Explore the vast range of titles available.

Objective Weissella confusa F213 (WCF213) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus FBB81 (LrFBB81) are two probiotic candidates isolated from humans in our previous study. Their functional activity on the mucosal barrier has not yet been adequately investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of these strains on maintaining mucosal integrity in vitro. Caco-2 cell monolayers were pretreated with WCF213 and LrFBB81 before being exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The integrity of mucosal cells was evaluated by measuring the transepithelial resistance (TER), flux of FITC-labelled dextran, and ZO-1 protein distribution with the help of an immunofluorescence method. Results WCF213 was found to significantly maintain the TER better than the control hydrogen peroxide-treated cells ( p  < 0.001), followed by the strain combination, and LrFBB81 alone ( p  < 0.05). The permeability of mucosa was also successfully maintained by the WCF213 strain. This was illustrated by the significant reduction in the flux of FITC-labelled dextran ( p  < 0.05), which was larger than that exhibited by the other groups. The ZO-1 distribution of strain-treated cells showed less disruption than hydrogen peroxide-treated cells, consistent with the TER and FITC experimental results. These findings indicate that WCF213 and LrFBB81 plays important roles in the maintenance of mucosal integrity in a strain-dependent manner.

Objective This study was performed to investigate the potential effects of Weissella confusa F213 (WCF213) on chemically-induced colitis rats. Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: T1 (saline sterile), T2 (2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- for 7 days), and T3 (WCF213 for 14 days, continued with 2.5% DSS for 7 days). The disease activity index (DAI) was monitored. After sacrificing the rats, the colon was collected for length measurement, local TNF-α level, HE staining for histology, and ZO-1 expression by using immunohistochemistry. Results WCF213 administration prevented weight loss and haematochezia, maintained average colon length and alleviated the clinical symptom of colitis, such as diarrhoea, albeit statistically non-significant ( p  < 0.05) compared with the T2 group. The histopathology of WCF213-treated colitis rats showed better architecture and less inflammatory cell infiltration into colon tissue. WCF213 significantly maintained the expression of ZO-1 in the mucosa ( p  < 0.001) and markedly reduced mucosal TNF-α concentration ( p  < 0.001) compared with the DSS group. Hence, these findings suggested that WCF213 attenuated clinical symptoms and inflammation and maintained mucosal integrity in DSS-induced colitis in vivo.

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as a formidable challenge within the realm of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by its inexorable progression and the profound cognitive impairments it engenders. Despite decades of research, the management of AD remains in a conundrum, with currently available treatments offering only modest symptomatic relief and none that can definitively alter the course of the disease.ObjectiveThis investigation seeks to provide a concise overview of the influence of probiotics on the cognitive aspects of AD, drawing upon a compilation of conducted studies.MethodsThe study was conducted by means of comprehensive searches in MEDLINE, Pubmed, and Google Scholar databases spanning from January 2015 to December 2020. The composition of this review adhered to the guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The evaluation of eligibility criteria was guided by the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Design (PICOS) framework, a methodology that was systematically applied to each identified research entry.ResultsUpon the implementation of the search protocol, a total of five articles that satisfied the predetermined inclusion criteria were incorporated into this review. Among these, four encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while the fifth pertained to an explorative interventional study. AD stands as a progressive neurodegenerative affliction of considerable clinical import. Through the assessment of diverse investigations, compelling evidence has emerged affirming that probiotic microorganisms, acting via the intricate gut–brain axis signaling pathway, harbor the capacity to ameliorate cognitive function in AD. The collective findings across all the studies unequivocally indicate a notable enhancement in cognitive function subsequent to the administration of probiotic supplementation (p < 0.05). While not all domains of cognitive function exhibit amelioration in response to probiotic supplementation, the consideration of incorporating probiotics within the therapeutic schema for AD warrants deliberation as a strategy to enhance cognitive performance.ConclusionDespite the intricate pathophysiology of AD, probiotic supplementation exerts a discernible influence on cognitive well-being. Notably, the symbiotic interplay between the gut and the brain, elucidated through the intricate gut–brain axis, emerges as a conduit through which probiotics could potentially modulate cognitive function.

In recent years, interest in probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus strains like Lactobacillus sp. SKG34, isolated from Sumbawa mare milk, has surged due to their potential health benefits. This strain holds promise as a probiotic agent, but understanding its behavior in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for effective application. This study aimed to investigate the resistance and persistence of Lactobacillus sp. SKG34 in the GI tract of rats. Rats were orally administered the strain at a concentration of 10^8 cells for 30 days. The probiotic’s ability to modulate gut microbiota and improve host health is a key area of interest. By utilizing techniques like PCR-RAPD, this research sought to elucidate the fate of Lactobacillus sp. SKG34 in the complex environment of the rat GI tract. Results revealed a significant increase in LAB population in cecal contents, from 3.06 x 10^9 cfu/g in the control group to 1.25 x 10^10 cfu/g in the probiotic group. RAPD analysis also detected Lactobacillus sp. SKG34 in approximately 23% of the total population of lactic acid bacteria in cecal contents, indicating its resistance and proliferation within the GI tract. Further investigation is warranted to fully understand the potential of Lactobacillus sp. SKG34 as a beneficial probiotic strain for human application.

A correction has been published and is appended to both the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.A correction has been published and is appended to both the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.

Asia differs substantially among and within its regions populated by diverse ethnic groups, which maintain their own respective cultures and dietary habits. To address the diversity in their gut microbiota, we characterized the bacterial community in fecal samples obtained from 303 school-age children living in urban or rural regions in five countries spanning temperate and tropical areas of Asia. The microbiota profiled for the 303 subjects were classified into two enterotype-like clusters, each driven by Prevotella (P-type) or Bifidobacterium / Bacteroides (BB-type), respectively. Majority in China, Japan and Taiwan harbored BB-type, whereas those from Indonesia and Khon Kaen in Thailand mainly harbored P-type. The P-type microbiota was characterized by a more conserved bacterial community sharing a greater number of type-specific phylotypes. Predictive metagenomics suggests higher and lower activity of carbohydrate digestion and bile acid biosynthesis, respectively, in P-type subjects, reflecting their high intake of diets rich in resistant starch. Random-forest analysis classified their fecal species community as mirroring location of resident country, suggesting eco-geographical factors shaping gut microbiota. In particular, children living in Japan harbored a less diversified microbiota with high abundance of Bifidobacterium and less number of potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may reflect their living environment and unique diet.

Anchorless cell surface proteins (CSPs) were extracted with 1 M lithium chloride solution from Lactobacillus rhamnosus FSMM22. Loss of the anchorless CSPs resulted in a 2-fold decrease in FSMM22 cells bound to a constitutive extracellular matrix glycoprotein, laminin, in vitro. DNA-binding protein HU, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and 30S ribosomal protein S19 (RpsS) were identified by mass spectrometry in the extract as laminin-binding adhesins. Among the four proteins, RpsS was immunohistochemically confirmed to exist on the cell surface. Our findings strongly suggest that anchorless CSPs can enhance bacterial adhesion to the host.