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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[An update on probiotics and prebiotics in children].

This review presents an update on the use of probiotics and prebiotics in children. We review the normal flora, and present the possible mechanisms by which the probiotic bacteria exert their beneficial effects. We present data from multiple studies suggesting that probiotics are effective for the treatment and prevention of acute non-bloody infections diarrhea, antibiotic associated diarrhea as well as the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis and other allergic conditions. The safety and future directions of pro- and prebiotic treatments are discussed.

Child↗

PubMed2004

[Test schemes for evaluation of the effect of a probiotic feed additive on the gut microflora of young calves and newly hatched turkeys].

Probiotic feed additives have to undergo a strict assessment according to EU regula-tions, including the evaluation of the influence on the gut microflora of the host animal. A probiotic strain of the genus Enterococcus faecium and two different host animal species, young calves and newly hatched turkeys, were chosen as a test model for the establishment of schemes for feeding trials. Investigations included faeces samples and pooled swab samples of faeces as well as samples from gut sections derived from diagnostic slaughtering. The samples were tested for aerobic total count, for enterococci count and for Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. The test schemes were appropriate for the evaluation of the influence of the probiotic feed additive on the physiological gut microflora of the host animals. Additional information could be gathered concerning safety aspects and effectiveness.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Repression of Clostridium population in young broiler chickens after administration of a probiotic mixture.

The influence of the administration of a mixed probiotic on zootechnical performances and the microbial composition of the feces of young broilers, up 42 days old, was investigated. In a six weeks trial the feed was supplemented with 1(w/w)% of a mixture of five potentially probiotic strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus. No effect on the weight of the broilers was observed. Plate counting of fecal samples showed a decrease in the Clostridium population with more than 4 10log units after 5 days and 2 10log units after 14 days of treatment. The DGGE pattern obtained after nested PCR, revealed a significant shift in the Lactobacillus population. This study shows that the application of probiotics in the feed of broiler chickens considerably lowers the Clostridium population in broilers, hereby also lowering the risk of spreading in the housing through fecal contamination.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Probiotics and mechanisms of their curative action.

Information about probiotics used for the correction of resident normal colon microflora and mechanism of their positive therapeutic actions are presented. Probiotics are drugs containing live microbes or substances of microbial origin that, when introduced by natural methods, are expected to confer beneficial physiologic, biochemical and immune effects to the host through the stabilization and optimization of functions of normal microflora. Probiotics containing the Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Asporogenic aerobe Bacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii microorganisms are characterized.

Colon↗

PubMed2005

Bacterial diversity of Escherichia coli in the gut: a reason to re-evaluate probiotic formulations?

Humans and animals are increasingly being subjected to various probiotic formulations with the claim of providing a number of health benefits to the consumer. These formulations usually incorporate bacterial consortia comprising of mostly lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Recent studies have shown that strains found in different regions of the gut are genetically different from each other and may therefore have different abilities to interact with bacteria that they come into contact with. Even LAB show differences in their ability to interact, and further, inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria in vitro due to individual strain differences. If these results are repeatedly shown to be true in future assessments, an evaluation of bacterial consortia used in probiotic formulations may now be necessary. This may have an impact in the way future probiotic formulations are prepared.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial potential of probiotic lactic acid bacteria.

Antibacterial activity is an important characteristic of probiotics. A possible way to achieve this antibacterial activity is through the production of bacteriocins. This study shows that the commercial probiotic strains Lactobacillus johnsonii LA1 and Lactobacillus casei YIT 9029 produce bacteriocins. The nature of the antimicrobial compound could be derived from its behaviour: a narrow inhibitory spectrum (only active against closely related strains), loss of activity when treated with proteinases, and rather small molecular masses (around 6000 Da or less). Further, three bacteriocins produced by Lb. johnsonii LA1, Lb. casei YIT 9029 and Lactobacillus amylovorus DCE 471 showed inhibitory activity against the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. However, a fourth bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus acidophilus IBB 801 was not able to inhibit H. pylori. This indicates that some bacteriocins produced by specific probiotic strains can fulfil a role in the inhibition of this common pathogen.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed2001

Applications of probiotics.

Although not all action mechanisms of probiotics are fully understood, different beneficial health effects related to the consumption of probiotics are proven and accepted by the scientific world. These effects have to be put in the framework of a healthy diet, prevention and an improvement of the general well being. In this short overview, some health-beneficial effects of the regular ingestion of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota by both healthy persons and subjects with specific complaints is reported.

Cultured Milk Products↗

PubMed2005

[Pouchitis treatment by probiotics].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to review the principal effects of probiotics on pouchitis and identify their mechanisms of action. METHODS: The study was based on a review of all relevant studies published in the literature on the effects of probiotics in pouchitis and their possible mechanisms of action. RESULTS: Pouchitis is the major long-term complication after ileal pouch anal anstomosis for ulcerative colitis. The cause is still unknown but is likely to be multifactorial. An imbalance in the usual fecal flora was recently suggested. Most patients with symptoms of pouchitis respond promptly to antibiotics. However, 5-10% of them develop rapidly relapsing symptoms that required protacted therapy. Porbiotics are living microorganisms that ingested in adequate amounts exert beneficial effects. Promising results have been obtained with probiotics mainly in maintenance of remission of chronic pouchitis and also as induction of remission. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that restoring the microbial imbalance may offer an effective therapeutic alternative to patients with pouchitis.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of probiotic bacteria (VSL#3) on the polyamine biosynthesis and cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa of rats.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics seem to possess tumour inhibitory properties, but few studies have investigated their actions on the cell proliferation of normal colonic mucosa. The effects of a probiotic mixture (VSL#3) on polyamine biosynthesis, Ki-67 levels and apoptosis in the normal colon of rats were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For a 4-week period, 20 rats were fed a VSL#3 solution and 20 rats a saline solution. Samples from the colonic mucosa were collected at the end of treatment. Polyamines were detected by HPLC, ornithine decarboxylase activity by a radiometric technique, and apoptosis and Ki-67 by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: VSL#3 caused a significant decrease in colonic polyamine levels, ornithine decarboxylase activity and Ki-67 compared to controls. A significant increase in the apoptotic index was also observed. CONCLUSION: Probiotics could also reduce proliferation rates in a condition not affected by hyperproliferative or neoplastic growth, when the normal control mechanisms are still completely effective.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Taking probiotics during pregnancy. Are they useful therapy for mothers and newborns?

QUESTION: Recently, several of my pregnant patients have asked me about using probiotics during pregnancy. Is there any evidence that these innocuous bacteria work effectively? ANSWER: An increasing body of evidence suggests that probiotics are effective for treating bacterial vaginosis and allergic reactions. Most probiotics available in Canada, however, are of dubious quality, and, for many claimed indications, there is no proof of effectiveness yet.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗

PubMed2005

[Pre-clinical trials of new spore probiotics].

The paper presents the results of a pre-clinical trial of Bacillus bacterial strains that are ingredients of biosporin, bisporin, and irilis, new Russian probiotic preparations. The study included determination of the cultural and biochemical properties of the probiotic strains, their antagonistic activity, adhesion ability, resistance to various biological liquids, and the length of their persistence in mouse alimentary tract. The listed properties were compared with those of foreign commercial preparations, bactisubtil and enterogermin. The study demonstrated high antagonistic activity of biosporin, bisporin, and irilis against many bacteria of different taxonomic groups, and Candidae. Besides this, the study showed that, unlike similar foreign preparations, the Russian ones were characterized by relatively low adhesive ability, short-term persistence, and absence of virulence factors. According to the results of the study, the most prospective probiotic strains for further clinical application are B. subtilis VKPM B-8611 and B. licheniformis VKPM B-8610, an irilis ingredient.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Potential role for probiotics in the prevention of infectious complications during acute pancreatitis].

Acute pancreatitis has a high mortality in case of secondary infection of (peri-)pancreatic necrosis. Bacterial translocation is held responsible for the majority of these infectious complications of severe acute pancreatitis. Prophylactic strategies should therefore be directed at the three most important pathophysiological mechanisms of bacterial translocation: disturbed small-bowel motility and bacterial overgrowth, failure of the mucosal barrier function and a disturbed response of the immune system. In-vitro studies and research in experimental animals have shown that specially selected probiotics exert an effect on these mechanisms and can prevent bacterial translocation. Recently, several randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating prophylactic treatment with enteral probiotics have shown good results. A Dutch multicentre trial, 'Probiotics in pancreatitis trial' (PROPATRIA), is currently underway.

Bacterial Translocation↗

PubMed2006

The consumption of two new probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT 5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT 5711, boosts the immune system of healthy humans.

Orally ingested probiotic bacteria are able to modulate the immune system. However, differences exist in the immunomodulatory effects of different probiotic strains. Moreover, different regulatory effects, which depend on the health status of the consumer, have been identified. This work describes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial to investigate the immune effects on healthy people of a fermented product containing two new probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT 5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT 5711, which was compared with another fermented product, a standard yogurt. Consumption of either the new product or yogurt increased the proportion of phagocytic cells, including monocytes and neutrophils, as well as their phagocytic activity. However, combination of the product containing the strains L. gasseri CECT 5714 and L. coryniformis CECT 5711 also induced an increase in the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells and in IgA concentrations. The effects were higher after two weeks of treatment than after 4 weeks, which suggests regulation of the immune system. In addition, the new product enhanced immunity in the participants to a greater extent than did the control standard yogurt.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Probiotics in allergic diseases of childhood].

The increase in allergic diseases in children in the industrialized countries is attributed, among things, to the "exaggerated hygiene" in early childhood typical of western lifestyle, since insufficient microbial exposure in this phase would appear to promote the development of allergies ("hygiene hypothesis"). Experimental data and initial results of clinical studies show that the immune system of infants can be stimulated by the endogenous intestinal flora. Probiotics, (apathogenic organisms present in human intestinal flora) have a very similar effect: Infants at risk of developing atopy, who, in the first 6 months of life received a special probiotic, contracted atopic dermatitis after two years only half as frequently as a control group of infants. Therapeutic effects were also observed in this clinical condition. For no other allergic manifestations have reports so far been published on the successful use of probiotics for prevention or treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Effects of probiotics on Penaeus vannamei pond sediments].

This paper studied the effects of probiotics on the sediment of Penaeus vannamei pond during 117 days of culture period. The results showed that probiotics application significantly decreased the concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and sulfide in sediment, but no significant difference was observed in total plate count (TPC) of microbes between treated and control ponds. The final average presumptive vibrio count (PVC) of treated pond sediment (3.65 x 10(3) cfu x g(-1)) was significantly lower than that of the control (1.16 x 10(5) cfu x g(-1)), while the average number of BS (Bacillus), AB (ammonifying bacteria), PSOB (presumptive sulphur oxidizing bacteria) and SRB (sulphur reducing bacteria) in treated pond sediment was higher than that of the control. These data showed that probiotics could decrease the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur) accumulation and improve the composition of bacterial populations in pond sediment, and thus, supply a good sediment environment for the healthily culture of the shrimp.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Role of gut microflora and probiotic effects in the irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Even though the cause of irritable bowel sindrome (IBS) is not yet known, alterations of the intestinal microflora may be important in its pathogenesis. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of rifaximine alone or in association with the probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium longum W11 in reducing symptoms in patients with IBS. METHODS: We performed a monocentric, prospective, randomized open trial including 70 patients randomized in to two groups: Group A (41 patients) receiving rifaximin 200 (2 cp bid for ten days in a month) followed by a formulation of the probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium longum W11(one granulated suspension for 6 days on alternate weeks ) and Group B (29 patients) receiving only rifaximin 200 (2 cp bid for ten days in a month). The clinical evaluation was performed at admission and after 2-months, taking into account the method of visual analogous. RESULTS: At the 2-month follow-up, Group A patients reported a greater improvement of symptoms compared to patients in group B (p = 0.010) even if the physician's opinion at T1 did not confirm these results (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The increased colonisation by Bifi-dobacterium longum W11, after the cyclic administration of rifaximin, which eradicates the bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine, may reduce symptoms, especially those related to bowel habit and stool frequency in patients with IBS. The abnormalities observed in the colonic flora of IBS suggest, in fact, that a probiotic approach will ultimately be justified.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Identification and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates from probiotic products available in Italy.

This study was carried out to assay the bacterial viability and the probable contamination of a range of probiotic products available in Italy and to test the susceptibility of the isolates. Eleven dried food supplements and five fermented functional foods were examined using different isolation media under standardized cultivation conditions. The identification was made by conventional phenotypic characteristics and biochemical tests. Among isolates from the probiotic products antibiotic susceptibility was detected using the E-test (ABBiodisk). Our results demonstrate that nine food supplements and two fermented foods claimed species which could not be isolated, whereas potential pathogens (i.e. Micromonas micros) were isolated. Lactobacilli displayed species-dependent antibiotic resistance. Atypical resistance occurred for penicillin in Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and for erythromycin in Lactobacillus lactis and Lactobacillus salivarius. A broad range of MICs was observed for cephalosporins and fluroquinolones. Aminoglycosides had poor activity against Lactobacillus isolates. Two of the four isolates of Bifidobacterium exhibited high resistance to trimethroprim/sulfametoxazole and to fluoroquinolones. Our results suggest that some probiotic products claim species that cannot always be isolated, and are sometimes contaminated by potential pathogens. Moreover, the probable transferable erythromycin or penicillin resistance among the lactobacilli isolated should be taken into account.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1996

Clinical uses of probiotics for stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier: successful strains and future challenges.

Probiotic bacteria are used to treat disturbed intestinal microflora and increased gut permeability which are characteristic to many intestinal disorders. Examples include children with acute rotavirus diarrhoea, subjects with food allergy, subjects with colonic disorders and patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy and sometimes changes associated with colon cancer development. In all such disease states altered intestinal microflora, impaired gut barrier and different types of intestinal inflammation are present. Successful probiotic bacteria are able to survive gastric conditions and colonize the intestine, at least temporarily, by adhering to the intestinal epithelium. Such probiotic microorganisms appear to be promising candidates for the treatment of clinical conditions with abnormal gut microflora and altered gut mucosal barrier functions. They are also promising ingredients to future functional foods and clinical foods for specific disease states provided that basic requirements for strains and clinical studies are carefully followed.

Animals↗