Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins最新文献

Several studies have demonstrated that beneficial gut microorganisms, such as probiotics, can treat functional constipation in children. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in treating childhood functional constipation. We conducted a comprehensive search of eight electronic databases, dating from their inception up to July 11, 2024. The eligibility criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported on the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics for treating childhood functional constipation. The RCTs were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and a random effects network meta-analysis was performed under a frequentist framework. Fifteen RCTs involving 1087 participants were identified. Seventeen types of interventions were investigated. With low or very low confidence in the evidence, no significant differences in bowel movements per week were detected between the intervention and placebo groups. Based on very low-certainty evidence, when Mixed was compared with S. boulardii, Mixed (SMD = 0.86, 95% CI [0.48, 1.23], P < 0.001) had positive effects on stool consistency, and synbiotics were supported by low-quality evidence. Compared with S. boulardii, Lactulose (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI [0.25, 0.99], P < 0.001, low certainty) was more efficacious in improving stool consistency. Synbiotics appeared to reduce abdominal pain. In particular, compared with Lcr35, Mixed (SMD = -1.44, 95% CI [-2.67, -0.22], P = 0.021) showed significant benefits in alleviating abdominal pain, although the certainty of evidence was very low. Prebiotics and synbiotics may have potential benefits in stool consistency and reducing abdominal pain. However, the certainty of the evidence is very low to low. Future research should conduct larger-scale, well-designed RCTs to verify these preliminary findings.

Alopecia, which encompasses disorders such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium, is a complex condition influenced by genetic, hormonal, immunological, and environmental factors. Recent research has highlighted the importance of the gut-hair axis, whereby gut microbiota and their metabolites impact systemic immunological balance, oxidative stress, and nutritional bioavailability. Dysbiosis is associated with increased inflammation, impaired epithelial barrier function, and altered metabolite synthesis, which contribute to hair follicle shrinkage and a disruption of the hair cycle. Modulating gut microbiota with probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, and parabiotics has shown promise in preclinical and early clinical investigations. Probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, exhibit immunoregulatory, antioxidant, and barrier-enhancing properties. Similarly, postbiotic metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and exopolysaccharides, have shown anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities. Furthermore, nutritional components influence microbial communities to enhance hair health. Although, additional randomized controlled studies are necessary, microbiota-targeted approaches represent an innovative paradigm in alopecia treatment, advancing towards individualized, root-cause-driven therapies.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a critical communication mechanism in foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli O157:H7, regulating virulence, motility, and biofilm formation via the LuxS-mediated autoinducer-2 (AI-2) signaling pathway. Inhibition of LuxS offers a promising anti-QS strategy for controlling pathogenic biofilms through natural, non-antibiotic compounds. This study aimed to explore the quorum-sensing inhibitory potential of fatty acid metabolites derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 12 - 3 against LuxS enzymes of these pathogens. Experimentally reported GC-MS data of L. plantarum 12 - 3 under linoleic acid (1-10% w/v) induction were utilized for metabolite identification and retrieval. Fifteen characterized fatty acids were modeled and subjected to molecular docking using AutoDock Vina, followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in AMBER to assess structural stability. Among all analyzed metabolites, octanoic acid exhibited the highest binding affinities of - 8.9, - 8.5, and - 9.2 kcal·mol⁻¹ with LuxS proteins of L. monocytogenes, S. enterica, and E. coli O157:H7, respectively, forming hydrogen bonds with key catalytic residues (Asn47, His114, and Glu57) and multiple hydrophobic contacts that stabilized the enzyme-ligand complex. MD simulations confirmed strong conformational stability with minimal RMSD (0.95 nm) and RMSF (1.6 Å) fluctuations, validating the docking outcomes. Octanoic acid displays stable binding within the LuxS active site, suggesting possible modulation of AI-2 synthesis, although experimental validation is required. Future studies involving in vitro and in vivo validation are warranted to confirm its efficacy and establish probiotic-derived fatty acids as sustainable biofilm control agents in food safety applications.

Excessive consumption of added fructose, rather than fructose naturally present in fruits, induces metabolic changes associated with atherosclerosis; however, specific probiotic supplementation has been documented to provide benefits in preventing cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the protective effects of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum TISTR 2737 supplementation against high fructose-induced vascular injury in rats and the underlying mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received 20% fructose in their drinking water and were orally administered either vehicle, B. pseudolongum TISTR 2737 (2 × 10⁸ CFU/rat), or metformin for 12 weeks. Serum and aortic samples were collected and determined using biochemical assays, histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and western blotting. Compared to the fructose-treated group, B. pseudolongum TISTR 2737 consumption significantly reduced serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, uric acid, and endothelin-1 levels, while increasing serum HDL-C and aortic nitric oxide (NO) levels. Histological analysis revealed that fructose-induced aortic structural changes were improved in the probiotic-treated group. B. pseudolongum TISTR 2737 downregulated the protein levels of oxidative stress markers (NADPH oxidase subunit p47^phox, 4-hydroxynonenal, and 3-nitrotyrosine) and inflammatory markers (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and TNF-α). They also reduced the aortic expression of N∊-(Carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) and advanced glycation end products receptors (RAGE). Additionally, the eNOS dimer/monomer ratio and total antioxidant capacity were increased in the aortic tissues of the probiotic-supplemented group. This finding concludes that B. pseudolongum TISTR 2737 consumption ameliorates fructose-induced vascular injury and inflammation by lowering dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperuricemia, and by reducing oxidative stress through the inhibition of NADPH oxidase, uncoupled eNOS, and the AGEs/RAGE pathway.