Biomedical subjects

L Ebringer

Publications and source records attributed to L Ebringer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Identification and characterization of enterococci from bryndza cheese.

AIMS: To identify enterococci isolated from sheep milk cheese--bryndza, and to compare differences in the composition of enterococcal microflora affected by the season, and to evaluate the potential presence of vancomycin resistance and virulence determinants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial strains were isolated during analysis of bryndza cheese and identified on the genus and species level by phenotypic methods and with commercial biochemical sets. The identification of the species, Enterococcus faecium, Ent. durans and Ent. faecalis, was confirmed by PCR using species-specific primers for ddl genes. PCR was also used for assessment of presence of vanA and vanB genes and virulence determinants gelE, agg and cytolysin genes namely: cylL(L), cylL(S), cylM, cylB and cylA. Among 308 Enterococcus sp. strains, 177 isolates were proved to be Ent. faecium, 59 to be Ent. durans and 41 to be Ent. faecalis. Vancomycin resistance genes vanA and vanB were not detected. Agar plate testing confirmed their absence. Gene gelE, however, was found in 20 Ent. faecalis isolates, but only 13 of them showed gelatinase-positive phenotype. Seven isolates had five cytolysin genes, but none of the isolates exhibited a positive haemolytic phenotype. Four isolates possessed the agg gene. The prevalence of Ent. faecium species was highest in samples from the winter season harvest. CONCLUSIONS: Ent. faecium is the dominant enterococcal species in bryndza cheese and the most prevalent in the winter season product. None of the Enterococcus sp. strains was proved to have vanA or vanB genes and the vancomycin resistance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first report of enterococcal microflora in bryndza cheese and its evaluation for the presence of vanA and vanB genes as well as virulence determinants.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Prevention of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients by probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74. Phase II study.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) remains a potentially life-threatening complication of anticancer chemotherapy. Bacterial translocation via intestinal mucosa is a significant mechanism of FN development. Competitive inhibition of bowel colonization by pathogenic microorganisms by lactic acid bacteria could be a useful prevention of FN. The aim of the study was the prevention of FN by probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74 enriched with selenium in leukemic patients. Fourteen (six males/eight females) patients with myelogenous leukemia treated by induction or consolidation chemotherapy were included in the study. Patients received prophylaxis with E. faecium M-74 during one cycle of chemotherapy. The daily dose was 36 x 10(9) CFU tid. Prophylaxis started between day -2 and day +2 of chemotherapy and continued until the absolute neutrophile count (ANC) was >1,000/microl. All patients experienced febrile neutropenia. During 231 days of severe neutropenia, 30 febrile episodes occurred. No any febrile episode or infection provoked by the strain tested was noticed. Tolerance of therapy was excellent without significant adverse effects. Our results demonstrate the safety of the probiotic strain E. faecium M-74 enriched with selenium in leukemic patients with severe neutropenia. However, its administration was not effective in the prevention of febrile neutropenia, but this does not preclude the protective effect of other probiotic strains.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Intramucosal bacteria in colon cancer and their elimination by probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74 with organic selenium.

Intraepithelial bacteria were isolated by the gentamicin protection assay (GPA) from biopsy samples obtained at colonoscopy (colon cancer, n = 10 patients; colonic adenoma, n = 20; control group, n = 20; cancer patients without gastrointestinal tract GIT malignancy, n = 10). After a three-month administration of E. faecium M-74 to patients with positive GPA biopsies, 172 biopsy specimens from 60 patients were examined with the GPA. The number of biopsies with intracellular bacteria was significantly higher in adenoma and carcinoma group than in control group (26 vs. 10%; p = 0.004); in cancer patients without GIT malignancy the difference was nonsignificant. E. faecium M-74 was also administered to 5 patients with colonic adenoma; according to a control colonoscopy the number of biopsies with intracellular bacteria was significantly lower after probiotic administration (48 vs. 16%; p = 0.03). A striking prevalence of intraepithelial bacteria was also showed in patients with large bowel adenoma and carcinoma. The administration of probiotic strain M-74 can thus be considered to be an effective and promising method for elimination of pathogenic bacteria in the case of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2005

Prevention of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients by probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74. Pilot study phase I.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) remains a potentially life-threatening complication of anticancer chemotherapy. Bacterial translocation via intestinal mucosa is a significant mechanism of FN development. Competitive inhibition of bowel colonization by pathogenic microorganisms by lactic acid bacteria could be a useful prevention of FN. The aim of the study was the evaluation of dose and safety of probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74 enriched with organic selenium in patients with solid and hematological malignancies. Eleven (9 M/2F) patients were included in the study. In the first phase six patients with germ cell tumors treated by chemotherapy were included. They received prophylaxis by nonpathogenic strain E. faecium M-74 during 2 cycles of chemotherapy. The planned daily dose was 6 x 10(9) bacteria. Regarding the insufficient colonization of the gut, the dose was further increased up to 18 x 10(9) tid. After safety evaluation, five patients were included with relapse of acute leukemia. In patients with germ cell cancer, severe neutropenia G3/4 was noted in 10 of 12 cycles of chemotherapy. The febrile episode was not observed in any of the patients. The gut colonization by enterococci reaches 10(6) CFU/g stool. In 5 patients with acute leukemia during 127 days of severe neutropenia 12 febrile episodes occurred. There was not noted any febrile episode or infection provoked by the tested strain. Tolerance of therapy was excellent without significant undesirable effects. Optimal dose was assessed and safety of probiotic strain was evaluated in neutropenic patients with solid, or hematological malignancies. Based on these results we plan phase II study to evaluate the effectiveness of this strain in FN prophylaxis.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

One-year application of probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74 decreases serum cholesterol levels.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of long-term orally administered probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium (EF) M-74 enriched with selenium on lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDH, HDL, and triglycerides) in humans. BACKGROUND: The discovery that hypercholesterolemia plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis has led to a number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological (including dietary) approaches resulting in its elimination. Up to now, the question of supposed hypocholesterolemic effect of probiotics has not been definitely established. METHODS: 43 volunteers were randomized into two groups. Participants were given single capsule a day containing 2x10(9) of EF M-74 plus 50 microg of organically bound selenium (E-group) or placebo (P-group). The study was double-blind and lasted 60 weeks. Peripheral blood was analyzed for lipid parameters before intervention, after 6, 12, 23, 44, and 56 weeks of capsule administration, and four weeks following interruption of administration. RESULTS: After 56 weeks of application, decrease in total cholesterol in E-group (17/3 women/men, mean age 75.4+/-1.5 year) was observed (5.94+/-0.29 mmol/l at week 0 vs 5.22+/-0.25 mmol/l after 56 weeks, p<0.001). This reduction was achieved mainly due to a fall in LDL cholesterol (3.85+/-0.27 vs 3.09+/-0.21 mmol/l, p<0.001), as no significant alterations in HDL and triglycerides were noted. In placebo group (14/4, 78.1+/-1.7 year), no statistically important changes were observed after one-year capsule administration. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the administration of E. faecium M-74 probiotic strain was associated with reduction of serum cholesterol concentration by 12% after 56 weeks. The crescent amount of facts on this issue gives a solid reason to assume that probiotics will find their place as a therapeutic alternative in human medicine. (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref: 36.)

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Long-term (56-week) oral administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecium M-74 decreases the expression of sICAM-1 and monocyte CD54, and increases that of lymphocyte CD49d in humans.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of long-term probiotic [Enterococcus faecium (EF) M-74 strain] application in humans with respect to adhesion molecules, both soluble forms (sICAM-1, sPECAM-1) and their expression on leukocytes. METHODS: Double-blinded randomized and placebo controlled study lasting for 60 weeks. A single capsule containing either 2x10(9) of bacteria EF M-74 with 50 microg of organically bound selenium (E-group) or placebo (P-group) was given to volunteers. Peripheral blood was analyzed for the expression of particular adhesive molecules. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant changes in CAMs expression in terms of a decrease in sICAM-1, CD54 on monocytes and CD11b on lymphocytes after one-year administration of Enterococcus faecium M-74 in humans. Anti-adhesion-aimed therapeutic modalities may provide the future approach to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Application of probiotics may be part of such strategies. (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 41.)

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Synergic activity of selenium and probiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecium M-74 against selected mutagens in Salmonella assay.

Concentrated extracts of MRS (De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe) media in which probiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecium strain M-74 was grown exerted different antimutagenic activity against ofloxacin-, N-methyl, N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine- and sodium 5-nitro-2-furylacrylate-induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium assay depending on the presence (+Se) or absence of disodium selenite pentahydrate (-Se). The antimutagenicity of MRS(+Se) extract was higher than that of MRS(-Se) extract. Selenium enhanced also the antimutagenic effect of both live and killed cells of E. faecium M-74, respectively. The live bacteria decreased the mutagenicity of selected substances more than killed cells. Synergic activity of selenium with the bacterium was also manifested.

Antimutagenic Agents↗

PubMed2004

[Complex therapy of chronic hepatic encephalopathy supplemented with probiotic: comparison of two studies].

BACKGROUND: Several reports about usefulness of probiotics, including Enterococcus faecium in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis have been recently published. The results obtained by the administration of Enterococcus faecium M-74 + selenium will be evaluated and compared with those published by Loguercio et al. for Enterococcus faecium SF 68. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and chronic hepatic encephalopathy were treated, beside the standard therapy, also with one capsule of probiotic "Enterococcus faecium M-74 + Selenium" per day in three four-week periods, separated by two fortnight pauses. During the treatment, every patient was examined 9-times. The severity of chronic hepatic encephalopathy was evaluated with the aid of the portal systemic encephalopathy index, calculated from 5 parameters (mental stage, asterixis, number connecting test, blood ammonia, EEG). The indexes of initial and final values were compared. The time course of blood ammonia levels and that of results from number connecting test in either study were mutually compared on the basis of interval estimates of quadratic regression function. Significant improvement of the portal systemic encephalopathy index after the treatment was found: it decreased in average by 70% (55 to 85%, interval 95% confidence interval). The mental stage improved and the asterixis disappeared. The blood ammonia levels as well as the results from the number-connecting test after 8-9 weeks significantly approached the normal pattern. EEG findings improved and they were often normalised. Our starting blood ammonia levels (increased by 31% above norm) and results from the connecting test (increased by 60%) were significantly lower accordingly the Loguercio et al. (increased by 243 and 238%, respectively). During the treatment, the values in our study decreased by 25% and 30%, in the compared study by 50% and 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results proved the hypothetical favourable effect of probioticum Enterococcus faecium M-74 + Selenium on chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Interestingly, a markedly higher relative therapeutic effect has been achieved in more serious disorder in comparison with the less severe disorders in the present study.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Influence of diet containing lyophilized Enterococcus faecium M-74 with organic selenium on tumor incidence in Apc1638N mice.

The aim of the present study was to test the effect of long-term application of diet containing Enterococcus faecium M-74 with organic selenium on tumor induction in transgenic mice carrying mutation in Apc gene. Heterozygosity for the Apc1638N mutation in mice causes development of small intestine and gastric tumors. Feeding of Apc1638N transgenic mice with enriched diet with probiotic components during 8 months have shown a minor therapeutic effect on the clinical manifestations in small intestine in comparison with control group.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Modulatory effects of selenium and zinc on the immune system.

Almost all nutrients in the diet play a crucial role in maintaining an "optimal" immune response, and both insufficient and excessive intakes can have negative consequences on the immune status and susceptibility to a variety of pathogens. We summarize the evidence for the importance of two micronutrients, selenium and zinc, and describe the mechanisms through which they affect the immune status and other physiological functions. As a constituent of selenoproteins, selenium is needed for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, T lymphocytes and some other immune mechanisms. Elevated selenium intake may be associated with reduced cancer risk and may alleviate other pathological conditions including oxidative stress and inflammation. Selenium appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS. It is required for sperm motility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. Selenium deficiency has been linked to adverse mood states and some findings suggest that selenium deficiency may be a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. Zinc is required as a catalytic, structural and regulatory ion for enzymes, proteins and transcription factors, and is thus a key trace element in many homeostatic mechanisms of the body, including immune responses. Low zinc ion bioavailability results in limited immunoresistance to infection in aging. Physiological supplementation of zinc for 1-2 months restores immune responses, reduces the incidence of infections and prolongs survival. However, in every single individual zinc supplementation of food should be adjusted to the particular zinc status in views of the great variability in habitat conditions, health status and dietary requirements.

Dietary Supplements↗

PubMed2002

Treatment of experimental adjuvant arthritis with the combination of methotrexate and lyophilized Enterococcus faecium enriched with organic selenium.

The efficacy of combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and probiotic bacteria Enterococcus faecium enriched with organic selenium (EFSe) in rats with adjuvant arthritis was determined. Rats with adjuvant arthritis were given MTX (0.3 mg/kg 2-times weekly, orally); lyophilized E. faecium enriched with Se (15 mg/kg, 5 d per week, orally); and a combination of MTX plus EFSe for a period of 50 d from the immunization. Levels of serum albumin, serum nitrite/nitrate concentrations, changes in hind paw swelling, arthrogram score, bone erosions, whole body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were assayed in the rats as variables of inflammation and destructive arthritis-associated changes. Treatment with MTX and with the combination MTX + EFSe significantly inhibited markers of both inflammation and arthritis. Significant differences in favor of combination therapy with MTX + EFSe as compared to MTX alone were seen in serum albumin concentration, hind paw swelling and arthrogram score. Reductions in radiographic scores were also more pronounced in the combination therapy group. Combination therapy, but not MTX alone, inhibited the reduction of BMD and BMC; treatment with lyophilized EFSe alone had no significant effect on adjuvant arthritis in rats. The potent therapeutic effect of low dosage MTX therapy in combination with lyophilized EFSe on adjuvant arthritis in rats was shown.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Plastid state- and light-dependent regulation of the expression of nucleus-encoded genes for chloroplast proteins in the flagellate Euglena gracilis.

Interorganellar regulatory interactions in the flagellate Euglena gracilis were shown to be more complicated than in green algae and higher plants. Euglena plastids have a much more complex influence on nuclear gene expression than was previously thought. The petJ gene for cytochrome c6 represents a group of nucleus-encoded genes for chloroplast proteins, the expression of which is influenced by the state of plastids at the transcriptional level. Moroever, the regulation of these genes might be light-dependent. In contrast, for nucleus-encoded small subunit of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase, chlorophyll a/b binding protein, and porphobilinogen deaminase transcript levels are unchanged in wild-type cells relative to white mutants. In these cases there is no plastid-derived signal operative during transcription. Porphobilinogen deaminase appeared to be regulated even at the post-translational level.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Phenolic acids reduce the genotoxicity of acridine orange and ofloxacin in Salmonella typhimurium.

Naturally occurring plant phenolics, p-coumaric acid (PA), caffeic acid (CA), ferulic acid (FA) and gentisic acid (GA) (25-100 nmol/L) had protective effects on acridine orange (AO; 216 mumol/L)- and ofloxacin (3 mumol/L)-induced genotoxicity in Salmonella typhimurium. FA, GA and CA exhibited a significant concentration-dependent protective effect against the genotoxicity of AO and ofloxacin, with the exception of PA, which at all concentrations tested abolished the AO and ofloxacin genotoxicity. UV spectrophotometric measurements showed the interaction of PA, FA, GA and CA with AO but not with ofloxacin; this interaction is obviously responsible for the reduction of AO-induced S. typhimurium mutagenicity. In the case of ofloxacin the antimutagenic effect of PA, FA, GA and CA is assumed to be a result of their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by ofloxacin.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMed2000

[Immunostimulatory and other beneficial health effects of lactic acid bacteria].

Lactic acid bacteria in functional foods can transiently colonize the intestine of man and exert beneficial probiotic effects. These were observed in a group of adult subjects administered daily by a lyophilized Enterococcus faecium M-74 in the form of waffles (Dr. Ebi) during nine weeks of a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. The results showed significant immunostimulatory effect on both phagocytosis by neutrophils and antibody production.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2000

[The effect of ascorbic acid on the antibacterial activity of selected antibiotics and synthetic chemotherapeutic agents in in vitro conditions].

The study was aimed to determine the ability of selected antibiotics and synthetic chemotherapeutic agents to interact with ascorbic acid by means of spectrophotometric measurements and the evaluation of the effect of the presence of ascorbic acid on antimicrobial activity of the substances in which the interaction was detected. Out of 13 chemotherapeutical agents tested, ofloxacine, N-succinimidylofloxacine, fleroxacine, tetracycline, 6-thiatetracycline, and doxycycline reacted with ascorbic acid with the development of the superoxide radical (O2.-). Heatley's method revealed that in the presence of ascorbic acid the antibacterial effect of substances was decreased by 9.6 to 40.7% and 10.1 to 45.1% in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The kinetics of the process of the survival of cells within 24 hours demonstrated that a combination of ofloxacine as well as tetracycline with ascorbic acid produced a statistically significant increase in log10 of CFU/ml in S. aureus as well as E. coli.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1999

Antimutagenicity of a suberin extract from Quercus suber cork.

The possible protective effect of a suberin extract from Quercus suber cork on acridine orange (AO)-, ofloxacin- and UV radiation-induced mutagenicity (bleaching activity) in Euglena gracilis was examined. To our knowledge, the present results are the first attempt to analyse suberin in relation to mutagenicity of some chemicals. Suberin exhibits a significant dose-dependent protective effect against AO-induced mutagenicity and the concentration of 500 micrograms/ml completely eliminates the Euglena-bleaching activity of AO. The mutagenicity of ofloxacin is also significantly reduced in the presence of suberin (125, 250 and 500 micrograms/ml). However, the moderate protective effect of suberin on UV radiation-induced mutagenicity was observed only at concentrations 500 and 1000 micrograms/ml. Our data shows that suberin extract from Q. suber cork possess antimutagenic properties and can be included in the group of natural antimutagens acting in a desmutagenic manner.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMed1999

Nucleus-encoded precursors to thylakoid lumen proteins of Euglena gracilis possess tripartite presequences.

The complete presequences of the nucleus-encoded precursors to two proteins, cytochrome c6 and the 30-kDa protein of the oxygen-evolving complex, that reside in the thylakoid lumen of the chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis are presented. Sorting of these proteins involves translocation across four membranes, the three-membraned chloroplast envelope and the thylakoid membrane. The tripartite presequences show the structure: signal sequence transit sequence signal sequence. Three hydrophobic domains become apparent: two of them correspond to signal sequences for translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and the thylakoid membrane, respectively, whereas the third constitutes the stop-transfer signal contained in the long stroma-targeting part of the tripartite presequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Antimutagenicity of milk fermented by Enterococcus faecium.

The diethyl ether extracts isolated from unfermented milk and milk fermented by Enterococcus faecium exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of mutagenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), nitrovin (NIT), 5-nitro-2-furylacrylic acid (NFA) and UV-irradiation on the Ames bacterial test (Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97 and TA100) and the unicellular flagellate Euglena gracilis. Overall, the fermented milk extract was the most active against UV-irradiation, less active against NIT and MNNG, and the least active against NFA on bacteria. The highest antibleaching effects were observed against MNNG. The differences between antimutagenic effects from fermented and unfermented milk extracts were determined to be statistically significant at the 0.95 CI level.

Acrylates↗