RESUMO
Kefir is fermented milk produced from grains that comprise a specific and complex mixture of bacteria and yeasts that live in a symbiotic association. The nutritional composition of kefir varies according to the milk composition, the microbiological composition of the grains used, the time/temperature of fermentation and storage conditions. Kefir originates from the Caucasus and Tibet. Recently, kefir has raised interest in the scientific community due to its numerous beneficial effects on health. Currently, several scientific studies have supported the health benefits of kefir, as reported historically as a probiotic drink with great potential in health promotion, as well as being a safe and inexpensive food, easily produced at home. Regular consumption of kefir has been associated with improved digestion and tolerance to lactose, antibacterial effect, hypocholesterolaemic effect, control of plasma glucose, anti-hypertensive effect, anti-inflammatory effect, antioxidant activity, anti-carcinogenic activity, anti-allergenic activity and healing effects. A large proportion of the studies that support these findings were conducted in vitro or in animal models. However, there is a need for systematic clinical trials to better understand the effects of regular use of kefir as part of a diet, and for their effect on preventing diseases. Thus, the present review focuses on the nutritional and microbiological composition of kefir and presents relevant findings associated with the beneficial effects of kefir on human and animal health.
Assuntos
Promoção da Saúde , Kefir/microbiologia , Valor Nutritivo , Animais , Dieta , Digestão , Fermentação , Microbiologia de Alimentos , Conservação de Alimentos , Humanos , Lactobacillus , Intolerância à Lactose/prevenção & controle , Leite/química , Leite/microbiologia , Probióticos , TibetRESUMO
Clostridium difficile (reclassified as Clostridioides difficile [...].
RESUMO
Clostridium difficile has been documented as a major cause of uncontrolled outbreaks of enteritis in neonatal pigs and antibiotic-associated infections in clinical settings. It belongs to the natural cohort of early colonisers of the gastrointestinal tract of pigs and can be detected in faeces up to two weeks post-partum. In older pigs, it often remains under the detection limit. Most neonatal pigs show no clinical signs of disease although C. difficile and its toxins can be detected at high levels in faeces. Increased mortality rates associated with C. difficile on pig farms are, so far, considered "spontaneous" and the predisposing factors are mostly not defined. The infection caused by C. difficile is multifactorial and it is likely that the repertoire of maternal factors, host physiology, the individually developing gut microbiota, co-infections and environmental stress define the conditions for disease development. In this addendum to our recently published work on CDI in neonatal piglets, we discuss the "early-life events" that influence C. difficile spread and infection in neonatal piglets.
Assuntos
Clostridioides difficile/patogenicidade , Infecções por Clostridium/veterinária , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Doenças dos Suínos/microbiologia , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Antibacterianos/efeitos adversos , Toxinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Clostridioides difficile/química , Infecções por Clostridium/microbiologia , Dieta/efeitos adversos , Dieta/veterinária , Trato Gastrointestinal/metabolismo , Trato Gastrointestinal/microbiologia , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/veterinária , SuínosRESUMO
There is growing evidence that kefir can be a promising tool in decreasing the risk of many diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of kefir supplementation in the diet of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) in which MetS was induced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and to determine its effect on metabolic parameters, inflammatory and oxidation marker expression and glycemic index control. Thirty animals were used in this experiment. For the induction of MetS, twenty two-day-old male SHR received five consecutive intradermal injections of MSG. For the Negative Control, ten newborn male SHR received intradermal injections of saline solution (0.9% saline solution). After weaning, animals received standard diet and water ad libitum until reaching 3 months old, for the development of MetS. They were then divided into three groups (n = 10): negative control (NC, 1 mL saline solution per day), positive control (PC, 1 mL saline solution per day) and the Kefir group (1 mL kefir per day). Feeding was carried out by gavage for 10 weeks and the animals received standard food and water ad libitum. Obesity, insulin resistance, pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, and the histology of pancreatic and adipose tissues were among the main variables evaluated. Compared to the PC group, kefir supplementation reduced plasma triglycerides, liver lipids, liver triglycerides, insulin resistance, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, thoracic circumference, abdominal circumference, products of lipid oxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-1ß) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-10). The present findings indicate that kefir has the potential to benefit the management of MetS.
Assuntos
Citocinas/genética , Resistência à Insulina , Kefir , Síndrome Metabólica/dietoterapia , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Biomarcadores/sangue , Colesterol/sangue , Citocinas/sangue , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Índice Glicêmico , Injeções Intradérmicas , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/metabolismo , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/induzido quimicamente , Obesidade/dietoterapia , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos SHR , Cloreto de Sódio/administração & dosagem , Glutamato de Sódio , Triglicerídeos/sangueRESUMO
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The abundance of specific microbes might be associated with plasma lipopolysaccharide and insulin levels. The aims were to quantify the abundance of specific microbes and plasma LPS in females and assess their association with anthropometric, body composition and biochemical measurements. METHODS: Seventeen lean (BMI 19-24.99 kg/m(2)) and fifteen obese females (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) participated. Anthropometry, body composition, food intake and biochemical analyses were assessed. Bacterial groups in faeces were analysed by qPCR method. RESULTS: Lactobacillus plantarum prevalence was higher (p = 0.005) and its counts tended to be higher in lean vs. obese group (p = 0.06). Bifidobacterium genus, Bifidobacterium longum, Clostridium coccoides and Clostridium leptum counts were higher in lean women (p < 0.05); prevalence and counts of Akkermansia muciniphila tended to be higher in lean group (p = 0.09, p = 0.06, respectively). Plasma LPS levels were similar between the study groups (p > 0.05). No association was found between LPS and bacterial levels or insulin. Bifidobacteria and C. coccoides counts were inversely associated with insulin and HOMA index. CONCLUSIONS: Abundance of specific microbes is distinct between obese and lean women, but is not associated with LPS level. Bifidobacterial and C. coccoides levels are associated with insulin sensitivity. These bacterial groups may be capable of modulating insulin action.