Multistrain Probiotic Preparation Research Articles

Beneficial effects of the multi-strain probiotic preparation bacimix on antibiotic-associated diarrhea in rats

Dysbiosis is a common status of intestinal microbiota in modern society and is associated with many diseases. Diarrhea is a kind of dysbiosis and is frequently caused by imbalanced gut microbiota due to misuse of antibiotics. A lot of evidence has shown that probiotics can exhibit potential to alleviate the effects of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). In this study, Lincomycin was utilized to induce AAD in rats and then the effects of the multi-strain probiotic preparation BaciMix on this model were evaluated. The rat groups, including healthy control rats, AAD-induced rats, AAD rats with no treatment (self-healing rats), and AAD rats treated by BaciMix preparation, were analyzed regarding general health status, some immune indices, and intestinal microbiota changes. The results disclosed that the BaciMix preparation remarkably reduced the effects of the antibiotic regarding the diarrhea score and cecum thickness in the rats treated by BaciMix preparation. Additionally, the BaciMix preparation reduced pre-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, and IL-6, while increasing the IgA in sera and intestinal mucosae. Moreover, the BaciMix preparation amended the compositions and differential abundance of intestinal bacteria of the rats to increase some beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Hungatella, and Romboutsia, and to decrease some potentially harmful genera such as Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Proteus. Generally, BaciMix preparation displayed helpful effects on the AAD rat model.

Production of a potential multistrain probiotic in co-culture conditions using agro-industrial by-products-based medium for fish nutrition

BackgroundProbiotics are viable microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits to the host. In fish, probiotic administration has improved growth, and immunological parameters. For this reason, it is necessary production of probiotic bacteria, however, commercial culture mediums used for probiotic growth are expensive, so the design of a “low” cost culture medium is necessary. Therefore, this research aimed to produce a potential multistrain probiotic preparation composed of L. lactis A12 and Priestia species isolated from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) gut using an agro-industrial by-products-based culture medium.ResultsA Box-Behnken design with three factors (whey, molasses, and yeast extract concentration) was used. As the main results, a high concentration of three components enhanced the viability of L. lactis A12, however, viable cell counts of Priestia species were achieved at low molasses concentrations. The Optimal conditions were 1.00% w/v whey, 0.50% w/v molasses, and 1.50% w/v yeast extract. L. lactis A12 and Priestia species viable counts were 9.43 and 6.89 Log10 CFU/mL, respectively. L. lactis A12 concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in the proposed medium compared to commercial broth.ConclusionsIt was possible to produce L.lactis A12 and Priestia species in co-culture conditions. Whey and molasses were suitable components to produce the multistrain preparation. The cost of the proposed culture medium was 77.54% cheaper than the commercial medium. The proposed culture medium could be an alternative to commercial mediums for the production of this multistrain probiotic.

Positive Effects of Probiotic Therapy in Patients with Post-Infectious Fatigue.

Post-infectious fatigue is a common complication that can lead to decreased physical efficiency, depression, and impaired quality of life. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been proposed as a contributing factor, as the gut-brain axis plays an important role in regulating physical and mental health. This pilot study aimed to investigate the severity of fatigue and depression, as well as the quality of life of 70 patients with post-infectious fatigue who received a multi-strain probiotic preparation or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients completed questionnaires to assess their fatigue (fatigue severity scale (FSS)), mood (Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II)), and quality of life (short form-36 (SF-36)) at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Routine laboratory parameters were also assessed, including immune-mediated changes in tryptophan and phenylalanine metabolism. The intervention was effective in improving fatigue, mood, and quality of life in both the probiotic and placebo groups, with greater improvements seen in the probiotic group. FSS and BDI-II scores declined significantly under treatment with both probiotics and placebo, but patients who received probiotics had significantly lower FSS (p < 0.001) and BDI-II (p < 0.001) scores after 6 months. Quality of life scores improved significantly in patients who received probiotics (p < 0.001), while patients taking a placebo only saw improvements in the "Physical limitation" and "Energy/Fatigue" subcategories. After 6 months neopterin was higher in patients receiving placebo, while no longitudinal changes in interferon-gamma mediated biochemical pathways were observed. These findings suggest that probiotics may be a promising intervention for improving the health of patients with post-infectious fatigue, potentially through modulating the gut-brain axis.

Effects of the multi-strain probiotic preparation LabMix on some immune indices and intestinal microbiota in an antibiotic associated diarrhea rat model

Effects of the multi-strain probiotic preparation LabMix on some immune indices and intestinal microbiota in an antibiotic associated diarrhea rat model

The effect of the multi-strain probiotic preparation EM Bokashi® on selected parameters of the cellular immune response in pigs

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess the effect of effective microorganisms on selected parameters of the cellular immune response in the colostrum and milk of sows and in the serum of suckling piglets. A total of 60 female crossbred sows and 60 female piglets were used in the experiment. The material for analysis comprised colostrum and milk collected from sows and blood samples from piglets. Immune response parameters were determined by flow cytometry and ELISA kits. The results showed high expression of CD4-CD25-FoxP3, CD4, and CD25 in the colostrum and milk of sows and of CD4, CD8 in piglet blood. The use of EM Bokashi® as a feed supplement for sows during colostrogenesis stimulates cellular immune mechanisms, expressed by an increase in the Treg cell population in the colostrum and milk, which contributes to effective elimination of microorganisms in the first period of piglets’ life.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Multi-Strain Probiotic Preparation in Patients with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study.

The aim of this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of multi-strain probiotic in adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The patients were randomized to receive a mixture of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus thermophilus strains or placebo for eight weeks. Primary endpoints included changes in symptom severity and improvement assessed with the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) and Global Improvement Scale (IBS-GIS). The probiotic in comparison with placebo significantly improved the IBS symptom severity (the change of total IBS-SSS score from baseline −165.8 ± 78.9 in the probiotic group and −105.6 ± 60.2 in the placebo group, p = 0.005) and in the specific scores related to the severity of pain (p = 0.015) and the quality of life (p = 0.016) after eight weeks of intervention. The probiotic group indicated an improvement in symptoms with the use of the IBS-GIS compared with the placebo group after four (p = 0.04) and eight weeks (p = 0.003). The occurrence of adverse events did not differ between study groups. In conclusion, the multi-strain probiotic intervention resulted in a significant improvement in IBS symptoms evaluated with the use of both IBS-SSS and IBS-GIS scales. The results suggest that the studied probiotic preparation is well tolerated and safe and can offer benefits for patients with IBS-D. (registration number in Clinicaltrials.gov NCT 04662957).

Impact of the Trophic Effects of the Secretome From a Multistrain Probiotic Preparation on the Intestinal Epithelia

Probiotics are defined as live, nonpathogenic bacteria that confer health benefits beyond their nutritional value. In particular, VSL#3 exhibits demonstrated efficacy in the management of diseases characterized by an increased intestinal permeability. Our study aimed to understand how VSL#3 promotes gut health by secreting bioactive factors and identify which human pathways are modulated by secretome derived from the VSL#3 formula. Two different lots of VSL#3 were used, and Caco-2 cell line was treated with conditioned media (CM) prepared using 1 g of the probiotic formula. We evaluated the effects of the probiotics on cellular proliferation and apoptosis by cytometry and the expression of tight junction proteins by western blotting. A proteomics analysis of both culture media and the whole proteome of Caco-2 cells treated with VSL#3-CM was performed by nano-ultra performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass (nUPLC MS/MS) spectrometry. The probiotic formula increased cell proliferation, decreased cellular apoptosis cells, and increased re-epithelialization in the scratch assay. Several peptides specifically synthetized by all the species within the probiotic preparation were recognized in the proteomics analysis. Human proteins synthesized by CaCo-2 cells were also identified. To our knowledge, this manuscript describes the first evaluation of the probiotic secretome, and the results showed that the improvement in intestinal barrier functions induced by probiotics seems to be accompanied by the modulation of some human cellular pathways.

Incorporation of Multi-Strain Probiotic Preparation in a Traditional Brazilian Cheese: Effects on Microbiological Safety and Bacterial Community

Consumer preference for raw milk cheeses has increased in the past few years. This occurred partly due to their more diverse, enjoyable characteristics, but also due to claims that certain members of the autochthonous microbiota of milk can be beneficial to human health. These microorganisms can inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms and may also be used to establish a biogeographic identity for these products. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a multi-strain probiotic preparation on the microbiological safety and composition of bacterial community of a traditional Brazilian raw milk cheese by means of culture dependent and methods and pyrosequencing. Probiotic enriched cheeses presented an average of 50% less sequence reads belonging to Enterobacteriaceae than control cheeses. Total and thermotolerant coliforms cell viability decreased throughout ripening in two seasons (summer and autumn), while in the winter the presence of these microorganisms was negligible since the beginning of ripening. Results obtained through culture dependent method did not correlate with culture independent method, which pointed to a relatively constant number of Enterobacteriaceae reads during ripening. Viable cells of coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus stayed within legal limits in both groups of cheeses since the first day and decreased to zero at the 15th day in probiotic enriched cheeses. Salmonella sp. and Listeria sp. were absent in both control and probiotic groups. Our results support that enriching raw milk cheeses with probiotic bacteria or other bioprotective bacteria may help mitigate off flavors produced by Enterobacteriaceae and result in safer products by inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms, while maintaining the microbial diversity that may be beneficial to sensory profiles and health-promoting characteristics. We also showed that this traditional cheese, if made under right the conditions, can meet legal parameters in much less than 60 days of ripening.

Expression of Concern: Production Conditions Affect the In Vitro Anti-Tumoral Effects of a High Concentration Multi-Strain Probiotic Preparation.

Expression of Concern: Production Conditions Affect the In Vitro Anti-Tumoral Effects of a High Concentration Multi-Strain Probiotic Preparation.

The Impact of Trophic Effects of Multi Strain Probiotic Preparation on Paracellular Permeability

The Impact of Trophic Effects of Multi Strain Probiotic Preparation on Paracellular Permeability

Hematological parameters and selected intestinal microbiota populations in the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens fed basal diet supplemented with multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals.

Aim:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals on the hematological parameters and selected intestinal microbiota populations in the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens.Materials and Methods:A total of 240 one-day-old Indonesian indigenous crossbred chicks were raised for 10 weeks. The chicks were distributed to one of four groups, i.e., chicks receiving basal diet without any additive (CONT), chicks receiving basal diet with 0.04% of zinc bacitracin (AGP), chicks receiving basal diet with 0.01% of commercial probiotic Bacillus subtilis preparation (PROB1), and chicks receiving basal diet with 0.5% of multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals (PROB2). Blood was collected on the week 8, while the internal organs and eviscerated carcasses were collected on the week 10.Results:PROB2 tended (p=0.09) to have a lower body weight (BW) compared to CONT chicks. Feed conversion ratio was higher (p<0.05) in PROB1 and PROB2 compared to CONT birds. The number of thrombocytes tended (p=0.09) to be higher in CONT than in other groups. Antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus vaccine was higher (p<0.05) in PROB1 and PROB2 than in CONT group. Serum triglyceride concentration was lower (p<0.05) in PROB2 than in other birds. AGP chicks had lower (p<0.05) serum total protein and globulin concentrations than CONT and PROB1 chicks. Serum albumin level was lower (p<0.05) in PROB2 than in CONT and PROB1 birds. Albumin to globulin ratio tended (p=0.06) to be higher in AGP than in other birds. Lactose-negative Enterobacteriaceae tended (p=0.07) to be lower in PROB1 and PROB2 than in CONT group. PROB1 and PROB2 tended (p=0.06) to have greater lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population than in CONT and AGP birds.Conclusion:Multi-strain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals was able to improve immune response and control the potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, the additive could not improve the growth performance of the Indonesian indigenous crossbred chickens.

The effect of supplementation of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals to the basal diet on the growth performance, carcass traits, and physiological response of broilers.

Aim:The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals to the broiler chicken diets on their growth performance, hematological parameters, and carcass traits.Materials and Methods:Two hundred and eighty-eight Lohmann 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four groups, i.e., control (without additional supplementation) and three experimental treatments where basal diet was enriched by 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1% of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals, respectively. Blood sampling was conducted on day 28, while the selected organs and eviscerated carcasses were collected on day 42.Results:Dietary supplementation did not affect (p>0.05) the final body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broilers. Supplementation by 0.1% and 0.5% of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals reduced (p≤0.05) heart relative weight of broilers. Dietary supplementation tended (p=0.07) to increase the relative weight of ileum and pancreas of broilers. Supplemented birds had lower (p≤0.05) numbers of leukocytes and eosinophils compared to unsupplemented birds. There were tendencies that supplementation of multistrain probiotics in combination with vitamins and minerals resulted in lower (p=0.07) counts of lymphocytes and heterophils when compared with no supplementation. Supplementation by 0.5% of multistrain probiotics in combination with vitamins and minerals resulted in lower (p≤0.05) serum concentration of uric acid when compared with control. There was no significant effect of dietary supplementation on carcass traits, pH, and drip loss of broiler breast muscles.Conclusion:Dietary supplementation of commercial broiler feeds with 0.5% of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals was potential to improve digestive functions and physiological status of broiler chickens.

P026 The impact of trophic effects of multi strain probiotic preparation on paracellular permeability

Abstract Background Probiotics are defined as live, non-pathogenic bacteria that confer health benefits beyond their nutritional value. Particularly VSL#3, a probiotic mix containing four strains of Lactobacilli (L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus*), three strains of Bifidobacteria (B. longum**, B. infantis**, B. breve) and Streptococcus thermophilus, has demonstrated efficacy in the management of diseases characterised by increased intestinal permeability such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanism of action of VSL#3 to reduce intestinal permeability, and its effect in modulating the activity on tight junctions, focusing on the effects of secreted bioactive factors. *Recently reclassified as L. helveticus. **Recently reclassified as B. animalis subsp. lactis. Methods Two different lots of VSL#3 (Manufacturer: Nutrilinea Srl, Gallarate (VA), Italy) were used. Caco2 and HT29 cell lines were treated with a conditioning media (CM) prepared using 1g of probiotic formula grown in D-MEM cell culture medium (free of serum and antibiotics) at 37°C for 48 h without shaking and in anaerobic conditions. The effects of probiotic on proliferations of cells were evaluated by cell growth curve and MTT assay. The effect on apoptosis will be analysed by cytometry using double staining with Annexin V-FITC and Propidium Iodide, as well as it is well established. Furthermore, the effect on expression of tight junctions, in particular claudin-2, occludin, and ZO-1, will be investigated by western blot analysis. Results The multistrain probiotic formula, in particular the more concentrate CM (1:10) increase Caco2 and HT29 cells proliferation and the percentage of metabolic cell activity (up 20%), together with a decrease of 90% of apoptotic cells in the presence of CM. These trophic effects may have an impact on paracellular permeability. The expression of tight junction proteins increase in 24 h for claudin and ZO-1, and after 48 h of treatment in case of occludin. Also the densitometry and the ratio between of relative density of protein and endogenous control (β-actin) confirms these data. The results are the same using two different lots. Conclusions These preliminary data in vitro could be able to explain how VSL#3 works at intestinal mucosa level, in particular by secretion of factors that enhances barrier integrity. The proliferative stimuli and the increase of expression of tight junction proteins are consistent with an effect on mucosa regeneration and re-epithelization. Other experiments, also on other intestinal cell line, are necessary to deeply understand the mechanism of action of this kind of probiotic formula.

P884 No shared mechanisms among “old” and “new” VSL#3: Implications for claims and guidelines

In the probiotic field, not all probiotics function in the same manner. While the strain-specificity of probiotic effects has been accepted as a fundamental principle, the fact that the strains function in different ways depending from the production sites, is less known. Considering the body of research conducted on clinical effects of probiotics for the dietary prevention and treatment of IBD supporting the conclusion that some specific formulations may have benefits, it is important to inform doctors and patients that independently from the genetics, the change of the processing or product formulation may lead to a different outcome in terms of efficacy and safety. The Author, the inventor of the high concentration multistrain preparation reported in the past literature as VSL#3, will present data showing that the “new” formulation commercialised under the brand VSL#3® (the VSL#3 brand is property of Actial Srl, Italy) and now produced in Italy is completely different from the “original” formulation produced in USA, which is the one previously studied in patients with IBD and endorsed by the ECCO guidelines. Results obtained with proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics by comparison between the original US-made formulation and the “new” Italy-made formulation. Certain metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms present in the “original” VSL#3 are clearly no more present in the “new” Italy-made VSL#3. Molecular mechanisms of VSL#3 are different after changing the manufacturing site from USA to Italy Recent data have shown that the “new” Italy-made VSL#3 is different from the “original” formulation.1–3 The proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics confirm that the two formulations do not have similar underlying core mechanisms. All together these data confirm the need for clinical trials in IBD patients with the Italy-made formulation to establish the efficacy and safety of the “new” VSL#3. In addition, since the information from the previous trials cannot be applied or extrapolated to this “new” VSL#3, ECCO has to take an action to update its Guidelines. 1. Cinque B. Production conditions affect the in vitro anti-tumoral effects of a high concentration multi-strain probiotic preparation. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163216. 2. Biagioli M. Metabolic variability of a multispecies probiotic preparation impacts on the anti-inflammatory activity. 2017. 10.3389/fphar.2017.00505. 3. Trinchieri V. Efficacy and safety of a multistrain probiotic formulation depends from manufacturing. 2017. 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01474.

Probiotics to Reduce Clostridium difficile Infection: Clinical Experience in a Tertiary Care Center

BackgroundThere is conflicting clinical data regarding the efficacy of probiotics to prevent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The goal of this study is to compare rates of hospital acquired Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI) among patients receiving antibiotics with or without concomitant administration of probiotics.MethodsThis retrospective, cohort study compares hospitalized patients who received antibiotics alone vs. antibiotics plus a multi-strain probiotic preparation of lactobacillus over a six month time period. Probiotics were given at the discretion of the physician. The primary outcome was incidence in HA-CDI (defined as onset after hospital day three) between groups.ResultsA total of 1,576 patients met selection criteria, with 927 patients receiving antibiotics alone and 649 patients receiving antibiotics plus probiotics. HA-CDI rates were 0.9% and 1.8% (P = 0.16), respectively. In a subgroup analysis of patients in the antibiotic only group, patients who received similar antibiotic exposure as the probiotics group (n = 284) had no difference in rates of HA-CDI (1.8% vs. 1.8%; P = 1.0).ConclusionProbiotic administration did not decrease rates of HA-CDI in our institution. We recommend prioritizing resources to other CDI reduction measures such as decreasing antibiotic exposure and preventing transmission.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Production Conditions Affect the In Vitro Anti-Tumoral Effects of a High Concentration Multi-Strain Probiotic Preparation

A careful selection of the probiotic agent, standardization of the dose and detailed characterization of the beneficial effects are essential when considering use of a probiotic for the dietary management of serious diseases. However, changes in the manufacturing processes, equipment or facilities can result in differences in the product itself due to the live nature of probiotics. The need to reconfirm safety and/or efficacy for any probiotic product made at a different factory is therefore mandatory. Recently, under the brand VSL#3®, a formulation produced by a manufacturer different from the previous one, has been commercialized in some European countries (the UK and Holland). VSL#3 is a high concentration multi-strain preparation which has been recognized by the main Gastroenterology Associations for the dietary management of pouchitis as well as ulcerative colitis. We have compared the “original” VSL#3 produced in USA with the “newfound” VSL#3 produced in Italy. According to our results, the “newfound” VSL#3 has 130–150% more “dead bacteria” compared to the “original” product, raising concerns for the well-known association between dead microbes with adverse effects. The abilities of bacterial lysates from the two formulations to influence in vitro viability and proliferation of different tumor cell lines also resulted different. The repair of previously scratched monolayers of various adherent tumor cell lines (i.e. HT1080, and Caco-2 cells) was inhibited more significantly by the “original” VSL#3 when compared to the “newfound” VSL#3. Tumor cell cycle profile, in particular cell cycle arrest and apoptotic death of the cancer cells, further confirms that the “original” VSL#3 has a better functional profile than the “newfound” VSL#3, at least in in vitro. Our data stress the importance of the production conditions for the “newfound” VSL#3 considering that this product is intended to be used for the dietary management of patients with very serious diseases, such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Beneficial metabolic effects of selected probiotics on diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice are associated with improvement of dysbiotic gut microbiota.

Alterations in gut microbiota composition and diversity were suggested to play a role in the development of obesity, a chronic subclinical inflammatory condition. We here evaluated the impact of oral consumption of a monostrain or multi-strain probiotic preparation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. We observed a strain-specific effect and reported dissociation between the capacity of probiotics to dampen adipose tissue inflammation and to limit body weight gain. A multi-strain mixture was able to improve adiposity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia through adipose tissue immune cell-remodelling, mainly affecting macrophages. At the gut level, the mixture modified the uptake of fatty acids and restored the expression level of the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43. These beneficial effects were associated with changes in the microbiota composition, such as the restoration of the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Rikenellaceae and the decrease of other taxa like Lactobacillaceae. Using an in vitro gut model, we further showed that the probiotic mixture favours the production of butyrate and propionate. Our findings provide crucial clues for the design and use of more efficient probiotic preparations in obesity management and may bring new insights into the mechanisms by which host-microbe interactions govern such protective effects.

The impact of oxidative stress on Par2, Ptgs2 genes expression in rat duodenal epithelial cells under conditions of prolonged gastric hypochlorhydria and with administration of multiprobiotic

Development of dysbiosis is a key consequence of long hypoacidity, in which there is colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by pathogenic microflora that forms source of sustainable endogenous infection and leads to inflammation. The prevalence of free-radical processes of antioxidant defense system is an important pathogenetic link in the origin and development of various disorders. Because reactive oxygen species are important for transcription of Ptgs2 gene, the relationship between oxidative stress, antioxidant element and PAR2-mediated signaling pathways may take place under conditions of dysbiotic changes due to hypochlorhydria. To evaluate the intensity of free radical processes and their impact on Par2, Ptgs2 genes expression in rat duodenal epithelial cells under conditions of prolonged gastric hypochlorhydria and with administration of multiprobiotic. Four experimental groups were created with 8 rats in each. One group was a control, while others were injected with acid suppressant omeprazole or multi-strain probiotic preparation or with both compounds simultaneously for 28 days. Protein oxidative modification products, free SH-groups, metallothioneins content were measured in villus and crypt epithelial cells with standard biochemical assays. Level of Par2, Ptgs2 genes mRNA was determined with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Prolonged inhibition of acid secretion in stomach was accompanied by significant elevation of free radical processes (intensification of protein oxidative modification, free SH-groups pool reduction, changes of metallothioneins concentration) and elevation of Par2 and Ptgs2 genes expression levels in rat duodenal epithelial cells. Reduction of free radical processes intensity; restoration of redox balance and the normalization of Par2, Ptgs2 gene expression pattern in the duodenum upon the simultaneous administration of the multiprobiotic Symbiter were observed. Par2 overexpression leads to activation Ptgs2 on the background of free radical processes over the antioxidant defense system in the development of inflammation in the duodenum through dysbiotic changes in the conditions of prolonged hypochlorhydria.

Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study

The efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appears to be both strain- and dose-related. To investigate the effect of LAB4, a multistrain probiotic preparation on symptoms of IBS. This probiotic preparation has not previously been assessed in IBS. Fifty-two participants with IBS, as defined by the Rome II criteria, participated in this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomized to receive either a probiotic preparation comprising two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 (NCIMB 30157) and CUL21 (NCIMB 30156), Bifidobacterium lactis CUL34 (NCIMB 30172) and Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 (NCIMB 30153) at a total of 2.5 × 10(10) cfu/capsule or a placebo for 8 weeks. Participants reported their IBS symptoms using a questionnaire fortnightly during the intervention and at 2 weeks post-intervention. A significantly greater improvement in the Symptom Severity Score of IBS and in scores for quality of life, days with pain and satisfaction with bowel habit was observed over the 8-week intervention period in the volunteers receiving the probiotic preparation than in the placebo group. LAB4 multistrain probiotic supplement may benefit subjects with IBS.