The Influence of Feed-Supplementation with Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus reuteri CCM 8617 and Alginite on Intestinal Microenvironment of SPF Mice Infected with Salmonella Typhimurium CCM 7205.

Alginite is a non-ore raw material arising by fossilization of accumulated organic (algae) and inorganic material, particularly clay, carbonates, quartz, and amorphous modification of silicic acid in the aqueous environment. Humic acids as a component of organic portion of alginite are known for very good buffering ability which allows them to stabilise pH throughout the digestion system of animals, stimulate receptors of the immune system in intestinal villi against pathogenic bacteria, and support proliferation and activity of beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and similar). Our investigations focused on the influence of a probiotic strain in combination with alginite on intestinal microenvironment of SPF mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The 66 female mice (BALB/c) used in our study were divided to four experimental groups, control NC1, control NC2 (alginite), IC (alginite + Salmonella Typhimurium CCM 7205NAL), LAB (Lact. reuteri CCM 8617 + alginite + Salm. Typhimurium CCM 7205NAL). The group supplemented with Lact.reuteri CCM 8617 and alginite showed significant reduction in growth of Salm. Typhimurium in mice faeces at 24 and 72 h (P < 0.001) post infection. The supplementation of additives affected positively also nitrogen, enzymatic, hepatic and energy metabolism of mice. The demonstrable positive influence of additives alleviated the negative impact of Salm. Typhimurium infection on the morphology investigated in the jejunum and ileum of LAB group of mice. The livers of mice treated with both alginite and Lact.reuteri CCM 8617 showed marked reduction of overall inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis and size of typhoid nodules.

Evaluation of Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7421 Administration with Alginite in Dogs.

There are growing efforts to find applications for various naturally occurring organo-mineral rocks. They have so far been preferentially used in agriculture and forestry; however, medicine and nutrition may also be interesting areas for their application. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with canine-derived probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7421 in combination with alginite in dogs. Alginite is a loam-like material of volcanic origin composed of clay minerals and fossilised unicellular algae. The effects of these additives on faecal microbiota, faecal characteristics, short-chain fatty acid profile, haematology, serum biochemistry and cellular immunity parameters were monitored. Forty dogs were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control group (C), alginite-supplemented group (A; 1% diet), probiotic group (LF; L. fermentum CCM 7421 at a dose of 109 cfu/day/dog) and combined group (A + LF group); 10 dogs in each group. The experiment lasted for 35 days with a 14-day treatment period (sample collection at days 0, 7, 14 and 35). The results of this straightforward experiment showed beneficial effects in the combined A + LF group. In detail, a decrease in faecal coliforms and clostridia and an increase in lactic acid bacteria, haemoglobin and serum magnesium levels compared to baseline were observed in the A + LF group (P < 0.05). In contrast, sole application of alginite (A group) led to several unexpected effects such as an increase in clostridial population and serum alanine aminotrasferase and a decrease in haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.05). The addition of alginite prevented a decrease in faecal pH and serum mineral content observed in the LF group. This indicates the possibility of applying alginite also in the nutrition of dogs as a combinative additive with probiotic bacteria for restoring optimal acid-alkali balance without affecting positive probiotic effects.