Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria enhance mucosal B cell responses and differentially modulate systemic antibody responses to an oral human rotavirus vaccine in a neonatal gnotobiotic pig disease model

B cells play a key role in generation of protective immunity against rotavirus infection, a major cause of gastroenteritis in children. Current RV vaccines are less effective in developing countries compared to developed countries. Commensals/probiotics influence mucosal immunity, but the role of early gut colonizing bacteria in modulating intestinal B cell responses to RV vaccines is largely unknown. We co-colonized neonatal gnotobiotic pigs, the only animal model susceptible to HRV diarrhea, with 2 dominant bacterial species present in the gut of breastfed infants, Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis Bb12 to evaluate their impact on B cell responses to an attenuated (Att) human rotavirus (HRV) Wa strain vaccine. Following HRV challenge, probiotic-colonized, AttHRV vaccinated piglets had significantly lower fecal scores and reduced HRV shedding titers compared to uncolonized, AttHRV vaccinated pigs. The reduction in HRV diarrhea was significantly correlated with higher intestinal IgA HRV antibody titers and intestinal HRV-specific IgA antibody secreting cell (ASC) numbers in probiotic-colonized, AttHRV vaccinated pigs compared to uncolonized, vaccinated pigs. The significantly higher small intestinal HRV IgA antibody responses coincided with higher IL-6, IL-10 and APRIL responses of ileal mononuclear cells (MNCs) and the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics genomic DNA on TGF-β and IL-10 responses. However, serum RV IgG antibody titers and total IgG titers were significantly lower in probiotic-colonized, AttHRV vaccinated pigs compared to uncolonized, vaccinated pigs, both pre- and post-challenge. In summary, LGG and Bb12 beneficially modulated intestinal B cell responses to HRV vaccine.     

Effect of commensals and probiotics on visceral sensitivity and pain in irritable bowel syndrome

The last ten years’ wide progress in the gut microbiota phylogenetic and functional characterization has been made evidencing dysbiosis in several gastrointestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a functional gut disease with high prevalence and negative impact on patient’s quality of life characterized mainly by visceral pain and/or discomfort, representing a good paradigm of chronic gut hypersensitivity. The IBS features are strongly regulated by bidirectional gut-brain interactions and there is increasing evidence for the involvement of gut bacteria and/or their metabolites in these features, including visceral pain. Further, gut microbiota modulation by antibiotics or probiotics has been promising in IBS. Mechanistic data provided mainly by animal studies highlight that commensals or probiotics may exert a direct action through bacterial metabolites on sensitive nerve endings in the gut mucosa, or indirect pathways targeting the intestinal epithelial barrier, the mucosal and/or systemic immune activation, and subsequent neuronal sensitization and/or activation.     

益生菌联合血必净注射液对急性胰腺炎患者的疗效及对降钙素原、C反应蛋白及D-二聚体的影响

目的 探讨益生菌联合血必净注射液对急性胰腺炎患者的疗效及对降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）及D-二聚体的影响。方法 选取2015年12月-2017年12月郑州大学附属郑州中心医院收治的急性胰腺炎患者185例,随机将患者分为两组,对照组在常规治疗的基础上给予血必净注射液,观察组在对照组的基础上给予双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片,连续治疗7 d。比较两组治疗总有效率、临床症状和体征缓解时间及治疗前后PCT、CRP及血浆D-二聚体水平。结果 观察组总有效率为92.47%,显著高于对照组的81.52%（P<0.05）;观察组患者的腹痛腹胀缓解时间、恶心呕吐消失时间、肠鸣音恢复时间和血尿淀粉酶恢复时间均显著短于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组PCT、CRP及血浆D-二聚体水平均较治疗前显著下降（P<0.05）,且观察组显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片联合血必净注射液可显著缩短急性胰腺炎患者临床症状及体征缓解时间,降低炎症反应,改善高凝状态,提高治疗的有效率。     

Recent advances in the etiology and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, together comprising the inflammatory bowel diseases, currently affect up to 2 million people in the western developed countries. The pathogenesis of the disease is a complex one in which genetic, immunogenic, microbial and environmental factors contribute to the etiology of the disease. Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms that determine this complex entity have provided insight for promising new therapies.     

A case for antibiotic perturbation of the microbiota leading to allergy development

The use of antibiotics to treat pathogenic bacterial infections has been one of the greatest contributions to human health, yet antibiotic use also perturbs the communities of commensal and symbiotic bacteria that reside in the intestine of mammals. The microbiota are critical for normal immune development and for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and disruption of the microbiota has been linked to the emergence of allergic disease both in humans and in animal models. The evidence and mechanisms for antibiotic-mediated disruptions leading to the onset of allergic disease at mucosal surfaces is discussed, as well as the future challenges for the field. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota modulate allergic disease development will allow for interventions to counter the potentially adverse effects of antibiotic treatment on the microbiota.     

Probiotic Therapy Reduces Periodontal Tissue Destruction and Improves the Intestinal Morphology in Rats With Ligature‐Induced Periodontitis

Background: With increase in the incidence of resistance to antibiotics, probiotics are emerging as a promising adjunctive periodontal therapy. The authors of this study evaluate the influence of probiotic (PROB) supplementation on ligature‐induced periodontitis (LIP) and intestinal morphology in rats. Methods: Thirty‐two rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (C), LIP, PROB, and LIP/PROB. In groups PROB and LIP/PROB, the PROB was administered orally by addition to the drinking water of the animals for 44 days. In groups LIP and LIP/PROB, the mandibular right first molar of the animals received a cotton ligature that was left in the same position for 14 days. All animals were euthanized 44 days after the start of the PROB supplementation. The jaws were resected and histomorphometric analyses were performed. The measurements included evaluation of attachment loss (AL) and alveolar bone level (ABL) on the distal root of the mandibular first molar. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were also dissected from each animal to evaluate the villous height (VH) and crypt depth (CD). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analyses (analysis of variance, Tukey; P <0.05). Results: Mean values of AL and ABL were significantly higher in group LIP compared with group LIP/PROB (AL: 3.05 ± 0.57 mm and 1.78 ± 0.63 mm, respectively; ABL: 4.21 ± 0.42 mm and 3.38 ± 0.17 mm, respectively). In group LIP/PROB, the mean values of VH and CD of the jejunum were significantly higher than the ones from group LIP (VH: 672.1 ± 83.3 µm and 528.0 ± 51.7 µm, respectively; CD: 463.8 ± 100.9 µm and 269.0 ± 48.4 µm, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that PROB supplementation 1) reduces AL and alveolar bone loss in rats with LIP and 2) can protect the small intestine from reactive changes induced by LIP.     

Necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a neonatal surgical emergency with potentially devastating consequences. Pre-term infants of very low birth weight are most at risk with several genetic and environmental risk factors identified. The local microbial environment plays a key role in early life to help reduce the risk of NEC. Breast milk has also shown to be protective. The disease is characterized by infection, inflammation and ischaemia of the bowel that can extend from a small segment to most of its length. The diagnosis is made based on clinical, biochemical and radiological features with perforation the most widely accepted indication for surgery. When conservative management fails, a laparotomy is indicated with the aim of resecting necrotic bowel and preserving intestinal length. Complications include strictures, stoma morbidity, short-bowel syndrome and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Preventative strategies include the use of probiotics and encouraging the use of breast milk.