A total of 22 Lactobacillus strains, which were isolated from infant feces were evaluated for their probiotic potential along with resistance to low pH and bile salts. Eight isolates (L. reuteri 3M02 ...and 3M03, L. gasseri 4M13, 4R22, 5R01, 5R02, and 5R13, and L. rhamnosus 4B15) with high tolerance to acid and bile salts, and ability to adhere to the intestine were screened from 22 strains. Further, functional properties of 8 Lactobacillus strains, such as anti-oxidation, inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-inflammation were evaluated. The properties were strain-specific. Particularly, two strains of L. rhamnosus, 4B15 (4B15) and L. gasseri 4M13 (4M13) showed considerably higher anti-oxidation, inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, and cholesterol-lowering, and greater inhibition of nitric oxide production than other strains. Moreover, the two selected strains substantially inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 stimulated the treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with LPS. In addition, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of 4B15 and 4M13 indicated them as novel genomic strains. These results suggested that 4B15 and 4M13 showed the highest probiotic potential and have an impact on immune health by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Lactobacillus gasseri JM1, a novel strain isolated from infant feces, exhibited common probiotic properties such as high acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, and adhesion to epithelial Caco-2 cells, ...suggesting its ability to survive in the gastrointestinal tract and confer potential probiotic action on the host. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of L. gasseri JM1 and explore the underlying signaling pathways in vitro. The results showed that pretreatment with L. gasseri JM1 alleviated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response, as evidenced by downregulation of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines IL1B, IL6, IL8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA) and upregulation of genes encoding anti-inflammatory cytokines IL4, IL10, transforming growth factor-β3 (TGFB3), and IFNG. A high level of gene expression was noted for toll-like receptor 2 and NOD-like receptor 2. Meanwhile, transcriptomic sequencing obtained 84 differentially expressed genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway was activated by L. gasseri JM1 in Caco-2 cells. Inhibitor of PI3K/Akt played various roles in the release of cytokines, indicating that the pathway was involved in protecting the host against lipopolysaccharide stress. Moreover, whole-genome sequencing revealed fundamental genetic properties of L. gasseri JM1 and provided clues for probiotic characteristics. In summary, the strain could exert immunomodulatory effects via the toll-like receptor 2 and NOD2-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and be regarded as a potential probiotic.
Lactobacilli, commonly used as probiotics, have been shown to maintain vaginal health and contribute to host microbiota interaction. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by lactobacillus have been ...found to have an important role in probiotic activity; however, there is limited knowledge concerning their impact on cervical cancer and urogenital health. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare EPSs of L. gasseri strains (G10 and H15), isolated from a healthy human vagina, for their capability to inhibit cervical cancer cell (HeLa) growth and modulate immune response. HeLa cells were treated with live culture at ∼108 CFU/ml or increasing concentration of lyophilized EPS (L-EPS) (100, 200, or 400 μg/ml) of L. gasseri strains and their ability to adhere to host cells, inhibit proliferation, and modulate immune response were evaluated. Additionally, monosaccharide composition of the L-EPSs produced by L. gasseri strains was determined by HPLC. The sugar component was the same; however, relative proportions of the individual monosaccharides except mannose were different. Although they both produce similar amount of EPS, the most adhesive strain was G10. Both live and L-EPS of L. gasseri strains were capable of inhibiting the cell proliferation of HeLa cells with the impact of L-EPS being strain specific. L-EPSs of L. gasseri strains induced apoptosis in HeLa cells in a strain dependent manner. The ability to induce apoptosis by G10 associated with an upregulation of Bax and Caspase 3. L. gasseri strains showed an anti-inflammatory impact on HeLa cells by decreasing the production of TNF-α and increasing the IL-10 production. In conclusion, diversity in sugar composition of EPS might contribute to adhesion and proliferation properties. Although our results suggest a relationship between the ability of a strain to induce apoptosis and its sugar composition of EPS, further research is required to determine the probiotic mechanisms of action by which L. gasseri strains result in strain specific anti-proliferative activity.
•Compositional diversity exists within EPSs of the same species.•This likely contributes strain to strain variation in ability to adhere, inhibit proliferation, modulate immune response.•There might be a relationship between the ability of a strain to induce apoptosis and its sugar composition of EPS.
Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, and their production is regarded as a desirable probiotic trait. We found that
Lactobacillus gasseri
LM19, a strain isolated from human ...milk, produces several bacteriocins, including a novel bacteriocin, gassericin M. These bacteriocins were purified from culture and synthesised to investigate their activity and potential synergy.
L. gasseri
LM19 was tested in a complex environment mimicking human colon conditions; it not only survived, but expressed the seven bacteriocin genes and produced short-chain fatty acids. Metagenomic analysis of these in vitro colon cultures showed that co-inoculation of
L. gasseri
LM19 with
Clostridium perfringens
gave 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic profiles with more similarity to controls than to vessels inoculated with
C. perfringens
alone. These results indicate that
L. gasseri
LM19 could be an interesting candidate for maintaining homeostasis in the gut environment.
Objectives
To explore differences in the vaginal microbiome between preterm and term deliveries.
Design
Nested case–control study in 3D cohort (design, develop, discover).
Setting
Quebec, Canada.
...Sample
Ninety‐four women with spontaneous preterm birth as cases 17 early (<34 weeks) and 77 late (34–36 weeks) preterm birth and 356 women as controls with term delivery (≥37 weeks).
Methods
To assess the vaginal microbiome by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene in swabs self‐collected during early pregnancy.
Main outcome measures
Comparison of relative abundance of bacterial operational taxonomic units and oligotypes and identifying vaginal community state types (CSTs) in early or late spontaneous preterm and term deliveries.
Results
Lactobacillus gasseri/ Lactobacillus johnsonii (coefficient −5.36, 95% CI −8.07 to −2.65), Lactobacillus crispatus (99%)/ Lactobacillus acidophilus (99%) (−4.58, 95% CI −6.20 to −2.96), Lactobacillus iners (99%)/ Ralstonia solanacearum (99%) (−3.98, 95% CI −6.48 to −1.47) and Bifidobacterium longum/ Bifidobacterium breve (−8.84, 95% CI −12.96 to −4.73) were associated with decreased risk of early but not late preterm birth. Six vaginal CSTs were identified: four dominated by Lactobacillus; one with presence of bacterial vaginosis‐associated bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae and Veillonellaceae bacterium) (CST IV); and one with nondominance of Lactobacillus (CST VI). CST IV was associated with increased risk of early (4.22, 95% CI 1.24–24.85) but not late (1.63, 95% CI 0.68–5.04) preterm birth, compared with CST VI.
Conclusions
Lactobacillus gasseri/L. johnsonii, L. crispatus/L. acidophilus, L. iners/R. solanacearum and B. longum/B. breve may be associated with decreased risk of early preterm birth. A bacterial vaginosis‐related vaginal CST versus a CST nondominated by Lactobacillus may be associated with increased risk of early preterm birth.
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Largest study of its kind finds certain species of vaginal Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium may relate to lower risk of preterm birth.
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Largest study of its kind finds certain species of vaginal Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium may relate to lower risk of preterm birth.
The Gram-negative human pathogen
has progressively developed resistance to antibiotic monotherapies, and recent failures of dual-drug therapy have heightened concerns that strains resistant to all ...available antibiotics will begin circulating globally. Targeting bacterial cell wall assembly has historically been effective at treating infections with
, but as the effectiveness of β-lactams (including cephalosporins) is challenged by increasing resistance, research has expanded into compounds that target the numerous other enzymes with roles in peptidoglycan metabolism. One example is the dithiazoline compound JNJ-853346 (DTZ), which inhibits the activity of an
serine protease l,d-carboxypeptidase (LdcA). Recently, the characterization of an LdcA homolog in
revealed localization and activity differences from the characterized
LdcA, prompting us to explore the effectiveness of DTZ against
We found that DTZ is effective at inhibiting
in all growth phases, unlike the specific stationary-phase inhibition seen in
Surprisingly, DTZ does not inhibit gonococcal LdcA enzyme activity, and DTZ sensitivity is not significantly decreased in
mutants. While effective against numerous
strains, including recent multidrug-resistant isolates, DTZ is much less effective at inhibiting growth of the commensal species
DTZ treatment during coinfections of epithelial cells resulted in significant lowering of gonococcal burden and interleukin-8 secretion without significantly impacting recovery of viable
This selective toxicity presents a possible pathway for the use of DTZ as an effective antigonococcal agent at concentrations that do not impact vaginal commensals.
This study explores the optimization of spray drying conditions for fermented acerola juice powder, focusing on nutrient retention and probiotic viability. Acerola, a fruit high in vitamin C and ...phenolics, was fermented under varying conditions to support the growth of Lactobacillus gasseri. The fermentation of acerola juice was conducted at pH levels of 3.2(in natura), 5.0, and 7.0 to promote optimal bacterial growth. Spray drying was then performed at inlet temperatures of 120°C, 140°C, and 160°C, using varying concentrations of maltodextrin and gelatin as encapsulants. The powders were analyzed for vitamin C, phenolic content, and Lactobacillus gasseri cell concentration. Optimal bacterial growth occurred at pH 7.0. The spray drying process showed that lower temperatures (120°C) favored higher vitamin C (up to 6.2 mg/g) and phenolic retention (up to 59.9 mg/g), while higher temperatures (160°C) enhanced probiotic survival (up to 8.3 × 108 CFU/g). Hydrocolloids like maltodextrin and gelatin were crucial in enhancing nutrient and probiotic stability, showcasing their importance in optimizing spray-dried functional food formulations. Tailoring fermentation and spray drying conditions is crucial in producing functional fruit powders with high nutritional and probiotic value.
•Acerola juice fermentation enhanced with probiotics.•Hydrocolloids effective in preserving vitamin C and phenolics.•Optimal spray drying conditions yield high bacterial survival rates.•Crucial insights into temperature and hydrocolloid interactions.
It is well accepted that frequent and heavy intake of purine-rich foods causes elevation of serum uric acid levels, which is a risk factor of hyperuricemia. Reducing intestinal absorption of dietary ...purines may attenuate the elevation of serum uric acid levels and exacerbation of hyperuricemia. This reduction may be achieved by the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria that take up purines in the intestine. In this study, we investigated the degree of uptake and utilization of purines of three lactobacilli strains. Among them, Lactobacillus gasseri PA-3 (PA-3) showed the greatest incorporation of
14
C-adenine. PA-3 also incorporated
14
C-adenosine and
14
C-AMP. Additionally, using defined growth medium, PA-3 demonstrated greater proliferation in the presence of these purines than in their absence. Although further investigation is required, ingestion of PA-3 may lower serum uric acid levels by reducing intestinal absorption of purines in humans.
Aims
To confirm the stress‐relieving effects of heat‐inactivated, enteric‐colonizing Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (paraprobiotic CP2305) in medical students taking a cadaver dissection course.
...Methods and Results
Healthy students (21 males and 11 females) took paraprobiotic CP2305 daily for 5 weeks during a cadaver dissection course. The General Health Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were employed to assess stress‐related somatic symptoms and sleep quality respectively. The aggravation of stress‐associated somatic symptoms was observed in female students (P = 0·029). Sleep quality was improved in the paraprobiotic CP2305 group (P = 0·038), particularly in men (P = 0·004). Among men, paraprobiotic CP2305 shortened sleep latency (P = 0·035) and increased sleep duration (P = 0·048). Diarrhoea‐like symptoms were also effectively controlled with CP2305 (P = 0·005) in men. Thus, we observed sex‐related differences in the effects of paraprobiotic CP2305. In addition, CP2305 affected the growth of faecal Bacteroides vulgatus and Dorea longicatena, which are involved in intestinal inflammation.
Conclusions
CP2305 is a potential paraprobiotic that regulates stress responses, and its beneficial effects may depend on specific cell component(s).
Significance and Impact of the Study
This study characterizes the effects of a stress‐relieving para‐psychobiotic in humans.
Excessive expression of interleukin (IL)-1β in the brain causes depression and cognitive dysfunction. Herein, we investigated the effect of
NK109, which suppressed IL-1β expression in activated ...macrophages, on
K1-induced cognitive impairment and depression in mice. Germ-free and specific pathogen-free mice with neuropsychiatric disorders were prepared by oral gavage of K1. NK109 alleviated K1-induced cognition-impaired and depressive behaviors, decreased the expression of IL-1β and populations of NF-κB
/Iba1
and IL-1R
cells, and increased the K1-suppressed population of BDNF
/NeuN
cells in the hippocampus. However, its effects were partially attenuated by celiac vagotomy. NK109 treatment mitigated K1-induced colitis and gut dysbiosis. Tyndallized NK109, even if lysed, alleviated cognitive impairment and depression. In conclusion, NK109 alleviated neuropsychiatric disorders and colitis by modulating IL-1β expression, gut microbiota, and vagus nerve-mediated gut-brain signaling.
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