PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Probiotic intervention”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

225 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Therapeutic potentials of unicellular green alga Chlorella in advanced glycation end product (AGE)-related disorders.

Reducing sugars can react non-enzymatically with amino groups of protein to form Amadori products. These early glycation products undergo further complex reaction such as rearrangement, dehydration, and condensation to become irreversibly cross-linked, heterogeneous fluorescent derivatives, termed advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The formation and accumulation of AGEs in various tissues has been known to progress at an accelerated rate under hyperglycemic conditions in diabetes. Recent understanding of this process has revealed that AGEs have been implicated in the development of many of the pathological sequelae of diabetes and aging, such as atherosclerosis and diabetic microangiopathy. Furthermore, recently, AGE-their receptor (RAGE) interaction was also involved in neurodegenerative diseases, melanoma growth, expansion and metastasis. These observations suggest that blockade of AGE formation may be a novel promising target for therapeutic intervention in these devastating AGE-related disorders. We have recently found that unicellular green alga Chlorella inhibited the formation of AGEs in vitro. Since several lines of evidence have shown anti-atherogenic effects of Chlorella on animal models, we hypothesize here that the beneficial aspects of Chlorella on atherosclerosis could be ascribed, at least in part, to its AGE inhibitory property and that Chlorella may have therapeutic potentials in treatment of patients with other AGE-related disorders such as diabetic microangiopathy and Alzheimer's disease. In this paper, we would like to propose the possible ways of testing our hypotheses. Does daily intake of Chlorella reduce the risk of the incidence and progression of diabetic vascular complications including atherosclerosis? Does Chlorella treatment prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease and/or improve the cognitive impairment of patients with this disorder? If the answers are yes, are plasma or tissue levels of AGE in these patients actually suppressed by Chlorella treatment? And, does the extent of the AGE reduction by Chlorella predict the beneficial effects of Chlorella on these disorders? These prospective studies will provide further valuable information whether blockade by Chlorella of the AGE formation could be clinically relevant.

Administration, Oral↗

13C- and 15N-incorporation of doubly stable isotope labelled Lactobacillus johnsonii in humans.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, Lactobacillus johnsonii (La1) doubly labelled with 15N and 13C (dlLa1) was used to follow the metabolic fate of orally administered dlLa1 in humans. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Research Laboratory, Children's Hospital, University of Rostock. SUBJECTS: A total of 10 healthy adults aged 23-36 y. INTERVENTION: The subjects received 87 mg/kg body weight viable dlLa1 and 10 g raffinose together with breakfast. Expired air samples were taken over 14 h, whereas urine and faeces were collected over 2 days. A blood sample was taken after 2 h. 13C- and 15N-enrichments were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (SerCon, UK) and H2-concentrations were measured by electrochemical detection (Stimotron, Germany). RESULTS: The orocaecal transit time (OCTT) was reached after 3.7 h. The 13CO2-exhalation amounted to 8.6% of ingested dose. The urinary excretion of 13C and 15N was 1.3 and 12.4% of ingested dose, respectively, whereas the faecal excretion was 39.9 and 37.6% of ingested dose, respectively. After 2 h, 13C- and 15N-enrichment of fibrinogen amounted to 70 and 90 ppm excess, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to OCTT of 3.7 h, both stable isotopes appear after 30 min in breath and urine, indicating that dlLa1 is rapidly digested in the small bowel before reaching the caecum. This is confirmed by 13C-and 15N-enrichments of blood plasma fractions. The ingestion of dlLa1 led to an excretion of 50% of ingested dose of both stable isotopes.

Administration, Oral↗

Potential therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infection.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause a wide spectrum of disease ranging from asymptomatic carriage through to haemorrhagic colitis and the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. There are no current therapeutic interventions available in clinical practice that can prevent the development of haemolytic uraemic syndrome. A number of newly developed agents offer the potential for the treatment of STEC-associated disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Three different classes of agent designed to bind and inactivate shiga toxin have now been developed. Synthetic toxin binders, recombinant bacteria and monoclonal antibodies provide potentially potent agents that could prevent the development of haemolytic uraemic syndrome. These agents have been shown in animal models of STEC disease to be effective. A recent clinical trial of one synthetic toxin binder showed no benefit in established haemolytic uraemic syndrome. More potent toxin binders, however, have since been developed and await human clinical trials. It is likely to be important that these agents are administered early in the course of disease in order to have maximum efficacy. Although rapid diagnostic techniques are available for the diagnosis of STEC disease, they still rely on stool culture. SUMMARY: Clinicians need to maintain a high level of suspicion of STEC disease as the diagnosis is often made on epidemiological and clinical grounds. This will allow potential cases to be identified early and treated appropriately.

Adolescent↗

Bifidogenic effects of solid weaning foods with added prebiotic oligosaccharides: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Breast-fed infants have relatively high proportions of faecal bifidobacteria. This bifidogenic microbiota is at least partly explained by the high levels of prebiotic oligosaccharides in human milk. The present study aimed at testing the effect of solid foods with added prebiotic galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) on the composition of the intestinal microbiota of fully formula-fed infants during the weaning period. METHODS: The study was a double-blind, randomised trial with an intervention period of 6 weeks. Infants aged 4 to 6 months who were about to start consuming solid foods were randomised to receive either weaning products with a mixture of GOS/FOS or control weaning products with maltodextrin. After an adjustment period, the presented daily dose of GOS/FOS was 4.5 g. Total numbers of bacteria and bifidobacteria in faecal samples were analysed with fluorescent in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Thirty-five infants were included in the study, and 20 infants were included in a per-protocol analysis. In the GOS/FOS group, the faecal percentage of bifidobacteria significantly increased from 43% to 57% (P = 0.031) from week 0 to week 6, but did not significantly change in the control group (36% and 32%, respectively; P = 0.387). The change in the percentage of bifidobacteria between week 0 and week 6 in the GOS/FOS was significantly different from this change in the control group (P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that addition of GOS/FOS to solid foods induces an increase in the faecal proportion of bifidobacteria in the intestinal microbiota of fully formula-fed infants with an established, mixed-type microbiota in the weaning period.

Bifidobacterium↗

Enhancement of natural immune function by dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (strain HN019, DR10TM) on natural immunity. DESIGN: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Janeway Medical Centre, Memorial University, St Johns, Newfoundland. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five healthy elderly volunteers (median age 69 y; range 60-83 y). INTERVENTIONS: Twelve control subjects consumed 180 ml low-fat/low-lactose milk twice daily for a period of 6 weeks; 13 test subjects consumed milk supplemented with 1.5x1011 colony-forming units of B. lactis twice daily. Indices of natural immunity, including interferon production, phagocytic capacity and phagocyte-mediated bactericidal activity, were determined via peripheral blood at 0, 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-trial commencement. RESULTS: Subjects who consumed milk containing B. lactis for 6 weeks produced significantly enhanced levels of interferon-alpha, upon stimulation of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture, in comparison to the placebo control group who received milk alone. There were also significant increases in polymorphonuclear cell phagocytic capacity among test group subjects, following consumption of milk supplemented with B. lactis, while individuals who consumed B. lactis-supplemented milk or milk alone showed enhanced phagocyte-mediated bactericidal activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that dietary consumption of B. lactis HN019 can enhance natural immunity in healthy elderly subjects, and that a relatively short-term dietary regime (6 weeks) is sufficient to impart measurable improvements in immunity that may offer significant health benefits to consumers. SPONSORS: Financial support for this project was provided by the New Zealand Dairy Board.

Aged↗

Single-cell RNA sequencing provides further insights into the immunostimulatory action of freeze-dried Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on Penaeus vannamei shrimp.

Immunostimulation through dietary interventions opened new avenues in developing disease control and prevention tools for shrimp aquaculture. We have previously shown that feeding with freeze-dried Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LAB) increased disease resistance of Penaeus vannamei against both Vibrio parahaemolyticus and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) based on bulk RNA sequencing of shrimp gills. This tissue participates in ion transport and serves as a first line of defense against environmental stressors and pathogenic infections. However, characterization of their cell composition and functions remains limited. Here, we implemented a single-cell RNA sequencing approach to further gather insights into how feeding with freeze-dried LAB modulates host immunity which may not be evident with bulk RNA sequencing approach. A total of five clusters with unique transcriptional signatures were identified, corresponding to pillar cells, septal cells, and sessile hemocytes. Pseudo-bulk analyses at global- and cluster-levels showed differential expression of genes related to host immunity and metabolism. We further revealed how overall transcriptomic changes are not exclusively caused by gene expression changes but may also be driven by cell population dynamics. This study highlighted how single-cell RNA sequencing approach may shed light on the mechanisms of action of immunostimulants which may be masked in bulk transcriptome analyses.

Animals↗

Prebiotic carbohydrates modify the mucosa associated microflora of the human large bowel.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The mucosa associated flora of the large intestine is important in determining mucosal function although what controls its composition is unknown. This study has determined the effect of the prebiotic carbohydrates oligofructose and inulin on the mucosal flora. METHODS: An in vitro chemostat model of both planktonic and surface associated bacteria was used followed by an intervention study in 29 subjects undergoing colonoscopy. SUBJECTS: Fourteen subjects, recruited from colonoscopy waiting lists, supplemented their diet for two weeks with a mix of 7.5 g of oligofructose and 7.5 g inulin. Fifteen subjects were recruited at the time of colonoscopy and given no supplement. Multiple endoscopic biopsies were taken from the caecum, transverse and descending colon, and rectum. The mucosal flora was characterised by culture and to species level by cellular fatty acid profiles. Cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for minichromosome maintenance protein 2, Ki67, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. RESULTS: In vitro prebiotics increased surface counts of bifidobacteria from 6.6 to 7.3 log(10) colony forming units (CFU) per slide (p<0.0006) with no significant changes in planktonic bacteria. In the feeding study, prebiotics increased mucosal bifidobacteria (log CFU/g mucosa (SEM)) in both the proximal (control 5.3 (0.4) v prebiotic 6.3 (0.3)) (p = 0.059) and distal (control 5.2 (0.3) v prebiotic 6.4 (0.3)) colon (p = 0.01). Lactobacilli were also increased (3.0 (0.1) v 3.7 (0.2) (p = 0.02) in the proximal and 3.1 (0.1) v 3.6 (0.2) (p = 0.04) in the distal colon, respectively). There were significantly more eubacteria in fed subjects but no changes in total anaerobes clostridia, bacteroides, or coliforms, nor in proliferation indices. CONCLUSION: Prebiotic carbohydrates can change the composition of the mucosa associated flora significantly.

Adult↗

Efficient prematurity prevention is possible by pH-self measurement and immediate therapy of threatening ascending infection.

In two prospective investigations, the effectiveness of the self care programme for prematurity prevention, developed by Saling, was investigated. Pregnant women in Erfurt have been offered to perform self measurements of their vaginal pH by means of test gloves twice a week in order to screen for any disturbances in the vaginal milieu. The women were instructed to see their physician immediately, if abnormal pH > or = 4.7 or other risk factors were present, in order to get them confirmed and to start lactobacillus acidophilus therapy or in case of bacterial vaginosis to treat with clindamycin cream i. vag. Patients who were not interested in the programme served as a control group. Seventy-three out of 381 women in the intervention group have been identified as risk cases. Fifty-eight of them were treated with a lactobacillus preparation, and 24 with clindamycin cream, three patients refused to have any therapy. In this study, the prematurity rate was 8.1% in the self measurement/intervention group versus 12.3% in the control group (P < 0.05, n = 2341). 0.3% versus 3.3% of the neonates belonged to the group of very early prematures with a gestational age of <32 + 0 (P < 0.01). PROM was registered in 22.8% versus 30.8% (P < 0.001), respectively. Starting 1 March 2000, a similar statewide pH screening programme was initiated in order to reduce prematurity in the State of Thuringia. According to the study design, a significant decrease of prematurity was hypothetically expected for the second half of 2000. In Erfurt, an overall decrease of prematurity from 7.68 to 6.81% and a reduction of cases < or = 32 weeks from 3.22 to 2.39% was observed. Premature rupture of membranes was seen in 19 versus 0 pregnancies with early prematurity (n = 1600). Data from 16,276 women are available for the state of Thuringia. On this basis, a significant reduction of early prematurity from 1.58 to 0.99% was seen, respectively (P < 0.001). Comparing low birthweights a significant reduction of cases was achieved as well in all groups. On the basis of the data obtained we recommend the extension of the campaign in whole of Germany.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae intervention for relieving flutamide-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats.

The aim of this work was to investigate the protective role of baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae against the hepatotoxic effect of the drug flutamide that is widely used for treatment of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma. Administration of flutamide to adult male rats in a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. daily for 15 days resulted in serious hepatic injury. Highly significant increase in each of serum ALT, ALP, bilirubin, bile acids and cholesterol level, relative to the control group, was observed. Also, a highly significant increase in the serum glutathione-S-transferase isoforms: alpha-GST and pi-GST and each of TNF-alpha and NO levels was recorded. Moreover, highly significant decrease in hepatic glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities was observed. In addition, the authors noticed a significant increase in serum testosterone levels with concomitant highly significant increase in serum acid phosphatase activity. Prophylactic treatment of male rats with baker's yeast in a dose of 4.8 mg/kg b.w. daily for 15 days, followed by a combination of flutamide (100 mg/kg b.w.) and yeast (4.8 mg/kg b.w.) daily for other 15 days resulted in marked improvement in rat's liver function, whereas the serum testosterone and acid phosphatase levels retained values parallel to those recorded for the flutamide-treated rats. Histological examination of liver tissues showed that flutamide caused hydropic degeneration, necrotic areas and marked increase in Kupffer cells. The central vein is congested with blood and signs of apoptosis appeared in the hepatocytes in the form of fragmentation of the nuclei and blebbing of the cytoplasm. On the other hand, in the rats treated with both yeast and flutamide, the hepatic cords were more regularly arranged, signs of degeneration or apoptosis were less pronounced and some hepatocytes appeared binucleated. The authors postulate that each one of the powerful antioxidative components in S. cerevisiae effectively participated in attenuation of the oxidative stress caused by flutamide metabolites, and in promoting regeneration of new hepatocytes and meanwhile could restore liver function beyond normal status.

Androgen Antagonists↗