Immunostimulatory Actions of Lactobacilli: Mitogenic Induction of Antibody Production and Spleen Cell Proliferation by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus

We investigated the ability of heat-treated Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus to act as direct inducers of antibody production and cellular proliferation. Yogurt starter-derived strains of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and L. acidophilus induced high levels of antibody production by murine splenocytes in vitro . Both IgM and IgG isotypes were produced. In contrast, two different strains, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (ATCC 11977) and L. acidophilus (ATCC 521) did not induce antibody production by murine splenocytes. While all four strains were able to induce some degree of splenocyte proliferation, the yogurt starter-derived strain of L. acidophilus was the most potent inducer. These results indicate a mitogenic effect of certain strains of lactobacilli on murine splenocytes, resulting in polyclonal antibody production. The ability of heat-treated lactic acid bacteria to induce antibody production and proliferation suggests the involvement of a heat-resistant structural component in non-specific activation of the immune system by these strains of lactic acid bacteria.     

A meta-analysis of randomized trials assessing the effects of probiotic preparations on oral candidiasis in the elderly

ObjectiveOral candidiasis is the most common fungal infection and can be attributed in part to dysbiosis, an imbalance in the resident oral microflora. Therefore, probiotics, which counter pathogenic microorganisms through competitive, antagonistic, and immunological effects, have been used by some clinicians. To date, the effect of probiotics in preventing oral candidiasis in the elderly is controversial. A systematic review that summarizes and critically appraises the available clinical trials is therefore necessary.DesignElectronic searches were performed using the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The Mantel–Haenszel test was used to appraise the odds ratio for single studies and an overall combined odds ratio for all studies combined.ResultsThree studies matched the inclusion criteria and were homogeneous. The data from one study that estimated candida growth from plaque and saliva were subdivided, thus a total of four studies with 595 people were included. The overall combined odds ratio was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.38–0.77). Three studies provided that active treatment reduced the risk of oral candidiasis more than placebo: Hatakka et al. (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.97; 192 participants, plaque); Kraft-Bodi et al. (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86; 174 participants, palatal); Kraft-Bodi et al. (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.98; 174 participants, plaque), while one study provided reverse result: Ishikawa et al. (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.48 to 3.58; 55 participants, saliva).ConclusionProbiotics have a preventative effect on oral candidiasis in the elderly.     

Effects of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented mustard on lowering cholesterol

ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from fermented mustard to lower the cholesterol in vitro.MethodsThe ability of 50 LAB strains isolated from fermented mustard on lowering cholesterol in vitro was determined by modified o-phtshalaldehyde method. The LAB isolates were analyzed for their resistance to acid and bile salt. Strains with lowering cholesterol activity, were determined adherence to Caco-2 cells.ResultsStrain B0007, B0006 and B0022 assimilated more cholesterol than BCRC10474 and BCRC 17010. The isolated strains showed tolerance to pH 3.0 for 3 h despite variations in the degree of viability and bile-tolerant strains, with more than 10⁸ CFU/mL after incubation for 24 h at 1% oxigall in MRS. In addition, strain B0007 and B0022 identified as Lactobacillus plantarum with 16S rDNA sequences were able to adhere to the Caco-2 cell lines.ConclusionsThese strains B0007 and B0022 may be potential functional sources for cholesterol-lowering activities as well as adhering to Caco-2 cell lines.     

Probiotic supplementation in neonates with major gastrointestinal surgical conditions: a systematic review

Objectives: Neonates with major gastrointestinal surgical conditions frequently suffer from prolonged feed intolerance, infections, and need multiple courses of antibiotics. All these put them at risk of gut dysbiosis. Probiotic supplementation has the potential to minimise dysbiosis and improve clinical outcomes in such infants. Hence, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of probiotics in neonates with major surgical conditions of the gut.

Methods: Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and other databases were searched in September 2016.

Results: Two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included; the first was conducted in 24 neonates with gastroschisis, the second in eight neonates with various surgical conditions. In the first study, the overall microbial communities were not significantly different between groups, though analysis of the final specimens demonstrated higher Bifidobacteriaceae, lower Clostridiaceae, and trends toward lower Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae in the probiotic group. In the second study, there were significantly more Streptcoccaceae in the faecal samples in the probiotic group and significantly more Bifidobacteriaceae in the no probiotic group (p?Conclusions: There is limited evidence regarding the role of probiotics in neonates with gastrointestinal surgical conditions. Adequately powered RCTs are needed to address this issue.     

医用微生态制剂分离菌株对白假丝酵母菌芽管形成的抑制作用

目的:研究市售医用微生态制剂分离的单菌株对白假丝酵母菌芽管形成的影响．方法:分离市售益生菌产品单菌株10株,采用结晶紫芽管染色法,通过计算出芽率检测各益生菌分离菌株培养上清,活菌体和热灭活菌体对白假丝酵母菌的出芽抑制．结果:五种微生态制剂单菌的中性培养上清对白假丝酵母菌的芽管生成均具有显著的抑制作用(P<0．01);长双歧杆菌1,嗜酸乳杆菌及两株芽孢杆菌的活菌可以抑制出芽:热灭活菌体无法抑制白假丝酵母菌的出芽．结论:市售医用微生态制剂具备抑制白假丝酵母菌出芽的抑菌效果．     

益生菌对实验性结肠炎大鼠肠黏膜细胞因子及核因子-κB表达的影响

目的寻找双歧三联活菌治疗大鼠实验性结肠炎的最佳剂量,同时观察双歧三联活菌、柳氮磺胺吡啶(SASP)及两者联用的治疗效果。方法将42只SD大鼠均分为正常对照组、模型组、双歧三联活菌高剂量组(0.210×108CFU/d)、双歧三联活菌中剂量组(0.105×108 CFU/d)、双歧三联活菌低剂量组(0.053×108 CFU/d)、SASP组以及双歧三联活菌中剂量 SASP组。各实验性结肠炎组大鼠采用8%乙酸灌肠造模,各治疗组给予药物干预,并应用免疫组化技术检测大鼠结肠黏膜肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、核因子(NF)-κB、白细胞介素(IL)-10、IL-1β的表达。结果①模型组大鼠结肠黏膜TNF-α、NF-κB、IL-1β表达增多、IL-10表达减少;②中剂量双歧三联活菌即为治疗大鼠实验性结肠炎的最佳剂量,但仅在一定程度上起到治疗大鼠实验性结肠炎的目的,其疗效与SASP相当;③双歧三联活菌联合SASP治疗效果最佳,与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论双歧三联活菌可用于治疗大鼠实验性结肠炎,与SASP联用其治疗效果优于两者单独用药。     

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.     

The effects of probiotic supplementation on mental health,biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and objectiveIn the current meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of probiotic supplementation on mental health, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with psychiatric disorders were assessed.MethodsThe following databases were search up to February 2019: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.ResultsTwelve studies were included in the current meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated that probiotic supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) [Weighted Mean Difference (WMD): -9.60; 95 % CI: -10.08, -9.11]. In addition, a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: -1.59; 95 % CI: -2.22, -0.97), interleukin 10 (IL-10) (WMD: -0.29; 95 % CI: -0.48, -0.11) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (WMD: -0.38; 95 % CI: -0.63, -0.13) was found after probiotics supplementation. No significant change was seen in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score (WMD: -11.17; 95 % CI: -24.99, 2.65), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (WMD: -0.12; 95 % CI: -0.20, -0.05), IL-1B (WMD: -0.34; 95 % CI: -1.43, 0.74), IL-6 (WMD: 0.03; 95 % CI: -0.32, 0.38), nitric oxide (NO) (WMD: -0.54; 95 % CI: -2.16, 1.08), glutathione (GSH) (WMD: 46.79; 95 % CI: -17.25, 110.83) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (WMD: 15.21; 95 % CI: -59.96, 90.37) after probiotics supplementation.ConclusionOverall, the current meta-analysis demonstrated that taking probiotic by patients with psychiatric disorders had beneficial effects on HAMD, CRP, IL-10 and MDA levels, but it did not affect BDI score, other markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.