Two antioxidative lactobacilli strains as promising probiotics

Analysis of the antioxidant properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum EA3 isolated from fermented yak milk based on whole genome sequencing

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum EA3 was isolated from traditional fermented yak milk in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province, China. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the EA3 genome is 3.47 Mb in size, consisting of a circular chromosome and three plasmids. The circular chromosome measures 3,318,230 bp in length with a GC content of 44.48 %. Functional annotation identified at least ten regulatory pathways and 33 protein-coding genes associated with oxidative stress, whose abundance correlates with free radical scavenging rates and oxygen tolerance. Additionally, genes encoding ten acid-tolerant proteins, ten bile salt-tolerant proteins, 26 adhesive proteins, and 12 bacteriocin-related proteins were detected. In vitro experiments have confirmed that EA3 can withstand up to 4 mM H2O2. Both the cell suspension and fermentation supernatant of EA3 exhibited significant radical scavenging activity and reducing power, highlighting its robust antioxidant properties. EA3 demonstrated high survival rates under harsh conditions, including pH 2.5 (90.24 %) and 1.2 % bile salt, and displayed antibacterial activity against Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. The EA3 genome lacked virulence factors, and its sensitivity to antibiotics, absence of hemolytic activity, and inability to produce biogenic amines confirmed its safety. These findings suggest that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum EA3 possesses exceptional antioxidant properties, making it a promising candidate for functional food production.

The Role of Probiotics in Modulating the Gut Microbiome in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has emerged as a global public health priority characterized by escalating prevalence and the limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches. Although the pathological complexity of AD is well-recognized, its underlying etiology remains incompletely elucidated. Current research highlights a bidirectional gut-brain axis (GBA) interaction, wherein gut microbiome perturbations may impair intestinal barrier stability, influence immune responses, and blood-brain barrier permeability through microbial metabolite-mediated pathways, thereby contributing to AD pathophysiology. Notably, probiotics demonstrate therapeutic potential by restoring gut microbiome homeostasis, reinforcing intestinal barrier integrity, and mitigating neuroinflammatory responses via GBA. This review focuses on investigating the gut microbiome alterations in AD pathogenesis, the interaction of probiotics with GBA, and its significance in AD pathogenesis. By synthesizing current clinical evidence, this review aims to establish a scientific foundation for probiotic-based interventions as a novel therapeutic strategy in AD management.

Isolation and Characterization of Probiotic Bacteria from Traditional Foods

A probiotic is a live bacterium that, when given in sufficient proportions, helps to improve the host's gut health. Kimchi and pearl millet, two traditional foods, were used to isolate probiotic bacterial strains. This study's primary goals were to isolate, identify and analyse the microorganisms for potential probiotic traits, tolerance to gastrointestinal environments, and antimicrobial activity, and produce probiotic capsule. The present investigation resulted with identification of two probiotic strains (KAC1 and PAC1) from conventional foods, such as kimchi and pearl millet porridge. The isolated probiotics were identified as Enterobacteriaceae family by 16S rRNA sequencing and are deposited in GenBank (NCBI), accession numbers OQ629827 (KAC1) and OQ629828 (PAC1), respectively. These strains exhibited the characteristics of possible probiotic traits, such as the ability to tolerate simulated gastric juice, inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, and hydrophobicity. Furthermore, spectroscopic analysis divulges some critical findings which corroborate the results obtained. Finally, capsules containing freeze-dried  probiotics was successfully produced.

Impact of inoculating various lactic acid bacteria on vitamin A levels in total mixed ration silage

This study investigated the impact of different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the vitamin A content in total mixed ration (TMR) silage. The TMRs were inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), Lacticaseibacillus casei (LC), Enterococcus faecium (EF) or left without LAB as control (CK) and subsequently ensiled under dark, anaerobic conditions for 56 days. Throughout the ensiling process, the fermentation quality, chemical composition, microbial community, and vitamin A content of the TMR silage were monitored. Additionally, the free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, CAT) in the three LAB strains were assessed. After 56 days of ensiling, the antioxidant enzyme activities of T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT of TMR silage were also analyzed. The results indicated that LAB inoculation had a significant effect on both the fermentation quality and vitamin A content of TMR silage (p < 0.05). Among the LAB strains, LP and LC enhanced the fermentation quality of the TMR silage. Vitamin A loss rates in decreasing order were LC, CK, EF and LP groups. Notably, LAB strains with higher antioxidant properties were found to improve the antioxidant capacity of the TMR silage, thereby mitigating the degradation of vitamin A.

Bacteriocin and Antioxidant Production, a Beneficial Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fermented Vegetables of Northwest Bulgaria

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ST01BG, ST07BG, ST10BG, and ST15BG; Latilactobacillus curvatus ST02BG; Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ST04BG; Pediococcus pentosaceus ST05BG; Leuconostoc mesenteroides ST06BG; and Enterococcus faecium ST11BG were isolated from home-made fermented vegetables from Northwest Bulgaria and identified by biochemical, physiological, and biomolecular analyses, including partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The strains were designated as bacteriocin producers and the expressed antimicrobials partially characterized with a focus on their proteinaceous nature, stability to different pH and temperatures. The bacteriocins were effective in inhibiting different strains of Listeria spp., Enterococcus spp. (including vancomycin resistant enterococci) and Staphylococcus spp. These strains can be considered safe, based on the evaluation of hemolytic activity, production of biogenic amines, mucin degradation, antibiotic susceptibility/resistance, and gelatinase enzyme production. Moreover, the strains can be considered potentially beneficial based on their stability and survival under simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions (stomach and duodenum), the production of diacetyl, and specific levels of hydrophobicity. Special attention was given to antioxidant properties (DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, Fe+2 ion chelating activity, and anti-lipid peroxidation) of the strains. Antioxidant properties were found to be strain specific. The beneficial attributes (antimicrobial and antioxidant) of these cultures to fermented food products may enable the reduction of chemical additives in line with consumers' demand for more natural and chemical-free food commodities.

Comparison of the impact of intermittent fasting diet alone or in conjunction with probiotic supplementation versus calorie-restricted diet on inflammatory, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity biomarkers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of early time-restricted eating (eTRE) and eTRE plus probiotic supplementation to daily caloric restriction (DCR) alone in terms of biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS), antioxidant capacity, inflammation, and blood pressure (BP) in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials and Methods

The research was conducted as a randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial with an 8-week follow-up period. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 14:10 eTRE with probiotic supplementation (n = 30), 14:10 eTRE with placebo supplementation (n = 30), or DCR with placebo supplementation (n = 30). At the beginning and 8 weeks of the intervention, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP, inflammation, and OS parameters were evaluated.

Results

A total of 90 participants (mean age, 30.49 years and mean weight, 81.45 kg) were enrolled in this trial. After 8-week intervention, we observed SBP significantly decreased in both the eTRE + probiotic group (-0.31 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.55, -0.07]) and the eTRE + placebo group (-0.24 mmHg [95% CI: -0.43, 0.04]), with no significant differences observed between groups. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly reduced in all groups (P < 0.005). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) also showed notable improvement in both the eTRE + probiotic group (P = 0.012) and the DCR group (P = 0.032). However, there were no significant differences between the three groups regarding BP, OS, TAC, and CRP markers.

Conclusion

It was not found that eTRE alone or eTRE with probiotics intervention resulted in improving BP, inflammatory, OS, and antioxidant capacity biomarkers than a standard DCR diet among obese women with PCOS. The present study did not reveal significant improvements in BP, inflammatory markers, OS, or antioxidant capacity with either eTRE alone or eTRE combined with probiotics compared to a standard DCR among obese women diagnosed with PCOS.Trial Register no: IRCT20121110011421N5.

Mechanism of Action and Beneficial Effects of Probiotics in Amateur and Professional Athletes

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide health benefits to the host. According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), probiotic supplementation can optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes at all stages of their careers. Recent research suggests that probiotics can improve immune system functions, reduce gastrointestinal distress, and increase gut permeability in athletes. Additionally, probiotics may provide athletes with secondary health benefits that could positively affect athletic performance through enhanced recovery from fatigue, improved immune function, and maintenance of healthy gastrointestinal tract function. The integration of some probiotic strains into athletes' diets and the consumption of multi-strain compounds may lead to an improvement in performance and can positively affect performance-related aspects such as fatigue, muscle pain, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In summary, probiotics can be beneficial for athletes at all stages of their careers, from amateur to professional. This paper reviews the progress of research on the role of probiotic supplementation in improving energy metabolism and immune system functions, reducing gastrointestinal distress, and enhancing recovery from fatigue in athletes at different levels.

Storage Stability Enhancement of Lactic Acid Beverage Using Anti-MDA Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NJAU-01: The Antioxidant's Role

This study evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NJAU-01 (NJAU-01) on oxidation associated with malondialdehyde (MDA) and utilized the bacteria in a functional lactic acid beverage. The antioxidant capacity of the bacteria was measured in vitro, the production conditions (inoculum, fermentation time, and sugar addition) of the lactic acid beverage were optimized, and the effects of NJAU-01 on antioxidant, flavor profile, and storage stability of lactic acid beverages were investigated. The results revealed that NJAU-01 exhibited a high tolerance towards MDA at 40 mM, and that it also exhibited outstanding antioxidant capacity in vitro and antioxidant enzyme activity throughout its growth stage. The beverage demonstrated an elevated antioxidant capacity and efficiently eliminated MDA. Additionally, the NJAU-01 lactic acid beverage could be stored at 4 °C for 21 days, exhibiting stable sensory attributes and strong resistance against lipid peroxidation. The study yielded insights into the role of NJAU-01 in improving the storage stability of lactic acid beverages thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the specific mechanisms by which probiotics enhance beverage quality. These findings can facilitate a more effective utilization of this knowledge in the food industry.

The effects of synbiotic supplementation along with non-surgical periodontal therapy in improving the metabolic status and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with periodontal disease: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus and periodontitis are two common chronic diseases with bidirectional relationship. Considering the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of these two diseases, the use of nutritional supplements with antioxidant properties can be useful. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of daily synbiotic supplement in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal disease (PD) under non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial, 50 patients suffering from T2DM and periodontal disease were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention group (n = 25), where one capsule of multi-species probiotic plus 100 mg fructo-oligosaccharide supplement (500 mg in each capsule) every day is given, and control group (n = 25), which received one placebo capsule containing 500 mg wheat flour for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, the serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), the lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. All subjects received NSPT including oral health education, scaling, and root planning at the beginning of study. One month after the intervention, the second NSPT was performed. The paired-sample test was used to identify within-group differences. The independent sample t-test (crude model) and the analysis of covariance or ANCOVA (adjusted model) were used to compare the results between the two groups.

RESULTS

Synbiotic supplement with NSPT significantly decreased serum levels of FBG, HbA1c, TNF-α, and IL-6 compared with the baseline values (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, LDL-C levels significantly decreased compared with the baseline value in both groups (all P < 0.05). Also, the mean changes of IL-6 were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group after the adjustment of confounding factors (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Synbiotic supplementation with NSPT may be beneficial in improving glycemic control and inflammation and decreasing LDL-C in patients with T2DM and PD.

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.

Anti-oxidative activity of probiotics; focused on cardiovascular disease, cancer, aging, and obesity

By disturbing the prooxidant-antioxidant balance in the cell, a condition called oxidative stress is created, causing severe damage to the nucleic acid, protein, and lipid of the host cell, and as a result, endangers the viability of the host cell. A relationship between oxidative stress and several different diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and obesity has been reported. Therefore, maintaining this prooxidant-antioxidant balance is vital for the cell. Probiotics as one of the potent antioxidants have recently received attention. Many health-promoting and beneficial effects of probiotics are known, and it has been found that the consumption of certain strains of probiotics alone or in combination with food exerts antioxidant efficacy and reduces oxidative damage. Studies have reported that certain probiotic strains implement their antioxidant effects by producing metabolites and antioxidant enzymes, increasing the antioxidant capacity, and reducing host oxidant metabolites. Therefore, we aimed to review and summarize the latest anti-oxidative activity of probiotics and its efficacy in aging, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and obesity.

Candidate-Probiotic Lactobacilli and Their Postbiotics as Health-Benefit Promoters

Lactobacillus species are widely recognized for their probiotic potential, focusing on their mechanisms of health benefits and protection. Here we conducted an in vitro investigation of the probiotic potential with a role in microbiome homeostasis of four strains: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L6 and F53, Ligilactobacillus salivarius 1, and Lactobacillus helveticus 611. A broad spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activity was determined. The strain-specific inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and saprophytic/toxigenic fungi makes them promising as protective cultures. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid) measurements showed that tested samples had strain-specific capacity for scavenging of radicals. The molecular base for the antioxidant potential of two lyophilized forms of active strains was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, with fractions of the most active postbiotics obtained by SEC-FPLC (fast protein liquid chromatography) analysis, showed a wide variety of effects on the growth of a K562 myeloid leukemia cell line. The IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) of L. salivarius 1 was determined to be 46.15 mg/mL. The proven in vitro functionality of the selected lactobacilli make them suitable for development of target probiotics with specific beneficial effects expected in vivo. Further investigations on produced postbiotics and safety have to be completed before they can be considered as scientifically proven probiotic strains.

Supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MH-022 for remission of motor impairments in a 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease rat model by reducing inflammation, reshaping the gut microbiome, and fostering specific microbial taxa

Inflammation significantly influences the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD), which is potentially intensified by associated gut dysbiosis. The therapeutic potential of probiotics, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiota modulatory properties, is explored herein as a means to improve gut health and influence the gut-brain-microbiota axis in the context of PD. In this study, we investigated the role and possible mechanism of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MH-022 (B. lactis MH-022) supplementation in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced rat model of PD. Findings demonstrated that B. lactis MH-022 supplementation markedly ameliorated motor deficits, preserved dopaminergic neurons, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and mitigated inflammation through restoring mitochondrial function. Furthermore, B. lactis MH-022 supplementation significantly altered the gut microbiota composition, augmenting the production of short-chain fatty acids and promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacterial taxa, thereby reinforcing their anti-inflammatory properties. Correlation analyses established strong associations between specific bacterial taxa and improvements in motor function, antioxidant levels, and reductions in inflammation markers. These insights emphasize the therapeutic potential of B. lactis MH-022 in modulating diverse aspects of PD, particularly highlighting its role in reducing inflammation, restoring mitochondrial function, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and reshaping the gut microbiota. This multifaceted approach underscores the probiotic's potential in reducing neuroinflammation and protecting dopaminergic neurons, thus offering a promising avenue for PD treatment.

Antibacterial Activity and Prebiotic Properties of Six Types of Lamiaceae Honey

Our work investigated the antimicrobial and prebiotic properties of basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, savory, and thyme honey. The potential antimicrobial action, assessed against the pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, evidenced the capacity of the honey to influence the pathogenic hydrophobicity and hemolytic activities. Honey inhibited pathogen biofilms, acting especially on the mature biofilms, with inhibition rates of up to 81.62% (caused by the presence of mint honey on L. monocytogenes). S. aureus biofilms were the most susceptible to the presence of honey, with inhibition rates up of to 67.38% in the immature form (caused by basil honey) and up to 80.32% in the mature form (caused by mint honey). In some cases, the amount of nuclear and proteic material, evaluated by spectrophotometric readings, if also related to the honey's biofilm inhibitory activity, let us hypothesize a defective capacity of building the biofilm scaffold or bacterial membrane damage or an incapability of producing them for the biofilm scaffold. The prebiotic potentiality of the honey was assessed on Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and indicated their capacity to affect the whole probiotic growth and in vitro adhesive capacity, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic abilities, and to inhibit, mainly in the test performed with the L. casei Shirota, L. gasseri, and L. paracasei supernatants, the immature biofilm of the pathogens mentioned above.

Probiotics for pancreatic β-cell function: from possible mechanism of action to assessment of effectiveness

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia because of insulin resistance (IR) and\or pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Last century research showed that gut microbiota has a direct effect on metabolism and metabolic diseases. New studies into the human microbiome and its connection with the host is making it possible to develop new therapies for a wide variety of diseases. Inflammation is a well-known precursor to metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of hypertension, visceral obesity, and dyslipidemia, which can lead to T2D through the damage of pancreatic β-cell and reduce insulin secretion. Current understanding for beneficial effects of probiotics in T2D strictly rely on both animal and clinical data, which mostly focused on their impact on IR, anthropometric parameters, glycemic control and markers of chronic systemic inflammation. From the other hand, there is a lack of evidence-based probiotic efficacy on pancreatic β-cell function in terms of T2D and related metabolic disorders. Therefore, current review will focus on the efficacy of probiotics for the protection of β-cells damage and it`s mechanism in patients with T2D.

Mechanism of probiotics in the intervention of colorectal cancer: a review

The human microbiome interacts with the host mainly in the intestinal lumen, where putrefactive bacteria are suggested to promote colorectal cancer (CRC). In contrast, probiotics and their isolated components and secreted substances, display anti-tumor properties due to their ability to modulate gut microbiota composition, promote apoptosis, enhance immunity, resist oxidation and alter metabolism. Probiotics help to form a solid intestinal barrier against damaging agents via altering the gut microbiota and preventing harmful microbes from colonization. Probiotic strains that specifically target essential proteins involved in the process of apoptosis can overcome CRC resistance to apoptosis. They can increase the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, essential in preventing carcinogenesis, and eliminate cancer cells by activating T cell-mediated immune responses. There is a clear indication that probiotics optimize the antioxidant system, decrease radical generation, and detect and degrade potential carcinogens. In this review, the pathogenic mechanisms of pathogens in CRC and the recent insights into the mechanism of probiotics in CRC prevention and therapy are discussed to provide a reference for the actual application of probiotics in CRC.

Postbiotics as Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Care

Postbiotics are defined as a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit to the host. They range from cell wall fragments to metabolites, bacterial lysates, extracellular vesicles, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Postbiotics may influence carcinogenesis via a variety of mechanisms. They can promote homeostatic immune responses, reduce inflammation, induce selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells, as well as the enabling the control of tumor cell proliferation and enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier function. Therefore, probiotics can serve as an adjunct strategy in anticancer treatment together with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Up to now, the only relevant postbiotics used as interventions in oncological patients remain vitamin K molecules, with few phase-II and III trials available. In fact, postbiotics' levels are strictly dependent on the gut microbiota's composition, which may vary between individuals and can be altered under different physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, the lack of consistent clinical evidence supporting postbiotics' efficacy is due to their poor bioavailability, short half-life, and fluctuating levels. Synbiotics, a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics, are expected to have a more homogeneous bioavailability with respect to postbiotics and may have greater potential for future development. In this review, we focus on the role of postbiotics as an adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment.

Management of Cardiovascular Diseases by Short-Chain Fatty Acid Postbiotics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Global health concerns persist in the realm of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), necessitating innovative strategies for both prevention and treatment. This narrative review aims to explore the potential of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-namely, acetate, propionate, and butyrate-as agents in the realm of postbiotics for the management of CVDs.

RECENT FINDINGS

We commence our discussion by elucidating the concept of postbiotics and their pivotal significance in mitigating various aspects of cardiovascular diseases. This review centers on a comprehensive examination of diverse SCFAs and their associated receptors, notably GPR41, GPR43, and GPR109a. In addition, we delve into the intricate cellular and pharmacological mechanisms through which these receptors operate, providing insights into their specific roles in managing cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. The integration of current information in our analysis highlights the potential of both SCFAs and their receptors as a promising path for innovative therapeutic approaches in the field of cardiovascular health. The idea of postbiotics arises as an optimistic and inventive method, presenting new opportunities for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

The antioxidant activity and metabolomic analysis of the supernatant of Streptococcus alactolyticus strain FGM

Strain-specific probiotics can present antioxidant activity and reduce damage caused by oxidation. Streptococcus alactolyticus strain FGM (S. alactolyticus strain FGM) isolated from the chicken cecum shows potential probiotic properties which have been previously demonstrated. However, the antioxidant properties of S. alactolyticus strain FGM remain unknown. In this view, cell-free supernatant (CFS), intact cells (IC) and intracellular extracts (CFE) of strain FGM and 3 strains of Lactobacillus (LAB) were prepared, and their scavenging capacities against DPPH, hydroxyl radicals and linoleic acid peroxidation inhibitory were compared in this study. The effects of strain FGM cell-free supernatant (FCFS) on NO production, activity of SOD and GSH-Px in RAW264.7 cells and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were analyzed. The metabolites in the supernatant were quantitated by N300 Quantitative Metabolome. It was shown that the physicochemical characteristics of CFS to scavenge DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, and linoleic acid peroxidation inhibitory were significantly stronger than that of IC and CFE in the strain FGM (P < 0.05), respectively 87.12% ± 1.62, 45.03% ± 1.27, 15.63% ± 1.34. FCFS had a promotional effect on RAW264.7 cells, and significantly elevated SOD and GSH-Px activities in RAW264.7 cells. 25 μL FCFS significantly promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS, increased the activities of SOD and GSH-PX, and decreased the release of NO. Furthermore, among the differential metabolites of FCFS quantified by N300, 12 metabolites were significantly up-regulated, including lactic acid, indole lactic acid, linoleic acid, pyruvic acid etc., many of which are known with antioxidant properties. In conclusion, FCFS had good antioxidant properties and activity, which can be attributed to metabolites produced from strain FGM fermentation. It was further confirmed that S. alactolyticus strain FGM and its postbiotic have potential probiotic properties and bright application prospects in livestock and poultry breeding.

Role of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway on inhibiting activation of ChTLR15/ChNLRP3 inflammatory pathway stimulated by E. tenella sporozoites

The aim of this study is to explore whether Nrf2 antioxidant pathway negatively regulates the ChTLR15/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway stimulated by Eimeria tenella infection. Firstly, levels of molecules in the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in DF-1 cells pre-treated with an optimized dose of Corilagine or probiotics Levilactobacillus brevis 23017 were quantified using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Then, DF-1 cells pre-treated with Corilagine or L. brevis 23017 were stimulated with E. tenella sporozoites, and mRNA levels of molecules in Nrf2/HO-1 and ChTLR15/NLRP3 pathways, protein levels of p-Nrf2, Nrf2, HO-1, ChTLR15 and ChNLRP3, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified. Further, expression level of Nrf2 and ChTLR15 in DF-1 cells was knocked down by RNA interfering (RNAi) method, and target cells were pre-treated with Corilagine or L. brevis 23017, followed by stimulation with E. tenella sporozoites, and the expression levels of key molecules in Nrf2/HO-1 and ChTLR15/NLRP3 pathways were quantified. The results showed that mRNA and protein levels of key molecules in the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in DF-1 cells was significantly upregulated after pretreating with 15 μM Corilagine and supernatant of L. brevis 23017. After stimulating with E. tenella sporozoites, levels of molecules in the ChTLR15/NLRP3 pathway, levels of MDA and ROS in DF-1 cells pre-treated with 15 μM Corilagine or bacterial supernatant were all significantly down-regulated. The results from the knock-down experiment also displayed that Corrigine and L. brevis 23017 inhibited the activation of the ChTLR15/ChNLRP3 inflammatory pathway stimulated by E. tenella sporozoites through activating Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. This study provides new ideas for the development of novel anticoccidial products.

Symbiotic Antidiabetic Effect of Lactobacillus casei and the Bioactive Extract of Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Del. on Mice with Type 2 Diabetes Induced by Alloxan

The consumption of probiotics protects pancreatic β-cells from oxidative damage, delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preventing microvascular and macrovascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of CDE fermented by Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 39539) (LC) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The oxidative stress identified by catalase (CAT), serum AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, urea, and uric acid were measured. The chemical profiles of the plant extract and the fermented extract were studied using HPLC/MS. The potential of the compounds towards the binding pockets of aldose reductase and PPAR was discovered by molecular docking. A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose in alloxan-treated rats. The CAT showed a significant decrease in diabetic rats. Also, serum AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, urea, and uric acid were significantly decreased in the mixture group. Mild histological changes of pancreatic and kidney tissues suggested that the mixture of probiotics and cleome possesses a marked anti-diabetic effect. Overall, the study suggests that the combination of Cleome droserifolia fermented by Lactobacillus casei exhibits significant antidiabetic activity (p-value=0.05), reduces oxidative stress, improves lipid profiles, and shows potential for the treatment of diabetes.

Probiotics and their Beneficial Health Effects

Probiotics are living microorganisms that are present in cultured milk and fermented food. Fermented foods are a rich source for the isolation of probiotics. They are known as good bacteria. They have various beneficial effects on human health including antihypertensive effects, antihypercholesterolemic effects, prevention of bowel disease, and improving the immune system. Microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold are used as probiotics but the major microorganisms that are used as probiotics are bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Probiotics are beneficial in the prevention of harmful effects. Recently, the use of probiotics for the treatment of various oral and skin diseases has also gained significant attention. Clinical studies indicate that the usage of probiotics can alter gut microbiota composition and provoke immune modulation in a host. Due to their various health benefits, probiotics are attaining more interest as a substitute for antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs leading to the growth of the probiotic market.

Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases

Postbiotics are (i) "soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids"; (ii) "non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts"; and (iii) "compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing". A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.

Bioactive Ingredients from Dairy-Based Lactic Acid Bacterial Fermentations for Functional Food Production and Their Health Effects

Lactic acid bacteria are traditionally applied in a variety of fermented food products, and they have the ability to produce a wide range of bioactive ingredients during fermentation, including vitamins, bacteriocins, bioactive peptides, and bioactive compounds. The bioactivity and health benefits associated with these ingredients have garnered interest in applications in the functional dairy market and have relevance both as components produced in situ and as functional additives. This review provides a brief description of the regulations regarding the functional food market in the European Union, as well as an overview of some of the functional dairy products currently available in the Irish and European markets. A better understanding of the production of these ingredients excreted by lactic acid bacteria can further drive the development and innovation of the continuously growing functional food market.

Exercise Training and Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG Reduce Tetracycline-Induced Liver Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rats with Hepatic Steatosis

Lifestyle modification with regular exercise can improve metabolic diseases by reducing lipid profile and inflammation. Probiotics have been recently recommended not only for gastrointestinal diseases but also for metabolic and even degenerative diseases. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) as a probiotic on tetracycline-induced hepatic steatosis in an animal model was evaluated. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 10 in each group): control, LGG, HIIT, LGG + HIIT, tetracycline-induced (TTC), TTC + LGG, TTC + HIIT, and TTC + LGG + HIIT. The rats are treated by intraperitoneal injection (IP) with 140 mg kg-1 tetracycline, an antibiotic previously known to induce steatosis. The exercise training groups performed HIIT 5 days/week for 5 weeks, and 107 CFU/ml of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG was gavaged for the LGG groups 5 days/week for 5 weeks. Fatty droplets in the hepatocyte were considered with Oil Red staining. TTC-receiving rats have more lipid accumulation and larger lipid droplets in the liver compared to healthy animals. The two-way ANOVA showed that the interaction of LGG and HIIT significantly decreased LDL, cholesterol, and triglyceride in the healthy rats (p < 0.05). In TTC-receiving rats, the interaction of LGG and HIIT significantly increased HDL and SOD and significantly decreased triglyceride, ALP, AST, and ALT (p < 0.05). The consumption of probiotic LGG, along with HIIT with control of lipid profile and liver enzymes and improvement of the oxidative capacity, neutralizes the damage of TTC to liver tissue. Therefore, this protocol can be recommended for people with hepatic steatosis.

In Vitro Prebiotic Effects and Antibacterial Activity of Five Leguminous Honeys

Honey is a natural remedy for various health conditions. It exhibits a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiome, including lactobacilli, essential for maintaining gut health and regulating the im-mune system. In addition, monofloral honey can show peculiar therapeutic properties. We in-vestigated some legumes honey's prebiotic properties and potential antimicrobial action against different pathogens. We assessed the prebiotic potentiality of honey by evaluating the antioxidant activity, the growth, and the in vitro adhesion of Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus intact cells. We also tested the honey's capacity to inhibit or limit the biofilm produced by five pathogenic strains. Finally, we assessed the anti-biofilm activity of the growth medium of probiotics cultured with honey as an energy source. Most probiotics increased their growth or the in vitro adhesion ability to 84.13% and 48.67%, respectively. Overall, alfalfa honey best influenced the probiotic strains' growth and in vitro adhesion properties. Their radical-scavenging activity arrived at 83.7%. All types of honey increased the antioxidant activity of the probiotic cells, except for the less sensitive L. plantarum. Except for a few cases, we observed a bio-film-inhibitory action of all legumes' honey, with percentages up to 81.71%. Carob honey was the most effective in inhibiting the biofilm of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus; it retained almost entirely the ability to act against the bio-film of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus also when added to the bacterial growth medium instead of glucose. On the other hand, alfalfa and astragalus honey exhibited greater efficacy in acting against the biofilm of Acinetobacter baumannii. Indigo honey, whose biofilm-inhibitory action was fragile per se, was very effective when we added it to the culture broth of L. casei, whose supernatant exhibited an anti-biofilm activity against all the pathogenic strains tested. Conclusions: the five kinds of honey in different ways can improve some prebiotic properties and have an inhibitory biofilm effect when consumed.

[Assessment of the in vitro effect of intra and extracellular extracts of Lactobacillus against genotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by acrylamide]

Introduction

Introduction: acrylamide is formed by the Maillard reaction and is found in many food products subjected to thermal processes, generating genotoxicity and DNA damage. Studies have reported that lactobacilli have the ability to generate compounds with antioxidant, antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activity, which is why the present work aims to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus strains and their intra and extracellular extracts against genotoxicity and oxidative stress as caused by acrylamide. Methods: a strain of Lactobacillus casei Shirota and a strain of Lactobacillus reuteri NRRL B-14171 were used, both were cultured in MRS broth and subjected to mechanical and enzymatic treatments to obtain extra and intracellular extracts. Lymphocytes were cultured in RPMI medium. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by TBARS and the antioxidant capacity was measured in the extra and intracellular extracts with the ABTS technique, also using a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RC 212 as a model. The reduction of lipid peroxidation in lymphocytes was measured by TBARS and the reduction of genotoxicity by reducing the formation of micronuclei in lymphocytes. Results: both strains evaluated, as well as their intra and extracellular extracts, showed the ability to counteract oxidative stress and genotoxicity caused by acrylamide. Conclusion: the results found suggest that the use of intra and extracellular extracts of both strains could be an alternative to reduce the effects of genotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by acrylamide without the need for a viable structure.

Remarkable impacts of probiotics supplementation in enhancing of the antioxidant status: results of an umbrella meta-analysis

Introduction

Numerous meta-analyses have demonstrated the beneficial effects of probiotics on oxidative stress biomarkers, although some studies have contradictory results. Therefore, the current research was conducted to obtain a precise and definite understanding on the impact of probiotics on oxidative stress biomarkers in adults.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of results on Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar dating up to March 2022. Fifteen meta-analyses were included in this umbrella meta-analysis. The random-effects model was employed to obtain the overall effect size. Subgroup analyses were carried out based on supplementation dosage and duration, mean age, and study population.

Results

Our results indicated that probiotics supplementation meaningfully decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) (ESWMD = -0.56, 95% CI: -0.72, -0.39; p < 0.001, and ESSMD = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.66, -0.34; p < 0.001). Moreover, the findings showed that probiotics resulted in a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (ESWMD = 29.18, 95% CI: 16.31, 42.04; p < 0.001, and ESSMD = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.47; p = 0.032), total glutathione (GSH) (ESWMD: 30.65; 95% CI: 16.94, 44.35, p < 0.001), and nitric oxide (NO) (ESWMD: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.31, 2.65, p = 0.013; I2 = 51.7%, p = 0.043).

Discussion

Probiotics could be considered a strong agent in the reinforcement of antioxidant status and preventing the incidence of chronic diseases.

Dietary pattern in autism increases the need for probiotic supplementation: A comprehensive narrative and systematic review on oxidative stress hypothesis

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are associated with specific dietary habits, including limited food selection and gastrointestinal problems, resulting in an altered gut microbiota. Autistic patients have an elevated abundance of certain gut bacteria associated with increased oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to decrease oxidative stress in a simulated gut model, but the antioxidant effects of probiotics on the oxidative stress of the gut in autistic patients have not been directly studied. However, it is speculated that probiotic supplementation may help decrease oxidative stress in the gastrointestinal tract of autistic patients due to their specific dietary habits altering the microbiota. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases and Google Scholar were searched up to May 2023. This systematic-narrative review aims to present the latest evidence regarding the changes in eating habits of autistic children which may further increase the gut microbiota induced oxidative stress. Additionally, this review will assess the available literature on the effects of probiotic supplementation on oxidative stress parameters.

From probiotics to postbiotics: Concepts and applications

In recent years, the important role of gut microbiota in promoting animal health and regulating immune function in livestock and poultry has been widely reported. The issue of animal health problems causes significant economic losses each year. Probiotics and postbiotics have been widely developed as additives due to their beneficial effects in balancing host gut microbiota, enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier, regulating immunity, and whole‐body metabolism. Probiotics and postbiotics are composed of complex ingredients, with different components and compositions having different effects, requiring classification for discussing their mechanisms of action. Probiotics and postbiotics have considerable prospects in preventing various diseases in the livestock industry and animal feed and medical applications. This review highlights the application value of probiotics and postbiotics as potential probiotic products, emphasizing their concept, mechanism of action, and application, to improve the productivity of livestock and poultry.

Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria against Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity to Rat Organs

BACKGROUND

Aflatoxin (AF), a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, is injurious to vital body organs. The bacterial defense against such mycotoxins has attracted significant attention. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to ameliorate AF toxicity.

METHODS

Thirty adult male rats were divided into six groups (five each) to perform the experiments. The control (Co) group was fed a basal diet and water. Each of the following periods lasted 21 days: the milk (MK) group orally received milk (500 µL); LAB suspension (500 µL) containing 10⁷ cfu/mL was orally provided to the LAB group; AF (0.5 mg/kg) was orally given to the AF group; and a combination of AF and LAB was administered to the AF + LAB group. The AF/LAB group was initially given AF for 21 days, followed by LAB for the same period. Finally, the rats were dissected to retrieve blood and tissue samples for hematological, biochemical, and histological studies.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant decrease in RBCs, lymphocytes, total proteins, eosinophil count, albumin, and uric acid, whereas the levels of WBCs, monocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase significantly increased in the AF group in comparison to the control group. The histological examination of the AF group revealed necrosis and apoptosis of the kidney's glomeruli and renal tubules, nuclei vacuolization and apoptosis of hepatocytes, congestion of the liver's dilated portal vein, lymphoid depletion in the white pulp, localized hemorrhages, hemosiderin pigment deposition in the spleen, and vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a complete loss of testis spermatogenic cells. Meanwhile, protective and therapeutic LAB administration in AF-treated rats improved the hematological, biochemical, and histological changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed LAB-based amelioration to AFB1-induced disruptions of the kidney, liver, spleen, and testis by inhibiting tissue damage. The therapeutic effects of LAB were comparatively more pronounced than the protective effects.

Lactic acid bacteria with a strong antioxidant function isolated from "Jiangshui," pickles, and feces

Excessive free radicals and iron death lead to oxidative damage, which is one of the main causes of aging and diseases. In this field of antioxidation, developing new, safe, and efficient antioxidants is the main research focus. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are natural antioxidants with good antioxidant activity and can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance and immunity. In this study, 15 LAB strains from fermented foods ("Jiangshui" and pickles) or feces were evaluated in terms of their antioxidant attributes. Strains with strong antioxidant capacity were preliminarily screened by the following tests: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity; ferrous ion chelating assay; hydrogen peroxide tolerance capacity. Then, the adhesion of the screened strains to the intestinal tract was examined using hydrophobic and auto-aggregation tests. The safety of the strains was analyzed based on their minimum inhibitory concentration and hemolysis, and 16S rRNA was used for molecular biological identification. Antimicrobial activity tests showed them probiotic function. The cell-free supernatant of selected strains were used to explore the protective effect against oxidative damage cells. The scavenging rate of DPPH, hydroxyl radicals, and ferrous ion-chelating of 15 strains ranged from 28.81-82.75%, 6.54-68.52%, and 9.46-17.92%, respectively, the scavenging superoxide anion scavenging activity all exceeded 10%. According to all the antioxidant-related tests, strains possessing high antioxidant activities J2-4, J2-5, J2-9, YP-1, and W-4 were screened, these five strains demonstrated tolerance to 2 mM hydrogen peroxide. J2-4, J2-5, and J2-9 were Lactobacillus fermentans and γ-hemolytic (non-hemolytic). YP-1 and W-4 were Lactobacillus paracasei and α-hemolytic (grass-green hemolytic). Although L. paracasei has been proven as a safe probiotic without hemolytic characteristics, the hemolytic characteristics of YP-1 and W-4 should be further studied. Due to the weak hydrophobicity and antimicrobial activity of J2-4, finally, we selected J2-5, J2-9 for cell experiment, J2-5 and J2-9 showed an excellent ability that resistant to oxidative damage by increasing SOD, CAT, T-AOC activity of 293T cells. Therefore, J2-5, and J2-9 strains from fermented foods "Jiangshui" could be used as potential antioxidants for functional food, health care, and skincare.

Probiotic properties and proteomics analysis of ethanol-induced Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IL1403

Our previous study indicated that ethanol-induced intracellular extracts (E-IEs) of Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis IL1403 (L. lactis IL1403) alleviated hangovers more effectively in mice than untreated intracellular extracts (U-IEs), but the material basis was unclear. Considering that stress-related proteins might play a significant role, the effects of ethanol induction on probiotic properties of L. lactis IL1403 and the associated stress response mechanism were initially explored in this study. E-IEs of L. lactis IL1403 showed better biological activities, significantly increased bacteria survival rates in oxidative stress environments, increased ADH activity, and enhanced proliferation in RAW264.7 and AML-12 cells. Proteomic analyses revealed that 414 proteins were significantly changed in response to ethanol induction. The expression of proteins involved in the universal stress response, DNA repair, oxidative stress response, and ethanol metabolism was rapidly upregulated under ethanol stress, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results were consistent with proteomic data. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that citrate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism were significantly enriched during ethanol stress to increase energy requirements and survival rates of stressed cells. Based on this observation, the active induction is an effective strategy for increasing the biological activity of L. lactis IL1403. Exploring the molecular mechanism and material basis of their functions in vivo can help us understand the adaptive regulatory mechanism of microorganisms.

Bee Pollen and Probiotics' Potential to Protect and Treat Intestinal Permeability in Propionic Acid-Induced Rodent Model of Autism

Rodent models may help investigations on the possible link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gut microbiota since autistic patients frequently manifested gastrointestinal troubles as co-morbidities. Thirty young male rats were divided into five groups: Group 1 serves as control; Group 2, bee pollen and probiotic-treated; and Group 3, propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of autism; Group 4 and Group 5, the protective and therapeutic groups were given bee pollen and probiotic combination treatment either before or after the neurotoxic dose of PPA, respectively. Serum occludin, zonulin, lipid peroxides (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase, and gut microbial composition were assessed in all investigated groups. Recorded data clearly indicated the marked elevation in serum occludin (1.23 ± 0.15 ng/mL) and zonulin (1.91 ± 0.13 ng/mL) levels as potent biomarkers of leaky gut in the PPA- treated rats while both were normalized to bee pollen/probiotic-treated rats. Similarly, the high significant decrease in catalase (3.55 ± 0.34 U/dL), GSH (39.68 ± 3.72 µg/mL), GST (29.85 ± 2.18 U/mL), and GPX (13.39 ± 1.54 U/mL) concomitant with a highly significant increase in MDA (3.41 ± 0.12 µmoles/mL) as a marker of oxidative stress was also observed in PPA-treated animals. Interestingly, combined bee pollen/probiotic treatments demonstrated remarkable amelioration of the five studied oxidative stress variables as well as the fecal microbial composition. Overall, our findings demonstrated a new approach to the beneficial use of bee pollen and probiotic combination as a therapeutic intervention strategy to relieve neurotoxic effects of PPA, a short-chain fatty acid linked to the pathoetiology of autism.

Beneficial, safety, and antioxidant properties of lactic acid bacteria: A next step in their evaluation as potential probiotics

The role of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as probiotics as health promoting factors for human or veterinary practice has gained increasing interest during the last three decades. This is reflected in screening approaches of LAB strains in line with minimal requirements for a "probiotic" with regard to safety and functionality. The latter might also include natural antioxidant properties, thereby constituting an additional benefit in substituting synthetic antioxidants. The in vitro antioxidant assays conducted in this study included the scavenging of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) free radical, metal (Fe⁺²) ion chelation, determining the scavenging properties of the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and anti-lipid peroxidation. Analysis of DPPH free radical scavenging property for the microorganisms included in current study, showed Streptococcus salivarius ST59HK to exhibit the highest activity at a level of 85.24%. The greatest Fe⁺² chelation activity with 98.2% was recorded for Str. salivarius ST62HK while the lowest was recorded for Str. salivarius ST48HK at 71.5%. The greatest and minimal hydroxyl radical scavenging levels were detected for Str. salivarius ST59HK (98.6%) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ST63HK (35.60%), respectively. Superoxide anion radical scavenging activity was highly exhibited by Str. salivarius ST61HK (54.62%) and the least exhibited by Enterococcus faecium ST651ea (18.7%). Lastly, the strains Lactobacillus gasseri ST16HK and E. faecium ST7319ea showed the highest and lowest anti-lipid peroxidation levels with 69.43% and 26.15%, respectively. Anti-oxidative properties appear to be strain specific and thus some of these strains could be potentially applied as natural antioxidants in fermented food products.

Protective Effect of Limosilactobacillus fermentum ME-3 against the Increase in Paracellular Permeability Induced by Chemotherapy or Inflammatory Conditions in Caco-2 Cell Models

Chemotherapy- or inflammation-induced increase in intestinal permeability represents a severe element in disease evolution in patients suffering from colorectal cancer and gut inflammatory conditions. Emerging data strongly support the gut microbiota's role in preserving intestinal barrier integrity, whilst both chemotherapy and gut inflammation alter microbiota composition. Some probiotics might have a strong re-balancing effect on the gut microbiota, also positively affecting intestinal barrier integrity. In this study, we asked whether Limosilactobacillus fermentum ME-3 can prevent the intestinal paracellular permeability increase caused by the chemotherapeutic drug Irinotecan or by inflammatory stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). As an intestinal barrier model, we used a confluent and polarized Caco-2 cell monolayer and assessed the ME-3-induced effect on paracellular permeability by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescent-dextran flux assays. The integrity of tight and adherens junctions was examined by confocal microscopy analysis. Transwell co-cultures of Caco-2 cells and U937-derived macrophages were used as models of LPS-induced intestinal inflammation to test the effect of ME-3 on release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Interleukin-6, and Interleukin-8, was measured by ELISA. The results demonstrate that ME-3 prevents the IRI-induced increment in paracellular permeability, possibly by modulating the expression and localization of cell junction components. In addition, ME-3 inhibited both the increase in paracellular permeability and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the co-culture model of LPS-induced inflammation. Our findings sustain the validity of L. fermentum ME-3 as a valuable therapeutic tool for preventing leaky gut syndrome, still currently without an available specific treatment.

Impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Inducia on metabolic and antioxidative response in cholesterol and BMI variable indices: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials

Probiotics may have potential in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in middle-aged persons with borderline metabolic indices. The ability of potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Inducia to reduce CVD risk factors in persons with variable cholesterol and body mass indices (BMI) was assessed. In two parallel-armed double-blind placebo-controlled interventions (n=136) and (n=104), participants daily received either test yoghurt (Inducia) or placebo yoghurt. BMI, blood pressure, plasma glucose, cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidative stress and immunological markers were measured. Total counts of lactobacilli and L. plantarum Inducia were evaluated using real-time PCR. Significant reduction of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and non-high-density cholesterol occurred in both trials. The change in cholesterol (P=0.023) in persons with normal BMI and borderline cholesterol levels after four weeks of yoghurt consumption was detected. A difference was also found between placebo and test yoghurt groups (P=0.042) in LDL-c with normal BMI. Blood glucose reduction (P=0.01) and antioxidative effect was detected in overweight volunteers of the test yoghurt group. The suppression of oxidised LDL was associated with lowered oxidative stress index and total peroxide concentration values and faecal recovery of Inducia. The Inducia strain expresses antioxidative effect on blood lipids and has anti-glycaemic impact that allow to apply it as dietary probiotic supplement for the management of CVD risks in humans.

Potential applications of drug delivery technologies against radiation enteritis

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of abdominal tumors, such as colorectal and prostate cancers, continually increases. Radiation therapy is widely applied in the clinical treatment of patients with abdominal/pelvic cancers, but it often unfortunately causes radiation enteritis (RE) involving the intestine, colon, and rectum. However, there is a lack of suitable treatment options for effective prevention and treatment of RE.

AREAS COVERED

Conventional clinical drugs for preventing and treating RE are usually applied by enemas and oral administration. Innovative gut-targeted drug delivery systems including hydrogels, microspheres, and nanoparticles are proposed to improve the prevention and curation of RE.

EXPERT OPINION

The prevention and treatment of RE have not attracted sufficient attention in the clinical practice, especially compared to the treatment of tumors, although RE takes patients great pains. Drug delivery to the pathological sites of RE is a huge challenge. The short retention and weak targeting of conventional drug delivery systems affect the therapeutic efficiency of anti-RE drugs. Novel drug delivery systems including hydrogels, microspheres, and nanoparticles can allow drugs long-term retention in the gut and targeting the inflammation sites to alleviate radiation-induced injury.

The protective role of nutritional antioxidants against oxidative stress in thyroid disorders

An imbalance between pro-oxidative and antioxidative cellular mechanisms is oxidative stress (OxS) which may be systemic or organ-specific. Although OxS is a consequence of normal body and organ physiology, severely impaired oxidative homeostasis results in DNA hydroxylation, protein denaturation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, ultimately compromising cells' function and viability. The thyroid gland is an organ that exhibits both oxidative and antioxidative processes. In terms of OxS severity, the thyroid gland's response could be physiological (i.e. hormone production and secretion) or pathological (i.e. development of diseases, such as goitre, thyroid cancer, or thyroiditis). Protective nutritional antioxidants may benefit defensive antioxidative systems in resolving pro-oxidative dominance and redox imbalance, preventing or delaying chronic thyroid diseases. This review provides information on nutritional antioxidants and their protective roles against impaired redox homeostasis in various thyroid pathologies. We also review novel findings related to the connection between the thyroid gland and gut microbiome and analyze the effects of probiotics with antioxidant properties on thyroid diseases.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Other Gut Microbiota Manipulation Strategies

The gut microbiota is composed of bacteria, archaea, phages, and protozoa. It is now well known that their mutual interactions and metabolism influence host organism pathophysiology. Over the years, there has been growing interest in the composition of the gut microbiota and intervention strategies in order to modulate it. Characterizing the gut microbial populations represents the first step to clarifying the impact on the health/illness equilibrium, and then developing potential tools suited for each clinical disorder. In this review, we discuss the current gut microbiota manipulation strategies available and their clinical applications in personalized medicine. Among them, FMT represents the most widely explored therapeutic tools as recent guidelines and standardization protocols, not only for intestinal disorders. On the other hand, the use of prebiotics and probiotics has evidence of encouraging findings on their safety, patient compliance, and inter-individual effectiveness. In recent years, avant-garde approaches have emerged, including engineered bacterial strains, phage therapy, and genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9), which require further investigation through clinical trials.

Antimutagenic Activity as a Criterion of Potential Probiotic Properties

The antimutagenic activity of probiotic strains has been reported over several decades of studying the effects of probiotics. However, this activity is rarely considered an important criterion when choosing strains to produce probiotic preparations and functional food. Meanwhile, the association of antimutagenic activity with the prevention of oncological diseases, as well as with a decrease in the spread of resistant forms in the microbiota, indicates its importance for the selection of probiotics. Besides, an antimutagenic activity can be associated with probiotics' broader systemic effects, such as geroprotective activity. The main mechanisms of such effects are considered to be the binding of mutagens, the transformation of mutagens, and inhibition of the transformation of promutagens into antimutagens. Besides, we should consider the possibility of interaction of the microbiota with regulatory processes in eukaryotic cells, in particular, through the effect on mitochondria. This work aims to systematize data on the antimutagenic activity of probiotics and emphasize antimutagenic activity as a significant criterion for the selection of probiotic strains.

Probiotic assessment and antioxidant characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum GXL94 isolated from fermented chili

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants, which is the cause of various chronic human diseases. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been considered as an effective antioxidant to alleviate oxidative stress in the host. To obtain bacterium resources with good antioxidant properties, in the present study, 113 LAB strains were isolated from 24 spontaneously fermented chili samples and screened by tolerance to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Among them, Lactobacillus plantarum GXL94 showed the best antioxidant characteristics and the in vitro antioxidant activities of this strain was evaluated extensively. The results showed that L. plantarum GXL94 can tolerate hydrogen peroxide up to 22 mM, and it could normally grow in MRS with 5 mM H2O2. Its fermentate (fermented supernatant, intact cell and cell-free extract) also had strong reducing capacities and various free radical scavenging capacities. Meanwhile, eight antioxidant-related genes were found to up-regulate with varying degrees under H2O2 challenge. Furthermore, we evaluated the probiotic properties by using in vitro assessment. It was showed that GXL94 could maintain a high survival rate at pH 2.5% or 2% bile salt or 8.0% NaCl, live through simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) to colonizing the GIT of host, and also show higher abilities of auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity. Additionally, the usual antibiotic susceptible profile and non-hemolytic activity indicated the safety of the strain. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that L. plantarum GXL94 could be a potential probiotic candidate for producing functional foods with antioxidant properties.

Prospects of Probiotic Adjuvant Drugs in Clinical Treatment

In modern society, where new diseases and viruses are constantly emerging, drugs are still the most important means of resistance. However, adverse effects and diminished efficacy remain the leading cause of treatment failure and a major determinant of impaired health-related quality of life for patients. Clinical studies have shown that the disturbance of the gut microbial structure plays a crucial role in the toxic and side effects of drugs. It is well known that probiotics have the ability to maintain the balance of intestinal microecology, which implies their potential as an adjunct to prevent and alleviate the adverse reactions of drugs and to make medicines play a better role. In addition, in the past decade, probiotics have been found to have excellent prevention and alleviation effects in drug toxicity side effects, such as liver injury. In this review, we summarize the development history of probiotics, discuss the impact on drug side effects of probiotics, and propose the underlying mechanisms. Probiotics will be a new star in the world of complementary medicine.

Efficacy of Probiotic Consortium Transplantation on Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis

INTRODUCTION

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising therapy, but it has not been used to treat neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) due to reports of adverse side effects. Probiotics are considered relatively safe with practicable administrative procedures; however, no systematic research has compared the results of FMT and probiotic consortium transplantation (PCT) on oxidative stress in the intestines of patients with NEC. We conducted this study to provide a basis for optimizing NEC therapy.

METHODS

Eight-day-old newborn C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: the dam-fed group (control group); the NEC induction group (NEC group); the NEC induction and transplantation of Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium infantis consortium group (NEC + PCT group); and the NEC induction and the FMT group (NEC + FMT). Intestinal injury, oxidative stress indexes, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in the terminal ileum.

RESULTS

FMT more effectively modulates oxidative stress in the intestine than does PCT; however, the difference between the effects of PCT and FMT was not significant. The protective effect was associated with enhanced antioxidant capacity, regulation of the main components of the mucus layer, reduced inflammatory reactions, and improved intestinal integrity.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal dysbiosis affects oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and mucosal integrity. Although FMT is more effective than PCT in regulating oxidative stress, PCT may be preferred in pediatrics because the proportion and dose of transplanted bacteria can be standardized and individualized according to individual conditions.

Bifidobacterium animalis MSMC83 Improves Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota in D-Galactose-Induced Rats

The development of many chronic diseases is associated with an excess of free radicals leading to harmful oxidative stress. Certain probiotic strains have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-aging properties and are an important resource for development of microbial antioxidants. The present study aimed to explore the protection offered by Bifidobacterium animalis strain MSMC83 in a model of oxidative stress induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to four groups: a control group injected with saline, a group injected subcutaneously with D-galactose, a probiotic group injected with D-galactose and administered B. animalis MSMC83 (109 CFU/mL) via daily oral gavage, and an ascorbic acid group. The probiotics significantly increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and significantly decreased the malondialdehyde in the plasma and livers of D-galactose-treated rats. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor-alpha level in the liver was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the treatment with B. animalis MSMC83 restored the microbiota diversity after D-galactose injection. Therefore, our results supported a beneficial role of B. animalis MSMC83 in alleviating oxidative stress through the increased expression of antioxidant enzymes and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats. Our study suggests that B. animalis MSMC83 may be part of a healthy diet to prevent oxidative stress-associated diseases.

In Vitro Characterisation of Potential Probiotic Bacteria Isolated from a Naturally Fermented Carrot and Ginger Brine

Unhealthy dietary patterns have been associated with an increase in mortality rate as well as the high occurrence of nontransmissible chronic degenerative diseases. Subsequently, the development of new functional foods has been proposed to reduce the incidence of nontransmissible chronic degenerative diseases. Probiotics represent a group of functional foods, defined as live microbial feeds, which provide the host with intestinal health benefits. The present study focused on the identification and characterisation of the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from a fermented carrot and ginger brine. Sixteen isolates were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides species, following preliminary screening based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing, and were further characterised for probiotic candidature. The probiotic properties tested included resistance towards gastrointestinal conditions (bile, acid, lysozyme tolerance), cell surface hydrophobicity, antioxidant activity, and antagonistic activity against intestinal pathogens. In general, all the isolated Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides strains exhibited high acid, bile, and lysozyme tolerance. They also showed strong antibacterial activity against common intestinal pathogens, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as antioxidant activity such as hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability and hydrogen peroxide resistance. Overall, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides possesses a great potential as a beneficial strain for functional food.