Beneficial microbes最新文献

Chronic alcoholism can result in alcoholic liver disease. Current treatment methods for alcoholic liver injury primarily include abstinence, drug therapy, and surgical treatment. However, these methods have their own shortcomings - abstinence does not cure alcoholic liver disease, drug therapy can produce negative side effects, and surgical treatment is often accompanied by risks, specifically liver rejection. Therefore, it is especially important to find a safe and effective method to ameliorate alcoholic liver disease. Probiotics, as natural microorganisms in the human intestine, can effectively alleviate alcoholic liver disease due to their unique properties. While Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum, a representative strain of probiotics, has been shown to exert beneficial effects against alcoholic liver injury, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, a murine model of alcoholic liver injury was established in C57BL/6 mice by feeding mice a Lieber-DeCarli diet for 2 weeks. This model was then utilised to assess the potential protective mechanism of Lpb. plantarum LP4. The results demonstrated that Lpb. plantarum LP4 could significantly decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and liver, thereby reducing the inflammatory response. Furthermore, treatment with Lpb. plantarum LP4 inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver by modulating several signalling pathways. In addition, Lpb. plantarum LP4 also prevented endotoxin-induced hepatic injury by protecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier. In conclusion, Lpb. plantarum LP4 can effectively alleviate alcoholic liver injury in C57BL/6 mice.

Obesity is a growing public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, yet limited research has explored how gut microbiota varies between Arab populations. This study compared the gut microbiota composition and diversity of Emirati and Lebanese adults with obesity and assessed the role of age and nationality in shaping microbial variation. A total of 43 Emirati and 30 Lebanese individuals with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2) were recruited. Participants provided anthropometric and biochemical data, dietary records, and stool samples for 16S rRNA sequencing. The analysis revealed significantly higher BMI, weight, and fat mass in Emirati participants, while Lebanese individuals reported higher fibre intake. Taxonomic profiling showed higher relative abundances of Pseudomonadota, Mycoplasmatota, Cyanobacteriota, and Lentisphaerota in the Lebanese group, whereas Bacteroidota was more abundant among Emiratis. Lebanese participants also exhibited significantly greater microbial alpha-diversity. Beta-diversity analysis confirmed clear distinctions in microbial community structure between the two groups. Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LefSe) (LDA score >10log2) and regression models ( P < 0.05) identified specific bacterial genera associated with nationality, although these associations were attenuated after adjusting for age. These findings suggest that gut microbiota in Arab populations is influenced by demographic, dietary, and environmental factors, emphasising the need for culturally tailored microbiota-based strategies to manage obesity and related metabolic conditions.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder characterised by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. The most prevalent subtype is diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). The combination of Bacillus subtilis HU58 and Heyndrickxia faecalis (formerly Bacillus coagulans) SC208 has previously exerted positive effects in people with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and infective diarrhoea. The present multicentre study conducted in India aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the dual-strain probiotic in adults (18-65 years) with IBS-D. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 61 participants were recruited and assessed for changes in abdominal pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) and stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS) over a 4-week intervention period, with secondary outcomes including responder rates for IBS Global Assessment of Improvement (IBS-GAI) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS). The probiotic group showed significantly higher overall responder rates for both abdominal pain and stool consistency ( P = 0.003) compared to the placebo group. Significant improvements were observed in abdominal pain ( P = 0.003) and stool consistency ( P = 0.035) scores in the probiotic versus placebo group from baseline to end of intervention. IBS-GAI responder rates were significantly higher among the probiotic versus placebo group ( P = 0.017) whilst perceived stress scores did not differ significantly between groups. In conclusion, supplementation with B. subtilis HU58 and H. faecalis SC208 for 4 weeks was safe and effective in improving stool consistency and abdominal pain in individuals with IBS-D, supporting its potential for symptom management in IBS-D. The trial is registered at https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials (CTRI/2022/07/044154).

The viability and persistence of orally administered microbes in the human gut are essential to their biological function. We previously described the development of two synbiotic medical foods, SBD111 and SBD121, each comprising four food-derived microbial strains and prebiotic fibres for the dietary management of postmenopausal bone loss and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Here, we report a randomised, open-label clinical study examining gut persistence of SBD111 and SBD121 microbes by testing faecal samples from healthy adults following administration for seven days. Thirty-eight participants, aged 18-64 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-35 kg/m2, were randomised to receive one of the two synbiotic medical foods daily for one week, followed by a four-week monitoring period. Employing quantitative PCR (qPCR), shotgun metagenomics, and culture-based assays, we evaluated the presence and viability of the microbial strains comprising each synbiotic medical food during and after administration. SBD111 and SBD121 were well-tolerated with minimal adverse events reported. Strains were detected in over 80% of participants during the administration period, with strain abundance peaking in the first week. Persistence in the follow-up period varied by strain and detection method. The microbial strains were detected by qPCR and metagenomic sequencing for a median of seven days and three days during the follow-up period, respectively. However, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was consistently detected for seven days by both methods. Culture-based assays confirmed the presence of viable strains from both synbiotic medical foods in stool samples up to one-week post-consumption. Faecal metagenome diversity and metabolic functional potential remained stable throughout the administration and follow-up periods. Collectively, these results establish that SBD111 and SBD121 deliver viable microbes that transiently persist in the gut, reinforcing their promise for safe and targeted dietary interventions and highlighting the value of multi-platform detection strategies for comprehensive microbial persistence assessment. This trial, funded by Sōlarea biō, is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06614166).

Oxidative stress plays a key role in colitis, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, particularly when associated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Probiotics are known to alleviate inflammation through multiple mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a potential probiotic mixture with high antioxidant activity in attenuating colitis in mice fed either a normal diet (ND) or an HFD, with a focus on oxidative stress-related pathways. Eighty-eight Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains isolated from healthy human faeces and milk were screened for antioxidant capacity. The six most active strains were selected to formulate a probiotic cocktail. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into ND and HFD groups, each receiving dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) alone or combined with the probiotic cocktail. Disease indices, histopathology, and the expression of genes related to NF-kB and Nrf2 signalling, as well as oxidative and inflammatory markers, were assessed. Mice treated with the probiotic cocktail showed significant attenuation of DSS-induced colitis, evidenced by lower Disease Activity Index and pathological scores, and improved intestinal morphology ( P < 0.05). Both dietary groups exhibited elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels ( P < 0.05). The modulation of Nrf2 and NF-kB-related gene expression was more pronounced in ND-fed mice. The findings suggest that this novel probiotic cocktail can effectively alleviate colitis symptoms, likely by regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Its incorporation as an adjunct therapy, particularly alongside a balanced diet, may offer a promising strategy for colitis management.

Health care practitioners (HCPs) strive to provide the best medical care for each individual patient. The question as to what constitutes 'the best' does, however, not have a single straightforward answer. Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) and Personalized Medicine (PM) are two paradigms that have emerged as means to improve intervention selection. Both paradigms have their own strengths and weaknesses that affect their use in clinical decision-making. In this review we discuss the strengths and weaknesses from the patient's and HCP perspective: how to find the best intervention for a particular patient. We review methodological and practical aspects, and zoom out from the scientific level to the epistemological level to integrate EBM and PM. Both EBM and PM are based on a realist worldview and by adopting a pragmatist worldview the strengths of both paradigms can be combined. We apply this pragmatic approach, called Evidence-based Personalized Medicine (EBPM), to microbiome-targeting interventions. The example EBPM implementation uses four steps. First, it allows HCPs to provide information (clinical diagnosis, complaints, patient needs, laboratory measures) about an individual patient. Second, it uses a GRADE-based system to grade evidence of specific intervention components. Next, it combines the patient profile data and preferences with the graded evidence, to come to a suggestion for a personalized intervention. Finally, this method enables gathering of treatment effects providing feedback into the system and further improve suggestions for future patients.

We investigated the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus salivarius in colitis mice, and the mice were randomly allocated into three groups with each consisting of 10 mice (n = 10): a control group (CSG), a DSS-induced colitis model group (DSG), and a L. salivarius intervention group (LSG). The intervention group received daily oral administration of L. salivarius for seven consecutive days. Compared to the DSS model group, mice receiving L. salivarius exhibited significantly reduced weight loss, lower DAI scores, lessened colon shortening, and improved histopathological profiles, indicating a substantial reduction in inflammatory damage. Additionally, ITS sequencing revealed that L. salivarius significantly influenced the composition of the intestinal fungal community, decreasing the abundance of pathogenic fungi, such as Candida species, by approximately 40%, and restoring fungal homeostasis by reducing the Basidiomycota/Ascomycota ratio. Moreover, L. salivarius effectively alleviated DSS-induced oxidative stress by lowering serum MDA levels while enhancing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px. Furthermore, the probiotic intervention resulted in 30-40% reduction in pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and an increase in the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 levels, suggesting a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In conclusion, L. salivarius exerts significant protective effects against DSS-induced colitis by modulating the gut fungal community, mitigating oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammatory responses. This study is novel in that few probiotic studies have investigated the impact of L. salivarius on gut fungi in DSS-induced colitis. These findings highlight its potential as a therapeutic candidate for managing inflammatory bowel disease.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS), promotes intestinal homeostasis, modulates immune cells, and provides anti-stress benefits. Four years of BLP (Biolactis powder: LcS preparation) administration is known to suppress the recurrence of highly dysmorphic polyps in participants who underwent colorectal adenoma resection. Furthermore, adenoma development tended to be suppressed in patients undergoing colorectal adenoma resection who consumed BLP for >20 years, accompanied by a reduction in aging weight loss. However, the underlying mechanisms and effects of prolonged BLP intake on gut mucosa and microbiota remain unclear. Hence, we aimed to analyse the gut microbiota and host gene expression in endoscopically obtained colonic mucosal tissue from participants who had been voluntarily consuming BLP for more than 20 years, as well as from non-consumers of BLP. The faecal and mucosal microbiota of the BLP group revealed a high detection rate and abundance of Coprococcus genus and a rich population of butyrate-producing bacteria. Conversely, the mucosa of the control group was enriched in opportunistic pathogens and environmental bacteria, including those from the families Pseudomonadaceae and Brachyspiraceae. RNA-seq of the colon mucosa of BLP-consuming patients revealed high expression of genes related to the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway, including those of the mitochondrial electron transfer system. Additionally, T cell- and G-protein-coupled receptor-related genes were overexpressed in BLP-consuming patients. These findings indicate that prolonged BLP intake increases the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria and activates the OXPHOS pathway in colonic mucosal tissue, which alters the enteroenvironment and limits colonisation by opportunistic pathogens. These findings may contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer development and have implications for promoting healthy longevity. Clinical Trial Registry number: 000025389.

The effects of Lactiplantibacillus mudanjiangensis IYO1739 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IYO1653, isolated from Japanese post-fermented tea, and their type strains on skin cells were evaluated. The normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) cells were treated with each strain, and after 2 h, the cells were washed and the number of adhered bacteria was measured. L. mudanjiangensis showed high adhesion, while L. plantarum strains showed little adhesion. After washing, the cells were cultured in bacteria-free medium for an additional 4 h and 24 h, and the expression levels of genes related to maintaining skin health were evaluated. Cells treated with L. mudanjiangensis showed increased expression of hyaluronan synthases (HAS1 and HAS3), sphingomyelinases involved in ceramide synthesis (SGMS1 and SGMS2), sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1), involucrin, and transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) genes. These effects were weak or absent in L. plantarum strains. In addition, the IYO1739 strain of L. mudanjiangensis was more effective than the type strain DSM28402T. Furthermore, IYO1739 grew faster in MRS broth than DSM28402T, and showed particularly good growth at 37 °C. In addition, the expression of skin-related genes was enhanced by even heat-killed bacteria. These results suggest that L. mudanjiangensis strains, especially IYO1739, are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin.

Anaemia in the elderly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and death. Probiotics have recently been shown to be potentially effective in preventing the onset or improving the condition of anaemia. Here, we retrospectively investigated the relationship between fermented milk intake over the prior 10 years and the risk of developing anaemia during the same period. The participants were community-dwelling Japanese aged 65-94 years who had not developed anaemia in the 10 years prior to the time of the survey. They were divided into two groups based on their intake frequency (<3 or ≥3 days/week, n = 1,186 and n = 238, respectively) of fermented milk products containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS products) for the prior 10 years. The incidence and risk of anaemia in the participants were analysed using chi-squared test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The results indicated that incidence of anaemia over the 10-year interval was significantly lower in those who took LcS products ≥3 rather than <3 days/week (anaemia incidence: 0.8% vs 4.0%, P = 0.016). Furthermore, multivariable analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for potential confounders also showed a significantly lower relative risk of developing anaemia in the group consuming LcS products ≥3 days/week (hazard ratio 0.219; 95% confidence interval 0.053-0.902; P = 0.035). These findings suggest that habitual consumption of LcS products on ≥3 days/week by individuals 65 years or older may reduce their risk of developing anaemia.