Lactis BB-12 Research Articles

Parasite-Probiotic Interactions in the Gut: Bacillus sp. and Enterococcus faecium Regulate Type-2 Inflammatory Responses and Modify the Gut Microbiota of Pigs During Helminth Infection.

Dietary probiotics may enhance gut health by directly competing with pathogenic agents and through immunostimulatory effects. These properties are recognized in the context of bacterial and viral pathogens, but less is known about interactions with eukaryotic pathogens such as parasitic worms (helminths). In this study we investigated whether two probiotic mixtures (comprised of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, and Enterococcus faecium [BBE], or Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies Lactis Bb12 [LB]) could modulate helminth infection kinetics as well as the gut microbiome and intestinal immune responses in pigs infected with the nodular worm Oesophagostomum dentatum. We observed that neither probiotic mixture influenced helminth infection levels. BBE, and to a lesser extent LB, changed the alpha- and beta-diversity indices of the colon and fecal microbiota, notably including an enrichment of fecal Bifidobacterium spp. by BBE. However, these effects were muted by concurrent O. dentatum infection. BBE (but not LB) significantly attenuated the O. dentatum-induced upregulation of genes involved in type-2 inflammation and restored normal lymphocyte ratios in the ileo-caecal lymph nodes that were altered by infection. Moreover, inflammatory cytokine release from blood mononuclear cells and intestinal lymphocytes was diminished by BBE. Collectively, our data suggest that selected probiotic mixtures can play a role in maintaining immune homeostasis during type 2-biased inflammation. In addition, potentially beneficial changes in the microbiome induced by dietary probiotics may be counteracted by helminths, highlighting the complex inter-relationships that potentially exist between probiotic bacteria and intestinal parasites.

Обзор материалов экспертного совета «Дифференциальная диагностика диарейного синдрома в зависимости от его патогенеза в практике врача-педиатра, роль пробиотических лекарственных средств в его лечении»

On November 10, 2021, an online meeting of the expert council was held on the conference platform of the First Medical Channel. The subject was “Diarrhea differential diagnosis depending on its pathogenesis in pediatric practice, the role of probiotic medications in its treatment”. Leading Russian experts in the field of clinical pharmacology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, infectious diseases, and allergology-immunology took part in this meeting. As a result of the meeting, the main principles of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diarrhea in children were formulated, and an algorithm for using probiotics to treat diarrhea in children was developed. Conclusion. It is preferable to prescribe medicinal probiotics (with registration status) than a dietary supplement containing probiotic bacteria. Medicinal products containing a combination of strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, vitamins B1 and B6, which are approved for use in pediatric practice, are recommended for administration in diarrhea and in suspected antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children, regardless of etiology and pathogenesis, both during the acute period and the next 4 weeks as well as during the entire recovery period (the period of repair and convalescence). Key words: antibiotics, children, diarrhea, treatment, prophylaxis, strain-specific probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12

Effect of the addition of encapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-115, Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis Bb-12, and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 to cooked burger

This study aimed to evaluate the addition of probiotic strains to meat product subjected to thermal processing. Five burger formulations were produced, as follows: a control formulation (C) without the addition of probiotics, and four formulations containing the probiotics (B) Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis; (P) Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; (A) Lactobacillus acidophilus; and (BPA) containing a blend of the three strains. The burgers were characterized for proximate composition, pH, water activity, lipid oxidation, instrumental color, technological properties, texture profile, fatty acids profile, sensory analysis, bacterial viability, microbiological characteristics, and tolerance to gastrointestinal stress. All technological parameters were within the expected range for this type of product. Lower TBARS values were obtained for all formulations, and a decrease in luminosity was observed for the cooked burgers, as expected. Acceptability scores were above 7 for all formulations. The encapsulated probiotic strains survived the cooking process and the digestion in vitro within the limit established for the products to be considered probiotics, thus favoring the production of burgers with probiotic potential.

Probiotics Evaluation in Oncological Surgery: A Systematic Review of 36 Randomized Controlled Trials Assessing 21 Diverse Formulations.

Background: Objectives were to evaluate probiotics safety and efficacy in oncological surgery. Methods: Systematic review methodology guided by Cochrane, PRISMA, SWiM, and CIOMS. Protocol registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018086168). Results: 36 RCTs (on 3305 participants) and 6 nonrandomized/observational studies were included, mainly on digestive system cancers. There was evidence of a beneficial effect on preventing infections, with 70% of RCTs’ (21/30) direction of effect favoring probiotics. However, five RCTs (17%) favored controls for infections, including one trial with RR 1.57 (95% CI: 0.79, 3.12). One RCT that changed (balanced) its antibiotics protocol after enrolling some participants had mortality risk RR 3.55 (95% CI: 0.77, 16.47; 7/64 vs. 2/65 deaths). The RCT identified with the most promising results overall administered an oral formulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 + Lactobacillus plantarum + Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 + Saccharomyces boulardii. Methodological quality appraisals revealed an overall substantial risk-of-bias, with only five RCTs judged as low risk-of-bias. Conclusions: This large evidence synthesis found encouraging results from most formulations, though this was contrasted by potential harms from a few others, thus validating the literature that “probiotics” are not homogeneous microorganisms. Given microbiome developments and infections morbidity, further high-quality research is warranted using those promising probiotics identified herein.

Effect of walnut oil on the fatty acid content of probiotic kefir produced either with kefir grains or kefir starter cultures

The effect was determined of the addition of walnut oil, fermentation and storage time on the composition, microbiota and fatty acid (FA) content of kefir made with kefir grains and direct vat set starter cultures plus the monocultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. The addition of oil did not change the proportions of the microorganism groups; however, the amount of polyunsaturated FAs increased. The fermentation process did not alter the FA content. Nonetheless, during refrigerated storage, its content underwent a change. Decreases were noted in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), strearic, vaccenic, γ-linolenic, eicosenoic acid content, while increases in selected short- and medium-saturated FAs were observed. The amount of capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic and margarine FA increased during the storage of kefir with oil addition. However, the possibility of producing kefir with kefir grains or industrial probiotic kefirs naturally enriched in CLA has been excluded.

Identifying the essential nutritional requirements of the probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium longum through genome-scale modeling

Although bifidobacteria are widely used as probiotics, their metabolism and physiology remain to be explored in depth. In this work, strain-specific genome-scale metabolic models were developed for two industrially and clinically relevant bifidobacteria, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and B. longum subsp. longum BB-46, and subjected to iterative cycles of manual curation and experimental validation. A constraint-based modeling framework was used to probe the metabolic landscape of the strains and identify their essential nutritional requirements. Both strains showed an absolute requirement for pantethine as a precursor for coenzyme A biosynthesis. Menaquinone-4 was found to be essential only for BB-46 growth, whereas nicotinic acid was only required by BB-12®. The model-generated insights were used to formulate a chemically defined medium that supports the growth of both strains to the same extent as a complex culture medium. Carbohydrate utilization profiles predicted by the models were experimentally validated. Furthermore, model predictions were quantitatively validated in the newly formulated medium in lab-scale batch fermentations. The models and the formulated medium represent valuable tools to further explore the metabolism and physiology of the two species, investigate the mechanisms underlying their health-promoting effects and guide the optimization of their industrial production processes.

Influence of Three Probiotics Strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB-12 and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 on the Biochemical and Haematological Profiles and Body Weight of Healthy Rabbits.

Simple SummaryCurrently, probiotics are used as growth promoters on a large scale to improve the productivity of several animals’ species within the aim of reducing the presence of antibiotic residues in animal products consumed by humans. Several reports evidenced the positive effect of probiotic supplementation on the growth performances and health of rabbits, mainly through the balance of the intestinal microbiota of the host animal. Therefore, certain probiotics, including Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Saccharomyces, can improve the biochemical and haematological profiles, especially in production animals. In this context, this study was performed on rabbits for the economic importance they play as a source of meat proteins in developing countries and their use as experimental models in research and biomedicine. This study then aimed to evaluate the effect of three strains of probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB-12 and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745, on the biochemical and haematological parameters and their influence on the rabbit’s weight of the ITELV2006 strain. The findings evidenced that the probiotic strain affected the biochemical and haematological parameters. Further, the strains showed a positive effect on the weight gain of the rabbits.This study aimed to investigate the effects of three strains of probiotics, these being Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB-12 and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745, on the body weight, animal performances and blood parameters of rabbits (male and female) of the ITELV2006 strain. The supplementation of the feed of the rabbits with the three probiotic strains allowed observing positive effects on most of the biochemical and haematological parameters investigated during a period of 60 days (30 days of supplementation and 30 days without treatment). Further, there was a significant improvement in the body weight of the rabbits at the end of the experiment. The effect of the three probiotics investigated in this trial was found to be related to the sex of the rabbits and to the intake period (duration). Ultimately, these findings raise the possibility of using probiotics to investigate in an in-depth and specific manner based on fixed factors such as the strain, the gender and age of the animals, the main underlying mechanisms and effects, which would allow achieving optimal and adapted health benefits and sustainable production. In the context of animal production, it is worth investigating in a targeted study the effect of the three strains on muscle growth and development and finding evidence of the possible consequences on meat quality traits of the rabbits supplemented with probiotics.

DO PROBIOTICS HAVE A FUTURE IN NEONATOLOGY?

The issue of feasibility and effectiveness of probiotics use in newborns is still discussable. A position letter of the Committee on nutrition of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the Working group of the ESPGHAN on probiotics and prebiotics issues was published in May 2020 in “Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition” magazine as for the use of probiotics in premature newborns. It stated that over 10,000 premature newborns from all over the world had taken part in random controlled probiotics tests. It was proved that probiotics, in general, could decrease the level of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and mortality. But the question of choice of microorganism strains, dosing, and duration of medication course remains open. On the other hand, an increasing number of commercial products containing probiotics of non optimal quality are available. In addition, a large number of departments in the world regularly suggest probiotic supplements as a treatment standard despite the absence of any solid evidence. According to the data of the latest meta-analysis, effectiveness in decreasing mortality and incidence was found in the minority of investigated strains or combinations. In the position letter authors wanted to give advice which specific strains can be potentially used and which cannot. Moreover, the emphasis was placed on issues of safety of probiotic supplements for premature newborns. Guarantee of quality of probiotic product is deliverance of probiotic strains by transfer genes of resistance to antibiotics and the possibility of regular identification of probiotic sepsis. There is a conditional recommendation (with a low credibility of evidence) to provide eitherLactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103, or combination of Bifidobacterium infantis Bb-02, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 for decreasing a risk of the necrotizing enterocolitis development subject to all issues of safety.

Identification, Characterization, and Antioxidant Potential of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Strains Isolated From Feces of Healthy Infants

Increasing evidence has indicated that oxidative stress is associated with the health of infants. Bifidobacterium, especially B. longum subsp. longum strains, are abundant in the gut microbiota of infants, which may have the potential to ameliorate oxidative damage. Thus, this study aimed to isolate and screen B. longum subsp. longum strains with probiotic characters and antioxidant properties as infants’ dietary supplements. In this study, 24 B. longum subsp. longum strains were isolated from 15 healthy infants identified via 16S rRNA and heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) sequences. B. longum subsp. longum B13, F2, K4, K5, K10, K13, and K15 strains were selected based on high values obtained from autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, and adhesion assays to HT-29 cells. Among these seven strains, B. longum subsp. longum F2, K5, K10, and K15 were selected according to the high tolerance of gastrointestinal tract conditions compared to Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. Among these four strains, B. longum subsp. longum K5 was susceptible to common antibiotics and showed the highest intestinal epithelial cell proliferation of CCD 841 CoN. Additionally, B. longum subsp. longum K5 showed a strong antioxidant capacity, and its supernatant exhibited better activity of reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and DPPH radical scavenging than that of the intact cells with cell-free extracts. The findings indicated that B. longum subsp. longum K5 could be used as a probiotic candidate in infant nutrition.

Future challenge on probiotics uses from fermented milk on the endocrine disorder in human

More than fifty different probiotics have been identified with different structures and modes of action. This study aimed to offer an overview of the evidence on the clinical microbiology activity of the probiotics group derived from fermented milk. We conducted a framework for reporting probiotics activity using the MICRO (Microbiology Investigation Criteria for Reporting Objectively) checklist. Two electronic databases (Pubmed and EMBASE) were used to conduct this study. The initial search discovered 22 references (Pubmed 8 and EMBASE 16). We included human study, clinical trial study, English written, and full articles in this review. Of all these original articles, only six articles were included in the review. These included articles reported the testing phase on the pre-analytical and analytical phases. This review found that probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis BB-12 are beneficial in humans’ endocrine disorder therapy. This activity includes maintaining serum insulin levels in pregnant women and reducing weight in healthy obese men and women. Thus, probiotics, with their several features, may advance their candidacy as therapeutic agents. However, there is more effort to do. For example, finishing the analytical phase, especially on quality assurance and avoiding bias.

A four-probiotic preparation for ventilator-associated pneumonia in multi-trauma patients: results of a randomized clinical trial

The role of probiotics in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic regimen for VAP prophylaxis in mechanically ventilated multi-trauma patients, intubated immediately after the injurious insult. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolling multi-trauma patients, patients expected to require mechanical ventilation for >10 days were assigned at random to receive prophylaxis with a probiotic formula (n=59) or placebo (n=53). The probiotic formula was a preparation of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 [1.75×109 colony-forming units (cfu)], Lactobacillus plantarum (0.5×109 cfu), Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (1.75×109 cfu) and Saccharomyces boulardii (1.5×109 cfu) in sachets. Each patient received two sachets twice daily for 15 days: one through the nasogastric tube and one spread on the oropharynx. The incidence of VAP was the primary endpoint. The incidence of other infections and sepsis, and the duration of hospital stay were the secondary endpoints. Administration of probiotics reduced the incidence of VAP [11.9% vs 28.3%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.92; P=0.034] and sepsis [6.8% vs 24.5%, odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.74: P=0.016]. Furthermore, probiotic prophylaxis reduced the time of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of hospital stay. The prophylactic use of probiotics with a combination of enteral and topical application to the oropharynx had a positive effect on the incidence of VAP and sepsis, as well as on ICU and total hospital stay in patients receiving protracted mechanical ventilation.

Xylo-oligosaccharide alleviates Salmonella induced inflammation by stimulating Bifidobacterium animalis and inhibiting Salmonella colonization.

Xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS), which is considered as a potential prebiotic, exhibits multiple beneficial effects on modulation of gut microbiota, strength of intestinal barrier, and inhibition of intestinal inflammation. The objective of this study is to investigate whether XOS protects against Salmonella infection by modulating gut microbiota, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and resisting colonization. C57BL/6 male mice received water supplementation with 5% XOS for 14 days before Salmonella Typhimurium infection. The results showed that XOS suppressed the Salmonella-induced inflammation, but had limited effects on tight junction molecules and mRNA expression of mucus proteins, except for claudin-1 in the colon. Data of 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that XOS modulated gut microbiota composition by significantly stimulating Bifidobacterium animalis (B. animalis), and reducing Salmonella counts. Therefore, the potential protective effects of B. animalis against Salmonella challenge were investigated as well. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis BB-12 (BB12), which could markedly increase in XOS, was selected to treat mice. Similarly, Salmonella-induced inflammatory reactions were alleviated by BB12 but tight junction molecules and mucin proteins in the colonic tissues were not affected. Administration of BB12 remarkably decreased the copies of Salmonella in cecal digesta post Salmonella infection. Additionally, the decrease concentrations of cecal propionate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in Salmonella-infected mice were reversed by BB12 treatment, and propionate performed a strong inhibitory effect on Salmonella growth in vitro. Besides that, BB12 could directly restrict Salmonella proliferation in vitro. Moreover, BB12 reduced the adhesion ability of Salmonella on the Caco-2 cells model. Our results suggest that XOS could be considered as a candidate of functional food to protect against Salmonella infection by stimulating Bifidobacterium, which then resists Salmonella colonization by maintaining the intestinal SCFAs levels and suppressing adhesibility.

Роль пробіотиків у формуванні мікрофлори в дітей, що вигодовуються штучними сумішами

У статті представлені сучасні уявлення про значення грудного молока в процесі первинного бактеріального заселення травного тракту в дітей. Відображено особливості девіації становлення мікробіоти кишечника при вигодовуванні дітей штучними сумішами і ризик виникнення асоційованих із мікробіотою порушень стану здоров’я у дітей. Представлені докази профілактичної дії бактерій Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, що запобігає виникненню гострих інфекційних захворювань респіраторного і травного тракту і алергічних захворювань.

Characterization of antimicrobial peptides produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and their inhibitory effect against foodborne pathogens

This study aimed to optimize the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) by pure and mixed cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 in milk model media and then characterize the properties of produced AMPs. The optimal conditions for AMPs bio-production by L. acidophilus LA-5, B. lactis BB-12, and their mixed culture were temperatures of 38.71, 42.00, and 39.00 °C, fermentation times of 26.15 h, 60.00 h, and 36.00 h, and yeast extract concentrations of 4.45%, 6.00%, and 5.00% in cheese whey. At optimal conditions, the inhibition activities of AMPs against L. monocytogenes were 14.03 ± 0.68 mm, 13.33 ± 0.81 mm, and 11.02 ± 1.04 mm by L. acidophilus LA-5, B. lactis BB-12, and their mixed culture, respectively. The SDS-page analysis indicated that L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. lactis BB-12 produced AMPs with two and three fractions, respectively. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance tests showed the typical characteristics of a peptide for produced AMPs. The DSC test indicated that produced AMPs had high-temperature stability. These AMPs were bioactive in a wide range of pH (3–9) and temperature (40–100 °C for 30 min). The results of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration showed that the AMPs had antimicrobial effects against important food-borne pathogens.

Production of traditional milk jam with improved functional properties via probiotic and prebiotic

Objective: In this study, 3% Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis BB-12 as probiotics and 8% hazelnut paste and banana pulp as prebiotics were added to milk jam samples to produce functional milk jam. Physical, chemical, sensorial and microbiological properties of milk jam samples were discussed during 30 days of storage. Materials and Methods: The milk jam samples were stored at +4 °C for 30 days. Physicochemical (proximate analysis, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), total sugar, viscosity), sensorial and microbiological analysis (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis BB-12 counts) of milk jam samples were carried out on 1st, 15th and 30th days of storage. Results: During storage, acidity, HMF, total sugar and L. rhamnosus and B. lactis BB-12 of samples were found to be 0,2-0,22%, 18,46-21,56 mg/L, 28,18 g/100 mL, 7,44-7,54 (log CFU/g) and 5,4-6,65 (log CFU/g) for control samples; 0,16-0,2%, 18,41-25,5 mg/L, 26,61 g/100mL, 7,44-7,58 (log CFU/g) and 5,6-6,54 (log CFU/g) for hazelnut paste added samples and 0,15-0,2 %, 13,6-28,65 mg/L, 24,47 g/100 mL, 7,3-7,67 (log CFU/g) and 5-6,3 (log CFU/g) for banana pulp added samples, respectively. Hazelnut paste added probiotic milk jam samples had the highest overall acceptability score (6,01) given by panellists. Conclusion: It has been determined that probiotic microorganisms in milk jam which has high sugar content maintain probiotic effect level during 30 days storage, hazelnut added as prebiotic source contributes to viability of probiotics and ensures that products are approved and consumed.

Ricotta whey supplemented with gelatin and collagen for the encapsulation of probiotic lactic acid bacteria

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the viability of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5)® and Bifidobacterium lactis (BB-12)® encapsulation using spray drying (SD) with ricotta whey supplemented with gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen as encapsulating material. Following previous experiments, these gelatin:collagen ratios were defined: 7:3 (gelatin:collagen) for L. acidophilus LA-5 and 9:1 for B. lactis BB-12, which had reduced bacterial counts of 0.46 and 1.26 log Colony-Forming Units (CFU)/g, respectively. There was a viability loss of 0.70 log CFU/g and 0.34 log CFU/g for LA-5 and BB-12, respectively, throughout storage (30 days, 25 ºC). When exposed to the simulated gastric juice, encapsulated LA-5 and BB-12 had higher survival rates (89.91 and 95.83%, respectively) than non-encapsulated microorganisms under the same conditions (54.78 and 57.27%, respectively). In the presence of bile salts, encapsulated LA-5 and BB-12 had survival of 77.44% and 51.05%, respectively, while free cells showed rates of over 99%. After 30 days, these rates decreased to 71.07 and 50.60%, for encapsulated LA-5 and BB-12, respectively. Therefore, ricotta whey associated to gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen can be considered a potential encapsulating agent for the SD of probiotic dairy bacteria.

Impact of different modified atmosphere packaging on quality parameters and probiotic survival during storage of Minas Frescal cheese

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere (CO2, N2, CO2–N2, vacuum) or air in low-density polyethylene/nylon packages on the physicochemical characteristics, rheological properties, sensory acceptance, and probiotic survival (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12®) of Minas Frescal cheese during storage (5 °C/21 days). All cheeses showed probiotic counts higher than 6 log CFU/g during storage. However, only the cheeses stored at MAP packages (CO2, N2, CO2–N2, and VAC) showed suitable survival to simulated gastrointestinal conditions (>6 log CFU/g). The utilization of MAP did not alter the acetic acid concentration, moisture content, rheological properties, and sensory acceptance of the products. However, CO2 cheese showed higher probiotic survival, lower titratable acidity, reduced proteolytic activity, and higher visual acceptance than the air packaged cheese. CO2 and VAC cheeses showed similar characteristics for the evaluated parameters, while N2 and CO2–N2 cheeses showed higher lactic acid content and/or proteolytic activity.

Synbiotic supplementation attenuates the promoting effect of indole-3-carbinol on colon tumorigenesis.

Indole-3 carbinol (I3C) has shown dual effects on the promotion and progression stages of colon carcinogenesis while synbiotics (Syn) have exerted anti-carcinogenic activities in most rodent studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of I3C given alone or together with a Syn intervention on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis. All animals were given four subcutaneous DMH injections (4×40 mg/kg bodyweight, twice a week for two weeks) and then received either basal diet (G1), basal diet containing I3C (1g/kg chow) (G2) or basal diet containing I3C+Syn (I3C + inulin 50g/kg chow + Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12®), 2.5×1010 cfu/g of basal diet), (G3) for 21 weeks. Dietary I3C (G2) significantly increased tumour volume and cell proliferation when compared to the DMH control group (G1). Syn intervention (G3) significantly reduced tumour volume and cell proliferation when compared to I3C (G2). The colon tumours found were classified into well-differentiated tubular adenomas or adenocarcinomas. Dietary I3C or I3C+Syn did not significantly affect the incidence and the multiplicity of tumours in comparison with the DMH control group. Furthermore, Syn intervention (G3) increased Gstm1 and reduced Mapk9 gene expression in colonic tumours. The findings of the present study show that the dietary I3C shows a weak promoting activity, while the combination with Syn ameliorates I3C effects.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 Against Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Identification of Novel Probiotic-Derived Bioactive Peptides.

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), an extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), causes colibacillosis in poultry and is also a potential foodborne zoonotic pathogen. Currently, APEC infections in poultry are controlled by antibiotic medication; however, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant APEC strains and increased restrictions on the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals necessitate the development of new antibiotic alternative therapies. Here, we tested the anti-APEC activity of multiple commensal and probiotic bacteria in an agar-well diffusion assay and identified Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 producing strong zone of inhibition against APEC. In co-culture assay, L. rhamnosus GG and B. lactis Bb12 completely inhibited the APEC growth by 24h. Further investigation revealed that antibacterial product(s) in the culture supernatants of L. rhamnosus GG and B. lactis Bb12 were responsible for the anti-APEC activity. The analysis of culture supernatants using LC-MS/MS identified multiple novel bioactive peptides (VQAAQAGDTKPIEV, AFDNTDTSLDSTFKSA, VTDTSGKAGTTKISNV, and AESSDTNLVNAKAA) in addition to the production of lactic acid. The oral administration (108CFU/chicken) of L. rhamnosus GG significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the colonization (~ 1.6 logs) of APEC in the cecum of chickens. Cecal microbiota analysis revealed that L. rhamnosus GG moderated the APEC-induced alterations of the microbial community in the cecum of chickens. Further, L. rhamnosus GG decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, particularly those belonging to Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia-Shigella) family. These studies indicate that L. rhamnosus GG is a promising probiotic to control APEC infections in chickens. Further studies are needed to optimize the delivery of L. rhamnosus GG in feed or water and in conditions simulating the field to facilitate its development for commercial applications.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 Protects against Antibiotic-Induced Functional and Compositional Changes in Human Fecal Microbiome.

The administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is often associated with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), and impacts gastrointestinal tract homeostasis, as evidenced by the following: (a) an overall reduction in both the numbers and diversity of the gut microbiota, and (b) decreased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Evidence in humans that probiotics may enhance the recovery of microbiota populations after antibiotic treatment is equivocal, and few studies have addressed if probiotics improve the recovery of microbial metabolic function. Our aim was to determine if Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12)-containing yogurt could protect against antibiotic-induced fecal SCFA and microbiota composition disruptions. We conducted a randomized, allocation-concealed, controlled trial of amoxicillin/clavulanate administration (days 1–7), in conjunction with either BB-12-containing or control yogurt (days 1–14). We measured the fecal levels of SCFAs and bacterial composition at baseline and days 7, 14, 21, and 30. Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to the BB-12 group, and 20 participants to the control group. Antibiotic treatment suppressed the fecal acetate levels in both the control and probiotic groups. Following the cessation of antibiotics, the fecal acetate levels in the probiotic group increased over the remainder of the study and returned to the baseline levels on day 30 (−1.6% baseline), whereas, in the control group, the acetate levels remained suppressed. Further, antibiotic treatment reduced the Shannon diversity of the gut microbiota, for all the study participants at day 7. The magnitude of this change was larger and more sustained in the control group compared to the probiotic group, which is consistent with the hypothesis that BB-12 enhanced microbiota recovery. There were no significant baseline clinical differences between the two groups. Concurrent administration of amoxicillin/clavulanate and BB-12 yogurt, to healthy subjects, was associated with a significantly smaller decrease in the fecal SCFA levels and a more stable taxonomic profile of the microbiota over time than the control group.