Lactobacillus plantarum Ameliorates Colorectal Cancer by Ameliorating the Intestinal Barrier through the CLA-PPAR-γ Axis

Orally administered Chrysophyta polysaccharide ameliorates DSS-induced colitis via intestinal barrier improvement, oxidative stress regulation, NF-κB pathway inhibition, and gut microbiota modulation

Chrysophyta polysaccharide (CPP) exhibits immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. However, its potential to alleviate colitis remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of CPP on colitis and its underlying mechanisms. CPP was administered at three doses: H-CPP (100 mg/kg/day), M-CPP (50 mg/kg/day), and L-CPP (25 mg/kg/day). Treatment with H-CPP and M-CPP significantly up-regulated tight junction proteins, inhibited epithelial cell apoptosis, regulated oxidative stress, and alleviated colitis. H-CPP and M-CPP treatments inhibited the NF-κB pathway and modulated TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1β. Furthermore, H-CPP treatment improved the gut microbiota by increasing Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium while decreasing Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Escherichia-Shigella, Dorea, and Parabacteroides. Simultaneously, H-CPP treatment promoted the production of Acetovanillone and L-Tryptophan. Therefore, in a dose-dependent manner, CPP reduces the severity of colitis by regulating cytokines, protecting intestinal mucosal barrier, promoting beneficial metabolites, and regulating gut microbiota. These findings will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the health-regulating effects of CPP and the development of dietary supplements targeting colitis, with significant economic and social implications.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) May Mediate the Neuroactive Effects of Probiotic Metabolites: An In Silico Approach

It is well established that the gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This axis, critical in maintaining overall homeostasis, is regulated at the neuronal, endocrine, and immunological levels, all of which may be influenced by the gut microbiota (GM). Therefore, dysbiosis or disruption in the GM may have serious consequences including neuroinflammation due to overactivation of the immune system. Strategies to reestablish GM integrity via use of probiotics are being pursued as novel therapeutic intervention in a variety of central and peripheral diseases. The mechanisms leading to dysbiosis or efficacy of probiotics, however, are not fully evident. Here, we performed computational analysis on two major probiotics, namely Lactobacillus Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (formerly named Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. rhamnosus GG) and Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis (B. lactis or B. animalis) to not only shed some light on their mechanism(s) of action but also to identify potential molecular targets for novel probiotics. Using the PubMed web page and BioCyc Database Collection platform we specifically analyzed proteins affected by metabolites of these bacteria. Our results indicate that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), nuclear receptor proteins that are involved in regulation of inflammation are key mediators of the neuroactive effect of probiotics.

Advances in research on the intestinal microbiota in the mechanism and prevention of colorectal cancer (Review)

The intestinal microbiota represents a diverse population that serves a key role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its treatment outcomes. Advancements in sequencing have revealed notable shifts in microbial composition and diversity among individuals with CRC. Concurrently, animal models have elucidated the involvement of specific microbes such as Lactobacillus fragilis, Escherichia coli and Fusobacterium nucleatum in the progression of CRC. The present review aimed to highlight contributions of intestinal microbiota to the pathogenesis of CRC, the effects of traditional treatments on intestinal microbiota and the potential for microbiota modulation as a therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotics in the chemoradiotherapy of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

We undertook this study to assess the efficacy of probiotics in managing adverse reactions during chemoradiotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, Cochrane library,Web of Science, and Chinese databases until July 27, 2024. Data analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 statistical software. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool. Relative risk (RR) was employed to incorporate statistical measures and calculate 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for bipartite data. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was utilized to incorporate statistical measures and calculate 95% confidence intervals for continuous variables.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis of 633 patients with colorectal cancer was conducted across eight studies. In comparison to the control group, probiotics demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of chemoradiotherapy-induced diarrhea among colorectal cancer patients(RR = 0.51,95%Cl:0.38 ~ 0.68,P < 0.001). Additionally, probiotic usage exhibited improvements in pain index (SMD = -2.27,95%Cl: -4.49 ~ -0.05,P = 0.04), dyspnea (SMD = -0.92,95%Cl: -1.61 ~ 0.22, P = 0.01) and insomnia (SMD = -2.95, 95%Cl: -5.44 ~ -0.47, P = 0.02) compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences between two groups in abdominal distension(RR = 0.79, 95%Cl:0.21 ~ 3.00, P = 0.72), stomatitis risk (RR = 1.23, 95%Cl: 0.48 ~ 3.21, P = 0.67), fatigue (SMD = -7.12, 95%Cl:-14.99 ~ 0.75, P = 0.08)and loss of appetite(SMD = -2.86, 95%Cl: -5.83 ~ 0.11, P = 0.06). Furthermore, the use of probiotics did not significantly improve the quality of life (QOL) (SMD = 8.82, 95%Cl: -1.11 ~ 18.75, P = 0.08)of colorectal cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that probiotic consumption may ameliorate certain adverse reactions in patients with colorectal cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONS

Prospero registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42023465966).

Odoribacter splanchnicus-A Next-Generation Probiotic Candidate

As an important intestinal microorganism, Odoribacter splanchnicus frequently appears in high-throughput sequencing analyses, although pure culture research on this microorganism is not as advanced. It is widely present in the mammalian gut and is closely associated with the health status of the host and the incidence of various diseases. In recent years, changes in the abundance of O. splanchnicus have been found to be positively or negatively correlated with health issues, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and intestinal inflammation. It may exhibit a dual protective or promotional role in specific diseases. Thus, it may play an important role in regulating host metabolism, immune response, and intestinal homeostasis. Additional research has revealed that O. splanchnicus can synthesize various metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play a key role in promoting intestinal health, enhancing energy metabolism, improving insulin resistance, and regulating immune responses in the host. Therefore, O. splanchnicus is a strong candidate for "next-generation probiotics", and its potential probiotic function provides novel ideas for the development of functional foods and the prevention and treatment of metabolic and intestinal inflammatory diseases. These findings can help develop new biological treatment strategies and optimize health management plans.

Unlocking the power of probiotics, postbiotics: targeting apoptosis for the treatment and prevention of digestive diseases

Digestive diseases are becoming an increasingly serious health burden, creating an urgent need to develop more effective treatment strategies. Probiotics and postbiotics have been extensively studied for their potential to prevent and treat digestive diseases. Growing evidence suggests that programmed cell death, especially apoptosis, is a critical mechanism influencing the molecular and biological aspects of digestive diseases, contributing to disease progression. Understanding the mechanisms and signaling pathways by which probiotics and postbiotics regulate apoptosis could reveal new therapeutic targets for treating digestive diseases. This review focuses on the beneficial effects of probiotics and postbiotics in regulating apoptosis across a range of liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver injury, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It also explores their effects on gastrointestinal diseases, such as colorectal cancer, colitis, gastrointestinal injury, and infectious diarrhea. Furthermore, some probiotics help balance the gut microbiota, enhance intestinal barrier function, and regulate the immune system, all of which are closely associated with apoptosis. Moreover, emerging technologies, such as encapsulation methods, have been developed to stabilize probiotics, primarily based on experimental findings from rodent and human studies.

Alleviation effects of Lactobacillus plantarum in colitis aggravated by a high-salt diet depend on intestinal barrier protection, NF-κB pathway regulation, and oxidative stress improvement

A high-salt diet (HSD) can result in numerous health issues, including exacerbation of intestinal inflammation. Therefore, there is an immediate necessity of developing dietary supplements that can mitigate colitis exacerbated by a HSD. This study examined the impact of Lactobacillus plantarum HGD228 on colitis exacerbated by a HSD and the mechanisms underlying its alleviation. HGD228 treatment significantly enhanced colonic goblet cells and MUC2, upregulated ZO-1 and occludin, inhibited epithelial cell apoptosis, and mitigated colitis exacerbated by a HSD. Moreover, HGD228 significantly regulated oxidative stress-related enzymes, including SOD, GSH-PX, and CAT. HGD228 treatment significantly suppressed the NF-κB pathway induced by a HSD and regulated the levels of cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1β. Furthermore, HGD228 reestablished the gut microbiota altered by HSDDSS, increasing Bifidobacterium while decreasing Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium sensu stricto 1. HGD228 treatment also enhanced the production of butyric acid and acetic acid, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, and strengthened the intestinal mucosal barrier. Therefore, HGD228 enhanced the production of beneficial metabolites by regulating inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, preserving the mucosal barrier, and enhancing gut microbiota, and mitigated colitis aggravated by a HSD. These results will aid in clinical trials of probiotics and the development of dietary supplements for colitis, with promising application value.