The potential of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis in ameliorating traumatic brain injury-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

This study investigated whether Jintiange (JTG) capsules improve postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by modulating gut microbiota composition. Eighteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham, OVX, and JTG (360mg/kg/day) groups. After a 3-months intervention, bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular microstructure were assessed via Micro-computed tomography. Serum bone turnover markers, including procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and CTX-1, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fecal gut microbiota profiles were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. JTG capsule intervention significantly attenuated bone loss in OVX rats, as evidenced by increased BMD, preserved bone microstructure, elevated serum PINP, and reduced CTX-1 levels (p < 0.05). Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA amplicons revealed that JTG partially reversed OVX-induced dysbiosis, significantly increasing microbial richness (Chao1 and Observed OTUs) and shifting the microbial structure. Specifically, JTG increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium longum, Clostridium, and Prevotellaceae UCG-001 while decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes (p < 0.05). JTG capsules alleviate osteoporosis in OVX rats by restoring gut microbiota homeostasis and enriching beneficial, bone health-related probiotics. These findings provide an experimental basis for targeting the gut-bone axis with JTG in postmenopausal osteoporosis management.

Alginate-based biofilm-assisted encapsulation of a Co-culture of Bifidobacterium longum DSM20219 and Bacillus subtilis SOM8 enhances resistance to gastrointestinal stress.

Advancements in cofactor regeneration for efficient UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GalNAc synthesis.

This commentary discusses the potential role of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 supplementation during the weaning period, a critical phase of gut microbiota maturation and immune development in early life. The authors review and contextualize a recent randomized controlled trial investigating whether targeted probiotic supplementation could support gut health and resilience during complementary feeding. The study evaluated healthy infants and toddlers receiving an 8-week supplementation with B. infantis M-63 during weaning. Clinical outcomes, gut microbiota composition, and microbial metabolites were assessed to explore both physiological and functional effects of the intervention. Supplementation resulted in successful intestinal engraftment of the probiotic strain and was associated with modest improvements in stool consistency, alongside increased fecal short-chain fatty acid production, particularly acetate. However, broader clinical benefits remained limited and variable, with responses strongly influenced by dietary factors such as breastfeeding status. The findings also suggested ecological competition within the bifidobacterial community, potentially limiting sustained microbial expansion. Overall, the commentary highlights that probiotic supplementation during weaning can modulate the developing gut ecosystem, but consistent clinically meaningful benefits remain uncertain. Future studies integrating dietary, microbial, and host-related factors are needed to better define effective microbiome-targeted strategies in early life.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are frequently accompanied by anxiety and depression, largely driven by perturbed gut-brain axis signaling. However, current oral therapies remain constrained by the spatial and functional separation between intestinal inflammation and central nervous system dysfunction. Here, we present a comprehensive gut-brain dual region integrated therapeutic strategy based on functionalized Bifidobacterium longum hydrogel (INPs@BL@Gel), in which baicalin and tyrosine are coordinated with Fe(III) to form infinite coordination polymers (ICPs), coated with inulin, assembled onto Bifidobacterium longum (BL), and subsequently encapsulated within a pH- and matrix metalloproteinase-responsive silk fibroin-gelatin hydrogel. INPs@BL@Gel exhibits high drug-loading, effective gastric protection, inflammation-triggered release, and long-term intestinal colonization. Within the inflamed intestine, BL and components synergistically suppress inflammatory responses, restore gut microbiota homeostasis, and promote intestinal barrier repair through multi-target integrated therapy. Importantly, BL combined with components markedly enhances the production of beneficial neuroactive metabolites such as homovanillic acid and short-chain fatty acids, which integratedly regulate neuroinflammation, preserve synaptic function, and facilitate blood-brain barrier repair via the gut-brain axis. In vivo studies demonstrate that INPs@BL@Gel not only exerts potent therapeutic efficacy against colitis and effectively alleviates associated depression, but also reshapes the gut microbiota and restores barrier integrity, achieving a remarkable comprehensive therapeutic effect.

Smoking status has been associated with differences in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This prospective cohort study evaluated whether smoking-related changes in the gut microbiota are linked to ICI response. Baseline fecal samples from 225 patients with NSCLC were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. Microbial composition, predicted functional features, and clinical variables were examined in relation to treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS). Associations with treatment response were assessed using multivariable ordinal logistic regression. PFS was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Smoking was associated with selected taxon-level microbial differences despite no significant differences in alpha or beta diversity. Compared with never-smokers, smokers exhibited reduced abundance of Bifidobacterium longum and enrichment of Gram-negative taxa. Functional prediction indicated increased potential for lipopolysaccharide, Kdo₂-lipid A, and lipid IVA biosynthesis in smokers. Predicted lpxM abundance, encoding a lipid A myristoyltransferase, was positively correlated with the Gram-negative bacterial fraction. Moreover, increased abundance of lpxM-linked Gammaproteobacteria was associated with improved ICI response in the NSCLC cohort. Conversely, lower B. longum abundance was associated with favorable ICI response and prolonged PFS. These results indicate that smoking-related gut microbial alterations, particularly reduced B. longum abundance, are associated with enhanced ICI efficacy in NSCLC, supporting a role for the gut microbiota in smoking-associated differences in immunotherapy outcomes.

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly detected in dairy products, raising food-safety concerns. Their behavior in complex food matrices and interactions with probiotic microorganisms remain poorly understood. This exploratory study evaluated storage-dependent changes in operationally defined, digestion-resistant recoverable residues in yogurt containing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (ATCC 15697). Yogurt samples were prepared with polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS), individually and in combination, and analyzed over 21 days of refrigerated storage. Gravimetric values served as relative, operational indicators of recoverable residues-not validated absolute polymer masses-while polymer identity was qualitatively confirmed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). B. longum subsp. infantis remained viable throughout storage (6.3-8.2 log10 CFU/g). All MP-containing groups showed consistent storage-associated decreases in recoverable residue fractions, greatest in PP, followed by PE and PS; probiotic-free controls remained stable. Polymer-specific Py-GC/MS signals were detectable at all time points. Because polymer identity was retained and the workflow was not validated for absolute recovery, findings are interpreted as storage-associated changes in extractability, filterability, and/or residue recovery-not as polymer degradation, mineralization, or biological removal. These in vitro observations are limited to the yogurt matrix and do not support extrapolation to livestock exposure, human dietary risk, or farm-to-fork transfer. Within these limits, the findings provide a preliminary, hypothesis-generating perspective on probiotic-microplastic interactions in fermented dairy products.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is among the most prevalent morbidities in late preterm and term infants. Although the gut-lung axis has been implicated in neonatal respiratory disease, the relationship between RDS and early gut microbiome composition remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to characterize gut microbiome alterations associated with RDS and surfactant replacement therapy (SRT), and to evaluate the biological plausibility of a disease-specific probiotic intervention. Two complementary cohorts were prospectively enrolled. In the clinical observational cohort (n = 45), fecal samples collected within 48h of birth were analyzed by Nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing across three groups: infants without RDS (control group, n = 25), infants with RDS who did not receive SRT (RDS(S-) group, n = 7), and infants with RDS who received SRT (RDS(S+) group, n = 13). In the probiotic discovery cohort (n = 40), gut microbiota of infants without RDS (CON group, n = 17) and infants with RDS (RDS group, n = 23) were characterized by metagenomic sequencing and culturomics. Candidate probiotic strains were evaluated in a fermenter for intestinal microbiota model (FIMM) and a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) mouse model. The RDS(S-) group exhibited depletion of beneficial taxa including Bifidobacterium and Lacticaseibacillus and enrichment of opportunistic pathogens including Enterococcus and Staphylococcus. Following SRT, gut microbial profiles partially shifted toward those of the control group. Limosilactobacillus fermentum SLAM_LAF05 and Bifidobacterium longum SLAM_BIL02 were identified as CON-enriched candidate probiotic strains through direct microbiome comparison and selected based on superior acid and bile tolerance and adhesion capacity. In the FIMM model, probiotic supplementation increased microbial diversity and suppressed opportunistic pathogens. In the FMT mouse model, probiotic supplementation was associated with upregulation of ZO-1, MUC2, and Reg3g, reduction of fecal calprotectin, and restoration of serum IgG levels. This study provides an early translational characterization of RDS-associated gut dysbiosis and its partial resolution following SRT, and establishes proof-of-concept for a disease-specific probiotic approach. These findings offer a new perspective on the interplay between gut microbial dynamics and the early postnatal respiratory course, and provide a basis for future investigations into microbiota-targeted strategies in neonates with RDS.

To evaluate the efficacy of adjunct probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum) alongside standard care compared to placebo in older adults with moderate unipolar depression. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted at two tertiary centers. Fifty-eight participants (≥ 60 years) with moderate depression were randomized 1:1 to receive daily probiotics or a placebo for 12 weeks, alongside standard antidepressant care. They were followed up for another 12 weeks. The primary outcome was depression response (≥ 50% Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score reduction). Secondary outcomes included anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7-Item [GAD-7]), cognition, quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), serum brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), and gut microbiota profile. Mixed-effects models showed significant improvement over time in depressive symptoms (MADRS: F = 32.0, p < 0.001) and anxiety (GAD-7: F = 13.1, p < 0.001). Overall scores were lower in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group for both MADRS (F = 12.7, p = 0.001) and GAD-7 (F = 10.7, p = 0.002), although group × time interactions were not significant. Quality-of-life domains improved markedly (all F > 100, p < 0.001) without additional benefit from probiotics. Escitalopram-equivalent antidepressant dose and benzodiazepine use influenced selected outcomes. The probiotic group also had a significantly higher serum BDNF level and increased fecal abundance of supplemented strains vs. the placebo group. The attrition rate was > 50% over 24 weeks. In this pilot PRODG trial, adjunct probiotics produced modest overall advantages for depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with placebo but did not enhance quality-of-life beyond usual improvement -both groups improved substantially, and trajectories over 24 weeks were largely parallel across follow-up.

The complex interplay between chronic metabolic disorders and acute cardiovascular decompensation represents a critical frontier in cardiology. This integrative research program conducted at Chongqing Medical University systematically examines the gut-liver-heart axis across the cardiovascular disease spectrum through three interconnected studies. First, a case-control investigation of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with and without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) revealed distinct intestinal dysbiosis patterns characterized by increased Coprococcus and Veillonella alongside decreased Parabacteroides, Bacteroides fragilis, and Bifidobacterium longum, with these microbial alterations correlating significantly with body mass index, triglyceride levels, and hepatic transaminases. Second, a retrospective cohort study of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock demonstrated that elevated admission bilirubin (HR = 1.020, P = 0.003) and alanine aminotransferase independently predicted 30-day mortality, while serum albumin exerted protective effects (HR = 0.955, P < 0.001). Third, analysis of a comprehensive clinical registry illuminated the systemic clustering of metabolic, renal, and inflammatory abnormalities that underpin both chronic cardiometabolic disease and acute cardiovascular collapse. Collectively, these findings establish a pathogenic continuum wherein chronic intestinal dysbiosis and subclinical hepatic dysfunction create a vulnerable substrate that amplifies injury during acute ischemic events. This research framework provides mechanistic insights into the gut-liver-heart axis and proposes integrated biomarker panels for risk stratification across cardiovascular disease stages.

Constipation as a public health issue impairs human health and quality of life, while current strategies against constipation often lead to adverse effects. This study evaluated the effects and underlying mechanism of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (BB536) on relieving loperamide-induced constipation and depressive-like behavior. 2'-FL + BB536 can significantly elevate fecal water content, shorten defecation time and enhance the intestinal transit rate in constipated mice. 2'-FL + BB536 increased the contents of substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine, while reducing the contents of nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide. 2'-FL + BB536 decreased histological damage of colonic and brain tissues in constipated mice. Furthermore, 2'-FL + BB536 upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of AQP9 and activated the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway in the colon. Meanwhile, 2'-FL + BB536 reduced neuroinflammation and prevented synaptic damage through suppressing the mRNA and protein expressions of TNF-α and promoting the mRNA and protein expressions of SNAP-25 and PSD-95 in the brain, thereby alleviating depressive-like behavior. Notably, 2'-FL + BB536 regulated gut microbiota diversity and enhanced the relative abundance of several bacteria, including the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. The contents of short-chain fatty acids were upregulated following 2'-FL + BB536 supplementation. Overall, 2'-FL combined with BB536 exerted alleviating effects on loperamide-induced constipation and depressive-like behavior through regulating the gut-brain axis.

SummaryInterpersonal strain transmission shapes the human microbiome, yet a comparative understanding of the transmission dynamics across body sites is lacking. We analyzed 1,644 paired oral and fecal metagenomes to investigate microbiome transmission among healthy cohabitants and intra-individual oral-gut overlap. Cohabitants shared significantly more oral and gut strains than non-cohabitants. Romantic partners exhibited the highest oral strain-sharing rates, exceeding their gut strain sharing. Higher oral transmissibility was associated with increased longitudinal strain replacement, while the most transmissible gut species were linked to poorer cardiometabolic health. Within individuals, 74.5% of cases of species detected in both sites involved the same strains, primarily related to abundant oral species such as Streptococcus salivarius, suggesting saliva-mediated transmission. Conversely, Bifidobacterium longum strains never overlapped between sites, with the recently proposed B. longum subsp. nexti uniquely colonizing the oral cavity. These findings extend our understanding of microbiome spread and its potential consequences for human health.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common metabolic disorder caused mainly by estrogen deficiency, which accelerates bone resorption, suppresses bone formation, and increases fracture risk in aging women. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota influences skeletal homeostasis through the gut-bone axis, indicating that probiotic supplementation may provide a novel nutritional strategy for bone protection. This study evaluated the osteoprotective effects of two probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium breve i1088 and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum i772, in an ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rat model of estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis. Female rats were randomly allocated to sham-operated control, ovariectomized model, probiotic treatment, and positive control groups. After intervention, bone mineral density, femoral calcium content, and trabecular microarchitecture were assessed. Compared with untreated ovariectomized rats, probiotic supplementation significantly increased bone mineral density and bone calcium content, improved trabecular thickness, and reduced trabecular separation (P < 0.01). These findings demonstrated that probiotic administration attenuated bone loss and preserved skeletal microstructure under estrogen-deficient conditions. The results provide preclinical evidence that Bifidobacterium-based probiotic formulations may serve as a promising adjunctive nutritional approach for maintaining bone health in postmenopausal women. Further clinical studies are required to confirm their preventive and therapeutic potential in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with live (B-PRO) and gamma-irradiated (B-PAR) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis on growth performance, innate immune-related parameters, antioxidant status, and resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). After 60 days of feeding, both B-PRO and B-PAR were associated with improved growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition compared with the control group, with generally higher values in B-PRO. Hematological parameters, including erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, were elevated in treated groups. Innate immune indicators (lysozyme activity, complement C3, and bactericidal activity) and antioxidant status (SOD, GSH-Px, and total antioxidant capacity) were significantly improved, accompanied by reduced malondialdehyde levels. Gene expression analysis showed tissue-dependent modulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, indicating a non-uniform immunoregulatory response. Following A. salmonicida challenge, survival was ~95% in both treated groups versus ~15% in controls. Histopathological evaluation indicated reduced tissue damage in supplemented fish. Dietary supplementation with both live and gamma-irradiated B. infantis is associated with improved growth, modulation of innate immune-related parameters, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and increased disease resistance in rainbow trout. The comparable effects of both preparations suggest that bacterial viability is not essential for several observed responses under the present conditions. However, mechanistic interpretations remain limited due to the absence of direct assessment of immune signaling pathways.

Understanding morphine influence on gut health and depression: Evidence from a rat model.

Disruptions in the early-life gut microbiome have been reported to be associated with various health conditions. However, few studies have investigated the establishment of the gut microbiota in the immediate postnatal period. To characterize the gut microbiota of neonates within the first 100 hours after birth. A total of 512 healthy neonates born at a tertiary hospital were enrolled in this study. Stool samples were collected between March 2024 and December 2024 and categorized by delivery mode and stool collection time. Microbiota diversity and composition were assessed using full-length 16S rDNA sequencing. Stool samples from 140 neonates with predominant breastfeeding were analyzed. Of the 140 neonates, 70 (50%) were female, 66 (47.1%) were delivered by vaginal delivery (VD), 74 (52.9%) were delivered by cesarean section (CS), and 87 (62.1%) were firstborn. The time of stool collection ranged from 13.2 minutes to 109.82 hours. A significant difference in the time of stool collection was observed between CS and VD neonates (43.0 hours; 95%CI: 35.8-50.1 vs 32.4 hours; 95%CI: 27.8-36.9; P = 0.016). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CS was associated with higher alpha diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices; P < 0.001) and beta diversity (P < 0.001). A reduction in the gut microbiota diversity was observed 48 hours after birth (P < 0.001). Escherichia coli predominated in the VD samples. Bifidobacterium species, including Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum, emerged significantly 48 hours after birth. CS neonates exhibited a higher relative abundance of skin- and environmental-associated taxa, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas, and markedly reduced colonization by Bifidobacterium species despite predominant breastfeeding. Despite predominant breastfeeding, CS neonates showed reduced colonization by Bifidobacterium and a greater abundance of skin- and environment-associated taxa within the first 100 hours of life. These findings indicate that delivery mode can be a key determinant of early microbial assembly and highlight the need for targeted strategies to support the establishment of beneficial microbiota in CS-delivered infants.

Synbiotic confections containing two established probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, were formulated with fructans extracted from Agave salmiana as prebiotics. After microencapsulating the probiotics by spray-drying and characterizing the powder obtained, their growth was verified in vitro as well as their viability. Afterward, three marzipan formulations were developed: one similar to a typical confection (F1), while the other two (F2, F3) included 2.3 × 1011 CFU/g of microencapsulated probiotics (MP) and 1.5-2.5g of prebiotics. The viability of the MP alone and within the confections F2 and F3 was compared at 4, 30, and 45°C for 60 days. Notably, when they were stored at 30°C, the time elapsed but still complying with the recommended probiotic concentration of 109 CFU/g was 10.8 days for the MP alone and 18.3 ± 0.6 days within either confection. Moreover, when evaluating the viability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the MP alone and within both confections (F2, F3) remained above 9.6 × 109 CFU/g, thus providing a significant protective effect compared to the free probiotics, which decreased to 8.7 × 105 CFU/g. The incorporation of microencapsulated probiotics within an emulsion containing fructans from A. salmiana as proposed in this work contributes to the development of a non-dairy synbiotic functional food stable at room temperature. Regarding their consumption, in a hedonic sensory preference test the confection F2 was the second favored choice for 50 panelists. The formulated confections exhibited unprecedented results in the preparation of a synbiotic, following local regulations and international guidelines for functional foods.

This study evaluated the effects of fermentation time (24, 48, and 72h), and post-fermentation heat treatment (PFHT) on yield, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity of postbiotics produced from the co-fermentation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium breve. Cross-streak assays confirmed strain compatibility under anaerobic conditions. Net postbiotic yield (dry mass corrected against an uninoculated control) was significantly influenced by fermentation time and PFHT (P < 0.05), with the highest yield observed at 48h under PFHT (70.97 ± 0.36g/L). Fermentation was characterized by progressive acidification (pH 6.37-3.81) and biomass accumulation (OD₆₀₀: 0.15-1.66). The solubility of freeze-dried postbiotics was 95-98% and was not significantly affected by fermentation time or PFHT (P > 0.05). Antioxidant activity increased with fermentation time and was significantly higher in PFHT samples, with DPPH (62.09-83.43%) and ABTS⁺ (79.82-95.62%) scavenging activities, reaching a plateau at 48h. Antimicrobial activity was greater in PFHT samples, with the largest inhibition zones of 14.33 ± 0.58mm were observed at 48h. The correlation and principal component analyses indicated associations between acidification and antioxidant activity, although causality cannot be inferred. Within the limitations of this study, including a single heat treatment condition, absence of minimum inhibitory concentration data, lack of metabolomic characterization, and exclusive in vitro evaluation, the findings suggest that 48h fermentation combined with PFHT provides a favorable balance of postbiotic yield and bioactivity. Further studies are required to support optimization and application.

Synbiotics are increasingly being examined for their potential to enhance host health. Synergistic synbiotics are specifically designed such that the prebiotic component is selectively utilized by co-administered microorganisms, thereby providing enhanced benefits to the host. In this study, we propose a synbiotic potential score (SPS), a quantitative, high-throughput method for assessing bacterial proliferation on selected dietary fibres that incorporates growth curve values. This score was applied to both rich and minimal media to assess the utilization of difficult-to-digest fibres, such as resistant maltodextrin (RM). The SPS score was first calculated for eight putative probiotic strains grown on short chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), RM, and their combination. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 20205, Bifidobacterium breve JCM 7017, Bifidobacterium longum APC 1472, Bifidobacterium adolescentis DSM 20083, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis ATCC 27536 scored highest for scFOS, whereas their growth on RM compared to that on media without carbohydrates was minimal. Four strains were selected for further experiments in minimal MRS medium. All four bacteria demonstrated improved utilization of RM, as indicated by a higher SPS score, suggesting that minimal media better supports the specific utilization of target prebiotics. Our approach reduces confounding factors, enabling clearer insights into prebiotic-probiotic interactions. This supports the systematic selection of effective strain-prebiotic pairs, guiding targeted synbiotic development for personalized nutrition and improved health outcomes. Future studies should validate our approach across multiple strains within the same species and using in vivo models.