.1–0.5 %), stevia (50–100 % replacement of sugar), and WPC (1–3%). The dependent variables were selected as viscosity, average particle size, sedimentation percentage, and general acceptance. Optimization done toward achieving the highest viscosity and general acceptance and the lowest sedimentation percentage and average particle size. The optimal conditions were found to be 7.99 % inulin, 70 % stevia, 0.34 % CSG, and 1 % WPC. Under these conditions, the viscosity, sedimentation percentage, average particle size, and general acceptance of the product were equal to 40.69 mPa s, 2.2 %, 434.221 nm, and 5.1, respectively. Next, the chocolate milk was enriched with at 109 CFU/g probiotic bacteria and evaluated. The probiotic strain was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and under this condition the free bacterial cells count declined by 8 logCFU/g while the encapsulated cells decreased approximate 3 logCFU/g. The bacteria count did not undergo a significant change until the 5th day of storage. The results showed that the inulin, stevia, CSG, and WPC at optimal concentrations and encapsulated probiotic bacteria could be simultaneously applied to produce a product with good properties. This formula could be considered as a new product with health improving properties, low calorie which is suitable for people suffering from diabetes and obesity.

Antagonistic and antibacterial activity of <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> HN001 and <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> La-14 included in the oral probiotic

BACKGROUND: A microbial imbalance in the vaginal biotope leads to the development of vaginal infections and is associated with urinary tract infections. The ineffectiveness of the therapy and the frequent recurrence of these infections are important reasons for searching for alternative treatment strategies. A progressive solution to this issue has been the use of oral probiotics with a targeted effect on the intestinal and vaginal microflora. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antagonistic and antibacterial activity of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, which are the components of the oral probiotic, against opportunistic microorganisms of intestinal origin, while assessing the sensitivity of these strains to antimicrobial drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 included in the oral probiotic Duogynal® were cultivated and the grown colonies were identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry method (Bruker Daltonics GmbH Co., Germany). To study the antagonism of the probiotic strains of lactobacilli and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms, the following 11 clinical isolates were collected: Escherichia coli (two isolates), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter asburiae, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Candida albicans. To assess the sensitivity of the probiotic strains to antimicrobial drugs, the Gram Positive AST panel (Autobio Diagnostics Co., Ltd, China) was used. RESULTS: When the microorganisms were co-cultivated with the probiotic lactobacilli (Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14), we noted a decrease in pH and the death of opportunistic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter asburiae, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus agalactiae, as well as yeast-like fungi Candida albicans. When studying antibiotic resistance, it was found that the both strains of lactobacilli were resistant to ampicillin, vancomycin, daptomycin, clindamycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, nitrofurantoin, oxacillin, oritavancin, penicillin, rifampin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cefoxitin, ceftarolin, and ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: The oral probiotic, which contains a combination of two lactobacilli (Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14), has pronounced antagonistic activity against opportunistic microorganisms. These strains are resistant to most antibacterial drugs used in widespread clinical practice, which may be the basis for recommending the use of this probiotic drug together with prescribed antibiotics for prevention of vaginal or intestinal dysbiosis.

Lactobacillus acidophilus inhibits the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability via a TLR-2 and PI3K-dependent inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Defective intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ), characterized by an increase in intestinal TJ permeability, has been shown to play a critical role in thepathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the immunopathology of IBD and has been shown to cause an increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability. Although TNF-α antibodies and other biologics have been advanced for use in IBD treatment, these therapies are associated with severe side effects and have limited efficacy, and there is an urgent need for therapies with benign profiles and high therapeutic efficacy. Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects and are generally safe and represent an important class of potential therapeutic agents in IBD. Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) is one of the most used probiotics for wide-ranging health benefits, including in gastrointestinal, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders. A specific strain of LA, LA1, was recently demonstrated to have protective and therapeutic effects on the intestinal epithelial TJ barrier. However, the mechanisms of actions of LA1 remain largely unknown. The primary aim of this study was to investigate microbial-epithelial interactions and novel signaling pathways that regulate the effect of LA1 on TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability, using cell culture and animal model systems. Pre-treatment of filter-grown Caco-2 monolayers with LA1 prevented the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability by inhibiting TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB p50/p65 and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) gene and kinase activity in a TLR-2-dependent manner. LA1 produced a TLR-2- and MyD88-dependent activation of NF-κB p50/p65 in immune cells; however, LA1, in intestinal cells, inhibited the NF-κB p50/p65 activation in a TLR-2-dependent but MyD88-independent manner. In addition, LA1 inhibition of NF-κB p50/p65 and MLCK gene was mediated by TLR-2 pathway activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and IKK-α phosphorylation. Our results demonstrated novel intracellular signaling pathways by which LA1/TLR-2 suppresses the TNF-α pathway activation of NF-κB p50/p65 in intestinal epithelial cells and protects against the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability.

Reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification assisted with localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanorods for viability assessment of Lactobacillus acidophilus in yogurt

In light of the growing production and consumption of functional foods, it is crucial to develop new methods to assess the authenticity of these products and prevent fraud and mislabeling. In this research, by integrating reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of gold nanorods (GNRs), the viability of the probiotic bacteria has been evaluated. The RT-LAMP-GNR method effectively amplifies and identifies bacterial 16S-rRNA within 60 min. The efficiency of the RT-LAMP method was assessed by its implementation using RNA isolated from Lactobacillus acidophilus strain (L. acidophilus) and commercial probiotic yogurts. The method's limit of detection (LoD) was 104 bacterial cells per ml, and its sensitivity was 10−5 ng/ml RNA.

Potential of Lactobacillus agilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus to enhance wheat growth under drought and heat stress

Drought and heat stress affect plant functioning and turgor pressure by reducing water content and affecting cell growth, and together, they can cause severe damage. Lactobacillus agilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus plantarum strains were identified and evaluated for growth-promoting properties via Petri plate test and pot experiment. Wheat seeds were exposed to heat and drought separately and in combination with the bacterial isolates primed for the seeds. In drought-stressed plants, after treatment with L. agilis, there was an elevation in carotenoids by 37% and chlorophyll a and b levels by 55% and 10%, respectively. Similarly, heat-stressed plants, after treatment with L. agilis, showed an elevation in carotenoids by 55% and chlorophyll a and b levels by 70% and 82%, respectively. A further 5% increase in the SOD concentration was noted after the treatment of L. agilis in plants with drought stress. A significant increase (24%) in the APX level was also observed after the treatment of L. agilis in plants with heat stress. In plants with drought stress, a rise in CAT concentration was observed after the treatments of L. agilis and L. plantarum with 33% and 11%, respectively. In plants with drought and heat stresses, the level of POD in combined treatments increased by 39% and 41%, respectively. The study reveals that rhizospheres can serve as reservoirs of plant growth-promoting bacteria, potentially replacing chemical fertilizers and promoting plant growth in stressful conditions.

Effect of live and inactivated probiotic strains of <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i> subsp. <i>lactis</i> on myocardial infarction size in rats with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Within the concept of a heart-gut axis, new works are emerging to support the efficacy of probiotic strains to increase myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in comorbidity. The question remains open whether the presence of live probiotic bacteria is a necessary condition for the realization of their cardioprotective effect. The aim of this work was to determine the manifestation of cardio-protective effect of living and pasteurized probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12) in rats with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Myocardial resistance to IRI was assessed using an in vivo model of left coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats with improved conventional status with visceral obesity, chemically induced colitis and antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, which together provided the formation of (SIRS) against the background of oral administration of live and inactivated probiotic bacteria. Myocardial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion injury was assessed using the technique of left coronary artery occlusion in vivo. The infarct size in the group with simulated SIRS was significantly higher than in the control group 43% (39; 44) and 31% (28; 35), (p 0.05). In the SIRS group with the introduction of inactivated probiotic bacteria, the infarct size 45% (37; 48) did not differ from the SIRS group and was significantly higher than in the control (p 0.05). At the same time, the size of the infarction in the group with the introduction of live probiotics did not differ from that in the control group and amounted to 32% (28; 37). There are specific features of the action of live and inactivated probiotic microorganisms with preservation of cardioprotective effect when using live lacto- and bifidobacteria in animals with SIRS.

Nutritional attributes and microbial metagenomic profile during solid-state fermentation of soybean meal inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus under non-sterile conditions.

Soybean meal (SBM) is used widely in animal feed but it contains anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) such as protease inhibitors - immunogenic proteins that limit its utilization. Fermentative processes could help to reduce these ANFs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional attributes, bacterial community dynamics, and microbial metagenomic profile during the solid-state fermentation of SBM using a strain of the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus with or without pre-autoclaving treatment. Following fermentation, there was a reduction in the pH and a concurrent increase in the population of lactic acid bacteria. Fermentation also resulted in an increase in both crude and soluble protein levels. Trypsin inhibitor levels decreased after fermentation, particularly in fermented SBM that had not been pre-autoclaved, with an inactivation rate higher than 90%. Moreover, high-molecular-weight peptides (44-158 kDa), specifically some polypeptides from the soybean immunogen glycinin and β-conglycinin, underwent degradation during the fermentation process. Bacterial community analysis revealed the dominance of the Lactobacillus genus in all samples, regardless of the treatments applied. Metagenomic profiling identified L. acidophilus as the dominant species in inoculated SBM, irrespective of whether pre-autoclaving was conducted or not. This study demonstrates the feasibility of solid-state fermentation with L. acidophilus under non-sterile conditions to inactivate trypsin inhibitor and increase protein concentration and hydrolysate immunogen proteins into low-molecular-weight peptides in SBM. Lactobacillus acidophilus inoculum also inhibited the growth of undesirable bacteria. This knowledge contributes to our understanding of the potential applications of solid-state fermentation with L. acidophilus in improving the nutritional quality of SBM. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285 Reduces Fat Deposition and Oxidative Stress and Increases Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans was recently shown to be a powerful model for studying and identifying probiotics with specific functions. Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lacticaseibacillus casei LBC80R, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CLR2, which are three bacteria that were marketed by Bio-K+, were evaluated using the nematode C. elegans to study fat accumulation, lifespan, and resistance to oxidative stress. Although the general effects of probiotics in terms of protection against oxidative stress were highlighted, the CL1285 strain had an interesting and specific feature, namely its ability to prevent fat accumulation in nematodes; this effect was verified by both the Oil Red and Nile Red methods. This observed phenotype requires daf-16 and is affected by glucose levels. In addition, in a daf-16- and glucose-dependent manner, CL1285 extended the lifespan of C. elegans; this effect was unique to CL1285 and not found in the other L. acidophilus subtypes in this study. Our findings indicate that L. acidophilus CL1285 impacts fat/glucose metabolism in C. elegans and provides a basis to further study this probiotic, which could have potential health benefits in humans and/or in mammals.

Lactobacillus acidophilus KBL409 protects against kidney injury via improving mitochondrial function with chronic kidney disease.

Recent advances have led to greater recognition of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). There has been evidence that CKD is also associated with dysbiosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether probiotic supplements can have protective effects against kidney injury via improving mitochondrial function. An animal model of CKD was induced by feeding C57BL/6 mice a diet containing 0.2% adenine. KBL409, a strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus, was administered via oral gavage at a dose of 1 × 109CFU daily. To clarify the underlying mechanisms by which probiotics exert protective effects on mitochondria in CKD, primary mouse tubular epithelial cells stimulated with TGF-β and p-cresyl sulfate were administered with butyrate. In CKD mice, PGC-1α and AMPK, key mitochondrial energy metabolism regulators, were down-regulated. In addition, mitochondrial dynamics shifted toward fission, the number of fragmented cristae increased, and mitochondrial mass decreased. These alterations were restored by KBL409 administration. KBL409 supplementation also improved defects in fatty acid oxidation and glycolysis and restored the suppressed enzyme levels involved in TCA cycle. Accordingly, there was a concomitant improvement in mitochondrial respiration and ATP production assessed by mitochondrial function assay. These favorable effects of KBL409 on mitochondria ultimately decreased kidney fibrosis in CKD mice. In vitro analyses with butyrate recapitulated the findings of animal study. This study demonstrates that administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus KBL409 protects against kidney injury via improving mitochondrial function.

PSIII-14 Effect of a combined supplementation of Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotics on growth performance and fecal score in nursery pigs

Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a combined supplementation of Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotics on growth performance and fecal score in nursery pigs. Bacillus spp. probiotics have been shown to improve the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria in the gut of piglets. A total of 45 newly weaned piglets (initial body weight = 8.37 ± 1.38 kg; weaning age = 27.2 ± 1.05 d) were allotted to 3 treatments in 3 replicates with 5 pigs per pen based on body weight, gender, and breed for a 28-d feeding trial. Treatments were: 1) Control: no probiotic supplementation, 2) PB: Bacillus spp. probiotic supplementation, and 3) PBL: Bacillus spp. and lactic acid bacteria probiotic supplementation. The Bacillus spp. probiotic consisted of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis and was supplemented to the PB and PBL diets at the recommended level (3.2 × 109 CFU/kg diet). The lactic acid bacteria probiotic consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, plantarum, casei, and Enterococcus faecium strains and was supplemented to the diets at the recommended level (4 and 2 × 107 CFU/kg diet for Phase 1 and 2, respectively). Corn-soybean meal-based diets were used for d 0-15 (Phase 1) and d 15-28 (Phase 2) postweaning. Growth performance and fecal score (1 = normal, 4 = severe diarrhea) were measured in each phase. In the Phase 1 (d 0-15 postweaning), average daily gain tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the Control treatment (P = 0.13; 0.268 and 0.210 kg/d, respectively), and average daily feed intake tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the Control and PB treatments (P = 0.12; 0.385, 0.375, and 0.424 kg/d for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). In the overall period (d 0-28 postweaning), average daily feed intake tended to be greater in the PBL treatment compared with the PB treatment (P = 0.07; 0.651 and 0.596 kg/d, respectively), and gain to feed ratio in the PB treatment tended to be greater compared with the Control and PBL treatments (P = 0.10; 0.618, 0.649, and 0.620 kg/d for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). Fecal score was significantly improved in both PB and PBL treatments compared with the Control treatment from d 7 postweaning (P = 0.08) to the end of experiment (P < 0.05; 1.75, 1.41, and 1.42 for the Control, PB, and PBL treatments, respectively). In conclusion, both lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus spp. probiotic supplementation to nursery diets may have potential to improve growth rate and feed intake in early nursery period and probiotic supplementation could improve fecal consistency of weaning pigs in the nursery period.

Antimicrobial, Probiotic, and Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabis sativa Extract and Delivery Systems.

The compounds present in hemp show multidirectional biological activity. It is related to the presence of secondary metabolites, mainly cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, and the synergy of their biological activity. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of the Henola Cannabis sativae extract and its combinations with selected carriers (polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, magnesium aluminometasilicate, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin) in terms of antimicrobial, probiotic, and immunobiological effects. As a result of the conducted research, the antimicrobial activity of the extract was confirmed in relation to the following microorganisms: Clostridium difficile, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyrogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aereuginosa, and Candida albicans (microorganism count was reduced from ~102 CFU mL-1 to <10 CFU mL-1 in most cases). Additionally, for the system with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a significant probiotic potential against bacterial strains was established for strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Streptococcus thermophilus (microorganism count was increased from ~102 to 104-107). In terms of immunomodulatory properties, it was determined that the tested extract and the systems caused changes in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels.

The phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal Lactobacillus with potential probiotic properties isolated from healthy women in northern Iran

Background and Objectives: This study assesses the antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal Lactobacillus strains and provides data for determining the prevalence of certain antibiotic resistance genes in the new strains of lactobacilli serving as probiot- ics and selected from healthy women in northern Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred premenopausal non-pregnant women in the reproductive age range of 22-50 years participated in this study. The potential probiotic vaginal lactobacilli used in the study included Lactobacillus crispatus (34.2%), Lactobacillus gasseri (26.3%), Lactobacillus johnsonii (10.5%), Lactobacillus acidophilus (15.7%) and Lactoba- cillus jensenii (13.1%). The phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility of the strains was determined by E test and DNA extraction and PCR were performed to examine the antibiotic resistance genes. Results: 38 potential probiotic vaginal lactobacilli were isolated. All the strains of lactobacilli were resistant to metronida- zole and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and all of the strains were susceptible to ampicillin and chloramphenicol antibiotics. The results showed that ermB, ermC, and ermA genes were observed in the strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Metronida- zole resistance (nim) gene was also found in one strain of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus johnsonii. The amino- glycoside resistance (aac6'-aph2") gene was observed in 8% of the strains. Also, tetM, tetK and tetW genes were found in more than 80% of the Lactobacillus strains. Conclusion: The antimicrobial susceptibility of vaginal lactobacilli is an important criterion for establishing whether or not the organism is a probiotic. A high level of resistance to clinical antibiotics, such as metronidazole and aminoglycosides, was demonstrated. Antibiotic resistant genes also appeared widely in vaginal lactobacilli.

Prebiotic Systems Containing Anthocyanin-Rich Pomegranate Flower Extracts with Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Effects.

Pomegranate flower extract, rich in anthocyanins, demonstrates beneficial health-promoting properties such as an anti-diabetic and antioxidant effect, among others. However, the potential health-promoting properties may be hindered by the low stability of anthocyanins. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess whether stabilizing carriers, namely HP-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD), α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD), Inulin (Inu) and Arabic gum (AGu) affect the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of lyophilized pomegranate flower extract, how they influence stability, release profile, and whether the systems exhibit prebiotic activity. Interactions between pomegranate flower extract and these factors were analyzed using FT-IR. The structures were examined through microscopic imaging while for the prepared prebiotic systems, antidiabetic activity was determined and confirmed by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase; antioxidant activity was expressed by DPPH and CUPRAC assays. The content of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside in these systems was assessed using the HPLC method. The release profiles of pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside were examined in a medium at pH = 6.8 and pH = 1.2, and the stability was assessed after subjecting the systems to high temperatures (T = 90 °C). The prebiotic potential was evaluated for 10 prebiotic bacterial strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis Lactobacillus rhamnosus gg, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus fermentum lf, Streptococcus thermophilus). As a result of the conducted research, better functionalities of the obtained systems containing Pomegranate flower extract were proven in terms of prebiotic and antidiabetic effects. The obtained delivery systems for pelargonidin-3,5-glucoside allow for better use of its health-promoting effects.

Probiotic-derived silver nanoparticles target mTOR/MMP-9/BCL-2/dependent AMPK activation for hepatic cancer treatment

Recent advances in nanotechnology have offered novel ways to combat cancer. By utilizing the reducing capabilities of Lactobacillus acidophilus, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized. The anti-cancer properties of AgNPs have been demonstrated in previous studies against several cancer cell lines; it has been hypothesized that these compounds might inhibit AMPK/mTOR signalling and BCL-2 expression. Consequently, the current research used both in vitro and in silico approaches to study whether Lactobacillus acidophilus AgNPs could inhibit cell proliferation autophagy and promote apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The isolated strain was identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus strain RBIM based on 16 s rRNA gene analysis. Based on our research findings, it has been observed that this particular strain can generate increased quantities of AgNPs when subjected to optimal growing conditions. The presence of silanols, carboxylates, phosphonates, and siloxanes on the surface of AgNPs was confirmed using FTIR analysis. AgNPs were configured using UV–visible spectroscopy at 425 nm. In contrast, it was observed that apoptotic cells exhibited orange-coloured bodies due to cellular shrinkage and blebbing initiated by AgNP treatment, compared to non-apoptotic cells. It is worth mentioning that AgNPs exhibited remarkable selectivity in inducing cell death, specifically in HepG2 cells, unlike normal WI-38 cells. The half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for HepG2 and WI-38 cells were 4.217 µg/ml and 154.1 µg/ml, respectively. AgNPs induce an upregulation in the synthesis of inflammation-associated cytokines, including (TNF-α and IL-33), within HepG2 cells. AgNPs co-treatment led to higher glutathione levels and activating pro-autophagic genes such as AMPK.Additionally, it resulted in the suppression of mTOR, MMP-9, BCL-2, and α-SMA gene expression. The docking experiments suggest that the binding of AgNPs to the active site of the AMPK enzyme leads to inhibiting its activity. The inhibition of AMPK ultimately results in the suppression of the mechanistic mTOR and triggers apoptosis in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that the utilization of AgNPs may represent a viable strategy for the eradication of liver cancerous cells through the activation of apoptosis and the enhancement of immune system reactions.

Complete genome sequences of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain P42 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain P43 isolated from chicken cecum.

The gut microflora contains a diverse microbial population that is influenced by the host and the environment. We report the complete circular genome sequences of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain P42 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain P43 isolated from chicken cecal samples. P42 and P43 could potentially serve as poultry probiotic strains.

The complete genome sequence of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 9224 isolated from sour milk.

We present the complete genome sequence of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 9224. The genome sequence provides a valuable resource for investigating the phylogenetic evolution of this lineage and conducting comparative genomics with other Lactobacillus strains and species.