Comparative evaluation of probiotics effects on plasma glucose, lipid, and insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The Impact of Lactobacillus reuteri on Oral and Systemic Health: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research

Oral diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal disease, pose significant global health challenges. The imbalance of the oral microbiota plays a key role in the occurrence of these diseases, prompting researchers to seek new strategies to restore oral ecological balance. Lactobacillus reuteri is a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that exists in various body parts of humans, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, skin, and so on. This species has a potentially positive impact on oral health and plays an important role in maintaining systemic health. Recent studies have explored the application of Lactobacillus reuteri in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases, and its impact on systemic health has also been preliminarily revealed. The current review summarizes the role of Lactobacillus reuteri in oral health and systemic health and outlines its potential applications in the future. Lactobacillus reuteri has shown promising prospects in treating non-communicable biofilm-dependent oral diseases, but its mechanism of action and efficacy still need further research. In addition, Lactobacillus reuteri has also displayed some potential benefits in promoting overall health. Future research should focus on revealing the specific pathways of action of Lactobacillus reuteri, screening for the most beneficial strains, determining the most effective drug delivery strategies, developing oral and systemic health products based on Lactobacillus reuteri, and ensuring their safety in clinical applications.

Attenuation of Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Rats Assisted by Immobilized Probiotic in Sodium Alginate

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is the most common chronic disease worldwide, characterized mainly by increased glucose concentration in the blood and affecting several organs' functionality. The daily consumption of probiotic bacteria can help control diabetes and reduce the damage caused. Cell immobilization techniques are a powerful tool that provides physical cell protection to such probiotic bacteria against gastrointestinal conditions. We suggest that cell immobilization could be a significant vector for delivering a high quantity of viable probiotics to the gut, helping attenuate hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Seventy male Wistar rats were used in this work. Nicotinamide was administrated via intraperitoneal injection 15 minutes before inducing type 2 diabetes (DM2), followed by a second intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce DM2. Rats were divided into seven groups. For 45 days, a specific treatment was applied to each group. The group of rats, supplied with immobilized Lactobacillus casei, showed a serum glucose concentration of 137 mg/dL, which was close to the one observed in the groups of healthy rats (117 mg/dL) and rats treated with metformin (155 mg/dL). The diabetic rats without treatment presented a higher serum glucose concentration (461 mg/dL). In the rats treated with immobilized L. casei, there was no biochemical parameter alteration, and the cell morphology of the analyzed tissues was similar to those of the healthy group. The consumption of immobilized L. casei could allow a high quantity of viable probiotics to be delivered to the gut, reducing serum glucose concentration by up to 70% compared to diabetic rats and reducing organ damage caused by diabetes.

Harnessing the power of probiotic strains in functional foods: nutritive, therapeutic, and next-generation challenges

Functional foods have become an essential element of the diet in developed nations, due to their health benefits and nutritive values. Such food products are only called functional if they, "In addition to basic nutrition, have valuable effects on one or multiple functions of the human body, thereby enhancing general and physical conditions and/or reducing the risk of disease progression". Functional foods are currently one of the most extensively researched areas in the food and nutrition sciences. They are fortified and improved food products. Presently, probiotics are regarded as the most significant and commonly used functional food product. Diverse probiotic food products and supplements are used according to the evidence that supports their strength, functionality, and recommended dosage. This review provides an overview of the current functional food market, with a particular focus on probiotic microorganisms as pivotal functional ingredients. It offers insights into current research endeavors and outlines potential future directions in the field.

Novel Insight into the Effect of Probiotics in the Regulation of the Most Important Pathways Involved in the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered one of the most common disorders worldwide. Although several treatment modalities have been developed, the existing interventions have not yielded the desired results. Therefore, researchers have focused on finding treatment choices with low toxicity and few adverse effects that could control T2DM efficiently. Various types of research on the role of gut microbiota in developing T2DM and its related complications have led to the growing interest in probiotic supplementation. Several properties make these organisms unique in terms of human health, including their low cost, high reliability, and good safety profile. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that three of the most important signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM, play key functions in the effects of probiotics on this disease. Hence, we will focus on the clinical applications of probiotics in the management of T2DM. Then, we will also discuss the roles of the involvement of various probiotics in the regulation of the most important signaling pathways (NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2) involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM.

The Effects of Probiotic Bacillus Spores on Dexamethasone-Treated Rats

Glucocorticoids are effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. Long-term exposure is associated with multiple metabolic side effects. Spore-forming probiotic bacteria have shown modulatory properties regarding glycolipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of Bacillus species spores (B. licheniformis, B. indicus, B. subtilis, B. clausii, and B. coagulans) alone and in combination with metformin against dexamethasone-induced systemic disturbances. A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: group 1 served as control (CONTROL), group 2 received dexamethasone (DEXA), group 3 received DEXA and MegaSporeBiotic (MSB), group 4 received DEXA and metformin (MET), and group 5 received DEXA, MSB, and MET. On the last day of the experiment, blood samples and liver tissue samples for histopathological examination were collected. We determined serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and metformin concentration. DEXA administration caused hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, increased inflammation cytokines, and decreased antioxidant markers. Treatment with MSB reduced total cholesterol, suggesting that the administration of Bacillus spores-based probiotics to DEXA-treated rats could ameliorate metabolic parameters.

Role of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control: A critical umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

The evidence regarding the beneficial effects of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation have been revealed by several meta-analyses, however some of these studies have fielded inconsistent results and a conclusion has yet to be reached. Therefore, the aim of present umbrella meta-analyses was to assess relevant evidence and elucidate the efficacy of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control. A comprehensive search in four databases (Cochrane library, PubMed, Web of science and Scopus) was performed to collect relevant studies up to August 2022, the pooled effects were measured with the use of random/fix-effect model depends on the heterogeneity. A total of 47 eligible meta-analyses involving 47,720 participants were identified to evaluate the pooled effects. The overall results showed that probiotics/synbiotic supplementation delivered significant decreases in fast plasma glucose (ES = -0.408, 95% CI: -0.518, -0.298; P < 0.001; I2 = 82.996, P < 0.001), fast plasma insulin (ES = -1.165, 95% CI: -1.454, -0.876; P < 0.001; I2 = 89.629, P < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (ES = -0.539, 95% CI: -0.624, -0.454; P < 0.001; I2 = 56.716, P < 0.001), and glycosylated hemoglobin (ES = -0.186, 95% CI: -0.270, -0.102; P < 0.001; I2 = 59.647, P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with impaired glucose homeostasis might benefit the most from probiotics/synbiotic supplementation. In conclusion, current umbrella meta-analysis strongly supporting the beneficial health effects of probiotics/synbiotic supplementation in glycemic control.

Saccharomyces boulardii exerts renoprotection by modulating oxidative stress, renin angiotensin system and uropathogenic microbiota in a murine model of diabetes

AIMS

We aimed to investigate whether Saccharomyces boulardii strain might exert renoprotective effects by modulating renal renin angiotensin system, oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

MAIN METHODS

Thirty-six C57BL/6 male mice were divided into four groups: control (C), control + probiotic (CP), diabetes (D), diabetes + probiotic (DP). Diabetes was induced by one intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and Saccharomyces boulardii was administered by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Blood glucose, albuminuria and urinary volume were measured. Renal levels of angiotensin peptides (angiotensin I, II and 1-7) and the activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 were determined, besides that, renal morphology, serotonin and dopamine levels and also microbiota composition were analyzed.

KEY FINDINGS

Probiotics significantly increased C-peptide secretion and reduced blood glucose of diabetic animals. Saccharomyces boulardii also improved renal antioxidant defense, restored serotonin and dopamine concentration, and activated the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) vasodilator and antifibrotic axis. The modulation of these markers was associated with a beneficial impact on glomerular structure and renal function of diabetic treated animals. The phenotypic changes induced by Saccharomyces boulardii were also related to modulation of intestinal microbiota, evidenced by the decreased abundance of Proteus and Escherichia-Shigella, considered diabetic nephropathy biomarkers.

SIGNIFICANCE

Therefore, probiotic administration to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice improves kidney structure and function in a murine model and might represent a reasonable strategy to counteract nephropathy-associated maladaptive responses in diabetes.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y15 alleviate type 2 diabetes in mice via modulating gut microbiota and regulating NF-κB and insulin signaling pathway

Probiotics have been used for the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the mechanisms of antidiabetic effects are not well understood. The object of this study is to assess the antidiabetic effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y15 isolated from Chinese traditional dairy products in vivo. Results revealed that L. plantarum Y15 administration improved the biochemical indexes related to diabetes, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, L. plantarum Y15 administration reshaped the structure of gut microbiota, decreased the abundance of LPS-producing, and increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, which subsequently reduce the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. L. plantarum Y15 administration also regulated the expressions of the inflammation and insulin signaling pathway-related genes. These results suggest that L. plantarum Y15 may serve as a potential probiotic for developing food products to ameliorate T2D.

Gut-Microbial Metabolites, Probiotics and Their Roles in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide prevalent metabolic disorder defined by high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance (IR) and impaired insulin secretion. Understanding the mechanism of insulin action is of great importance to the continuing development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of T2D. Disturbances of gut microbiota have been widely found in T2D patients and contribute to the development of IR. In the present article, we reviewed the pathological role of gut microbial metabolites including gaseous products, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) products, aromatic amino acids (AAAs) products, bile acids (BA) products, choline products and bacterial toxins in regulating insulin sensitivity in T2D. Following that, we summarized probiotics-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of T2D with a focus on modulating gut microbiota in both animal and human studies. These results indicate that gut-microbial metabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of T2D and supplementation of probiotics could be beneficial to alleviate IR in T2D via modulation of gut microbiota.

Saccharomyces boulardii modulates oxidative stress and renin angiotensin system attenuating diabetes-induced liver injury in mice

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to a deficiency in endogenous insulin production, resulting from pancreatic beta cell death. Persistent hyperglycemia leads to enhanced oxidative stress and liver injury. Several studies have evaluated the anti-diabetic and protective effects of probiotic strains in animal models. In the present study, we investigated, through histopathological and biochemical analyses, the effects of eight weeks of administration of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) yeast on the liver of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that S. boulardii attenuates hepatocytes hydropic degeneration and hepatic vessels congestion in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The treatment attenuated the oxidative stress in diabetic mice leading to a reduction of carbonylated protein concentration and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, compared to untreated diabetic animals. The results also show the beneficial influence of S. boulardii in regulating the hepatic concentration of renin angiotensin system (RAS) peptides. Therefore, our results demonstrated that S. boulardii administration to STZ-induced diabetic mice reduces oxidative stress and normalizes the concentration of RAS peptides, supporting the hypothesis that this yeast may have a role as a potential adjunctive therapy to attenuate diabetes-induced liver injury.

Dietary Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Alters the Gut Microbiota of Obese Diabetic db/db Mice: Lactobacillus Is a Putative Target

Obesity results in the progression of metabolic disorders, and especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the gut microbiota have been implicated in the development of T2DM. This study investigated the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on structural changes to the gut microbiota of obese diabetic db/db mice. db/db mice were subjected to a control and EGCG (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg) diet for 8 weeks. Glucose homeostasis and the structure and composition of the gut microbiota were measured. EGCG inhibited the increases in body weight and fasting blood glucose levels. Similarly, it resulted in remarkable improvements in glucose tolerance. Based on lipid profiles, EGCG decreased serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and increased the high-density lipoprotein/LDL ratio. In addition, upon fecal microbiota analysis, this compound significantly increased the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio at the phylum level and increased Lactobacillus abundance at the genus level. Especially, its administration increased abundances of the Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus intestinalis, and Lactobacillus reuteri. We also found that EGCG increased Christensenellaceae abundance and decreased Enterobacteriaceae and Proteobacteria abundance at the family level. EGCG improves glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. Its beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis are likely associated with alterations to the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the enrichment of probiotics (Lactobacillus) might be a potential mechanism underlying the effects of EGCG on glucose homeostasis.

Preclinical relevance of probiotics in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is among the most prevalent metabolic diseases in the world and may result in several long-term complications. The crosstalk between gut microbiota and host metabolism is closely related to T2DM. Currently, fragmented data hamper defining the relationship between probiotics and T2DM. This systematic review aimed at investigating the effects of probiotics on T2DM in animal models. We systematically reviewed preclinical evidences using PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases, recovering 24 original articles published until September 27th, 2019. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We included experimental studies with animal models reporting the effects of probiotics on T2DM. Studies were sorted by characteristics of publications, animal models, performed analyses, probiotic used and interventions. Bias analysis and methodological quality assessments were examined through the SYRCLE's Risk of Bias tool. Probiotics improved T2DM in 96% of the studies. Most studies (96%) used Lactobacillus strains, and all of them led to improved glycaemia. All studies used rodents as models, and male animals were preferred over females. Results suggest that probiotics have a beneficial effect in T2DM animals and could be used as a supporting alternative in the disease treatment. Considering a detailed evaluation of the reporting and methodological quality, the current preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. We hope that our critical analysis will be useful in mitigating the sources of bias in further studies.

Probiotic Strains and Intervention Total Doses for Modulating Obesity-Related Microbiota Dysbiosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Obesity is a growing health threat worldwide. Administration of probiotics in obesity has also parallelly increased but without any protocolization. We conducted a systematic review exploring the administration pattern of probiotic strains and effective doses for obesity-related disorders according to their capacity of positively modulating key biomarkers and microbiota dysbiosis. Manuscripts targeting probiotic strains and doses administered for obesity-related disorders in clinical studies were sought. MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using keywords during the last fifteen years up to April 2020. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and then full-text papers against inclusion criteria according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. From 549 interventional reports identified, we filtered 171 eligible studies, from which 24 full-text assays were used for calculating intervention total doses (ITD) of specific species and strains administered. Nine of these reports were excluded in the second-step because no specific data on gut microbiota modulation was found. Six clinical trials (CT) and 9 animal clinical studies were retained for analysis of complete outcome prioritized (body mass index (BMI), adiposity parameters, glucose, and plasma lipid biomarkers, and gut hormones). Lactobacillus spp. administered were double compared to Bifidobacterium spp.; Lactobacillus as single or multispecies formulations whereas most Bifidobacteria only through multispecies supplementations. Differential factors were estimated from obese populations' vs. obesity-induced animals: ITD ratio of 2 × 106 CFU and patterns of administrations of 11.3 weeks to 5.5 weeks, respectively. Estimation of overall probiotics impact from selected CT was performed through a random-effects model to pool effect sizes. Comparisons showed a positive association between the probiotics group vs. placebo on the reduction of BMI, total cholesterol, leptin, and adiponectin. Moreover, negative estimation appeared for glucose (FPG) and CRP. While clinical trials including data for positive modulatory microbiota capacities suggested that high doses of common single and multispecies of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium ameliorated key obesity-related parameters, the major limitation was the high variability between studies and lack of standardized protocols. Efforts in solving this problem and searching for next-generation probiotics for obesity-related diseases would highly improve the rational use of probiotics.

Altered circadian clock as a novel therapeutic target for constant darkness-induced insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism of polycystic ovary syndrome

The mechanisms underlying metabolic and reproductive dysfunction caused by arrhythmic circadian clock and their involvement in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not understood. Here, we addressed this issue using rats with constant light or darkness exposure for 8 weeks and human leukocytes and serum of PCOS and non-PCOS patients. Additionally, we utilized HepG2 cells and KGN cells to verify the molecular mechanisms. The arrhythmic expressions of circadian clock genes due to constant darkness induced the metabolic and reproductive hallmarks of PCOS in rats. After exposure to constant darkness, decreased brain and muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1) promoted insulin resistance via glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and decreased period (PER) 1 and PER2 promoted androgen excess via insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the liver. Hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism shared a bidirectional link promoting aberrant expression of circadian genes and inducing apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. Notably, the altered expressions of circadian clock genes in darkness-treated rats matched those of PCOS patients. Furthermore, melatonin treatment relieved the hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism of darkness-treated rats via BMAL1, PER1, and PER2. Restoring normal light/dark exposure for 2 weeks reversed these conditions via BMAL1. In conclusion, our findings elucidated the critical function of circadian clock genes, especially BMAL1, PER1, and PER2 in PCOS, which might aid the development of feasible preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS in women with biorhythm disorder.

The effects of myo-inositol and probiotic supplementation in a high-fat-fed preclinical model of glucose intolerance in pregnancy

Glucose intolerance during pregnancy – a major driver of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) – has significant short- and long-term health consequences for both the mother and child. As GDM prevalence continues to escalate, there is growing need for preventative strategies. There is limited but suggestive evidence that myo-inositol (MI) and probiotics (PB) could improve glucose tolerance during pregnancy. The present study tested the hypothesis that MI and/or PB supplementation would reduce the risk of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomised to receive either no treatment, MI, PB (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis) or both (MIPB) for 5 weeks. They were then provided with a high-fat diet for 1 week before mating commenced and throughout mating/gestation, while remaining on their respective treatments. An oral glucose tolerance test occurred at gestational day (GD) 16·5 and tissue collection at GD 18·5. Neither MI nor PB, separately or combined, improved glucose tolerance. However, MI and PB both independently increased adipose tissue expression of Ir, Irs1, Akt2 and Pck1, and PB also increased Pparγ. MI was associated with reduced gestational weight gain, whilst PB was associated with increased maternal fasting glucose, total cholesterol and pancreas weight. These results suggest that MI and PB may improve insulin intracellular signalling in adipose tissue but this did not translate to meaningful differences in glucose tolerance. The absence of fasting hyperglycaemia or insulin resistance suggests this is a very mild model of GDM, which may have affected our ability to assess the impact of these nutrients.

Using probiotics for type 2 diabetes mellitus intervention: Advances, questions, and potential

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become one of the most prevalent diseases on earth and several treatments have been developed. However, the current intervention approaches have not been as effective as expected. One promising supplementary strategy is the use of probiotics through direct or indirect approaches. Probiotics are microbial food cultures conferring health-promoting properties. In this review, we summarized the current theories and mechanisms of T2DM intervention using probiotics and hypothesize that probiotics intervene T2DM during its onsetting, developing, and complicating. For the first time, we comprehensively analyzed T2DM intervention in animal models using both wide-type probiotics in different forms and using recombinant probiotics. Then, probiotic intervention in T2DM patients was reviewed and the main results were compared with that obtained from animal studies. Finally yet importantly, remaining questions that are important such as in which form and in which state, as well as the future potential of probiotic intervention in T2DM were discussed from a perspective of food microbiologists. In conclusion, probiotic intervention in T2DM is promising but there are still many important issues unsolved yet. Critical review of the advances, questions, and potential of probiotic intervention in T2DM promotes the development of this approach for further application in humans.

Evaluation of anti-diabetic attributes of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5957, Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5897 and Lactobacillus fermentum MTCC: 5898 in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Interest in probiotics has grown significantly in the last decades due to their reported nutritional and health promoting effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of probiotic fermented milk (PFM) prepared using three different probiotic strains i.e. Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5957, Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5897 and Lactobacillus fermentum MTCC: 5898; independently or in combination, for treating streptozotocin induced type-1 diabetes in male Wistar rats. Diabetic rats were fed with PFM preparations for 6 weeks and then analyzed for the various biochemical parameters associated. The results indicated that feeding of PFM significantly improved glucose metabolism (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, serum insulin), serum inflammation status (tumor necrosis factor-α, and serum interleukin-6), oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in liver and kidney), serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides) in diabetic rats. In addition, feeding of PFM has significantly reduced mRNA expression of pepck and g6pase genes that code the key enzymes of gluconeogenesis pathway. The results of this study showed that daily consumption of PFM can be effective in combating of type -1 diabetes and its complications.

Effects of a 6-month multi-strain probiotics supplementation in endotoxemic, inflammatory and cardiometabolic status of T2DM patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this trial was to characterize the beneficial effects of probiotics on decreasing endotoxin levels and other cardiometabolic parameters in Arab patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Saudi adults with naïve T2DM (n = 30; 12 males and 18 females) were randomly allocated to receive twice daily placebo or 2.5 × 10⁹ cfu/g of Ecologic^®Barrier (multi-strain probiotics; n = 31; 14 males and 17 females) in a double-blind manner over a 6 month period, respectively. Anthropometrics were measured and fasting blood samples were collected to analyze endotoxin, glycemic parameters [glucose, insulin, c-peptide and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)], lipids [triglycerides, total cholesterol, low and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL, respectively) cholesterol and total/HDL-cholesterol ratio], inflammatory markers [tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] and adipocytokines [leptin, adiponectin and resistin] at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention.

RESULTS

Multi-strain probiotics supplementation for 6 months caused a significant decrease in circulating levels of endotoxin by almost 70% over 6 months, as well as glucose (38%), insulin (38%), HOMA-IR (64%), triglycerides (48%), total cholesterol (19%), total/HDL-cholesterol ratio (19%), TNF-α (67%), IL-6 (77%), CRP (53%), resistin (53%), and a significant increase in adiponectin (72%) as compared with baseline. Only HOMA-IR had a clinically significant reduction (-3.4, 64.2%) in the probiotics group as compared to placebo group at all time points. No other clinically significant changes were observed between the probiotic or placebo group at 3 and 6 months in other markers.

CONCLUSION

Multi-strain probiotic supplementation over 6 months as a monotherapy significantly decreased HOMA-IR in T2DM patients, with the probiotic treatment group highlighting reduced inflammation and improved cardiometabolic profile. As such, multi-strain probiotics is a promising adjuvant anti-diabetes therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01765517.

Investigation of antitumor effects of Lactobacillus crispatus in experimental model of breast cancer in BALB/c mice

AIM

To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal injections of heat-killed Lactobacillus crispatus on breast tumor size and overall survival of Balb/c mouse received 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Materials and methods: Different doses of L. crispatus have been injected intraperitoneally in BALB/c mice.

RESULTS

Tumor size was decreased in the experiment group treated with 1 × 10⁸ bacteria/200 μl. Treatment with 1 × 10⁸ bacteria/200 μl resulted in survival improvement. The myeloid-derived suppressor cells and reactive oxygen species production have been increased in all groups. Cox2 expression decreased in tumor tissues of the mice treated with 10⁸ bacteria/200 μl. The expressions of Arginase and iNos increased in the spleen and tumor tissues of those treated with 5 × 10⁸ bacteria/200 μl.

CONCLUSION

We have shown the protective effect of L. crispatus on survival of tumor-bearing mice.