Protective Effect Of Probiotics Research Articles

Protective effects of probiotics against menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized mice

With growing interest in the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of menopausal disorders, probiotic supplementation is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy for postmenopausal women. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of several probiotic strains against menopausal symptoms using an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model fed a high-fat diet, in comparison with the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement. Among the eight tested probiotic strains, we selected four (Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG901, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MG4604, Ligilactobacillus salivarius MG4679, and Lacticaseibacillus reuteri MG5463) that showed superior estrogen-like activity in an uterotrophic assay. We then examined their effects in OVX mice. The probiotic MG4679 was tested in combination with MG5463. During the 12-week experimental period, oral administration of the four probiotics reduced blood glucose and body temperature and ameliorated depression-like behavior in OVX mice. In the Barnes maze test, MG901 and MG4604 improved the spatial memory deficits observed in OVX mice. Micro-CT analysis of mouse femurs revealed that MG5463 prevented the OVX-induced reduction in cortical bone mineral density and bone volume fraction. Importantly, similar to E2 replacement, most of the test probiotics increased Akt phosphorylation in skeletal muscle, estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) protein expression in the liver, and ERK phosphorylation in the brain of OVX mice. However, unlike E2 treatment, all probiotics did not affect uterine weight, uterine ER-α expression, and serum E2 concentration. These results indicated that the probiotics used in this study exhibited protective effects against menopausal symptoms, partly through estrogen-mimetic action, without unfavorable uterine stimulation in OVX mice.

Harnessing probiotics capability to combat Salmonella Heidelberg and improve intestinal health in broilers

The poultry industry faces significant challenges in controlling Salmonella contamination while reducing antibiotic use, particularly with the emergence of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) strains posing risks to food safety and public health. Probiotics, notably lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) offer promising alternatives for mitigating Salmonella colonization in broilers. Understanding the efficacy of probiotics in combating SH and their impact on gut health and metabolism is crucial for improving poultry production practices and ensuring food safety standards. This study aimed to assess the inhibitory effects of LAB and SB against SH both in vitro and in vivo broilers, while also investigating their impact on fecal metabolites and caecal microbiome composition. In vitro analysis demonstrated strong inhibition of SH by certain probiotic strains, such as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) and Lacticaseibacillus acidophilus (LA), while others like SB and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (LD) did not exhibit significant inhibition. In vivo testing revealed that broilers receiving probiotics had significantly lower SH concentrations in cecal content compared to the positive control (PC) at all ages, indicating a protective effect of probiotics against SH colonization. Metagenomic analysis of cecal-content microbiota identified predominant bacterial families and genera, highlighting changes in microbiota composition with age and probiotic supplementation. Additionally, fecal metabolomics profiling showed alterations in metabolite concentrations, suggesting reduced oxidative stress, intestinal inflammation, and improved gut health in probiotic-supplemented birds. These findings underscore the potential of probiotics to mitigate SH colonization and improve broiler health while reducing reliance on antibiotics.

Improved viability of probiotics by encapsulation in chickpea protein matrix during simulated gastrointestinal digestion by succinylated modification

The potential application of succinylated chickpea protein (SCP) as a wall material for spray-dried microencapsulated probiotics was investigated. The results showed that succinylation increased the surface charge of chickpea proteins (CP) and reduced the particle size of the proteins. Meanwhile, succinylated modification decreased the solubility of protein under acidic conditions and increased the solubility in alkaline conditions. The effects of spray drying and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on probiotics were investigated by microencapsulating chickpea protein with different degrees of N-succinylation. The results showed that all microcapsules had similar morphology, particle size and low water content. The microcapsules prepared by succinylated chickpea protein showed better stability and viability during spray drying and gastrointestinal digestion. The protective effect of probiotics was better as the degree of N-succinylation increased. In particular, the SCP-3-P sample (10 % succinic anhydride modified CP and maltodextrin) lost only 0.29 Log CFU/g throughout gastrointestinal digestion. The superior protective effect provided by succinylated CP in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was mainly attributed to the reaction of succinic anhydride with protein to cause protein aggregation under gastric acidic conditions, reducing the infiltration of gastric acid and pepsin and maintaining the structural integrity of the microcapsules. Therefore, these findings provide a new strategy for probiotic intestinal delivery and application of chickpea protein.

Protective effects of probiotics against Edwardsiella tarda infection in Oreochromis niloticus

Protective effects of probiotics against Edwardsiella tarda infection in Oreochromis niloticus

The Potential Role of Probiotics in the Management of COVID-19

Abstract: COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing global pandemic that causes catastrophic devastation to humankind. COVID-19 virus mainly affects the human respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Currently, vaccines are available globally and are a game-changer in the fight against COVID- 19. However, it has a long way to go to achieve the war against COVID-19 as it will take some more years to completely vaccinate the people, and there are threats and concerns of COVID-19 due to the high mutagenicity rate of the virus. The current methods of treatment involve the use of antiviral drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs but without much success. To date, there is no established prevention or treatment method for this novel virus. The best preventive strategy to combat this disease is to keep the immune system strong. Evidence showed a correlation between gut dysbiosis, COVID-19, and immunomodulation. Since time immemorial, probiotics have improved general health and immunity to various diseases. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria when administered in the right doses conferring a health benefit to the host. Various scientific evidence has proved the therapeutic and protective effects of probiotics against respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. This review aims to outline the potential role of probiotics in fighting COVID-19 by highlighting the recent evidence on the association between dysbiosis, COVID-19, and probiotics and outlining the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics. This review highlight the association between gut and lung in the gut-lung axis. Furthermore, this review also provides an insight into the indirect evidence of the potential protective role of probiotics in combating COVID-19 or its associated symptoms.

Effect of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG for Regulation of Inflammatory Response in Radiation-Induced Enteritis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) probiotics in radiation enteritis using in vivo mice. A total of 40 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control, probiotics, radiotherapy (RT), and RT + probiotics. For the group of probiotics, 0.2mL of solution that contained 1.0 × 108 colony-forming units (CFU) of LGG was used and orally administered daily until sacrifice. For RT, a single dose of 14Gy was administered using a 6 mega-voltage photon beam to the abdominopelvic area. Mice were sacrifice at day 4 (S1) and day 7 (S2) after RT. Their jejunum, colon, and stool were collected. A multiplex cytokine assay and 16s ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing were then performed. Regarding cytokine concentrations in tissues, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, showed significantly decreased protein levels in colon tissues of the RT + probiotics group than in the RT alone group (all p < 0.05). As for comparing microbial abundance through alpha-diversity and beta-diversity, no significant differences were observed between the RT + probiotics and RT alone groups, except for an increase in alpha-diversity in the stool of the RT + probiotics group. Upon analysis of differential microbes based on treatment, the dominance of anti-inflammatory-related microbes, such as Porphyromonadaceae, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Ruminococcus, was observed in the jejunum, colon, and stool of the RT + probiotics group. With regard to predicted metabolic pathway abundances, the pathways associated with anti-inflammatory processes, such as biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, peptidoglycans, tryptophan, adenosylcobalamin, and propionate, were differentially identified in the RT + probiotics group compared to the RT alone group. Protective effects of probiotics on radiation enteritis were potentially derived from dominant anti-inflammation-related microbes and metabolites.

Compound Probiotic Ameliorates Acute Alcoholic Liver Disease in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Maintaining Intestinal Barrier.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a worldwide health threaten lack of effective treatment. Gut dysbiosis and concomitant augmented intestinal permeability are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of ALD. Research on the protective effect of probiotics on ALD is limited, and more effective intestinal microecological regulators and the related mechanisms still need to be further explored. In the present study, the protective effects and mechanisms of a compound probiotic against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in vivo were explod. It was showed that the compound probiotic ameliorated liver injury in acute ALD mice and stabilized the levels of ALT, AST, and TG in serum. The compound probiotic reversed acute alcohol-induced gut dysbiosis and maintained the intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating the production of mucus and the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins and thus reduced LPS level in liver. Meanwhile, the compound probiotic reduced inflammation level by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and suppressed oxidative stress level in liver. Furthermore, the compound probiotic alleviated liver lipid accumulation by regulating fatty acid metabolism-associated genes and AMPK-PPARα signaling pathway. Noteworthy, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) realized comparable protective effect with that of compound probiotic. In conclusion, present study demonstrates the beneficial effects and underlying mechanism of the compound probiotic against acute alcohol-induced liver injury. It provides clues for development of novel strategy for treatment of ALD.

Oral administration of live combined Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium alleviates colonic oxidative stress and inflammation in osteoarthritic rats by improving fecal microbiome metabolism and enhancing the colonic barrier.

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes intestinal damage. The protective effect of probiotics on the intestine is indeed effective; however, the mechanism of protection against intestinal damage in OA is not clear. In this study, we used meniscal/ligamentous injury (MLI) to mimic OA in rats and explored the colonic protective effects of Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium on OA. Our study showed that treatment with B. subtilis and E. faecium attenuated colonic injury and reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in the serum of osteoarthritic rats. α- and ß diversity of the fecal flora were not different among groups; no significant differences were observed in the abundances of taxa at the phylum and genus levels. We observed the presence of the depression-related genera Alistipes and Paraprevotella. Analysis of fecal untargeted metabolism revealed that histamine level was significantly reduced in the colon of OA rats, affecting intestinal function. Compared to that in the control group, the enriched metabolic pathways in the OA group were primarily for energy metabolisms, such as pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and beta-alanine metabolism. The treatment group had enriched linoleic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and primary bile acid biosynthesis, which were different from those in the control group. The differences in the metabolic pathways between the treatment and OA groups were more evident, primarily in symptom-related metabolic pathways such as Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, energy-related central carbon metabolism in cancer, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis metabolic pathways, as well as some neurotransmission and amino acid transport, and uptake- and synthesis-related metabolic pathways. On further investigation, we found that B. subtilis and E. faecium treatment enhanced the colonic barrier of OA rats, with elevated expressions of tight junction proteins occludin and Zonula occludens 1 and MUC2 mRNA. Intestinal permeability was reduced, and serum LPS levels were downregulated in the treatment group. B. subtilis and E. faecium also regulated the oxidative stress pathway Keap1/Nrf2, promoted the expression of the downstream protective proteins HO-1 and Gpx4, and reduced intestinal apoptosis. Hence, B. subtilis and E. faecium alleviate colonic oxidative stress and inflammation in OA rats by improving fecal metabolism and enhancing the colonic barrier.

Probiotics ameliorate polyethylene microplastics-induced liver injury by inhibition of oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Microplastic particles (MPs) are environmental pollutants that can cause varying levels of aquatic toxicity. Probiotics have been shown to reduce the negative effects of toxic substances. However, the protective effect of probiotics against the adverse effects of MPs has yet to be reported. The current study sought to determine the effects of the commercial probiotic AquaStar® Growout on polystyrene (PS)-MPs-mediated hepatic oxidative stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fishes were assigned into four groups: the first group was the control, the second group was exposed to 1 mg/L of 0.5 μm PS-MPs, and the third and fourth groups were exposed to 1 mg/L of 0.5 μm PS-MPs and pre-fed with probiotics at levels of 3 g/kg and 6 g/kg diet, respectively. At the end of the experiment, probiotics administration reversed liver damage caused by the PS-MPs, reducing serum levels of malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, and increasing the total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, probiotics alleviated PS-MPs-induced oxidative stress by restoring antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase) and reducing oxidized glutathione and enhancing the redox state. Besides, probiotics supplementation decreased the transcriptional level of C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α following PS-MPs exposure. Furthermore, probiotics counteracted PS-MPs-associated reactive oxygen species production and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation status. These findings suggested that probiotics could decrease liver damage caused by PS-MPs through their antioxidant properties and modulation of MAPK signaling pathways.

Protective effect of probiotics and ascorbic acid on bile duct ligation-induced chronic hepatic encephalopathy in rats.

Background and purpose:Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain dysfunction caused by acute and chronic hepatic failure. The pathogenesis of HE is unknown, although small intestinal bacterial overgrowth associated with chronic liver damage, hyperammonemia, and oxidative stress are considered major factors for HE. Effective lowering of circulating ammonia and neuroinflammation is the main strategy for preventing and treating HE in cirrhosis. In the present study, the protective effect of probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus clausii) and ascorbic acid in combination was assessed in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced chronic HE in rats.Experimental approach:Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). All groups were subjected to double ligation of the bile duct and fed a hyperammonemia diet, except group I (normal control). Groups III and IV were treated with a low and high dose of combination therapy, respectively, while group V was given lactulose. Four weeks post ligation, behavioral, biochemical, and neurochemical parameters were measured. The liver and brain were dissected for histopathology and protein analyses.Findings / Results:Combination therapy reduced plasma AST, ALT, ALP, and ammonia levels and attenuated hepatic inflammation/fibrosis in cirrhotic rats. Furthermore, combination therapy significantly improved behavioral parameters and restored the antioxidant enzyme activity. Histological changes were observed in the brain and liver of BDL animals.Conclusion and implications:The additive impact of probiotics and ascorbic acid on BDL-induced chronic HE in rats was mediated by a reduction in ammonia and oxidative stress, implying the therapeutic potential of combination therapy in HE.

Protective effect of probiotics against acetaminophen induced nephrotoxicity.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is commonly prescribed as an antipyretic and analgesic agent in the practical field. Like every other drug(s), APAP also undergo metabolism by oxidation or conjugation by glucuronate and sulphate to form the toxic metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). Moreover, the NAPQI is detoxified by conjugation with reduced glutathione (GSH). Interestingly, APAP is also metabolized in the kidney by deacetylation reaction in the presence of N-deacetylase enzyme into another severely toxic but minor metabolite, p-aminophenol. Both NAPQI and p-aminophenol shows nephrotoxicity as well as hepatotoxicity. Hence, the long-term therapeutic dose use and unnecessary overdose of APAP are of great concern as prolonged negligence may cost the nephrotoxicity that may lead to uremia and finally to kidney failure. It has recently been investigated that probiotic supplementation inhibits the sequential events associated with APAP-induced nephrotoxicity. This review emphasizes the role of different probiotics that have already been investigated in nephrotoxicity or uremia caused by APAP overdose.

Beneficial metabolic effects of probiotic supplementation in dams and offspring following hypercaloric diet during pregnancy

ObjectiveThe present study aims to evaluate the influence of a hypercaloric diet (HC) diet on the inflammatory and metabolic parameters of mice and the protective effect of probiotics, as well as the possible effects on the offspring. Materials and methodsThe control groups (C, CP, and CPP) received the normocaloric diet – Nuvilab Quimtia® – 3.86kcal/kg. The hypercalorie groups (HC, HCP and HCPP) received the diet accordingly – PragSoluções® – 5.98kcal/kg. The control pregnant probiotic (CPP) and the hypercaloric pregnant probiotic group (HCPP) received the corresponding diet plus probiotics during pregnancy. We carried out metabolic and biometric parameters, inflammation markers, and histological analyses of the liver. ResultsAn increase in the following parameters was found in the F0: adiposity, leptin, energy efficiency coefficient, lower insulin decay rate, and hepatic lipidosis. Interestingly, there was no deposition of fat in the liver of the group fed with hypercaloric died and treated with probiotics, thus not differing from the control-diet group. Maternal overeating promoted altered metabolic parameters of both dams and offspring, demonstrating the metabolic effects of a hypercaloric diet on the F1; conversely, probiotics had beneficial effects in the F1. ConclusionDeleterious effects of a fructose- and lipid-rich diet may be transmitted to the F1; however, probiotic supplementation seems to counteract these consequences.

Potential role of probiotics in the management of COVID-19

Abstract: COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing global pandemic that causes catastrophic devastation to humankind. COVID-19 virus mainly affects the human respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.Currently,vaccines are available globally and it is a game-changer in the fight against COVID-19. However, it has a long way to go to achieve the war against COVID-19 as it will take some more years to completely vaccinate the people and there are threats and concerns of COVID-19 due to the high mutagenicity rate of the virus. The current methods of treatment involve the use of antiviral drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs but without much success. To date, there is no established prevention or treatment method for this novel virus. The best preventive strategy to combat this disease is to keep the immune system strong. Evidence showed that there is a correlation between the dysbiosis of the gut, COVID-19, and immunomodulation. Since time immemorial probiotic has been used to improve general health and immunity to various diseases. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria when administered in the right doses conferring a health benefit to the host. Various scientific evidence has proved beyond doubt, the therapeutic and protective effects of probiotics against respiratory and gastrointestinal related diseases. This review aims to outline the potential role of probiotics in fighting COVID-19 by highlighting the recent evidence on the association amongst dysbiosis, COVID-19, and probiotics and outlining the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics.This review highlight the association between gut and lung in the gut-lung axis. Furthermore, this review also provides an insight into the indirect evidence of the potential protective role of probiotics in combating COVID-19 or its associated symptoms.

Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Sprague Dawley Rat Liver Histopathology Fed by High Fat High Fructose Diet

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important cause of liver disease burden worldwide. The gastrointestinal microbiota has a close relationship with the liver as the liver is most exposed to intestinal bacteria. Microbial manipulation is a potential and effective therapy as an alternative in the management of NAFLD/NASH. It has been found that probiotics prevent NAFLD/NASH. However, the study about the protective effect of probiotics on NAFLD/NASH is still limited. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of probiotics on liver histopathology Sprague Dawley rats which given high-fat high fructose (HFHFr) dietMethods: This study is a murine-model post-test-only control study group design. The samples were 21 Sprague Dawley male rats in 7 – 8 weeks of age and were divided into three groups. The Control Group (C) was provided with a standard chow diet for eight weeks. The Non-Probiotic (NP) group was given a High-Fat High Fructose (HFHFr) diet for eight weeks. The Probiotic group (P) was given a HFHFr diet for eight weeks, and a combination of HFHFr and probiotic supplementation consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Streptococcus thermophilus for the next eight weeks. Histopathological samples were obtained from liver biopsy to assess steatosis, NAFLD activity score (NAS), and fibrosis stages. Wilcoxon test was done to analyze body weight before and after treatment. We analyzed the difference in histopathological results using the Mann-Whitney test.Results: We found a significant difference in NAFL and NAS Score between NP and P group. The P group was shown to have lower trends for NAFLD and NASH than the NP group, but not for fibrosis. There is no significant difference between pre and post-test body weight. Conclusion: Probiotics supplementation has a protective effect on liver histopathology against disturbances caused by the HFHFr diet.

Protective Effects of Probiotics on Cognitive and Motor Functions, Anxiety Level, Visceral Sensitivity, Oxidative Stress and Microbiota in Mice with Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis.

Accumulating clinical and preclinical data indicate a prominent role of gut microbiota in regulation of physiological functions. The gut-brain axis imbalance due to gut dysbiosis is associated with a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Probiotics were suggested not only to restore intestinal dysbiosis but also modulate stress response and improve mood and anxiety symptoms. In this study, we assessed the effects of probiotic lactobacilli on behavioral reactions, the level of oxidative stress and microbiota content in mice administered to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Our study demonstrates that antibiotic treatment of adolescent mice for two weeks resulted in higher mortality and lower weight gain and induced significant changes in behavior including lower locomotor and exploratory activity, reduced muscle strength, visceral hypersensitivity, higher level of anxiety and impaired cognitive functions compared to the control group. These changes were accompanied by decreased diversity and total amount of bacteria, abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia phyla, and reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio in the gut microbiota. Moreover, a higher level of oxidative stress was found in brain and skeletal muscle tissues of mice treated with antibiotics. Oral administration of two Lactobacillus strains prevented the observed changes and improved not only microbiota content but also the behavioral alterations, suggesting a neuroprotective and antioxidant role of probiotics.

Modulatory Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 on Mechanical Sensitivity in a Female Diet-Induced Obesity Model.

Obese animals and humans demonstrate higher sensitivity to pain stimuli. Among the endogenous factors prompting obesity, the intestinal microbiota has been proposed to influence responsiveness to pain. The beneficial effects of probiotics on obesity are well documented, whereas data on their analgesic efficacy is minimal. The protective effect of probiotics on nociception in diet-induced obese male mice has been previously demonstrated, but the sex differences in pain sensitivity and analgesic response do not allow for the generalization of these findings to the female gender. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the potential effects of oral probiotic supplementation on mechanical pain thresholds in female diet-induced obese mice compared with controls. Thirty-two adult female mice (N=32) were randomly divided into two groups receiving standard (normal-weight group; NW) or high-fat diet (diet-induced obesity; DIO). All rats received a single daily dose (1 × 109 CFU) of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01, DSM14870) for four weeks by gavage. Mechanical pain thresholds were recorded by an electronic von Frey device at baseline, at the end of weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 in both DIO and NW groups with and without consumption of probiotics. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of lipid profile and reproductive hormone levels. Bodyweight was considerably lower (P < 0.001) in groups supplied with probiotics than groups without probiotics. Pressure pain threshold values showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase (reduced pain sensitivity) following probiotic supplementation, proposing a modulatory effect of probiotics on mechanical sensory circuits and mechanical sensitivity, which might be a direct consequence of weight loss or an indirect result of the probiotics' anti-inflammatory properties. Understanding the precise underlying mechanism for the effect of probiotics on weight loss and mechanical pain sensitivity seen in this study warrants further investigation.

Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Objective:This meta-analysis aims to combine the latest research evidence to assess the effect of probiotics on preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults.Methods:PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials on probiotics preventing AAD. A random or fixed effect model was used to combine the incidence of AAD (primary outcome) and the adverse event rates. The authors performed subgroup analyses to explore the effects of different participants population, probiotics species, and dosage.Results:Thirty-six studies were included with 9312 participants. Probiotics reduced the incidence of AAD by 38% (pooled relative risk, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.74). The protective effect of probiotics was still significant when grouped by reasons for antibiotics treatment, probiotic duration, probiotic dosage, and time from antibiotic to probiotic. However, there were no statistically significant increased adverse events in the probiotics group (relative risk, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.14).Conclusions:This updated meta-analysis suggested that using probiotics as early as possible during antibiotic therapy has a positive and safe effect on preventing AAD in adults. Further studies should focus on the optimal dosage and duration of probiotics to develop a specific recommendation.

Protective effect of probiotics in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

To investigate the effects of probiotics on liver function, glucose and lipids metabolism, and hepatic fatty deposition in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Totally 140 NAFLD cases diagnosed in our hospital from March 2017 to March 2019 were randomly divided into the observation group and control group, 70 cases in each. The control group received the diet and exercise therapy, while the observation group received oral probiotics based on the control group, and the intervention in 2 groups lasted for 3 months. The indexes of liver function, glucose and lipids metabolism, NAFLD activity score (NAS), and conditions of fecal flora in 2 groups were compared before and after the treatment.Before the treatment, there were no significant differences on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamine transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), NAFLD activity score (NAS), and conditions of fecal flora in 2 groups (P > .05). After the treatment, ALT, AST, GGT, TC, TG, HOMA-IR, NAS, and conditions of fecal flora in the observation group were better than those in the control group, and the observation group was better after treatment than before. All these above differences were statistically significant (P < .05).Probiotics can improve some liver functions, glucose and lipids metabolism, hepatic fatty deposition in patients with NAFLD, which will enhance the therapeutic effects of NAFLD.

Enhancement of shrimp health and immunity with diets supplemented with combined probiotics: application to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections.

The application of probiotics for disease control in aquaculture is now a convincing approach towards replacement of antibiotics, which can cause adverse effects in aquatic animals and humans. In this study, we combined 2 probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with shrimp feed to create 2 formulas (WU8 and WU9), which were fed for 10 d to juvenile shrimp Penaeus vannamei. The shrimps were then subjected to a challenge infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of acute hepatopancreas necrosis disease (AHPND). The protective effects of probiotics against bacterial infection were investigated through histopathology of the hepatopancrease and immunological evaluation of shrimp. Both WU8 and WU9 probiotic mixtures (1:1, at 108 and 109 CFU kg diet-1) increased blasenzellen hepatopancreatic epithelial cells and reduced pathology caused by AHPND. After 10 d of feeding, hemocyte parameters, including the total hemocyte count, percent of granular hemocytes, and phenoloxidase activity, increased significantly and were still increasing at 24 h post infection. Crustin and penaeidin 3 genes were also highly upregulated in hemocytes before and after 24 h of bacterial challenge and significantly upregulated in the hepatopancreas 1 to 5 d post-infection. A significantly higher survival rate was observed in shrimp fed with the probiotic supplemented diet (>90%) in comparison to the control group (60%). In conclusion, probiotic mixtures of L. acidophilus and S. cerevisiae reduced hepatopancreas pathology and protected shrimp from a challenge with AHPND.

Protective Effect of Probiotics against Esophagogastric Variceal Rebleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis after Endoscopic Therapy.

BackgroundProbiotic therapy has been shown to be beneficial against some liver diseases. However, there is still uncertainty regarding the clinical efficacy of probiotics for the treatment of variceal rebleeding. This research explored the efficacy of probiotics in variceal rebleeding.Material/MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 704 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis who recovered from esophagogastric variceal bleeding after endoscopic treatment. Patients were subdivided into a probiotics cohort (n=214) and a non-probiotics cohort (n=490) based on the cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of probiotics received during follow-up. Propensity score matching was utilized to obtain a relatively balanced cohort of 200 patients per group for the analysis. Patients were monitored for rebleeding during the one-year follow-up.ResultsMultivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that probiotic therapy (≥28cDDD) was an independent protector against rebleeding (AHR=0.623; 95% CI=0.488–0.795; P<0.001). After propensity score matching, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the rebleeding rate was higher in the non-probiotics cohort (n=200) than in the probiotics cohort (n=200) (56.0% vs. 44.0%, P=0.002). The incidence of rebleeding decreased with increased probiotic dosage (56.0%, 48.5%, 43.3%, and 38.1% in <28 cDDD, 28–60 cDDD, 61–90 cDDD, and >90 cDDD groups, respectively; P=0.011). The median rebleeding interval in the probiotics cohort (n=95) was significantly longer than that in the non-probiotics cohort (n=261) (147.0 vs. 91.0 days; P<0.001).ConclusionsAdjuvant probiotic therapy significantly reduced the incidence of variceal rebleeding and delayed rebleeding after endotherapy in patients with cirrhosis.