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PubMed2003

Interaction between probiotic lactic acid bacteria and canine enteric pathogens: a risk factor for intestinal Enterococcus faecium colonization?

Selected probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been shown to elicit positive health effects particularly in humans. Competitive exclusion of pathogens is one of the most important beneficial health claims of probiotic bacteria. The effect of probiotic LAB on competitive exclusion of pathogens has been demonstrated in humans, chicken and pigs. In this study we evaluated the ability of certain LAB strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12, Lactobacillus pentosus UK1A, L. pentosus SK2A, Enterococcus faecium M74 and E. faecium SF273) to inhibit the adhesion of selected canine and zoonotic pathogens (Staphylococcus intermedius, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, Clostridium perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni) to immobilised mucus isolated from canine jejunal chyme in vitro. Adhesion of C. perfringens was reduced significantly by all tested LAB strains, between 53.7 and 79.1% of the control without LAB, the LAB of canine origin yielding the best reduction. The adhesion of S. Typhimurium and S. intermedius were not significantly altered by any of the LAB included in the study. Both enterococci tested significantly enhanced the adhesion of C. jejuni, to 134.6 and 205.5% of the control without LAB. E. faecium may thus favor the adhesion and colonization of C. jejuni in the dog's intestine, making it a potential carrier and possibly a source for human infection. Enhanced C. jejuni adhesion is a new potential risk factor of enterococci. Our results further emphasize the importance of safety guidelines to be established for the probiotics intended for animal use.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Absence of host specificity for in vitro adhesion of probiotic lactic acid bacteria to intestinal mucus.

Adhesion of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been reported to be host species specific. Host specificity is regarded as a desirable property for probiotic bacteria and therefore recommended as one of the selection criteria. However, previous studies have indicated that LAB originating from one host adhere well also to the mucus of other species. The aim of the study was to investigate the host specificity of LAB adhesion in human, canine, possum, bird and fish mucus in vitro. An in vitro mucus adhesion model was utilized in this study using immobilized mucus from faeces or intestinal material of these hosts. The results indicate that the adhesion trait was not host specific but rather was characteristic to LAB species. In conclusion, mucus adhesion properties are more dependent on the LAB strain than on the host. This suggests that animal models in probiotic adhesion assays may be more applicable to other species than thought earlier. Positive health effects facilitated by adherent probiotics in humans may also denote the possibility of similar outcome in other species and vice versa.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Current and potential uses of probiotics.

OBJECTIVE: To present data that support the current and potential use of probiotics in treating or preventing allergic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and other disorders. DATA SOURCES: Case reports, double-blind studies, and animal studies were reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were selected based on the expert opinion of the authors. CONCLUSIONS: Well-designed research studies suggest that supplementary consumption of certain probiotic strains may temporarily alter the intestinal microflora of infants and children to produce a beneficial effect. However, generalization of probiotic effects must not be made and critical scientific evaluation must be used in directing patients to select the appropriate probiotic.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics for the treatment of postoperative complications following intestinal surgery.

Probiotics are living micro-organisms that belong to the normal enteric flora and exert a beneficial effect on health and well-being. The rationale for the therapeutic use of probiotics in pouchitis (the most frequent long-term complication following pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis) and postoperative recurrence in Crohn's disease is based on convincing evidence suggesting a crucial role for the endogenous intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Positive results have been obtained with the administration of highly concentrated probiotic preparations in preventing the onset and relapses of pouchitis. Further controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of probiotics in the prophylaxis of postoperative recurrences of Crohn's disease and in the treatment of mild pouchitis.

Crohn Disease↗

PubMed2003

Genetically engineered probiotics.

Probiotic micro-organisms have been used for many years. Originating as food supplements, they are now most often administered orally and offer an attractive alternative for treating of intestinal disorders. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which these micro-organisms act has now opened up possibilities for designing new probiotic strains. Through genetic engineering, it is possible not only to strengthen the effects of existing strains, but also to create completely new probiotics. These need not necessarily be composed only of bacterial products but can also include elements of regulatory systems or enzymes derived from a foreign-human-source. If designed carefully and with absolute attention to biological safety in its broadest sense, the development of genetically modified probiotics has the potential to revolutionize alimentary health.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

In vitro screening of potential probiotic activities of selected lactobacilli isolated from unpasteurized milk products for incorporation into soft cheese.

The aim was to select potentially probiotic lactobacilli from 88 strains isolated from unpasteurized milk and cheese products, and to incorporate these bacteria in a viable state into a soft cheese, without changing its quality. The survival of these bacteria was assessed in acidic and bile conditions, after freezing at -80 degrees C. Four strains from unpasteurized Camembert--two Lactobacillus plantarum strains and two Lb. paracasei/casei strains--were identified and typed by PCR and PFGE and were found to display potentially probiotic characteristics in addition to resistance to low pH and bile. These characteristics were resistance to lysozyme, adhesion to CACO-2 cells, antimicrobial effects against common foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, innocuity following the ingestion of high doses by mice and appropriate antibiotic susceptibility profiles. The potential of Lb. plantarum strain UCMA 3037 for incorporation into a soft cheese (Pont-l'Eveque registered designation of origin (RDO)) was investigated. This strain grew well and survived in sufficient numbers (more than 10(7) cfu/g throughout the shelf-life of the product) in the cheese. This strain did not change the quality score of the product until the best before date (75 days after manufacture). Thus, unpasteurized Camembert is a natural source of potentially probiotic lactobacilli, which could be used as an additive in the development of potentially probiotic soft cheeses. Further work is required to demonstrate the persistence and efficacy of these strains in the human host upon ingestion.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Efficacy of probiotic use in acute diarrhea in children: a meta-analysis.

Our objective was to determine the efficacy of probiotic use in reducing the duration of increased stool output in children with acute diarrheal illness. Eligible studies were limited to trials of probiotic therapy in otherwise healthy children <5 years old with acute-onset diarrhea. The main outcome variable was difference in diarrhea duration between treatment and control groups. Our meta-analysis of 18 eligible studies suggests that coadministration of probiotics with standard rehydration therapy reduces the duration of acute diarrhea by approximately 1 day [random-effects pooled estimate = -0.8 days (-1.1, -0.6), P < 0.001]. Differences in treatment effect between studies was assessed by calculating the Q statistic (Q = 204. 1, P < 0.001). In subsequent analyses limited to studies of hospitalized children, to double-blinded trials, and to studies evaluating lactobacilli, the pooled estimates were similar (-0.6 to -1.2 days, P < 0.001). In conclusion, bacterial probiotic therapy shortens the duration of acute diarrheal illness in children by approximately one day.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1999

Probiotic bacteria stimulate gut epithelial cell proliferation in rat.

Probiotics are used for various intestinal diseases. However, their effects on gut epithelial cell proliferation have not been investigated. We administered 10(7) colony-forming units of Lactobacillus casei or Clostridium butyricum, or no probiotics (control) by gastric intubation once a day for seven days to rats fed an elemental diet. We estimated the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and distal colon. We also quantified cecal bacteria. Both probiotics increased the crypt cell production rate of the jejunum and ileum by 25-40%, of the cecum by 70%, and of the distal colon by more than 200% compared with control. Only minor variance in the cecal bacterial composition existed among the three groups. Probiotics enhanced gut epithelial cell proliferation in rats fed an elemental diet.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Glucose-responsive probiotics for glycaemic modulation in mice and monkeys.

Sustained and controlled delivery of glucose-lowering agents using engineered designer cells is recognized as an effective strategy for diabetes therapy1. However, current technologies rely on external signal control or have been programmed into mammalian cells using synthetic gene networks, which pose safety concerns arising from transplantation2,3. Here we developed an engineered oral-deliverable glucose-sensing and functional response probiotic living drug for 'sense-and-respond'-based control of diabetic blood glucose. We created a glucose sensor based on a synthetic gene circuit that incorporates the glucose-responsive transcriptional regulator HexR, coupled with a synthetic promoter. Upon oral administration of the engineered probiotics carrying the sensor, the cells reside temporarily in the intestine and regulate the expression of therapeutic transgenes in response to glucose levels that exceed the normal threshold. We show efficacy from the engineered probiotics for glycaemic control in multiple diabetic mouse and non-human primate models, demonstrating that long-term oral administration drives clear improvements in lipid profiles, while also attenuating development of multiple diabetic complications. Our probiotics-based living drug enables therapeutic dosing in response to real-time blood glucose levels, providing a programmable, orally deliverable sense-and-respond platform for metabolic therapy without transplantation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of probiotics on the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotics on the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Experiments were done in a laboratory at Haydarpasa Numune Teaching and Research Hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 was control group. Group 2 received an intraperitoneal injection of a 20% solution in 0.15 mol/l NaCL. Group 3 was injected NaCL and fed with probiotics. Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by intrperitoneal injection of L-Arginine in groups 4 and 5. The rats in group 5 were treated with probiotics. The pancreas was removed for histologic examination. Evaluation of the pathologic changes was done by a new combined histopathologic grading scale. RESULTS: The mean scores of fibrosis, acinar cell loss, oedema, parenchymal necrosis, mononuclear cells infiltration, polymorphonuclear leucocytes infiltration, ductal damage and atypical reactive regeneration in group 5 were significantly lower than group 4. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that enteral feedings with added probiotics can reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis. SPONSORSHIP: None.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Impact on the composition of the faecal flora by a new probiotic preparation: preliminary data on maintenance treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Although 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) oral compounds are the standard maintenance treatment for ulcerative colitis in remission, some patients cannot use them because of side-effects. Clinical and experimental observations have suggested the potential role of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease therapy. AIM: To evaluate the effects on intestinal microflora and the clinical efficacy of a new probiotic preparation in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with ulcerative colitis, intolerant or allergic to 5-ASA, have been treated with a new probiotic preparation (VSL#3, CSL, Milan, Italy) containing 5x10(11) cells/g of 3 strains of bifidobacteria, 4 strains of lactobacilli and 1 strain of Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus. Two doses of 3 g were administered o.d. for 12 months. Faecal samples for stool culture were obtained from the patients at the beginning of the trial and after 10, 20, 40, 60, 75, 90 days, 12 months and at 15 days after the end of the treatment. The following bacterial groups have been evaluated in the faeces: total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, enterococci, Streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, clostridia, coliforms. Patients were assessed clinically every two months, and assessed endoscopically at 6 and 12 months or in relapse. RESULTS: Faecal concentrations of Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria increased significantly in all patients, compared to their basal level, from the 20th day of treatment (P<0.05) and remained stable throughout the study. Concentrations of Bacteroides, clostridia, coliforms, total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria did not change significantly during treatment (P = N.S.). Fifteen of 20 treated patients remained in remission during the study, one patient was lost to follow up, while the remaining relapsed. No significant side-effects have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that this probiotic preparation is able to colonize the intestine, and suggest that it may be useful in maintaining the remission in ulcerative colitis patients intolerant or allergic to 5-ASA. Controlled trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

A collaborative study of a method for enumeration of probiotic enterococci in animal feed.

AIMS: Validation of an enumeration method to be used as an official control method in the framework of Council Directive 70/524/EEC for probiotic enterococci used as feed additives. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty laboratories in 12 European countries carried out a collaborative study. A plate count method using bile esculin azide (BEA) agar was used. Precision data in terms of repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R) of the method using different feeding stuffs and three inoculation levels were determined. Enterococci were present in the samples as a single component or in mixtures with other probiotic feed additives. The enumeration of enterococci on BEA agar showed a relative standard deviation (RSD)r of 1.5-3.6% and an RSD(R) between 2.9 and 7.4%. BEA agar was selective for enterococci in the presence of other probiotic micro-organisms such as pediococci, lactobacilli and yeast. CONCLUSIONS: For routine analysis of viable enterococci concentrations in feeding stuffs, the use of BEA is recommended. This methodology is not applicable for mineral feeds. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: An official control method for enumeration of authorized probiotic enterococci in feeding stuffs was validated. The results are intended for consideration for adoption as CEN and ISO standards.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2001

The role of probiotics and prebiotics in the management of diarrhoea associated with enteral tube feeding.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhoea is a common and serious complication of enteral tube feeding, and has a range of aetiologies. Manipulation of the colonic microflora may reduce the incidence of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea via suppression of enteropathogens and production of short-chain fatty acids. Probiotics and prebiotics are commonly used during enteral tube feeding to manipulate the colonic microflora; however, their efficacy is as yet uncertain. METHODS: English-language studies investigating the pathogenesis of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea and the use of probiotics and prebiotics were identified by searching the electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE from 1980 to 2001. The bibliographies of articles obtained were searched manually. RESULTS: Only two prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have investigated the effect of a probiotic on enteral tube feeding diarrhoea; however, results are conflicting. No prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have specifically addressed the effect of a prebiotic on the incidence of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: Theoretically, probiotics and prebiotics may be of benefit in prophylaxis against enteral tube feeding diarrhoea; however, there is currently insufficient evidence to support their routine use. Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies investigating their effect on diarrhoea are required. These observations are discussed with reference to the current literature.

Diarrhea↗

PubMed2002

Influence of the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the development of enterobacterial growth and on selected parameters of bacterial metabolism in digesta samples of piglets.

The effect of the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on enterobacterial growth and selected metabolic parameters in digesta samples from piglets before and shortly after weaning was studied. Growth capacities of enterobacteria in digesta samples were significantly reduced, but no correlation was found between enterobacterial growth and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, which are often influenced by other probiotic preparations. Tendencies for higher amounts of short-chain fatty acids were only recorded in digesta samples from the end of the jejunum, caecum and colon from piglets receiving probiotic-supplemented feed. Lactic acid concentrations were reduced by the presence of B. cereus var. toyoi in feed in the first segment of the jejunum during the suckling period, while samples of the lower parts displayed an increased amount 4 days after weaning. Microbial activity of taurocholine deconjugating enzymes was significantly reduced in jejunum digesta from probiotic-fed piglets. There are strong indications that the early uptake of already modified microbial populations from faeces of the mother sow aids modification of intestinal microbial communities and their metabolic activities in piglets.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics for the skin: a new area of potential application?

AIMS: The current study aimed at assessing, in vitro, the potential use of probiotics for the skin. METHODS AND RESULTS: Propionibacteria were chosen as potential probiotics as they are members of the normal cutaneous microbiota. Dairy strains were chosen because of their documented safe use. Production of anti-microbial substances was assessed, against selected skin pathogens. Only production of organic acids was detected. Two of the tested strains were found to exhibit high adhesion to human keratin, in vitro. Despite this high adhesion, no inhibition of skin pathogen adhesion to human keratin was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The current strains assessed may not be optimal for use as skin probiotics. However, the results of the study show that the methodology works for investigating this kind of application. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Methods for selecting probiotics for potential application on the skin are presented.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2004

Probiotics inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB and induce heat shock proteins in colonic epithelial cells through proteasome inhibition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The extent and severity of mucosal injury in inflammatory bowel diseases are determined by the disequilibrium between 2 opposing processes: reparative and cytoprotective mechanisms vs. inflammation-induced injury. Probiotics may provide clinical benefit by ameliorating colitis; however, their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Our objective was to investigate microbial-epithelial interactions that could explain the beneficial therapeutic effects of probiotics. METHODS: The effect of VSL#3-conditioned media on the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in young adult mouse colonic epithelial cells was assessed by using monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, and p105 immunoblot analysis; and nuclear factor-kappaB luciferase reporter gene and proteasome assays. Effects on heat shock proteins were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunoblot for heat shock proteins 25 and 72 in young adult mouse colonic cells. Cytoprotection against oxidant injury was determined by chromium 51 release and filamentous and globular actin assays. RESULTS: VSL#3 produces soluble factors that inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome in gut epithelial cells. Proteasome inhibition is an early event that begins almost immediately after exposure of the epithelial cells to the probiotic-conditioned media. In addition, these bacteria inhibit the proinflammatory nuclear factor-kappaB pathway through a mechanism different from the type III secretory mechanisms described for other nonpathogenic enteric flora. They also induce the expression of cytoprotective heat shock proteins in intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and increased expression of heat shock proteins may account for the anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects reported for probiotics and may be a novel mechanism of microbial-epithelial interaction. These effects seem to be mediated through the common unifying mechanism of proteasome inhibition.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed2006

A recombinant probiotic for treatment and prevention of cholera.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We have developed a therapeutic strategy based on molecular mimicry of host receptors for bacterial toxins on the surface of harmless gut bacteria. In the present study, this has been applied to the development of a recombinant probiotic for treatment and prevention of cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae. METHODS: We expressed glycosyltransferase genes from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Campylobacter jejuni in a harmless Escherichia coli strain, resulting in production of a chimeric lipopolysaccharide terminating in a mimic of the ganglioside GM(1). RESULTS: The recombinant bacterium was capable of binding cholera toxin, a sine qua non of virulence, with high avidity; when tested with purified cholera toxin, it was capable of adsorbing >5% of its own weight of toxin in vitro. Administration of the GM(1)-expressing probiotic also protected infant mice against challenge with virulent V cholerae, even when treatment was delayed until after establishment of infection. When treatment commenced 1 hour after challenge, 12 of 12 mice given the probiotic survived, compared with only 1 of 12 for control mice (P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS: Toxin-binding probiotics such as that described here have considerable potential for prophylaxis and treatment of cholera in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Microecology, bacterial vaginosis and probiotics: perspectives for bacteriotherapy.

Probiotics enriched in lactobacilli have been proposed as an effective and alternative tool to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The protective role of H(2)O(2)-producing lactobacilli has been strongly emphasized, but no clear-cut correlation appears to link the metabolic characteristics of administered lactobacilli with the clinical impact of probiotic therapy. On account of our review of basic mechanisms involved in bacterial vaginosis, we suggest that lactobacilli with an elevated arginine deiminase activity could have a greater therapeutic potential than strains producing only H(2)O(2). Preliminary results from our laboratory have demonstrated that treatment with probiotics containing arginine deiminase-positive lactobacilli improves clinical symptoms and is paralleled by a significant decline of polyamine levels in vaginal microenvironment. This is of outstanding interest due to the central role of polyamines in the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis. We should critically rethink, against this perspective, the use of probiotics for the treatment of affected women.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗