Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium Research Articles

Exploring probiotics as a sustainable alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters: mechanisms and benefits in animal health

The extensive use of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in livestock has raised global concerns due to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogenic microbes. This review examines probiotics as a sustainable alternative to AGPs, offering a safer approach for promoting animal growth and health. Probiotics enhance animal productivity and immunity by producing antimicrobial compounds and competing with pathogens for nutrients. In addition, probiotics strengthen the gut barrier and modulate the gut microbiome, facilitating beneficial bacterial growth while suppressing pathogenic species. Studies demonstrate the efficacy of probiotic strains of genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in inhibiting pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella in livestock. This comprehensive evaluation highlights probiotics' potential to advance sustainable livestock practices, reduce reliance on antibiotics, and mitigate AMR risks, underscoring the need for further research and regulatory considerations for their use in animal husbandry.

Fermented Soymilk with Probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium Strains Ameliorates Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats.

Background: Current treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are relatively futile and the extended use of drugs may reduce effectiveness. Several probiotic strains have shown promise in relieving/treating IBD symptoms. Objectives: The current study investigated the impact of fermented soymilk with a mixture of probiotic starter cultures containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and B. animalis subsp. lactis in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis compared to control. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (5 rats/group; n = 25): G1: negative normal control; G2: positive control (DSS); G3: DSS with sulfasalazine (DSS-Z); G4: DSS with soymilk (DSS-SM), and G5: DSS with fermented soymilk (DSS-FSM). Parameters monitored included the following: the disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and histological assessments of colitis, and a fecal microbial analysis performed to assess the severity of inflammation and ulceration. Results: The DSS-FSM rats group exhibited lower DAI scores (p < 0.05) than other treated groups during the induction period. A macroscopical examination revealed no ulceration or swelling in the intestinal mucosa of rats in the DSS-FSM-treated group, resembling the findings in the negative control group. In the positive control (DSS group), the colon tissue showed increased inflammation (p < 0.05), whereas those in the DSS-SM- and DSS-FSM-treated rats groups did not show significant macroscopic scores of colitis. The positive DSS control and DSS-Z groups had crypt erosion and ulceration areas, severe crypt damage, and epithelial surface erosion, which were absent in the negative control and DSS-FSM groups. The counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. remained stable in both G1 and G5 over 4 weeks. The consumption of fermented soymilk with a mixture of probiotics could minimize the severity of DSS-induced colitis in rats. Conclusion, it was found that fermented soymilk containing Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium might be an effective vehicle for reducing the severity of DSS-induced colitis in rats.

Lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties of probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis MSMC83 in rats on a high-fat diet.

Hyperlipidaemia, the abnormally high concentration of lipids such as cholesterol in the body, has a series of deleterious effects on health that are least in part are due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Probiotics are living microorganisms that possess the efficacy to improve health. Among the many effects that have been ascribed to probiotics is the potential to lower the body lipid content. Here, we used a rat model of induced hyperlipidaemia to assess the lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis MSMC83 as well as its impact on intestinal barrier immunity and the intestinal microbiota. Oral probiotic intake led to a reduction of body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid levels, and increased expression of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase and antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, B. animalis MSMC83 decreased the levels of liver enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to reduced hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, it re-established intestinal barrier integrity as shown by restoration of the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 amount and reduced pathogen-induced inflammation in the intestinal epithelium as shown by readjusted expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs). Moreover B. animalis MSMC83 contributed to the maintenance of a balanced, diverse microbiome. Thus, our results indicate that B. animalis MSMC83 alleviates risk factors associated with hyperlipidaemia, suggesting its use as a probiotic to counter the effects associated with unhealthy diets.

What Happens in the Gut during the Formation of Neonatal Jaundice-Underhand Manipulation of Gut Microbiota?

Jaundice is a symptom of high blood bilirubin levels affecting about 80% of neonates. In neonates fed with breast milk, jaundice is particularly prevalent and severe, which is likely multifactorial. With the development of genomics and metagenomics, a deeper understanding of the neonatal gut microbiota has been achieved. We find there are accumulating evidence to indicate the importance of the gut microbiota in the mechanism of jaundice. In this paper, we present new comprehensive insight into the relationship between the microbiota and jaundice. In the new perspective, the gut is a crucial crossroad of bilirubin excretion, and bacteria colonizing the gut could play different roles in the excretion of bilirubin, including Escherichia coli as the main traffic jam causers, some Clostridium and Bacteroides strains as the traffic police, and most probiotic Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains as bystanders with no effect or only a secondary indirect effect on the metabolism of bilirubin. This insight could explain why breast milk jaundice causes a longer duration of blood bilirubin and why most probiotics have limited effects on neonatal jaundice. With the encouragement of breastmilk feeding, our perspective could guide the development of new therapy methods to prevent this side effect of breastfeeding.

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

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

The Anti-inflammatory Potential of a Strain of Probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G7: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence.

The genus Bifidobacterium has been widely used in functional foods for health promotion due to its beneficial effects on human health, especially in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In this study, we characterize the anti-inflammatory potential of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G7, isolated from a healthy male adult. G7 secretion inhibited inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, oral administration of bacteria G7 alleviated the severity of colonic inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated colitis mice, which was evidenced by a decreased disease activity index (DAI) and enhanced structural integrity of the colon. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing result illustrated that the G7 alleviated DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, accompanied by the modulated bile acids and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Overall, our results demonstrated the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G7 on both in vitro and in vivo models, which provided a solid foundation for further development of a novel anti-inflammatory probiotic.

Production of Conjugated Linoleic Acid from Safflower Oil as Precursor by Probiotic Cultures

Four potentially probiotic strains of lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were evaluated for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from safflower oil in vitro. All the four strains were found to be capable of converting linoleic acid to CLA when using lipolysed safflower oil as a precursor for free linoleic acid. Production of CLA by four probiotics bacterial strains increases in presence 0.6% lipolysed safflower oil as maximum level for 48 h at 37°C and Lb. plantartum has higher CLA content in MRS broth media than Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei and B. lactis. Also, Supplementation with amounts higher than 0.6% lipolysed safflower oil reduced the CLA content. The research on the ability of converting CLA of probiotics cultures could be basis for the future research and development of fermented dairy products.

Probiotics: Bridging the interplay of a healthy gut and psychoneurological well‐being

AbstractThe establishment of a healthy microbiota, particularly during infancy, profoundly influences psychological health and neurological function through the gut‐brain axis. This review delves into the intricate connections between probiotics, gut microbiome development, and their impact on neurological disorders. Biotics, live microorganisms with proven health benefits, have emerged as a promising intervention, particularly during critical developmental stages. Administering specific probiotic strains (Lactobacillus species and Bifidobacterium) in infancy has shown promise in preventing and alleviating gut disorders, with implications for psychological well‐being. The bidirectional communication along the gut‐brain axis underscores the potential of probiotics in influencing neurological outcomes, ranging from anxiety to neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, this review explores emerging food engineering techniques (microencapsulation, genome editing, fermentation, protein engineering, immobilization, etc.) employed in preparing probiotic‐based foods, ensuring the viability and targeted release of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.

Neuroprotective Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis NJ241 in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease: Implications for Gut Microbiota and PGC-1α

Intestinal dysbiosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and probiotics have emerged as potential modulators of central nervous system function through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis NJ241 (NJ241) in a mouse model of PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The impact of NJ241 was comprehensively assessed in PD mice through behavioral tests, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 16S rRNA sequencing, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) detection. NJ241 exhibited notable efficacy in mitigating MPTP-induced weight loss, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and behavioral deficits in mice. Furthermore, it demonstrated protected against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neuron death and inhibited the activation of glial cells in the substantia nigra (SN). NJ241 demonstrated the ability to normalized dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota and elevate SCFA levels in PD mice. Additionally, NJ241 reversed MPTP-induced reductions in colonic GLP-1 levels and the expression of GLP-1R and PGC-1α in the SN. Notably, GLP-1R antagonists partially reversed the inhibitory effects of NJ241 on the activation of glial cells in the SN. In summary, NJ241 exerts a neuroprotective effect against MPTP-induced neuroinflammation by enhancing intestinal GLP-1 levels and activating nigral PGC-1α signaling. These findings provide a rationale for the exploration and development of probiotic-based therapeutic strategies for PD.

The Science Underlying the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium in Beneficial Effects on Immunological and Gastrointestinal Health

Probiotics have demonstrated a lot of promise in improving gut health in humans. Despite the encouraging data, nothing is known about the therapeutic effectiveness of many of the probiotics on the market, and it&amp;apos;s sometimes unclear how they work. Humans have long used Bifidobacterium, a well-known, multifunctional probiotic, to treat gastrointestinal, immunological, and infectious disorders. It is also therapeutically useful. This review provides a theoretical framework for comprehending the mechanisms of action of Bifidobacterium and highlights the functional advantages from the most pertinent animal and clinical trials. The genus Bifidobacterium belongs to the Actinobacteria phylum. = Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria constitute the most abundant phyla in the human intestinal microbiota, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes being predominant in adults, and Actinobacteria in breast-fed infants, where bifidobacteria can reach levels higher than 90% of the total bacterial population. They are among the first microbial colonizers of the intestines of newborns, and play key roles in the development of their physiology, including maturation of the immune system and use of dietary components. Indeed, some nutrients, such as human milk oligosaccharides, are important drivers of bifidobacterial development. Some Bifidobacterium strains are considered probiotic microorganisms because of their beneficial effects, and they have been included as bioactive ingredients in functional foods, mainly dairy products, as well as in food supplements and pharma products, alone, or together with, other microbes or microbial substrates. Well-documented scientific evidence of their activities is currently available for bifidobacteria containing preparations in some intestinal and extraintestinal pathologies. In particular, it regulates luminal metabolism, maintains gut microbiota stability, and eventually promotes a precisely calibrated homeostatic equilibrium in the host-microbiome relationship. An ideal probiotic selection would benefit from clinical proof of the multifunctional activities&amp;apos; efficacy and mechanism of action.

Bifidobacterium pseudonumeratum W112 alleviated depressive and liver injury symptoms induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress via gut-liver-brain axis.

Several studies indicated that depression is associated with liver injury. The role of probiotics in alleviating depression is focused on improving the abnormalities of the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis, while the effect on liver injury is still unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential link between the antidepressant effect of a potential probiotic strain Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum W112 and its effect on alleviating liver injury. The 4-week-old Kunming mice were exposed to chronic stress for 4 weeks to establish a depression model. The depression-like behavior and related biomakers in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice were altered by supplemented with W112 for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, the modulation effect of W112 the gut microbiota in CUMS mice also result in an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and a decrease in the abundance of harmful bacteria. Significantly, liver injury was observed in CUMS model mice. W112 improved liver injury by reducing AST/ALT in serum. Quantitative PCR results indicated that the mechanism of action of W112 in ameliorating liver injury was that the altered gut microbiota affected hepatic phospholipid metabolism and bile acid metabolism. In short, W112 could significantly improve the depressive and liver injury symptoms caused by CUMS. The gut-liver-brain axis is a potential connecting pathway between the antidepressant effects of W112 and its alleviation of liver injury.

Alternative Fermented Soy-Based Beverage: Impact of Inulin on the Growth of Probiotic Strains and Starter Culture

The number of people with dietary restrictions on dairy products has increased significantly due to lactose intolerance/allergy or adoption of vegan diets. Organic acid-producing probiotics have been used in fermented beverages, such as those based on soy, with good results. Such molecules have in fact been described for their role in sensory analyses and benefits to human health. Therefore, this study suggested the evaluation of an alternative soy extract-based beverage that could act as a functional food. For this purpose, products and biomass concentrations were monitored throughout soy extract fermentation through acidification kinetics and cell count. The effect of inulin on the growth of the probiotic strains Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus in co-culture with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was evaluated (technical replicates). It was observed that the addition of inulin reduced the time of fermentation by L. acidophilus, while no statistically significant effect was observed in the post-acidification period. In B. longum fermentation, the process did not change in the presence of inulin, but there was a significant increase in viability and survival in the post-acidification period. Therefore, it can be concluded that the strains studied can be used in the formulation of soy-based drinks and that inulin positively influenced the viability of both probiotics in fermented drinks tested.

Modulation of microbiota as a target in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diseases of the digestive tract. IBS negatively affects the quality of life and work ability of patients. It is generally accepted that IBS is an important medical and social problem associated with high financial costs both on the part of the patient and the public health system. The pathophysiology of the disease involves the participation of many factors (genetic, dietary, psychosocial, infectious) and the mechanisms of their implementation, including disruption of interaction along the functional “gut-brain axis”, visceral hypersensitivity, changes in motility, low-grade inflammation, increased permeability of the epithelial intestinal barrier, modulation of microbiota, changes in neurohumoral regulation and processes of central processing of peripheral stimuli. Research shows an important role for gut microbiota in the development of IBS. Modulation of the intestinal microbiota through diet, the use of pre- and probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation is considered as a promising target for disease therapy. A reduction in the number of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium is described as a universal change in the microbiota in IBS, regardless of the clinical course and severity of the disease and the possibility of using different strains of Bifidobacterium in treatment regimens for the disease is of particular interest. This article provides a review of the literature on modern approaches to prescribing probiotics for IBS. Using our own clinical observations as an example, we demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of prolonged administration of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum 35624® for up to 12 weeks.

Supplementation with the Probiotic Strains Bifidobacterium longum and Lactiplantibacillus rhamnosus Alleviates Glucose Intolerance by Restoring the IL-22 Response and Pancreatic Beta Cell Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is known as adult-onset diabetes, but recently, T2D has increased in the number of younger people, becoming a major clinical burden in human society. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Bifidobacterium and Lactiplantibacillus strains derived from the feces of 20 healthy humans on T2D development and to understand the mechanism underlying any positive effects of probiotics. We found that Bifidobacterium longum NBM7-1 (Chong Kun Dang strain 1; CKD1) and Lactiplantibacillus rhamnosus NBM17-4 (Chong Kun Dang strain 2; CKD2) isolated from the feces of healthy Korean adults (n = 20) have anti-diabetic effects based on the insulin sensitivity. During the oral gavage for 8weeks, T2D mice were supplemented with anti-diabetic drugs (1.0-10mg/kg body weight) to four positive and negative control groups or four probiotics (200 uL; 1 × 109CFU/mL) to groups separately or combined to the four treatment groups (n = 6 per group). While acknowledging the relatively small sample size, this study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of B. longum NBM7-1 and L. rhamnosus NBM17-4 in mitigating T2D development. The animal gene expression was assessed using a qRT-PCR, and metabolic parameters were assessed using an ELISA assay. We demonstrated that B. longum NBM7-1 in the CKD1 group and L. rhamnosus NBM17-4 in the CKD2 group alleviate T2D development through the upregulation of IL-22, which enhances insulin sensitivity and pancreatic functions while reducing liver steatosis. These findings suggest that B. longum NBM7-1 and L. rhamnosus NBM17-4 could be the candidate probiotics for the therapeutic treatments of T2D patients as well as the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Comments on "Probiotic Bifidobacterium strains and galactooligosaccharides improve intestinal barrier function in obese adults but show no synergism when used together as synbiotics".

Comments on "Probiotic Bifidobacterium strains and galactooligosaccharides improve intestinal barrier function in obese adults but show no synergism when used together as synbiotics".

Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter phase III study of prevention of irinotecan-induced diarrhea by a probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium BB-12®Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® in colorectal cancer patients.

The incidence of irinotecan-induced diarrhea varies between 60-90%, by which the incidence of severe diarrhea is 20-40%. The objective of this phase III trial was to determine the effectiveness of the probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium, BB-12® and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® in the prophylaxis of irinotecan-induced diarrhea in metastatic colorectal cancer patients due to a reduction in the activity of intestinal beta-D-glucuronidase. From March 2016 to May 2022, a total of 242 patients with colorectal cancer starting a new line of irinotecan-based therapy were registered to the study in 11 cancer centers in Slovakia. Patients were randomized in a ratio 1:1 to probiotic formula vs. placebo that was administered for 6 weeks. Each capsule of Probio-Tec® BG-Vcap-6.5 contained 2.7x109 colony-forming units (CFU) of 2 lyophilized probiotic strains Bifidobacterium, BB-12® (50%) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LGG® (50%). Administration of probiotics compared to placebo was not associated with a significant reduction of grade 3/4 diarrhea (placebo arm 11.8% vs. probiotic arm 7.9%, p=0.38). Neither the overall incidence of diarrhea (46.2% vs. 41.2%, p=0.51) nor the incidence of enterocolitis (3.4% vs. 0.9%, p=0.37) was different in the placebo vs. probiotic arm. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with colostomy had higher incidence of any diarrhea and grade 3/4 diarrhea in the placebo arm compared to the probiotic arm (48.5% vs. 22.2%, p=0.06 and 15.2% vs. 0%, p=0.06, respectively). Moreover, patients on probiotic arm had significantly better diarrhea-free survival (HR = 0.41, 95%CI 0.18 - 0.95, p=0.05) and needed less loperamide (p=0.01) compared to patients on placebo arm. We did not observe any infection caused by probiotic strains used in this study. This study failed to achieve its primary endpoint, and results suggest a lack of benefit of administered probiotic formula for the prevention of irinotecan-induced diarrhea. However, subgroup analysis suggests a possible benefit in patients with colostomy.

Bifidobacterium in anticancer immunochemotherapy: friend or foe?

The gut microbiome has received a crescendo of attention in recent years due to myriad influences on human pathophysiology, including cancer. Anticancer therapy research is constantly looking for new hints to improve response to therapy while reducing the risk of relapse. In this scenario, Bifidobacterium, which inhabits the gut microbial ecosystem (especially that of children) and is considered a health-associated microbe, has emerged as a key target to assist anticancer treatments for a better prognosis. However, some researchers have recently hypothesized an unfavorable role of Bifidobacterium spp. in anticancer immunochemotherapy, leading to some confusion in the field. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of Bifidobacterium spp. in relation to anticancer treatments, discussing the pros and cons of its presence in the gut microbiome of cancer patients. The current intervention strategies based on the administration of probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium are then discussed. Finally, the need to conduct further studies, especially functional ones, is underlined to provide robust experimental evidence, especially on the underlying molecular mechanisms, and thus resolve the controversies on this microbe for the long-term success of immunochemotherapy.

Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter phase III study of prevention of irinotecan-induced diarrhea by a probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium, BB-12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG in colorectal cancer patients: The Probio SK 006-Slovak cooperative oncology group trial.

e24109 Background: The incidence of irinotecan-induced diarrhea varies between 60-90%, by which the incidence of severe diarrhea is 20-40%. The objective of this phase III trial was to determine the effectiveness of the probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium, BB-12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG in the prophylaxis of irinotecan-induced diarrhea in metastatic colorectal cancer patients due to a reduction in the activity of intestinal beta-D-glucuronidase. Methods: From March 2016 to May 2022, a total of 242 patients with colorectal cancer starting a new line of irinotecan-based therapy were registered to the study in 11 cancer centers in Slovakia. Patients were randomized in a ratio 1:1 to probiotic formula vs. placebo that was administered for 6 weeks. Each capsule of Probio-Tec BG-Vcap-6.5 contained 2.7x109colony-forming units (CFU) of 2 lyophilized probiotic strains Bifidobacterium, BB-12 (50%) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, LGG (50%). Results: Administration of probiotics compared to placebo was not associated with a significant reduction of grade 3/4 diarrhea (placebo arm 11.8% vs. probiotic arm 7.9%, p = 0.38). Neither the overall incidence of diarrhea (46.2% vs. 41.2%, p = 0.51) nor the incidence of enterocolitis (3.4% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.37) was different in the placebo vs. probiotic arm. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with colostomy had higher incidence of any diarrhea and grade 3/4 diarrhea in the placebo arm compared to the probiotic arm (48.5% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.06 and 15.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.06, respectively). Moreover,patients on probiotic arm had significantly better diarrhea-free survival (HR = 0.41, 95%CI 0.18 – 0.95, p = 0.05) and needed less loperamide (p = 0.01) compared to patients on placebo arm. We did not observe any infection caused by probiotic strains used in this study. Conclusions: This study failed to achieve its primary endpoint, and results suggest a lack of benefit of administered probiotic formula for the prevention of irinotecan-induced diarrhea. However, subgroup analysis suggests a possible benefit in patients with colostomy. Clinical trial information: NCT02819960 .

Cello-oligosaccharides production from multi-stage enzymatic hydrolysis by lignocellulosic biomass and evaluation of prebiotic potential

Cello-oligosaccharides production from multi-stage enzymatic hydrolysis by lignocellulosic biomass and evaluation of prebiotic potential

A Novel Probiotic Combination Ameliorates Crohn's Disease-Like Ileitis by Increasing Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production and Modulating Essential Adaptive Immune Pathways.

Crohn's disease (CD) represents a significant public health challenge. We identified a combination of beneficial probiotic strains (Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium breve) and amylase that may antagonize elevated bacterial pathogens in the inflamed gut. Our aim was to characterize the effect(s) of this novel probiotic supplement in SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice with CD-like ileitis. Three groups of 7-week-old SAMP mice were used in this study. The first experimental group was administered 1 dose of the probiotic supplement (probiotic strains + amylase) diluted in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (0.25 mg in 100 µL of PBS) every day for 56 days through the gavage technique, the second group had a probiotic supplement (probiotic strains without amylase), and the third group was a control group in which animals were administered sterile PBS. At the end of the treatment, mice were sacrificed and ilea were collected for histological scoring of ileitis and NanoString analysis. Stool samples were evaluated by 16S ribosomal RNA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Histology scores showed that mice treated with probiotics + amylase had a significant decrease of ileitis severity compared with the other 2 groups. 16S ribosomal RNA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that abundance of species belonging to genus Lachnoclostridium and Mucispirillum schaedleri were significantly increased compared with the other 2 groups, and this increase was associated with augmented production of short-chain fatty acids. NanoString data showed that 21 genes involved in B memory cell development and T cell infiltration were significantly upregulated in probiotic-treated mice and that 3 genes were significantly downregulated. Our data provide experimental proof for a beneficial effect of the designed probiotic formulation on the severity of CD-like ileitis in the SAMP mouse model, involving both alteration of intestinal genetic pathways and microbial rearrangements. Thus, we propose that this novel probiotic mixture should be further tested as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of biofilm-associated disorders such as CD, in which it has been proven that polymicrobial imbalance plays a critical role in dysbiosis and gut inflammation.