Microorganisms inhabiting follicular contents of facial acne are not only Propionibacterium but also Malassezia spp.

To clarify the relationship between major cutaneous microorganisms (Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus and Malassezia spp.) and acne vulgaris (acne), we examined the microbiota quantitatively in the follicular contents of inflammatory acne and on the facial skin of patients with acne. Fifteen Japanese untreated acne outpatients were studied. The follicular contents from inflammatory acne lesions of the face were collected using a comedo extractor. The skin surface samples were obtained by the swab method from 10 cm² of facial skin. The microbiota was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. The microbiota in follicular contents was similar to that on the skin surface, namely, there were large populations of Propionibacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Malassezia spp. Moreover, the number of Malassezia spp. on the skin surface was correlated with that of inflammatory acne and that in follicular contents. This study clarified that there are large populations of Propionibacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Malassezia spp. in follicular contents. These results suggest the possibility that not only Propionibacterium acnes but also other cutaneous resident microorganisms are related to acne. Particularly, we considered that Malassezia spp. is closely related.     

Inhibitory effects of dietary soyasaponin on 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene‐induced contact hypersensitivity in mice

Soyasaponins (SSs) abundant in soybean have anti‐inflammatory activities; however, their therapeutic effects on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) remain unknown. To assess the effects of SS‐enriched diets on ACD, we used a mouse model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Mice were fed low‐dose or high‐dose SS‐containing diets for 3 weeks prior to CHS induction with 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The low‐dose SS diet attenuated DNFB‐induced ear swelling and tissue oedema, and reduced the number of infiltrating Gr‐1‐positive myeloid cells. Low‐dose, but not high‐dose, SSs decreased chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)‐1 production in ear tissues, compared to a control. Taxonomic 16S rRNA analysis revealed significant alterations in faecal microbiota caused by CHS, which were reversed by low‐dose SSs. The low‐dose SS and non‐CHS groups clustered together, while the high‐dose SS group split between CHS and non‐CHS clusters. Our results demonstrated that low‐dose SSs alleviated CHS symptoms by attenuating inflammation and improving the intestinal microbiota composition, suggesting that dietary SSs may have beneficial effects on ACD.     

Rosacea and its association with enteral microbiota in Korean females

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis affecting the face and eyes. An association between systemic comorbidities and rosacea has been reported, but the link to enteral microbiota is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the link between rosacea and enteral microbiota. A cross‐sectional study was performed in a sample of Korean women who participated in a health check‐up programme at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Screening Center between 23 June 2014 and 5 September 2014. The gut microbiome was evaluated by 16S rRNA gene and metagenome sequence analyses. A total of 12 rosacea patients and 251 controls were enrolled. We identified links between rosacea and several changes in gut microbiota: reduced abundance of Peptococcaceae family unknown genus, Methanobrevibacter (genus), Slackia (genus), Coprobacillus (genus), Citrobacter (genus), and Desulfovibrio (genus), and increased abundance of Acidaminococcus (genus), Megasphaera (genus), and Lactobacillales order unknown family unknown genus. A link between rosacea and enteral microbiota was observed in this metagenomic study. A large and elaborate study is needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.     

肠道菌的色氨酸代谢与急性放射性肠损伤诊治的研究进展

肠道菌群不仅影响肠道细胞中色氨酸代谢限速酶的活性,而且协同产生多种催化酶直接影响肠道色氨酸代谢物的种类和数量。研究发现,在2~10.4 Gy范围内,多种肠道菌群来源的色氨酸代谢产物在全身照射后的小鼠外周血中明显减少,并与照射剂量负相关,可能是肠道急性辐射损伤相关的生物标志物。在肠道急性辐射损伤的动物模型中,肠道菌群来源的色氨酸代谢物吲哚丙酸、犬尿喹啉酸、吲哚‐3‐甲醛,肠道芳香烃受体激动剂、肠道色氨酸代谢限速酶吲哚胺2,3‐双加氧酶1抑制剂,均具有辐射防护作用。进一步研究肠道菌群参与的色氨酸代谢在急性放射性肠损伤发生发展中的变化特征和作用,筛选对肠道急性辐射损伤具有防护作用的色氨酸代谢物,可能有益于研发有效的诊治手段。     

Safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strain BB-12-supplemented yogurt in healthy adults on antibiotics: a phase I safety study

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in sufficient doses, provide health benefits on the host. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires phase I safety studies for probiotics when the intended use of the product is as a drug. The purpose of the study was to determine the safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis (B. lactis) strain BB-12 (BB-12)-supplemented yogurt when consumed by a generally healthy group of adults who were prescribed a 10-day course of antibiotics for a respiratory infection. Secondary aims were to assess the ability of BB-12 to affect the expression of whole blood immune markers associated with cell activation and inflammatory response. A phase I, double-blinded, randomized controlled study was conducted in compliance with FDA guidelines for an Investigational New Drug (IND). Forty participants were randomly assigned to consume 4 ounces of either BB-12 -supplemented yogurt or non-supplemented control yogurt daily for 10 d. The primary outcome was to assess safety and tolerability, assessed by the number of reported adverse events. A total of 165 non-serious adverse events were reported, with no differences between the control and BB-12 groups. When compared to the control group, B lactis fecal levels were modestly higher in the BB-12-supplemented group. In a small subset of patients, changes in whole blood expression of genes associated with regulation and activation of immune cells were detected in the BB-12-supplemented group. BB-12-supplemented yogurt is safe and well tolerated when consumed by healthy adults concurrently taking antibiotics. This study will form the basis for future randomized clinical trials investigating the potential immunomodulatory effects of BB-12-supplemented yogurt in a variety of disease states.     

Consumption of different soymilk formulations differentially affects the gut microbiomes of overweight and obese men

The effects of consuming foods on the intestinal microbiome of obese individuals remain unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of consuming low glycinin soymilk (LGS, 49.5% β-conglycinin/6% glycinin), conventional soymilk (S, 26.5% β-conglycinin/38.7% glycinin) or bovine milk (M, 0% β-conglycinin/0% glycinin) on the intestinal microbiome in overweight and obese men. In a randomized double-blind study, participants (64 men, BMI > 25, 20–45 y old), organized in three groups, consumed 500 mL of LGS, S or M daily for 3 mo. Three fecal samples were collected before (baseline) and after 3 mo of consumption. Dietary energy and macronutrient intake were monitored monthly and remained constant throughout the study (p > 0.05). Microbial composition was analyzed with qPCR and bTEFAP. Within groups, qPCR analysis showed that the total bacteria increased in all treatments over time (p < 0.001). Bacteroides-Prevotella (p = 0.001) and Lactobacillus (p < 0.001) increased in LGS and M, respectively. Bifidobacterium was significantly reduced in LGS (p = 0.003) and S (p < 0.001). Bacterial diversity decreased for LGS, S and M (p = 0.004, 0.005, 0.001; respectively). Unweighted UniFrac analysis revealed that the microbial communities were more similar within than between individuals. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in both LGS and S groups and remained relatively unchanged in the M group (Time p = 0.012; Interaction p = 0.059). Indicator analysis revealed several genera that were indicative of each treatment including Lactobacillus and Prevotella. Consumption of the three beverages differentially altered the microbiota in overweight and obese men including a potentially beneficial alteration of the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in both soymilk groups.