Bifidobacterium Animalis Research Articles

Positive modulation of a new reconstructed human gut microbiota by Maitake extract helpfully boosts the intestinal environment in vitro.

The human gut is a complex environment where the microbiota and its metabolites play a crucial role in the maintenance of a healthy state. The aim of the present work is the reconstruction of a new in vitro minimal human gut microbiota resembling the microbe-microbe networking comprising the principal phyla (Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota), to comprehend the intestinal ecosystem complexity. In the reductionist model, we mimicked the administration of Maitake extract as prebiotic and a probiotic formulation (three strains belonging to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera), evaluating the modulation of strain levels, the release of beneficial metabolites, and their health-promoting effects on human cell lines of the intestinal environment. The administration of Maitake and the selected probiotic strains generated a positive modulation of the in vitro bacterial community by qPCR analyses, evidencing the prominence of beneficial strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) after 48 hours. The bacterial community growths were associated with the production of metabolites over time through GC-MSD analyses such as lactate, butyrate, and propionate. Their effects on the host were evaluated on cell lines of the intestinal epithelium and the immune system, evidencing positive antioxidant (upregulation of SOD1 and NQO1 genes in HT-29 cell line) and anti-inflammatory effects (production of IL-10 from all the PBMCs). Therefore, the results highlighted a positive modulation induced by the synergic activities of probiotics and Maitake, inducing a tolerogenic microenvironment.

Production of probiotic fermented salami using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium lactis.

The objectives of the study were to improve the functionality of fermented salami using probiotics, to evaluate the effects of the addition of probiotics on the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics and sensory acceptance of fermented salami, and to introduce a brand-new probiotic food to the market for meat products. Fermented salami samples were produced using various formulations, including no probiotic (A), non-probiotic starter cultures (B) or probiotic cultures [Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR32 200B (C), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP115 400B (D), Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 (E), and L. rhamnosus LR32 200B+L. plantarum LP115 400B (F)]. The samples were kept at 4°C for 60 days, and their probiotic viability as well as their chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensory qualities were assessed at intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. The probiotic addition enhanced the safety and quality of the product while favorably affecting the microbiological, physical, chemical, and sensory properties of the samples. The sample produced with mixed probiotics (F) had the highest moisture and fat content and the lowest pH. Lactic acid bacteria counts were found above 6.0logCFU/g in the samples produced with probiotic at the end of the storage. Probiotic added products were rated higher than products without probiotics in terms of color, texture, flavor, and overall acceptance during storage. Consequently, a probiotic fermented salami with high probiotic cell counts and meeting the sensory preferences of the consumers was produced.

Whole-genome resequencing and transcriptional profiling association analysis revealed the intraspecies difference response to oligosaccharides utilization in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis.

As prebiotics, oligosaccharides are frequently combined with Bifidobacterium to develop synbiotic products. However, a highly diverse gene repertoire of Bifidobacterium is involved in sugar catabolism, and even phylogenetically close species may differ in their sugar utilization capabilities. To further explore the mechanism underlying the differences in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis oligosaccharide metabolism. This study screened strains with differential oligosaccharide metabolism. Subsequently, these strains were subjected to genome-wide resequencing and RT-qPCR. The resequencing results indicated that the subspecies of B. animalis subsp. lactis had a high genome similarity. The RT-qPCR results revealed that glycosidase genes exhibited consistency in the phenotype of metabolism at the transcriptional level; the better the growth of the strains on the oligosaccharides, the higher was the expression of glycosidase genes related to the oligosaccharides. Our results suggested that the differences in the gene transcription levels led to intraspecies differences in the ability of the strains to metabolize oligosaccharides even when they belonged to the same subspecies. Future studies with more sample size could generalizable the conclusion to all B. animalis subsp. lactis strains, thus would lay the theoretical foundation for the utilization of the B. animalis subsp. lactis strain as probiotics and the development of synbiotic products.

Characterization of Antimicrobial Activities of Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and Their Inhibitory Effect Against Some Foodborne Pathogens.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, a probiotic, has shown potential to promote health benefits and control pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of BB-12 and its cell-free supernatant (CFS) in inhibiting the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. To assess the antimicrobial activity of BB-12, agar well diffusion, disk diffusion, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were conducted. The bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay was performed to measure the protein concentration in CFS. The study's results indicated that the BB-12 strain inhibited the pathogens' growth. The disk diffusion test using BB-12 showed inhibitory results ranging from 11 to 14 mm for both bacteria. The agar well diffusion test reported the zone of inhibition ranging from 11.6 to 16 mm for both bacteria. The MIC test was conducted as a confirmatory test, which demonstrated the highest inhibitory zone using 2 McFarland (6 × 108 CFU/mL) concentrations of probiotics on L. monocytogenes (44.98%) and S. Typhimurium (66.41%). The disk diffusion test revealed that the probiotic CFS had a significant inhibitory impact on S. Typhimurium with a 16.6 mm zone of inhibition. The BCA test findings indicated that the 24- and 48-h CFSs exhibited inhibitory properties against infections. Notably, the 24-h CFS, including a protein level of 78.47 μg/mL, demonstrated a more pronounced inhibitory impact on both pathogens. The findings highlight that utilizing the BB-12 strain and its CFS can serve as a viable approach to battle infections, enhancing food safety and public health.

Cheese whey for production of breast milk‐derived bifidobacteria: Influence of fermentation conditions on the survival to spray drying and storage

Common factors influencing the survival of microbes to spray drying include microbial intrinsic resistance, properties of the carrier, inlet and outlet temperatures, and rate of feeding. In this work, cheese whey was used as both a growth medium and a carrier for spray drying of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis INL1. The growth of the strain was favoured by acid conditions, reaching higher counts when pH was not controlled during fermentation and when pH was controlled at a constant value of 5.5, compared with 6.5. Powders containing ca. 9 log order (cfu/g) of B. lactis INL1 were obtained by direct spray drying of the culture coming out of the fermenter. No differences in survival to spray drying were observed in terms of fermentation conditions. However, fermentation conditions are considered to have influenced the strain's survival along the storage. Spray drying in acid conditions was detrimental to the survival along storage.

Characterization of feline-originated probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus CACC612 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CACC789 and evaluation of their host response

BackgroundProbiotics are beneficial for animal health and new potential probiotics need to be characterized for their prospective use in improving animal health. In this study, 32 bacterial strains were isolated from a Norwegian forest cat (castrated, 12 years old) and a Persian cat (castrated, 10 years old), which were privately owned and had indoor access.ResultsLactobacillus rhamnosus CACC612 (CACC612) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CACC789 (CACC789) were selected as potential probiotics; characterization of the two strains showed equivalent acid tolerance, similar cell adhesion rates on the HT-29 monolayer cell line, and superior bile tolerance compared to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Subsequently, they exhibited inhibitory effects against a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli (KCTC 2617), Salmonella Derby (NCCP 12,238), Salmonella Enteritidis (NCCP 14,546), Salmonella Typhimurium (NCCP 10,328), Clostridium difficile JCM 1296T. From evaluating host effects, the viability of the feline macrophage cell line (Fcwf-4) increased with the treatment of CACC612 or CACC789 (P < 0.05). The induced expression of immune-related genes such as IFN-γ, IL1β, IL2, IL4, and TNF-α by immune stimulation was significantly attenuated by the treatment of CACC612 or CACC789 (P < 0.05). When 52 clinical factors of sera from 21 healthy cats were analyzed using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the animals were obviously clustered before and after feeding with CACC612 or CACC789. In addition, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly increased after CACC612 feeding (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn this study, feline-originated probiotics were newly characterized and their potentially probiotic effects were evaluated. These results contribute to our understanding of the functional effects of feline-derived probiotics and support their industrial applications.

The effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 on innate antiviral responses invitro

Consumption of certain probiotic strains may be beneficial for reducing the risk of acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), however, underlying immunological mechanisms are elusive. Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04™ has been reported in humans to significantly reduce the risk of URTIs, affect the innate immunity in the nasal mucosa, and reduce nasal lavage virus titer after a rhinovirus (RV) challenge. To study the immunological mechanisms, we investigated the effect of Bl-04 on cytokine production and transcriptomes of human monocyte-derived macrophages (Mfs) and dendritic cells (DCs), and further on RV replication and cytokine production in MRC-5 fibroblasts. The results showed that Bl-04 modulates antiviral immune responses and potentiates cytokine production during viral challenge mimic in immune cells. However, effect of Bl-04 on RV replication and cytokine production in fibroblasts was negligible. Overall, the findings suggest that Bl-04 mildly stimulates antiviral immunity in Mfs and DCs, and potentially influences viral replication in fibroblasts that however warrants further investigations.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis: A crucial immunomodulatory pathway for Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis' resilience against LPS treatment in neonatal rats

An imbalanced gut microflora may contribute to immune disorders in neonates due to an immature gut barrier. Bacterial toxins, particularly, can trigger the immune system, potentially resulting in uncontrolled gut and systemic inflammation. Previous research has revealed that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) could protect against early-life pathogen infections by enhancing the gut barrier. However, the effects of B. lactis on a compromised immune system remain uncertain. Hence, this study concentrated on the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of B. lactis in neonatal rats intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial toxin and inflammatory mediator. First, B. lactis significantly alleviated the adverse effects induced by LPS on the growth, development, and body temperature of neonatal rats. Second, B. lactis significantly reduced the immune responses and damage induced by LPS, affecting both systemic and local immune responses in the peripheral blood, gut, and brain. Notably, B. lactis exhibited extra potent neuroprotective and neurorepair effects. Our research found that pre-treatment with B. lactis shaped the diverse gut microecology by altering both microbial populations and metabolic biomolecules, closely linked to immunomodulation. Overall, this study elucidated the multifaceted roles of B. lactis in neonatal hosts against pathogenic infection and immune disorder, revealing the existence of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Co-culturing Propionibacterium freudenreichii and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis improves short-chain fatty acids and vitamin B12 contents in soy whey

The lack of vitamin B12 in unprocessed plant-based foods can lead to health problems in strict vegetarians and vegans. The main aim of this study was to investigate the potential synergy of co-culturing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii in improving production of vitamin B12 and short-chain fatty acids in soy whey. Different strategies including mono-, sequential and simultaneous cultures were adopted. Growth, short-chain fatty acids and vitamin B12 were assessed throughout the fermentation while free amino acids, volatiles, and isoflavones were determined on the final day. P. freudenreichii monoculture grew well in soy whey, whereas B. lactis monoculture entered the death phase by day 4. Principal component analysis demonstrates that metabolic changes in both sequential cultures did not show drastic differences to those of P. freudenreichii monoculture. However, simultaneous culturing significantly improved vitamin B12, acetic acid and propionic acid contents (1.3 times, 5 times, 2.5 times, compared to the next highest treatment [sequential cultures]) in fermented soy whey relative to other culturing modes. Hence, co-culturing of P. freudenreichii and B. lactis would provide an alternative method to improve vitamin B12, acetic acid and propionic acid contents in fermented foods.

Probiotic supplementation for 24 weeks in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: the PROBILIVER randomized clinical trial.

Considering the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and treatment gaps, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on liver function markers, nutritional status, and clinical parameters. This double-blind, randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0346782) included adult outpatients with biopsy-proven NASH. The intervention consisted of 24 weeks of supplementation with the probiotic mix Lactobacillus acidophilus (1 × 109 CFU) + Lactobacillus rhamnosus (1 × 109 CFU) + Lactobacillus paracasei (1 × 109 CFU) + Bifidobacterium lactis (1 × 109 CFU), or placebo, twice a day. The following parameters were evaluated: demographic and clinical data, transient elastography (FibroScan), liver enzymes, NAFLD fibrosis score, fatty liver index, laboratory assessment, serum concentration of toll-like receptor-4 (sTLR-4) and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), anthropometric data, dietary intake, and physical activity. Regarding data analysis, the comparison between the groups was based on the delta of the difference of each variable analyzed (value at the end of treatment minus the baseline value) using the t-test for independent samples or the Mann-Whitney U-test. Forty-four patients with NASH completed the trial (51.4 ± 11.6 years). At baseline, 87% of participants had a mild liver fibrosis degree on biopsy, normal values of liver enzymes, transient elastography values consistent with grade 1 fibrosis in both groups, increased waist circumference (WC), a BMI of 30.97 kg/m2, and 76% presented with metabolic syndrome (MetS). After the intervention, no differences were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups in terms of MetS, WC, BMI scores, or liver enzyme levels (p > 0.05 for all). The elastography values remained consistent with grade 1 fibrosis in both groups. Although CK-18 was reduced in both groups, a larger effect size was noted in the probiotic group (D = 1.336). sTLR-4 was also reduced in both groups, with no difference between groups (p = 0.885). Intervention with probiotics in the early stages of NASH demonstrated no significant change in hepatic and clinical parameters. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT0346782.

Multi-strain probiotics ameliorate Alzheimer’s-like cognitive impairment and pathological changes through the AKT/GSK-3β pathway in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 mice

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent type of dementia, still lacks disease-modifying treatment strategies. Recent evidence indicates that maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis plays a crucial role in AD. Targeted regulation of gut microbiota, including probiotics, is anticipated to emerge as a potential approach for AD treatment. However, the efficacy and mechanism of multi-strain probiotics treatment in AD remain unclear. MethodsIn this study, 6-month-old senescence-accelerated-mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) and senescence-accelerated-mouse-resistant 1 (SAMR1) were utilized. The SAMP8 mice were treated with probiotic-2 (P2, a probiotic mixture of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and probiotic-3 (P3, a probiotic mixture of Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) (1 × 109 colony-forming units) once daily for 8 weeks. Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests were employed to assess the memory ability. 16S sequencing was applied to determine the composition of gut microbiota, along with detecting serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations. Neural injury, Aβ and Tau pathology, and neuroinflammation level were assessed through western blot and immunofluorescence. Finally, potential molecular mechanisms was explored through transcriptomic analysis and western blotting. ResultsThe MWM and NOR test results indicated a significant improvement in the cognitive level of SAMP8 mice treated with P2 and P3 probiotics compared to the SAMP8 control group. Fecal 16S sequencing revealed an evident difference in the α diversity index between SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice, while the α diversity of SAMP8 mice remained unchanged after P2 and P3 treatment. At the genus level, the relative abundance of ten bacteria differed significantly among the four groups. Multi-strain probiotics treatment could modulate serum SCFAs (valeric acid, isovaleric acid, and hexanoic acid) concentration. Neuropathological results demonstrated a substantial decrease in neural injury, Aβ and Tau pathology and neuroinflammation in the brain of SAMP8 mice treated with P3 and P2. Transcriptomic analysis identified the chemokine signaling pathway as the most significantly enriched signaling pathway between SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice. Western blot test indicated a significant change in the phosphorylation level of downstream AKT/GSK-3β between the SAMP8 and SAMR1 groups, which could be reversed through P2 and P3 treatment. ConclusionsMulti-strain probiotics treatment can ameliorate cognitive impairment and pathological change in SAMP8 mice, including neural damage, Aβ and Tau pathology, and neuroinflammation. This effect is associated with the regulation of the phosphorylation of the AKT/GSK-3β pathway.

Characterization of the gut microbiota and fecal and blood metabolomes under various factors in urban children from Northwest China.

Children have regional dynamics in the gut microbiota development trajectory. Hitherto, the features and influencing factors of the gut microbiota and fecal and plasma metabolites in children from Northwest China remain unclear. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed on 100 healthy volunteers aged 2-12 years. Age, body mass index (BMI), regular physical exercise (RPE), and delivery mode (DM) significantly affect gut microbiota and metabolites. Lactobacillus, Butyricimonas, Prevotella, Alistipes, and predicted pathway propanoate production were significantly increased with age while Bifidobacterium breve, B. animalis, B. pseudocatenulatum, Streptococcus infantis, and carbohydrate degradation were decreased. Fecal metabolome revealed that the metabolism of caffeine, amino acids, and lipid significantly increased with age while galactose metabolism decreased. Noticeably, BMI was positively associated with pathogens including Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, Parabacteroides distasonis, Ruminococcus gnavus, and amino acid metabolism but negatively associated with beneficial Akkermansia muciniphila, Alistipes finegoldii, Eubacterium ramulus, and caffeine metabolism. RPE has increased probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Anaerostipes hadrus, acetate and lactate production, and major nutrient metabolism in gut and plasma, but decreased pathobiont Bilophila wadsworthia, taurine degradation, and pentose phosphate pathway. Interestingly, DM affects the gut microbiota and metabolites throughout the whole childhood. Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus mucosae, L. ruminis, primary bile acid, and neomycin biosynthesis were enriched in eutocia, while anti-inflammatory Anaerofustis stercorihominis, Agathobaculum butyriciproducens, Collinsella intestinalis, and pathogenic Streptococcus salivarius, Catabacter hongkongensis, and amino acid metabolism were enriched in Cesarean section children. Our results provided theoretical and data foundation for the gut microbiota and metabolites in preadolescent children's growth and development in Northwest China.

Exploring the health benefits of traditionally fermented wax gourd: flavor substances, probiotics, and impact on gut microbiota

BackgroundThe fermented wax gourd, often referred to as “smelly wax gourd,” is a traditional food that undergoes natural fermentation. It’s a staple in eastern China and is recognized as Ningbo’s “city-fermented food.” Characterized by its distinct putrid flavor and soft texture, its safety, nutritional aspects, and sensory attributes have not been extensively studied.MethodsIn this research, the microbial community and flavor components of fermented wax gourd during its traditional fermentation were analyzed. The safety and impact on the gut microbiota were also assessed by administering it to healthy and pseudo-germ-free mice.ResultsThe findings revealed that organic acids primarily contribute to the gourd’s flavor during fermentation. The aroma reminiscent of fruits is due to 2-methyl-butyric acid, while butyric, pentanoic, caproic, and octanoic acids are responsible for their characteristic smelly taste. In the fermentation of traditional foods, the abundance of substances and open fermentation contribute to the diversity of microorganisms in the system, and the reproduction and metabolism of microorganisms drive the fermentation of foods. From the results of this study, the flavor peaks on the 10th day of fermentation. Predominant microbes include Lactobacillus fermentum, Streptococcus equinus, Fusobacterium perfoetens, Weissella confusa, and Lactobacillus plantarum. Notably, Lactobacillus was the most abundant probiotic in the early fermentation stages. The “smelly” taste of smelly wax gourd was mainly derived from butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, p-methylphenol and other compounds, and the abundance of Caldicoprobacter algeriensis, Mariniphaga anaerophila, Streptococcus equi and Lactobacillus were significantly correlated with 4 of the above 5 acids. These four bacteria may contribute more to the “smelly” taste of smelly wax gourd. In the study, compared with the control group (CONT), the abundance of Helicobacter ganmani, H. Chanicola, Lactobacillus animalis, Lactobacillus gadi and Lactobacillus reuteri decreased in mice groups treated with anti-biological pretreatment followed by gavage of smelly wax gourd (A.SWG) and the smelly wax gourd (SWG) groups. Conversely, Muribaculum intestinale, Prevotellamassilia timonensis, Alistipes putredinis, Kineothrix alysoides and Clostridium indolis’ abundance of increases. Mice that underwent fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) exhibited a higher abundance of probiotics like Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and others compared to the fecal culture microbiota transplantation (CMT) group. However, the CMT group had a higher presence of fermented and Royce lactobacilli.ImplicationConsuming fermented wax gourd can enhance the presence of beneficial probiotics and reduce pathogenic Helicobacter sp. in the mouse gut. Both Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. showed increased abundance post fecal microbiota and fecal culture microbiota transplantation.

Hatchery and Dietary Application of Synbiotics in Broilers: Performance and mRNA Abundance of Ileum Tight Junction Proteins, Nutrient Transporters, and Immune Response Markers.

This study investigated the effects of a synbiotic consisting of inulin, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Lactobacillus reuteri given orally to day (d)-of-hatch (DOH) broiler chicks at the hatchery and in the feed for a 21 d period. A total of 480 Cobb male broilers were randomly divided into one of four treatments using a 2 × 2 factorial design as follows: (1) control (CTRL) group receiving a gel-only oral application on DOH at the hatchery prior to transport and a non-medicated basal corn/soybean meal starter diet; (2) hatchery synbiotic (HS) receiving an oral gel containing the synbiotic (0.5 mL/bird) at the hatchery and the basal diet; (3) CTRL + dietary synbiotic at 0.5 kg/MT (DS); and (4) HS + dietary synbiotic at 0.5 kg/MT (HSDS). On d 7 and d 21, one bird per pen (eight replicate pens/group) was euthanized, and the ileum was immediately removed for qPCR analysis. Data were subjected to a 2-way ANOVA using GLM procedure (JMP Pro17). A significant diet × hatchery interaction was observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR) from d 14 to d 21 (p = 0.013) where the HS, DS, and HSDS treatments had a significantly lower FCR compared to the CTRL. However, no significant interaction effect was observed for body weight gain (BWG) or FCR during the overall experimental period. No significant interaction was observed in mRNA abundance of the evaluated genes in the ileum on d 7 and d 21. Gel application with the synbiotic significantly reduced sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) mRNA abundance on d 7 (p = 0.035) in comparison to birds receiving gel alone. Regardless of hatchery application, dietary synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, and interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA abundance on d 7 (p = 0.013). In conclusion, these findings showed that hatchery and dietary synbiotic application could have a potential beneficial impact on broiler intestinal immunity by regulating the TLR response, a key element of innate immunity. FCR was improved from d 14 to d 21 after synbiotic application. Future research involving extended grow-out studies with a disease challenge would expand on the implications of an early application of synbiotics.

The Biotransformation and Influence on the Functional Activities of Metabolites during the Fermentation of Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall.ex Schlecht. Juice by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN-3.

Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall.ex Schlecht. (EWS) has extensive nutrients and functional active ingredients, which makes it an excellent potential substrate for fermentation. The improvement in the antioxidant activity of Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall.ex Schlecht. juice (EWSJ) fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN-3 (B.an3) could be attributed to the metabolism and biotransformation of plant-based products by the bacterial strain. To reveal the underlying mechanism, non-targeted metabolomics was applied in this study. After fermentation, the structure of downregulated carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and flavonoids was changed by Bifidobacterium biotransformation (included four reductions, three hydrolyses, four isomerizations, three deglycosidations, and five other reactions). The structure of these converted upregulated products has a higher antioxidant ability to reduce free radicals than their precursors, such as the flavonoids in the form of hydrolyzed conjugates, amino acids with multiple sulfhydryls or hydroxys, carbohydrates with reactive oxygen on benzene rings and fatty acids with unsaturated bonds, short chains, and glycosides. These findings shed light on the mechanism of the metabolism and biotransformation of EWSJ by B.an3, facilitate the study of the interaction between probiotics and fermented plant-based products, and provide a theoretical basis for the development of Bifidobacterium-fermented plant products with stronger functional activities.

Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 relieved acute respiratory tract infections in children possibly by modulating the gut microbes and metabolites

Respiratory tract infections constitute a significant global public health concern, accounting for around 20 % of child fatalities worldwide. Modulating the gut microbiota have the potential to serve as a promising strategy for both the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections. According to our prior research, the consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 can notably enhance symptoms associated with respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. The current study is a follow-up work aimed at exploring the functional role of the gut microbes in the observed beneficial effects. We analyzed the fecal metagenomes of patients in both the probiotic group (n = 50) and the placebo group (n = 49). The results showed that Probio-M8 intervention may regulate the host inflammatory response by regulating the balance of intestinal microorganisms, bioactive metabolites and related pathways. Provides new insights into the study of probiotics in alleviating diseases related to the gut-lung axis.

Anti-obesity effects of Bifidobacterium lactis YGMCC2013 by promoting adipocyte thermogenesis and beige remodelling in association with gut microbiota

Obesity, a global public health challenge, is closely associated with gut microbiota alterations. Probiotics have the potential to prevent obesity, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific strain. This study focused on evaluating the anti-obesity and probiotic properties of four Bifidobacterium species isolated from healthy Chinese individuals in vitro. The findings indicated that Bifidobacterium lactis YGMCC2013 showed notable cholesterol assimilation ability, bile salt hydrolase activity, gastrointestinal tolerance, cellular adhesion, and production of short-chain fatty acids. The anti-obesity effect of YGMCC2013 was then assessed in mice fed a high-fat diet. The results demonstrated that YGMCC2013 reduced body and liver weight, adipose tissue hypertrophy and inflammation, and influenced specific microbial genera associated with adipose tissue characteristics. Notably, the study observed associations between certain microbial genera and different types of adipose tissue, indicating that YGMCC2013 may impact the balance and function of adipose tissue through its effects on the gut microbiota. Furthermore, YGMCC2013 enhanced the thermogenic capacity of brown and beige adipocytes, and improved the structure and function of the gut microbiota. These improvements were reflected by an increase in short-chain fatty acids produced by beneficial bacteria in the intestine, and the activation of metabolic pathways related to energy and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, YGMCC2013 modulated the expression of il-27 and tgr5 signaling pathways in adipose tissue, which might be involved in regulating adipose tissue inflammation and energy expenditure, respectively. These findings collectively demonstrate that YGMCC2013 has potential as a probiotic candidate for preventing obesity and improving metabolic health by influencing the gut-adipose tissue axis.

Multistrain Probiotics Alleviate Diarrhea by Modulating Microbiome-Derived Metabolites and Serotonin Pathway.

Diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal symptom in health problems, is highly associated with gut dysbiosis. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of multistrain probiotics (Sensi-Biome) on diarrhea from the perspective of the microbiome-neuron axis. Sensi-Biome (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactococcus lactis) was administered in a 4% acetic acid-induced diarrhea rat model at concentrations of 1 × 108 (G1), 1 × 109 (G2), and 1 × 1010CFU/0.5mL (G3). Diarrhea-related parameters, inflammation-related cytokines, and stool microbiota analysis by 16S rRNA were evaluated. A targeted and untargeted metabolomics approach was used to analyze the cecum samples using liquid chromatography and orbitrap mass spectrometry. The stool moisture content (p < 0.001), intestinal movement rate (p < 0.05), and pH (p < 0.05) were significantly recovered in G3. Serotonin levels were decreased in the multistrain probiotics groups. The inflammatory cytokines, serotonin, and tryptophan hydroxylase expression were improved in the Sensi-Biome groups. At the phylum level, Sensi-Biome showed the highest relative abundance of Firmicutes. Short-chain fatty acids including butyrate, iso-butyrate, propionate, and iso-valeric acid were significantly modified in the Sensi-Biome groups. Equol and oleamide were significantly improved in the multistrain probiotics groups. In conclusion, Sensi-Biome effectively controls diarrhea by modulating metabolites and the serotonin pathway.

Probiotic Consortium Confers Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Inflammatory Disorders.

The composition and diversity of gut microbiota significantly influence the immune system and are linked to various diseases, including inflammatory and allergy disorders. While considerable research has focused on exploring single bacterial species or consortia, the optimal strategies for microbiota-based therapeutics remain underexplored. Specifically, the comparative effectiveness of bacterial consortia versus individual species warrants further investigation. In our study, we assessed the impact of the bacterial consortium MPRO, comprising Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY7712, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HY8002, and Lacticaseibacillus casei HY2782, in comparison to its individual components. The administration of MPRO demonstrated enhanced therapeutic efficacy in experimental models of atopic dermatitis and inflammatory colitis when compared to single strains. MPRO exhibited the ability to dampen inflammatory responses and alter the gut microbial landscape significantly. Notably, MPRO administration led to an increase in intestinal CD103+CD11b+ dendritic cells, promoting the induction of regulatory T cells and the robust suppression of inflammation in experimental disease settings. Our findings advocate the preference for bacterial consortia over single strains in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, carrying potential clinical relevance.

Adjudicative efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 in treating acute diarrhea in children: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80, as an adjunct treatment for diarrhea in children with a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study design. Eligible diarrheal children, aged 0–3 years without the need for antibiotic treatment based on clinical diagnosis when recruited, were randomized into the intervention group (IG, n = 58, with probiotic) or the control group (CG, n = 53, placebo). The primary assessment was the duration of diarrhea. Fecal samples were collected for biochemical index measurement, analysis of gut microbiome composition, and prediction of gene family abundances. The total duration of diarrhea in the IG (122.6 ± 13.1 h) was significantly shorter than in the CG (148.4 ± 17.6 h, p < 0.001). More children in the IG showed improvements in diarrhea compared to the CG, both in intention-to-treat analysis (81.7% vs. 40.0%, p < 0.001) and per protocol analysis (84.4% vs 45.3%, p < 0.001). Cathelicidin level in the IG was significantly higher than that in the CG after the intervention (4415.00 ± 1036.93 pg/g vs. 3679.49 ± 871.18 pg/g, p = 0.0175). The intervention led to an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium breve and Collinsella aerofaciens species, higher alpha-diversity (p < 0.05), and enrichment of functional genes in the gut microbiota related to immunity regulation. Administration of BLa80 at a dose of 5 × 109 CFU/day resulted in a shorter duration of diarrhea and alterations in gut microbiome composition and gene functions.