Effect of long-term continuous consumption of fermented milk containing probiotic bacteria on mucosal immunity and the activity of peritoneal macrophages

The effect of the long-term administration of commercial fermented milk containing probiotic bacteria in the mucosal immune response and peritoneal macrophages was analyzed. BALB/c mice were fed with fermented milk for 98 consecutive days. Small and large intestines were removed for histology; IgA, CD4, CD8 cells and cytokines-producing cells were counted. The influence on the immune cells associated with bronchus and mammary glands as well as on peritoneal macrophages was also analyzed. Continuous oral administration of fermented milk increased IgA+ cells in both parts of the intestine (small and large intestine). IL-10, a regulatory cytokine, increased in the intestinal cells in most samples. TNFalpha, IFNgamma and IL-2 producing cells were also enhanced. Values for CD4 and CD8(+) cell populations in lamina propria of the intestine were increased in relation to the control throughout the assay. No modifications in the histology of intestines were observed. Long-term consumption of fermented milk enhanced intestinal mucosa immunity, mediated by IgA+ cells and by cytokine production. This improvement of gut immunity was maintained and down-regulated by cytokines such as IL-10, preventing gut inflammatory immune response. The effect of this fermented milk on mucosal sites distant to the gut, such as bronchus and mammary glands, showed that in both tissues the increase in IgA+ cells was only observed at the beginning of the continuous consumption and no modifications in the number of cytokine positive cells were found. Similar observations were found when phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was measured. It was demonstrated that the most evident effect of long-term consumption of fermented milk was observed in the intestine. Immunodulatory effects and the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis without secondary effects after long-term administration of fermented milk were also observed.     

益生菌辅助治疗重症急性胰腺炎的临床研究

目的:探讨益生菌对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)的辅助治疗作用。方法:25例重症急性胰腺炎患者均采用保守治疗,随机分为两组,治疗组在传统治疗基础上给口服益生菌制剂金双歧(2.03/d),观察患者发热,腹痛缓解时间,血淀粉酶下降时间,并发症发生率及平均住院时间,与对照组比较有无显著性差异。结果:与对照组相比,治疗组腹痛缓解时间,血淀粉酶恢复时间(t=5.017,P<0.05)及并发症发生率显著降低(χ2=11.943,P<0.01),平均住院时间(t=5.496,P<0.01)明显缩短。结论:早期应用益生菌辅助治疗SAP,可改善其病程及预后。     

Impact of adding prophylactic probiotics to a bundle of standard preventative measures for Clostridium difficile infections: enhanced and sustained decrease in the incidence and severity of infection at a community hospital

Abstract

Background:

In 2003, hospitals in Quebec, Canada experienced an increase of NAP1/027 Clostridium difficile infections following antibiotic administration (CDIAA). At Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital (PLGH), the incidence increased from 10 to over 25 cases per 1000 patient admissions.     

口服益生菌对新生儿高胆红素血症疗效及其免疫功能的影响

目的探讨口服益生菌佐治新生儿高胆红素血症的临床疗效及其对患儿免疫功能的影响。方法 68例高胆红素血症新生儿随机分为益生菌组(36例)和对照组(32例)。益生菌组在对照组光疗基础上连续加予益生菌口服14d。观察治疗前后新生儿血清总胆红素(TBil)水平变化、胃肠道不良反应及相关免疫学指标。结果治疗后益生菌组TBil水平明显低于对照组[(131.75±28.41)μmol/Lvs.(160.56±26.97)μmol/L](P<0.01)。外周血中CD4+细胞比例、CD4+/CD8+数值以及IgM水平[(0.55±0.16)g/Lvs.(0.29±0.14)g/L]较对照组均明显增加(P<0.01)。益生菌组胃肠道副作用发生率明显低于对照组(19.44%vs.46.88%)(P<0.05)。结论加服益生菌治疗新生儿高胆红素血症可以明显增加退黄疗效,促进机体免疫功能,降低治疗期间副作用。     

Interaction of NPSR1 genotypes and probiotics in the manifestation of atopic eczema in early childhood

BackgroundNeuropeptide S Receptor (NPSR1) gene has been associated with multiple allergic phenotypes in several patient populations.ObjectiveWe analysed the effect of the NPSR1 genotypes in the development of asthma, rhinitis, eczema, or food allergy in children randomly receiving either probiotic or placebo treatment.Methods796 children born to families at high risk for allergic diseases were examined by a paediatrician at the age of three months, six months, two years, and five years. Asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy were diagnosed according to international guidelines. Treatment with probiotics (double-blinded and placebo controlled) was begun with mothers at 35 weeks of gestation age and continued after the birth of infants up to the age of six months. Association and additive inheritance models were used in genetic analyses.ResultsDistribution of the hopo546333 was suggestive in the group of patients with atopic eczema at two years. The hopo546333_G was found more often in those with eczema in the placebo group (p = 0.048, after Bonferroni correction) and the hopo546333_A was found more often in those with eczema and probiotics compared to those with eczema and placebo treatment. None of the NPSR1 tagging SNPs was associated with asthma, IgE-mediated asthma, or sensitisation. Allergic disease in both parents doubled the risk for IgE-mediated allergic disease (OR 2.1).ConclusionsThe NPSR1 gene SNP hopo546333 showed a suggestive association for high IgE-associated atopic eczema at two years.     

Inhibitory effects of tea catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate against biofilms formed from Streptococcus mutans and a probiotic lactobacillus strain

ObjectiveEffects of tea catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) against biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans and probiotic Lactobacillus casei in Yakult^® (LcY) were examined.DesignBiofilms were formed by S. mutans alone (Sm) and co-culture of S. mutans and LcY (Sm + LcY) in the absence or presence of EGCG. The biomass of biofilms, which were sonicated or not, was measured by the crystal violet assay. Biofilm morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial viability and extracellular polysaccharides were determined by SYTO9/propidium iodide and dextran-conjugated fluorescein staining, respectively, and confocal microscopy. Gene expression of glucosyltransferase was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsWhile 250 μg/ml EGCG significantly decreased the biomass and acid production of Sm biofilms, 500 μg/ml EGCG was required to inhibit Sm + LcY biofilm formation and acid production. EGCG decreased the amount of live bacteria present in both Sm and Sm + LcY biofilms. The level of dead bacteria in Sm + LcY biofilms was higher than in Sm biofilms when formed in the presence of 250 μg/ml EGCG. EGCG decreased levels of extracellular polysaccharides in Sm and Sm + LcY biofilms. The extent of biofilm removal by sonication was not different between Sm and Sm+LcY biofilms formed in the absence or presence of 62.5 or 125 μg/ml EGCG. The level of Sm gtfB and gtfD expression in Sm + LcY biofilms was higher than those in the Sm biofilms when formed in the presence of EGCG at 250 μg/ml.ConclusionThe results indicated that LcY might interfere the inhibitory effects of EGCG against biofilm formation by S. mutans.     

Effect of probiotic treatment on deranged neutrophil function and cytokine responses in patients with compensated alcoholic cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIM: Endotoxaemia contributes to neutrophil dysfunction, infection risk and mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. As probiotics may decrease Gram-negative gut organisms, we hypothesised that probiotic treatment would restore neutrophil function. METHODS: In an open-label study, patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n=12) received Lactobacillus casei Shirota (6.5 x 10(9)) 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Data were compared to healthy controls (n=13) and cirrhotic patients (n=8) who did not receive probiotics. Neutrophil oxidative burst, phagocytosis, toll-like-receptor (TLR) expression, plasma cytokines and ex vivo endotoxin-stimulated cytokine production were measured. RESULTS: Baseline neutrophil phagocytic capacity in patients was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (73% versus 98%, p<0.05), but normalised at the end of the study (n=10, 100%, p<0.05). No improvement was seen in disease controls. Soluble TNF-receptor (sTNFR)-1 and-2 and interleukin (IL)10 were significantly elevated in patients' plasma but did not change during the study. Ex vivo endotoxin-stimulated levels of sTNFR1, sTNFR2 and IL10 were significantly lower at the end of the study (p<0.05). TLR2, 4 and 9 were overexpressed in patients. TLR4 expression normalised by the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a proof-of-concept that probiotics restore neutrophil phagocytic capacity in cirrhosis, possibly by changing IL10 secretion and TLR4 expression, warranting larger randomised controlled and mechanistic studies.     

Effects of a Multispecies Probiotic Supplement on Bone Health in Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized,Double-blind,Controlled Trial

Objective: The development of alternative approaches to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis, as a chronic progressive bone disease, is being considered currently. Among dietary supplements, probiotics may have favorable effects on bone metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multispecies probiotic supplementation on bone biomarkers and bone density in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 50 patients with osteopenia aged 50–72 years. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a multispecies probiotic supplement (GeriLact; n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) for 6 months. GeriLact contains 7 probiotic bacteria species. Participants received 500 mg Ca plus 200 IU vitamin D daily. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and total hip and blood biomarkers including bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH vitamin D, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and interleukin [IL]-1β) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.

Results: The multispecies probiotic significantly decreased BALP (p = 0.03) and CTX (p = 0.04) levels in comparison with the control group but had no effect on BMD of the spine and total hip. Moreover, there was a statistically significant decrease in serum PTH (p = 0.01) and TNF-α (p = 0.02) in the intervention group compared to the placebo group.

Conclusions: These results may suggest the favorable effects of the multispecies probiotic supplementation for 6 months on bone health in postmenopausal women due to slowing down the rate of bone turnover.