In case of obesity,longevity-related mechanisms lead to anti-inflammation

The exact mechanisms which contribute to longevity have not been figured out yet. Our aim was to find out a common way for prompting longevity by bringing together the well-known applications such as food restriction, exercise, and probiotic supplementing in an experimental obesity model. Experimental obesity was promoted in a total of 32 young (2 months old) and 32 aged (16 months old) male Wistar albino rats through 8-week cafeteria diet (salami, chocolate, chips, and biscuits). Old and young animals were divided into groups each consisting of eight animals and also divided into four subgroups as obese control, obese food restriction, obese probiotic-fed and obese exercise groups. Probiotic group diet contained 0.05 %w/total diet inactive and lyophilized Lactobacillus casei str. Shirota. The exercise group was subjected to treadmill running 1 h/day, at 21 m/min and at an uphill incline of 15 % for 5 days a week. Food restriction group was formed by giving 40 % less food than the others. The control group was fed regular pellet feed ad libitum. This program was continued for 16 weeks. Blood samples from all the groups were analyzed for fasting glucose, insulin, IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, malondialdehyde (MDA), fT3, TT3, fT4, TT4, and liver tissue MDA levels were measured. All applications showed anti-inflammatory effects through the observed changes in the levels of IGFBP-3, IL-6, and IL-12 in the young and old obese rats. While the interventions normally contribute to longevity by recruiting different action mechanisms, anti-inflammatory effect is the only mode of action for all the applications in the obesity model.     

Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 on Chinese constipated women

AIM： To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strains （BIO） on adult women with constipation in Beijing. METHODS： A total of 135 adult females with constipation were randomly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria （control）. Stool frequency, defecation condition scores, stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-totreat population of 126 subjects. In parallel, safety evaluation parameters were performed. RESULTS： At baseline, no differences were found between groups. Following consumption of test product, stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk （3.5±1.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, P 〈 0.01） and 2 wk （4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, P 〈 0.01）, vs baseline. Similarly, after 1 and 2 wk, of test product consumption, defecation condition （1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ±1.2, P 〈 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.2, P 〈 0.01, respectively） and stool consistency （1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ±1.1, P 〈 0.01 and 0.6±0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1,P 〈 0.01, respectively） were significantly improved. Compared with the control group, stool frequency was also significantly increased （3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9, P 〈 0.01 and 4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.6 ± 1.0, P 〈 0.01, respectively）, and defecation condition （1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.1, P 〈 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.6 ± 1.1, P 〈 0.01, respectively） and stool consistency （1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.0, P 〈 0.05 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 1.0, P 〈 0.01, respectively） significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption. During the same period, food intake did not change between the two groups, and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal ranges. CONCLUSION： This study suggests a beneficial effect of a fermented milk containing B. lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency, defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation cons     

Lactobacillus casei strain C1 attenuates vascular changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension can be caused by various factors while the predominant causes include increase in body fluid volume and resistance in the circulatory system that elevate the blood pressure. Consumption of probiotics has been proven to attenuate hypertension; however, the effect is much strain-dependent. In this study, a newly isolated Lactobacillus casei (Lb. casei) strain C1 was investigated for its antihypertensive properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suspension of 11 log colony-forming unit (CFU) was given to SHR (SHR+LAB, n=8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was given as a control in SHR (SHR, n=8) and in Wistar rats as sham (WIS, n=8). The treatment was given via oral gavage for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weekly systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and aortic reactivity function were remarkably improved after 8 weeks of bacterial administration in SHR+LAB. These effects were mostly attributed by restoration of wall tension and tensile stress following the bacterial treatment. Although not statistically significant, the level of malondialdehye (MDA) in SHR+LAB serum was found declining. Increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR+LAB serum suggested that the bacterium exerted vascular protection through antioxidative functions and relatively high NO level that induced vasodilation. Collectively, Lb. casei strain C1 is a promising alternative for hypertension improvement.     

Corrigendum to “Probiotic mixture VSL#3: An overview of basic and clinical studies in chronic diseases”

Correction to: Cheng FS, Pan D, Chang B, Jiang M, Sang LX. Probiotic mixture VSL#3: An overview of basic and clinical studies in chronic diseases. World J Clin Cases 2020; 8: 1361-1384. We are the team of Min Jiang and Li-Xuan Sang from the First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University. Now we solemnly declare that the studies mentioned in this article[1] evaluated the probiotic formulation known as VSL#3 before January 31, 2016. The probiotic formulation is now commonly referred to as De Simone Formulation. In addition, the product currently known as VSL#3 is not the same as De Simone Formulation. De Simone Formulation is now available as Visbiome in the United States and Vivomixx in Europe.     

Effects of pro-/synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric and metabolic indices in overweight or obese children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & aimsExisting evidence on the possible effects of pro-/synbiotics on overweight or obese children and adolescents has not been fully established. Therefore, the present review was undertaken to evaluate the overall effects of pro-/synbiotics supplementation on anthropometric indices and metabolic indices in overweight or obese children and adolescents.MethodsA systematic computerized literature search of PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to November 2018. All RCTs using pro-/synbiotics supplements in overweight or obese children and adolescents included in this systematic review and meta-analysis.ResultsOverall 9 randomized trials including 410 subjects were identified for the present meta-analysis. Pooled analysis did not illustrate any significant changes in BMI z-score, waist circumference, weight, body fat, fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles (triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) after supplementation with pro-/synbiotics for 4–16 weeks. However, subgroup analysis by intervention type revealed a significant reduction of BMI z-score in synbiotic subgroups.ConclusionBased on our findings, modulation of gut microbiota composition through pro-/ synbiotic supplements did not have favorable effects to manage overweight or obese children and adolescents. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm present findings.     

Improved Eradication Rate of Standard Triple Therapy by Adding Bismuth and Probiotic Supplement for Helicobacter pylori Treatment in Thailand

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains an important cause of gastric cancer and peptic ulcerdisease worldwide. Treatment of H. pylori infection is one of the effective ways to prevent gastric cancer. However,standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication is no longer effective in many countries, including Thailand.This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of adding bismuth and probiotic to standard triple therapy forH. pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: In this prospective single center study, H. pylori infected gastritispatients were randomized to receive 7- or 14-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth with probiotic or placebo.Treatment regimen consisted of 30 mg lansoprazole twice daily, 1 g amoxicillin twice daily, 1 g clarithromycinMR once daily and 1,048mg bismuth subsalicylate twice daily. Probiotic bacteria composed of Bifidobacteriumlactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei. Placebo was conventional drinking yogurt withoutprobiotic. CYP2C19 genotyping and antibiotic susceptibility tests were also done. H pylori eradication wasdefined as a negative 13C-urea breath test at least 2 weeks after completion of treatment. Results: One hundredsubjects were enrolled (25 each to 7- and 14-day regimens with probiotic or placebo). Antibiotic susceptibilitytests showed 36.7% metronidazole and 1.1% clarithromycin resistance. CYP2C19 genotyping revealed 40.8%,49% and 10.2% were rapid, intermediate and poor metabolizers, respectively. The eradication rates of 7- or 14regimens with probiotics were 100%. Regarding adverse events, the incidence of bitter taste was significantlylower in the 7- day regimen with the probiotic group compared with 7- day regimen with placebo (40% vs. 64%;p=0.04). Conclusions: The 7-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth and probiotic can provide an excellent curerate of H. pylori (100%) in areas with low clarithromycin resistance such as Thailand, regardless of CYP2C19genotype. Adding a probiotic also reduced treatment-related adverse events.     

Hypocholesterolemic activity of indigenous probiotic isolate Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARDMC1 in a rat model

The aim of this study was to investigate probiotic attributes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARDMC1 isolated from traditional rice beer starter cake and its hypocholesterolemic effects on Wistar rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. The indigenous isolate ARDMC1 showed potential probiotic characteristics such as tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal stress conditions, autoaggregation properties, and adhesion to intestinal epithelium Caco-2 cell line. In addition, ARDMC1 isolate exhibited in vitro cholesterol assimilation properties in media supplemented with cholesterol. Furthermore, administration of probiotic isolate to rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet resulted in significant reduction of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride at the end of 42 days. The present study envisages ARDMC1 as a promising starter culture for the preparation of functional foods with properties to combat cardiovascular diseases.     

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial on probiotics in small bowel bacterial overgrowth in children treated with omeprazole

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) in children treated with omeprazole, and to test whether probiotics influence the incidence.MethodsA double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 70 children treated orally during four weeks with 20 mg omeprazole per day. Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 (1.9 × 10⁹ cfu) and Lactobacillus acidophillus R0052 (0.1 × 10⁹ cfu) were simultaneously given daily to 36 subjects (probiotic group), while 34 subjects received placebo (placebo group). The diagnosis of SBBO was based on the development of suggestive symptoms, in combination with a positive glucose breath test.ResultsAfter one month of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment, 30% (21/70) had a positive breath test suggesting SBBO; of these 62% were symptomatic. Five children developed SBBO-like symptoms, but had a negative breath test; and 44 (63%) were symptom free and had a negative breath test. There was no difference in the incidence of positive breath tests in the probiotic versus the placebo group (33% vs 26.5%; p = 0.13).ConclusionsSince symptoms suggesting SBBO developed in 26% of PPI-treated children, and since the glucose breath test was abnormal in 72% of these, this side-effect should be more frequently considered. The probiotic tested did not decrease the risk to develop SBBO.