Probiotic Strains Research Articles

Urine microbiota and bladder cancer

Urine analysis data obtained using modern microbiological methods and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology indicate that the urinary system has its own microbial ecosystem. Individual microbiota members can play a key role in the development of cancer. Certain bacterial taxa have been revealed in bladder urothelial carcinoma cells that can affect carcinogenesis, treatment response, and the development of relapses through various mechanisms. The studies are conducted to use not only vaccine strains, but also probiotic strains and oncolytic bacteria for the treatment and prevention of relapses.

Modulation of Serum Metabolic Profiles by Bifidobacterium breve BBr60 in Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity, a prevalent metabolic disorder in youth, leads to complications and economic strain. Gut dysbiosis significantly contributes to obesity and metabolic issues. Bifidobacterium breve, a probiotic strain, may help regulate gut dysbiosis and benefit obese individuals. However, more research is needed on its effect on serum metabolism. A total of 75 overweight or obese young adults (aged 19–45) participated in the current study, and were randomly divided into probiotic and placebo groups using a random number table. Both groups received dietary guidance and underwent twelve weeks of intervention with either oral Bifidobacterium breve BBr60 (BBr60) or a placebo. After the intervention, collection and analysis of fasting serum samples were conducted using mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography. Analyses of associations were conducted in order to determine the correlations between key serum metabolites and clinical obesity indicators, aiming to understand the influence of BBr60. Due to 10 participants dropping out for personal reasons, the study included 32 and 33 participants in the placebo and the BBr60 groups, respectively. The BBr60 intervention significantly regulated 134 serum metabolites and influenced crucial metabolic pathways in obesity management (p < 0.05), including ascorbate and aldarate metabolism for oxidative stress reduction, cholesterol metabolism for lipid regulation, parathyroid hormone synthesis, secretion and action for the endocrine system, oxidative phosphorylation for enhanced energy efficiency, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis for glucose metabolism. Analysis showed a positive relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), and the content of 5-Methyl DL-glutamate (p < 0.05). Similarly, body mass index (BMI), weight, and body fat percentage (BFP) were positively linked to serum metabolites (1-Hydroxycyclohexyl) acetic acid, and 5-Oxooctanoic acid (p < 0.05). Significant associations of AST levels with key serum metabolites in cholesterol metabolism pathways further suggest BBr60’s potential to improve liver function and overall metabolic health in overweight or obese individuals. These findings support BBr60’s effectiveness in modulating serum metabolic profiles and suggest it may improve liver function and BMI in overweight or obese individuals by regulating key serum metabolites.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of probiotics on bone outcomes in rodent models.

Emerging evidence demonstrates an opportunity for using probiotics to support bone health but findings in humans are limited. This systematic review investigated if probiotic supplementation improves bone mineral density and bone structure in rodent models compared to no supplementation. Studies (n = 71) examining the effect of oral consumption of any probiotic strain on bone mineral density or bone structure in rodents were included. Meta-analyses were conducted separately by study model (intact, ovariectomized) and bone site (femur, tibia, spine) to determine the probiotic effect (standardized mean difference, SMD) on volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and cortical thickness (Ct.Th). Reasons for heterogeneity were explored (probiotic genus, sex, type of rodent). In intact rodents, probiotics resulted in greater vBMD (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI [0.13, 0.74], I2 = 3%, P<.05) and higher BV/TV (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI [0.25, 1.02], I2 = 57%, P<.05) at the femur without changes in cortical bone structure. In ovariectomized models, probiotic supplementation resulted in greater vBMD (femur: SMD = 1.28, 95% CI [1.01, 1.55], I2 = 3%, P<.05; tibia: SMD = 1.29, 95% CI [0.52, 2.05], I2 = 67%, P<.05; and spine: SMD = 1.47, 95% CI [0.97, 1.97], I2 = 26%, P<.05) as well as higher BV/TV (femur: SMD = 1.16, 95% CI [0.80, 1.52], I2 = 56%, P<.05; tibia: SMD = 2.13; 95% CI [1.09, 3.17], I2 = 79%, P<.05; spine: SMD = 2.04, 95% CI [1.17, 2.90], I2 = 76%, P<.05) and Ct.Th at the tibia (SMD = 2.35; 95% CI [0.72, 3.97], I2 = 82%, P<.05) but not at the femur versus control. The syntheses support probiotics as a strategy to improve bone outcomes in rodent models.

The evidence for probiotics in the treatment of digestive disorders in the pediatric population.

Health claims for many probiotic-labeled products are poorly substantiated. This technical review addressed the clinical question: "Do probiotics have a role in the management of the following conditions in childhood?" Evidence supports efficacy for probiotic strains of Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for improving outcomes of acute gastroenteritis, of S. boulardii and L. rhamnosus GG for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and of S. boulardii for Clostridium difficile diarrhea. For functional constipation and GERD, a role for probiotics is questionable as evidence of efficacy is either absent or marginal and as existing treatments are effective. For infantile colic and chronic abdominal pain, where existing treatments have limited efficacy and some important side effects, the use of probiotics, given their safety, is recommended, notwithstanding the evidence is low to moderate. While there is some evidence that probiotics could improve outcomes in the management of celiac disease, obesity, and, to a lesser extent, promotion of growth, their role is adjunctive as dietary management is fundamental. The evidence also supports an adjunctive role for probiotics in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and ulcerative colitis. Decisions on probiotic prescription need to take into account disease tempo, severity, and burden, as well as probiotic strain and dose. Any potential advantage will have to be weighed against the complexity and costs of an additional treatment.

Construction of engineered probiotic that adhere and display nanobody to neutralize porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

Pathogenic blue ear disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) bring severe loss to breeding industry due to high infectivity and mortality. L. plantarum serves as the probiotic host strain, known for its beneficial properties in the gut microbiota. E. coli is used as a cloning host for the initial genetic engineering steps, facilitating the construction and amplification of the desired genetic constructs. In this study, using synthetic biology technology, we constructed engineered probiotics which could adhere and display nanobody on the surface to neutralize virus. Firstly, we screen an optimal nanobody to effectively bind with PRRSV by building library, expression and purification. Then, the integration of adhesion protein and nanobody into the genome of probiotics significantly improved its adhesion to IPEC-J2 cells. In addition, this engineered probiotic is almost non-toxic to cells with good safety, which can be used as a daily probiotics to prevent virus fecal transmission. Our study proposed this novel construction strategy of engineering probiotics with both adhesion and neutralization effects, which provided a new therapeutic view for intestinal virus clearance.

Probiotic bacteria-released extracellular vesicles enhance macrophage phagocytosis in polymicrobial sepsis by activating the FPR1/2 pathway.

Sepsis-induced organ failure and high mortality are largely ascribed to the failure of bacterial clearance from the infected tissues. Recently, probiotic bacteria-released extracellular vesicles (BEVs) have been implicated as critical mediators of intercellular communication which are widely involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response. However, their functional role in macrophage phagocytosis during sepsis has never been explored. BEVs were collected from three different strains of probiotics including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 (LP WCFS1), Lactobacillus rhamnosus Gorbach-Goldin (LGG), and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), or from LGG cultured under three pH conditions (pH5-acid, pH6.5-standard, pH8-akaline) through differential centrifugation, filtration, and ultracentrifugation of their culture supernatants. In vitro phagocytosis was measured in Raw264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages using pHrodo red E. coli BioParticles. The in vivo therapeutic effects of BEVs were tested using a feces-injection-in-peritoneum (FIP) model of polymicrobial sepsis. LGG-derived EVs (BEVLGG) were the best among these three probiotics BEVs in stimulating macrophages to take up bacteria. Furthermore, BEVLGG collected from pH8 culture condition (BEVpH8) exhibited the strongest capacity of phagocytosis, compared with BEVpH5and BEVpH6.5. Treatment of septic mice with BEVpH8significantly prolonged animal survival; increased bacterial clearance from the blood, peritoneal lavage fluid, and multiple organs; and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, as well as reduced multiple organ injuries, in comparison with control-treated septic mice. Mechanistically, RNA-seq and bioinformatic analysis identified that the FPR1/2 signaling was remarkably activated, along with its downstream pathways (PI3K-Akt-MARCO and NADPH-ROS) in BEVpH8-treated macrophages, compared with control cells. Accordingly, pre-addition of Boc2, a specific antagonist of FPR1/FPR2, to macrophages significantly attenuated BEVpH8-mediated phagocytosis, compared to controls. This study demonstrates that LGG-derived BEVs may have therapeutic effects against sepsis-induced organ injury and mortality through enhancing FPR1/2-mediated macrophage phagocytosis.

Gene profile of virulence, antimicrobial resistance and action of enterocins in Campylobacter species isolated from broiler carcasses.

Campylobacteriosis is among the most reported zoonoses in the world, caused by species of Campylobacter, this disease is characterized by gastroenteritis in humans. The main species involved is Campylobacter jejuni, followed by Campylobacter coli. Contaminated chicken meat is often identified as an important source of infection related to human cases and Brazil is the largest exporter of chicken meat in the world, which makes the characterization of brazilian isolates crucial for the establishment of control measures. The objective was to evaluate the contamination of chilled and frozen carcasses sold in the Northeast of Brazil, by Campylobacter species, identify virulence genes, evaluate bacterial resistance to antibiotics and verify the antimicrobial action of the Crude Extract Containing Enterocins (CECE) produced by a probiotic strain of Enterococcus faecium. In this study, 12 chilled carcasses and 12 frozen carcasses were collected, sold retail in supermarkets. The following regions of the carcass were sampled: breast skin, wing skin, belly skin, neck skin, gizzard and liver. Samples of chicken carcasses were analyzed following ISO 10272-2 guidelines for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. The isolates were tested by PCR to identify genus, species C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari and genes cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, sodB, dnaJ, cmeA, cmeB, cmeC. The assessment of susceptibility to antibiotics was carried out using the standard disk diffusion method and the antimicrobial activity of CECE was determined using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), the methodologies followed the recommendations and cutoff points according to EUCAST and CLSI. A total of 376 isolates of Campylobacter spp. were obtained, among these, 26 (7.0%) were positive for C. jejuni and no isolates were detected for C. coli and C. lari. The highest frequency of C. jejuni was obtained in chilled carcasses with 23 isolates (88.5%, p < 0.0001), in frozen carcasses three isolates were obtained (11.5%). The most frequency site of C. jejuni was the chest skin (7/27.0%), followed by skin of the wing (6/23.0%), skin of the cloaca (5/19.0%), gizzard (4/15.0%), skin of the neck (2/8.0%) and liver (2/8.0%), no significant differences were found between the sites sampled. The gene frequency was determined in: cdtA (3/11.5%), cdtB (3/11.5%), cdtC (5/19.0%), sodB (9/34.5%), dnaJ (3/11.5%), cmeA (4/15.0%), cmeB (4/15.0%) and cmeC (4/15.0%). The three efflux pump genes were amplified in four isolates (15.3%) and all tested genes were amplified in three isolates (11.5%). All C. jejuni isolates (26/100.0%) were found to be multiresistant to three or more classes of antimicrobials. The index of multiple resistance to antimicrobial drugs (IRMA) ranged from 0.4 to 1.0 among isolates of C. jejuni. The antimicrobial activity of CECE was able to inhibit at least 98.5% of the growth of all C. jejuni isolates. Therefore, chilled chicken carcasses present a greater risk of contamination than frozen carcasses, for this reason it is necessary to adopt practices that avoid cross-contamination during the preparation of chicken meat, in order to prevent campylobacteriosis. Furthermore, the presence of multiresistant and potentially virulent isolates highlights the need for further investigations to better understand the use of enterocins as alternative methods in the control of Campylobacter.

Characteristics and in vitro properties of potential probiotic strain Fructobacillus tropaeoli KKP 3032 isolated from orange juice.

Fructobacillus, a Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic bacterium, belongs to the fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) group. The group's name originates from fructose, the favored carbon source for its members. Fructobacillus spp. are noteworthy for their distinctive traits, captivating the interest of scientists. However, there have been relatively few publications regarding the isolation and potential utilization of these microorganisms in the industry. In recent years, F. tropaeoli has garnered interest for its promising role in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, although the availability of isolates is rather limited. A more comprehensive understanding of Fructobacillus is imperative to evaluate their functionality in the industry, given their unique and exceptional properties. Our in vitro study on Fructobacillus tropaeoli KKP 3032 confirmed its fructophilic nature and high osmotolerance. This strain thrives in a 30% sugar concentration, shows resistance to low pH and bile salts, and exhibits robust autoaggregation. Additionally, it displays significant antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens. Evaluating its probiotic potential, it aligns with EFSA recommendations in antibiotic resistance, except for kanamycin, to which it is resistant. Further research is necessary, but preliminary analyses confirm the high probiotic potential of F. tropaeoli KKP 3032 and its ability to thrive in the presence of high concentrations of fructose. The results indicate that the isolate F. tropaeoli KKP 3032 could potentially be used in the future as a fructophilic probiotic, protective culture, and/or active ingredient in fructose-rich food.

Genome assembly of a potential probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum BB11 strain isolated from Holstein calves.

Here we report the genome sequence of Bifidobacterium bifidum BB11 strain, isolated from the Holstein bull calf's rumen samples. The strain tested positive for probiotic characteristics such as bile salt tolerance, adhesion, and acid tolerance. The genome size was 2,200,000 bp with the guanine and cytosine (G+C) content of 62.5%.

Characterization and Biological In Vitro Screening of Probiotic Yeast Strains Isolated from Algerian Fruits.

Interest in Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeasts as biotechnological agents is growing worldwide. Here, Kluyveromyces marxianus GBC2 and two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains FBZ4 and FBK9 were isolated from pomegranate (Punica granatum) and fig (Ficus carica), respectively, and extensively characterized for their probiotic attributes and health benefits. Overall, these strains were found to be γ-hemolytic, non-cytotoxic against Caco-2 cells, and sensitive to therapeutic antifungals. In terms of probiotic characterization, the strains were able to survive at pH 2 and in 1% bile and had high hydrophobicity and self-aggregation properties, which could explain their ability to form biofilm on a polystyrene and adhere to Caco-2 cells. Adhesion rates of 23.52%, 14.05%, and 9.44% were recorded at 37 °C for K. marxianus GBC2, S. cerevisiae FBK9, and S. cerevisiae FBZ4, respectively. Furthermore, biological screening showed a cholesterol assimilation of 54.32% for K. marxianus GBC2 and almost 33% for both Saccharomyces, more than 73% α-amylase inhibition, and good antioxidant potential for all strains; however, only K. marxianus GBC2 showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. In light of these findings, the strains could be potential candidates for the development of novel functional foods and for probiotic applications.

Impact of fruit powders incorporation on probiotic viability and sensory properties of yogurt

Purpose The primary objective of this study was to investigate the viability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (LGR-1) when combined with four prebiotic-rich fruit powders – apple, papaya, mango, and red beetroot – in probiotic yogurt. Additionally, the study aims to assess customer acceptability of the yogurt fortified with these fruit powders through a sensory evaluation using a nine-point hedonic scale. Design/methodology/approach The yogurt samples, inoculated with the LGR-1 probiotic strain, underwent fermentation at 38 °C for 0, 2, 4 and 6 h. Following fermentation, the samples were stored in a refrigerator at 4 °C for 1, 15 and 30 days. Throughout the study, microbial counts and pH level measurements were performed to assess the viability of LGR-1. A sensory evaluation consisted of 89 participants. A nine-point hedonic scale, ranging from 1 (dislike extremely) to 9 (like extremely), along with a questionnaire were used to assess criteria such as appearance, flavor, texture and overall acceptability of the samples. Findings All treatments at all time points maintained a minimum viable microbial count of 107 CFU/mL (colony-forming units per mL), which indicated that the addition of fruit powders supported the growth and survival of LGR-1 in yogurt. Treatment 5, fortified with papaya powder, was the only group that exhibited a significant change of microbial count after 30 days of fermentation (p = 0.018). Although there were no statistically significant differences in pH values at the 0- and 2-h time points within each treatment, the pH remained relatively stable after day 15, with an average mean pH of 4.29. Treatment 2 fortified with mango powder obtained the highest overall acceptability score because of its smooth and firm texture as well as mild mango-sweet flavor. Originality/value This study explored the viability of probiotics and the sensory properties of yogurt fortified with various fruit powders, while also examining the potential prebiotic effects of fruit powders in enhancing overall sensory appeal. The findings suggested that papain may play a role in increasing probiotic viability in yogurt. Given the inconvenience and inaccessibility of fresh fruits and the generally inadequate prebiotic intake, this research addressed the gap in prebiotic consumption by offering novel ideas for health-enhancing dairy products.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum inhibited the growth of primary liver cancer by inducing early apoptosis and senescence, in vitro

Primary liver cancer (PLC), comprising hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is a severe form of cancer associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate and increasing incidence worldwide. Current treatment options are limited and chemotherapeutics demonstrate strong side effects. New therapies are highly required. Lactobacilli represent the most diverse lactic acid-producing bacteria group and a prominent example of probiotics. Several studies have highlighted the anticancer efficacy of probiotics, especially of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. However, there are limited studies on its activity on two PLC types, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study evaluated the inhibitory mechanism and properties of L. plantarum ONU 12 (Lp 12) and L. plantarum ONU 355 (Lp 355), isolated from grapes in Ukraine and France, in murine PLC cell lines, in vitro. Strain Lacticaseibacillus casei ATCC 393 (Lc 393) has been taken for a direct comparison, as the most studied probiotic strain. The three Lactobacillus species were used in three forms: as live and heat-killed suspensions, and as sonicated extracts, and tested either as a monotherapy or in combination with standard chemotherapeutics (sorafenib for HCC and gemcitabine for CCA). Cell proliferation and viability were assessed via crystal violet staining assay and cell counting kit-8 assay. The induction of senescence was investigated by senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was used to determine the apoptotic mechanism behind the inhibitory property of lactobacilli. The results showed that the live suspensions and sonicated extracts of Lp 12, Lp 355, and Lc 393 demonstrated inhibitory properties in CCA and HCC cells after 48 h of incubation. In combinations with standard chemotherapeutics, lactobacilli treatments have shown strong synergistic effects. The combination therapy allowed to reduce the chemotherapeutic doses of gemcitabine from 50 μM to 0.1 and 0.05 μM and sorafenib from 13.8 μM to 6.9 and 3.45 μM. Successful treatment regimes induced early apoptosis and cellular senescence in PLC, as the mechanism of inhibition. Heat-killed suspensions showed no inhibitory effect in none of the cell lines. Both strains, Lp 12 and Lp 355, showed successful results and need further testing in vivo, using autochthonous HCC and CCA models.

PCR Based Technique for Identification of Bile Salt Hydrolase Positive Lactobacilli

In the burgeoning landscape of probiotic research, the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and host health has underscored the significance of specific enzymatic activities, notably bile salt hydrolase (BSH) produced by Lactobacilli. Harnessing the potential health benefits associated with BSH activity necessitates a meticulous identification strategy. In response, this study introduces a sophisticated PCR-based technique tailored for the rapid and precise discrimination of lactobacilli strains boasting BSH enzymatic prowess. This PCR-based approach offers a valuable tool for researchers and industry professionals involved in the selection and characterization of probiotic strains with bile salt hydrolase activity. Its speed, accuracy, and adaptability make it a promising method for large-scale screenings and applications in diverse fields, ranging from food science to the development of probiotic supplements aimed at enhancing human health through the modulation of bile acid metabolism. robiotic supplementation, where the modulation of bile acid metabolism holds promise for promoting human health and well-being.

Protective effects of a lactobacilli mixture against Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology triggered by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is one of the pathogens involved in gingival inflammation, which may trigger neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the protective (preventive and treatment) effects of a lactobacilli mixture combining Lactobacillus reuteri PTCC1655, Lactobacillus brevis CD0817, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus PTCC1637, and Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC1058 against P. gingivalis-induced gingival inflammation and AD-like pathology in rats. These probiotic strains exhibited cognitive enhancement effects, but this study proposed to assess their activity in a mixture. To propose a probable mechanism for P. gingivalis cognitive impairments, the TEs balance were analyzed in hippocampus and cortex tissues. Animals were divided into five groups: the control, lactobacilli, P. gingivalis, lactobacilli + P. gingivalis (prevention), and P. gingivalis + lactobacilli group (treatment) groups. The behavioral and histopathological changes were compared among them. Finally, The Trace elements (TEs) levels in the hippocampus and cortex tissues were analyzed. The palatal tissue sections of the P. gingivalis infected rats showed moderate inflammation with dense infiltration of inflammatory cells, a limited area of tissue edema, and vascular congestion. Additionally, passive avoidance learning and spatial memory were impaired. Histopathological tests revealed the presence of Aβ-positive cells in the P. gingivalis group. While the Aβ-positive cells decreased in the treatment group, their formation was inhibited in the preventive group. Administration of a mixture of lactobacilli (orally) effectively mitigated the gingival inflammation, Aβ production, and improved learning and memory functions. Moreover, Zn, Cu, and Mn levels in the hippocampus were dramatically elevated by P. gingivalis infection, whereas lactobacilli mixture mitigated these disruptive effects. The lactobacilli mixture significantly prevented the disruptive effects of P. gingivalis on gingival and brain tissues in rats. Therefore, new formulated combination of lactobacilli may be a good candidate for inhibiting the P. gingivalis infection and its subsequent cognitive effects. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of a lactobacilli mixture to manage the disruptive effects of P. gingivalis infection on memory.

A probiotic multi-strain mixture combined with hydroxyectoine improves intestinal barrier function by alleviating inflammation in lipopolysaccharide stimulated differentiated Caco-2 cells.

Many studies have highlighted the role of probiotics in re-establishing the gut microbiota balance and preventing intestinal barrier dysfunction. In fact, they can also contribute to the upregulation of anti-inflammatory genes and the downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes, which are known to contribute to the development of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) syndrome. The present study aims to investigate the effect of the compatible solute hydroxyectoine (HOE), to be used as a cryopreservant but also for its intrinsic biological properties, to obtain a new formula containing three probiotic strains (Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), Levilactobacillus brevis SP-48 (L. brevis), and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (B. lactis)), and evaluate the latter for its ability to prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in an in vitro bi-dimensional model of the intestinal barrier using a Caco-2 cell monolayer. The mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were analyzed by real-time PCR. Changes in the modulation of (TLR-4 and NF-κB) proteins were assessed by western blotting, and the effect of the HOE/PRO formula on the intestinal epithelial barrier function was also assessed using an immunofluorescence microscope for the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). This study found that this novel probiotic formulation containing HOE is capable of decreasing LPS-induced cytokines, as confirmed by the results of RT-PCR and ELISA and preserving the integrity of tight junctions as demonstrated by the relevant expression of ZO-1. HOE/PRO was shown to be effective in reducing the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB. The latter plays a key role as an inflammation modulator as shown through experiments run with the THP-1/NF-κB reporter gene. Collectively, our data indicate that the HOE/PRO formula is a good candidate for potential preventive and/or therapeutic implementation in IBD.

Characterizing the oral and gastrointestinal microbiome associated with healthy aging: insights from long-lived populations in Northeastern China.

The oral and gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota in humans is susceptible to geographical influences and represents vital factors impacting healthy aging. The northeastern region of China, characterized by distinct dietary and climatic conditions, significantly influences the human microbiome composition. However, the microbial structure of the entire long-lived population in this area has not been evaluated. This study recruited a cohort of 142 individuals aged 55-102 residing in Northeast China, and their oral and gut microbiota were evaluated using full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results indicate that the oral and GI tract microbiota of long-lived individuals showed reduced microbial taxonomic richness and evenness compared to sub-longevity individuals. With aging, the core species experience a gradual decline in abundance, while subordinate species show an increase. The long-lived population exhibited a heightened ability to enrich beneficial bacteria including Akkermansia, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes in the GI tract, which are associated with host metabolism and have the potential to act as probiotics, reducing the risks of unhealthy aging in the northeast population. Bifidobacterium sp. and Lactobacillus salivarius have been found to coexist in both the oral cavity and the GI tract of long-lived individuals. We hypothesize that beneficial bacterial taxa from the oral cavity colonize the GI tract more extensively in long-lived individuals compared to those with a shorter lifespan. These findings pave the way for identifying probiotic strains that can promote healthy aging in Northeast China.

A Novel Synbiotic Protects Against DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice via Anti-inflammatory and Microbiota-Balancing Properties.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-inflammatory disease. Gut microbes, intestinal immunity, and gut barrier function play a critical role in IBD. Growing evidence suggests that synbiotic may offer therapeutic benefits for individuals with colitis, suggesting an alternative therapy against colitis. With this in mind, we creatively prepared a new synbiotic combination consisting of a probiotic strain (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) along with one prebiotic chitooligosaccharides (COS). The protective effects of the synbiotic on DSS-induced colitis and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. We demonstrated that the synbiotic ameliorated colitis in mice, as evidenced by a significant remission in body weight loss and colon shortening, and a decreased disease activity index (DAI). Notably, synbiotic reduced the intestinal inflammation and injury by synergistically decreasing inflammatory factors, inhibiting TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling, preventing macrophage infiltration, and enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, synbiotic selectively promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Lactobacillus) but decreased the pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Helicobacter). BugBase's analysis supported its ameliorated role in reducing pathogenic bacteria. Collectively, our findings revealed the novel synbiotic had a potential to treat colitis, which was associated with its anti-inflammatory and microbiota-balancing properties. This study will contribute to the development of functional synbiotic products for IBD therapy and will provide valuable insights into their mechanisms.

Isolation and assessment of probiotic potential of Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici C03B-STR from goat milk with cholesterol-lowering capability.

Elevated levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood are one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease, which is the foremost leading cause of death across the world. The aims of this study were to isolate and verify the potential probiotic strain and cholesterol-lowering capability from goat milk. The C03B-STR isolate had a broad-spectrum antibacterial property and exhibited remarkable bacteriostatic activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (27.00 ± 1.73mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (19.33 ± 0.57mm) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 10832 (19.00 ± 1.00mm) by agar well diffusion assay. This isolate is closely related to the 16S rDNA sequence of Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici. Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici C03B-STR can survive under acidic conditions (60.51 ± 0.02% of survival rate at pH 3.0 for 3h) and was as bile-tolerant strain (> 80% of survival rate at 0.30% bile salts after 3h of incubation). Furthermore, it showed significantly high cell surface hydrophobicity (74.36 ± 0.23%) and aggregation capability (> 83%) (p ≤ 0.05) but displayed low to moderate co-aggregation ability (44-61%). This strain can also be regarded as strongly adhesive (73.69 ± 0.74%) and inhibit pathogen attachment to the Caco-2 cell lines (39.20 ± 0.59-69.01 ± 0.29%). A. acidipropionici C03B-STR appeared to be safe (non-haemolytic) and controllable (sensitive to various antibiotics). Notably, it had the potential to suppress cholesterol uptake in Caco-2 cells (approximately 45%) and also reduced cholesterol level above 84% during the exponential phase under acidic conditions. Thus, A. acidipropionici C03B-STR from goat milk may be a promising novel potential cholesterol-lowering probiotic strain for application in functional foods and biotherapeutics.

Colibactin-driven colon cancer requires adhesin-mediated epithelial binding.

Various bacteria are suggested to contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) development1-5, including pks+ Escherichia coli, which produces the genotoxin colibactin that induces characteristic mutational signatures in host epithelial cells6. However, it remains unclear how the highly unstable colibactin molecule is able to access host epithelial cells to cause harm. Here, using the microbiota-dependent ZEB2-transgenic mouse model of invasive CRC7, we demonstrate that the oncogenic potential of pks+ E. coli critically depends on bacterial adhesion to host epithelial cells, mediated by the type 1 pilus adhesin FimH and the F9 pilus adhesin FmlH. Blocking bacterial adhesion using a pharmacological FimH inhibitor attenuates colibactin-mediated genotoxicity and CRC exacerbation. We also show that allelic switching of FimH strongly influences the genotoxic potential of pks+ E. coli and can induce a genotoxic gain-of-function in the probiotic strain Nissle 1917. Adhesin-mediated epithelial binding subsequently allows the production of the genotoxin colibactin in close proximity to host epithelial cells, which promotes DNA damage and drives CRC development. These findings present promising therapeutic routes for the development of anti-adhesive therapies aimed at mitigating colibactin-induced DNA damage and inhibiting the initiation and progression of CRC, particularly in individuals at risk for developing CRC.

Extensive genomic characterization, pre-clinical probiotic evaluation, and safety analysis of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 isolated from infant feces

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the safety and probiotic properties of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 isolated from infant feces for use as a commercial probiotic strain. MethodsWhole-genome sequencing; physiological and biochemical assessments; enzymatic assays; metabolite, antibiotic sensitivity, cell adhesion and cytotoxicity, and tolerance tests; and a 14-day oral toxicity study were conducted. ResultsBL21 exhibited genetic integrity, and its genome lacked genes related to antibiotic resistance or virulence. It was found to be non-pathogenic, had efficient carbohydrate metabolism and mucin degradation ability, and was free from biogenic amines. It also showed susceptibility to antibiotics, strong cell adhesion, and resilience to adverse conditions. The aforementioned results confirm that BL21 is a functional probiotic strain with genetic stability, enzymatic capabilities, and non-pathogenic properties that mean it is safe for oral consumption, demonstrating that it is a promising candidate for probiotic applications. ConclusionThe study demonstrates that BL21 is a genetically stable, non-pathogenic probiotic strain with metabolic potential. The strain lacks virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, and its resilience to gastrointestinal conditions, as well as the results of the 14-day oral toxicity study, suggest that BL21 is safe for oral consumption. However, further long-term studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy for therapeutic use.