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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age worldwide. Through a two-phase clinical experiment, we first revealed an imbalance in the intestinal microbiome of PCOS patients. By binning and annotating shotgun metagenomic sequences into metagenomic species (MGS), 61 MGSs were identified as potential PCOS-related microbial biomarkers. In the second stage, we monitored the impact of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis V9 on the intestinal microbiota, metabolic parameters, gut-brain mediators, and sex hormones of PCOS patients. Notably, we observed that the PCOS-related clinical indices and the intestinal microbiotas of the participating patients exhibited an inconsistent response to the intake of the B. lactis V9 probiotic. Therefore, effective host gut colonization of the probiotic was crucial for its ability to function as a probiotic. Finally, we propose a potential mechanism by which B. lactis V9 regulates the levels of sex hormones by manipulating the intestinal microbiome in PCOS patients. Although a few studies have investigated the intestinal microbiota of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the functional and metabolic mechanisms of the microbes associated with PCOS, as well as potential microbial biomarkers, have not yet been identified. To address this gap, we designed a two-phase experiment in which we performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing and monitored the metabolic parameters, gut-brain mediators, and sex hormones of PCOS patients. In the first stage, we identified an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota of the PCOS patients, observing that Faecalibacterium , Bifidobacterium , and Blautia were significantly more abundant in the control group, whereas Parabacteroides and Clostridium were enriched in the PCOS group. In the second stage, we monitored the impact of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis V9 on the intestinal microbiome, gut-brain mediators, and sex hormones of 14 PCOS patients. Notably, we observed that the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) decreased significantly in 9 volunteers, whereas the levels of sex hormones and intestinal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) increased markedly. In contrast, the changes in the indices mentioned above were indistinct in the remaining 5 volunteers. The results of an analysis of the number of viable Bifidobacterium lactis V9 cells in the two groups were highly consistent with the clinical and SCFA results. Therefore, effective host gut colonization of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis V9 was crucial for its ability to function as a probiotic. Finally, we propose a potential mechanism describing how probiotics regulate the levels of sex hormones by manipulating the intestinal microbiome in PCOS patients. IMPORTANCE Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age worldwide. Through a two-phase clinical experiment, we first revealed an imbalance in the intestinal microbiome of PCOS patients. By binning and annotating shotgun metagenomic sequences into metagenomic species (MGS), 61 MGSs were identified as potential PCOS-related microbial biomarkers. In the second stage, we monitored the impact of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis V9 on the intestinal microbiota, metabolic parameters, gut-brain mediators, and sex hormones of PCOS patients. Notably, we observed that the PCOS-related clinical indices and the intestinal microbiotas of the participating patients exhibited an inconsistent response to the intake of the B. lactis V9 probiotic. Therefore, effective host gut colonization of the probiotic was crucial for its ability to function as a probiotic. Finally, we propose a potential mechanism by which B. lactis V9 regulates the levels of sex hormones by manipulating the intestinal microbiome in PCOS patients.

PurposeThe development of probiotics has seen tremendous growth over the years, with health benefits ranging from gut health to respiratory. We thus aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 (2 × 1010 log CFU/day) against acute respiratory tract infections (RTI), use of antibiotics, hospitalization period and elucidate the possible mechanisms of action in hospitalized young children.MethodA prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed in RTI-hospitalized children. Patients were randomized to either the probiotic (n = 60, mean age 13.81 ± 0.90 months) or placebo (n = 60, mean age 12.11 ± 0.73 months) which were administered upon admission, continued during hospitalization and 4-week post-discharged. RTI and gut health parameters were assessed at these time points using validated questionnaires while concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were assessed via oral swabs.ResultsProbio-M8 reduced the duration of nasal, pharyngeal and general flu-like symptoms compared to the placebo during the hospitalization period and 4-week post-discharged (P < 0.05) as compared to the placebo, with a more prevalent effect against lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Probio-M8 reduced prescription of antibiotic (P = 0.037), prevented new prescription of antibiotic in non-prescribed patients (P = 0.024) and reduced hospitalization period in antibiotic-prescribed patients (P = 0.004) as compared to the placebo. Oral cytokine levels of TNF-α decreased in the Probio-M8 group (P = 0.001) accompanied by increased in IL-10 (P = 0.018) over 4-week post-discharged, while the placebo group did not exhibit such an effect. Increased IL-10 in the Probio-M8 group was correlated with decreased body ache (r = − 0.296, P = 0.001), headache (r = − 0.295, P = 0.001) and pain during swallow (r = − 0.235, P = 0.010).ConclusionData from our present study show that B. lactis Probio-M8 could be a potential natural and non-drug strategy for the management of RTI in young children in a safe manner.Clinical trial registrationClinical studies (Approval No. USM/JEPeM/19030177) were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier No. NCT04122495) on September 30, 2019.

To perform a systematic review to assess the decrease in bacterial counts of Streptococcus mutans in patients who used ice cream enriched with probiotics. Is registered in the PROSPERO platform, by the code CRD42022371298. The databases were Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Pubmed, Medline, and Science Direct, through a search algorithm based on the following PICO question: P-individuals systematically healthy and free of caries, I-enriched diet with probiotics, C-diet with ice cream without probiotics, O-S. mutans count after the diet, being only original articles. After the inclusion of metadata in the Rayyan platform, the text were read by two independent researchers, with inter-examiner kappa >0.9, with a final sample of 5 articles. There was a significant reduction of S. mutans, with p-values between <0.001 and <0.005 for all studies analyzed, maintaining the decrease for up to 7 days, conserving it for 90 days after the diet protocol, but in this case without statistical difference. The use of ice cream containing probiotics to reduce the bacterial count of S. mutans is promising, but the ideal strain and the exact number of days for maintenance of the diet are still unknown. Realizar una revisión sistemática para evaluar la disminución del recuento bacteriano de Streptococcus mutans en pacientes que utilizaron helados enriquecidos con probióticos. El estudio está registrado en la plataforma PROSPERO, con el código CRD42022371298. Las bases de datos utilizadas fueron Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Pubmed, Medline y Science Direct, mediante un algoritmo de búsqueda basado en la siguiente pregunta PICO: P (individuos sistemáticamente sanos y libres de caries), I (dieta enriquecida con probióticos), C (dieta con helado sin probióticos), O (recuento de S. mutans tras la dieta), siendo solo artículos originales. Tras la inclusión de metadatos en la plataforma Rayyan, los textos fueron leídos por dos investigadores independientes con un índice de kappa inter-examinador >0,9, con una muestra final de 5 artículos. Se observó una reducción significativa de S. mutans, con p-valores entre <0,001 y <0,005 en todos los estudios analizados, reducción que se mantuvo hasta 7 días y que se conservó durante 90 días después del protocolo de dieta, pero en este caso sin diferencia estadística. El uso de helados que contienen probióticos para reducir el recuento bacteriano de S. mutans es prometedor, pero aún se desconoce la cepa ideal y el número exacto de días para el mantenimiento de la dieta.

Research background. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating fruit-based additives into yogurt formulations as a means to improve the functionality of the product. This study aims to produce a functional product by incorporating quince, which is rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant activity, into a yoghurt formulation. Experimental approach. The influence of the addition of quince powder (0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 %) on the antioxidant and proteolytic activities and culture viability of probiotic yoghurt was investigated for 28 days. Results and conclusions. The viable counts of yoghurt bacteria and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12® were above 8 log CFU/g. Higher viability of all bacteria was obtained in yoghurt fortified with 1.5 % quince powder than those of other samples after 14 days. Probiotic yoghurt with added 1.5 % quince powder had the highest proteolytic activity during the last two weeks of storage, while the highest total phenolic content and (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical (DPPH˙) scavenging activity were obtained for the same sample throughout the storage period. Novelty and scientific contribution. Quince powder supports the health of the digestive system thanks to its high fibre content, while it is also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidant activity. These properties emphasise the importance of using quince powder in yoghurt production. This innovation has the potential to provide consumers with a tasty alternative, while at the same time increasing the intake of health-promoting ingredients. Furthermore, such products offer higher nutritional value than conventional yoghurt, offering consumers with a healthier option. Therefore, the production of yoghurt with quince powder can be considered as an important innovation in the field of nutrition and a practice that contributes to increasing health awareness.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major global health problem with few therapeutic options available so far. Accumulating evidence suggests that probiotics have beneficial effects on NAFLD by modulating gut microbiota. Bifidobacterium lactis Probio‐M8 (M8) is a new probiotic strain isolated from human breast milk. The aim of this study was to investigate whether M8 could protect against NAFLD in rats fed a high‐fat diet by modulating gut microbiota. In this study, rats were randomly distributed into four groups: normal diet (ND) group, normal diet plus M8 (ND+M8) group, high‐fat diet (HFD) group, and high‐fat diet plus M8 (HFD+M8) group. Ten weeks later, hepatic morphological changes and biochemical indicators were measured. 16S rDNA sequencing was applied to analyze the gut microbiota alterations. Our results showed that M8 administration effectively improved hepatic steatosis and liver damage in high‐fat diet‐fed rats. 16S rDNA analysis of gut microbiota indicated that M8 could modulate the gut microbiota composition, especially increasing Bifidobacterium and decreasing Bilophila, Lachnoclostridium, GCA‐900066225, and Phascolarctobacterium in high‐fat diet‐fed rats. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that M8 could protect against NAFLD in rats fed a high‐fat diet, which may be attributed to the modulation of gut microbiota. Bifidobacterium lactis Probio‐M8 improved hepatic steatosis and liver damage. B. lactis Probio‐M8 modulated the gut microbiota composition in rats. This study provides new insights into the application of B. lactis Probio‐M8 to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit. The present study therefore aims to investigate the combination of polydextrose (Litesse®), L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis HN019 in a yogurt on intestinal transit in subjects who suffer from constipation. METHODS: Patients with constipation were randomly divided into two groups, Control Group (CG) and Treatment Group (TG), and had to eat 180 ml of unflavored yogurt every morning for 14 days. Those in the CG received only yogurt, while the TG received yogurt containing polydextrose, L. acidophilus NCFM® (ATCC 700396) and B. lactis HN019 (AGAL NM97/09513). RESULTS: Favourable clinical response was assessed since Agachan score had a significant reduction at the end of the study in both groups and tended to be better in the TG. The subjects in the treatment group also had a shorter transit time at the end of the intervention compared to the control group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The product containing yogurt with polydextrose, B. lactis HN019 and L. acidophilus NCFM® significantly shortened colonic transit time after two weeks in the TG compared to CG and may be an option for treatment of constipation.

The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of the combing of Agrocybe aegerita polysaccharides (AAPS) with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 (Bb-12) on antioxidant activity, anti-aging properties, and modulation of gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that the AAPS and Bb-12 complex significantly increased the average lifespan of male and female Drosophila melanogaster under natural aging conditions (p < 0.05), with an improvement of 8.42% and 9.79%, respectively. Additionally, the complex enhanced their climbing ability and increased antioxidant enzyme activity, protecting them from oxidative damage induced by H2O2. In D-galactose induced aging mice, the addition of AAPS and Bb-12 resulted in significantly increase in antioxidant enzyme activity, regulation of aging-related biomarker levels, changed gut microbiota diversity, restoration of microbial structure, and increased abundance of beneficial bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, in the intestines. These findings suggested that the complex of AAPS and Bb-12 had the potential to serve as a dietary supplement against organism aging and oxidative stress.

•In vitro transwell model is a very good model for studying epithelial barrier.•Serobioma is able to down-regulate the inflammatory response.•Serobioma significantly increases the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production.•Serobioma favors the macrophage M2 phenotype maturation. In recent years, a great number of studies have been directed toward the evaluation of gastrointestinal microbiota modulation through the introduction of beneficial microorganisms, also known as probiotics. Many studies have highlighted how this category of bacteria is very important for the good development, functioning, and maintenance of our immune system. There is a delicate balance between the immune system, located under the gut epithelial barrier, and the microbiota, but many factors can induce a disequilibrium that leads to an inflammatory state and dysbiosis. The aim of this work is to verify the anti-inflammatory effects of a probiotic formulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidobacterium longum (Serobioma). To mimic the natural host compartmentalization between probiotics and immune cells through the intestinal epithelial barrier in vitro, the transwell model was used. We focused on a particular subset of immune cells that play a key role in the mucosal immune system. The immunomodulatory effects of probiotic formulation were investigated in the human macrophage cell line THP1 and macrophages derived from ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Probiotic formulation induced a significant increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) production and was able to decrease the secretion of the major proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 by 70% and 80%, respectively. Finally, for the first time, the ability of probiotic formulation to favor the macrophage M2 phenotype has been identified. The transwell model is an intriguing toll approach to studying the human epithelial barrier.

PurposeStudies have shown that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with significant alterations in the gut microbiota. But the effect of probiotics and/or prebiotics on Alzheimer’s disease still remains to be explored. The aim of this study was to determine whether Bifidobacterium Lactis Probio-M8 could alleviate Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiologies in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model.Methods4-month old APP/PS1 mice were randomly put into two groups and fed with either Probio-M8 or saline water for 45 days. Fecal samples of mice were collected at the beginning and the end of the treatment period to determine the composition of the gut microbiota via 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing technology. The number and size of Aβ plaques in the brain were quantified. In addition, Y maze, novel object recognition and nest building were employed to access cognitive function in the 8-months old APP/PS1 mice at the end of the treatment period.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that Probio-M8 reduced Aβ plaque burden in the whole brain and protected against gut microbiota dysbiosis. Furthermore, Probio-M8 could alleviate cognitive impairment in the APP/PS1 mouse.

Human studies have shown the beneficial effects of probiotic microorganisms on the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other cardiovascular risks, but to our knowledge the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of milk containing the probiotic B. lactis HN019 on the classical parameters of MetS and other related cardiovascular risk factors. Fifty-one patients with MetS were selected and divided into a control group (n = 25) and a probiotic group (n = 26). The probiotic group consumed fermented milk with probiotics over the course of 45 d. The effects of B. lactis on lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) were assessed in blood samples of the individuals at the baseline and after 45 d. Daily ingestion of 80 mL fermented milk with 2.72 × 1010 colony-forming units of B. lactis HN019 showed significant reduction in body mass index (P = 0.017), total cholesterol (P = 0.009), and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.008) compared with baseline and control group values. Furthermore, a significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.033) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.044) proinflammatory cytokines was observed. These data showed potential effects of B. lactis HN019 in reducing obesity, blood lipids, and some inflammatory markers, which may reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with MetS. •Probiotics have beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome components.•Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has beneficial effects on lipid profile.•B. lactis HN019 has beneficial effects on cytokines.