Supplementation with dairy matrices impacts on homocysteine levels and gut microbiota composition of hyperhomocysteinemic mice.

PURPOSE: Several studies highlighted a correlation between folic acid deficiency and high plasma homocysteine concentration, considered a risk factor for multifactorial diseases. Natural folates represent an emerging alternative strategy to supplementation with synthetic folic acid, whose effects are controversial. The present work was, therefore, performed in hyperhomocysteinemic mice to study the impact of supplementation with dairy matrices containing natural folates on plasma homocysteine levels and faecal microbiota composition. METHODS: Forty mice were divided into six groups, two of which fed control or folic acid deficient (FD) diets for 10 weeks. The remaining four groups were fed FD diet for the first 5 weeks and then shifted to a standard control diet containing synthetic folic acid (R) or a FD diet supplemented with folate-enriched fermented milk (FFM) produced by selected lactic acid bacteria, fermented milk (FM), or milk (M), for additional 5 weeks. RESULTS: Supplementation with dairy matrices restored homocysteine levels in FD mice, although impacting differently on hepatic S-adenosyl-methionine levels. In particular, FFM restored both homocysteine and S-adenosyl-methionine levels to the control conditions, in comparison with FM and M. Next generation sequencing analysis revealed that faecal microbiota of mice supplemented with FFM, FM and M were characterised by a higher richness of bacterial species in comparison with C, FD and R groups. Analysis of beta diversity highlighted that the three dairy matrices determined specific, significant variations of faecal microbiota composition, while hyperhomocysteinemia was not associated with significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results represent a promising starting point for the applicability of food matrices enriched in natural folates to manage hyperhomocysteinemia.

Folates biosynthesis by Streptococcus thermophilus during growth in milk.

The ability of folate-producer strains of Streptococcus thermophilus to accumulate folates and the expression of two target genes (folK and folP), involved in the folate biosynthesis, were studied during milk fermentation. An over-expression of folK took place only in the early phase of growth, whereas folP was mainly expressed in the mid log-phase of growth and declined thereafter. The accumulation of total folates, which was quantified by a microbiological assay, was strain-dependent. Two major forms of folates, i.e. tetrahydrofolate (THF) and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-Met-THF), were identified and quantified by HPLC. With respect to the level accumulated by a weak folate producer (St 383), used as calibrator in the expression experiments and as control in folate quantification in milk, the strains St 563 and St 399 produced 5-Met-THF in amounts significantly higher than THF. The possibility of using selected folate-producer S. thermophilus strains as functional cultures for a bio-fortification of dairy products is discussed.

Survey on the phage resistance mechanisms displayed by a dairy Lactobacillus helveticus strain.

In this study the presence and functionality of phage defence mechanisms in Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 10386, a strain of dairy origin which is sensitive to ΦLh56, were investigated. After exposure of ATCC 10386 to ΦLh56, the whole-genome sequences of ATCC 10386 and of a phage-resistant derivative (LhM3) were compared. LhM3 showed deletions in the S-layer protein and a higher expression of the genes involved in the restriction/modification (R/M) system. Genetic data were substantiated by measurements of bacteriophage adsorption rates, efficiency of plaquing, cell wall protein size and by gene expression analysis. In LhM3 two phage resistance mechanisms, the inhibition of phage adsorption and the upregulation of Type I R/M genes, take place and explain its resistance to ΦLh56. Although present in both ATCC 10386 and LhM3 genomes, the CRISPR machinery did not seem to play a role in the phage resistance of LhM3. Overall, the natural selection of phage resistant strains resulted successful in detecting variants carrying multiple phage defence mechanisms in L. helveticus. The concurrent presence of multiple phage-resistance systems should provide starter strains with increased fitness and robustness in dairy ecosystems.

Lactococcus hircilactis sp. nov. and Lactococcus laudensis sp. nov., isolated from milk.

Two strains of lactic acid bacteria, designated 117(T) and 4195(T), were isolated from goat milk in Valtellina, Italy and from cow milk in Valle Trompia, Italy, respectively, and characterized taxonomically by a polyphasic approach. The strains were Gram-stain-positive, coccoid, non-spore-forming and catalase-negative bacteria. Morphological, physiological and phylogenetic data indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus Lactococcus. Strain 117(T) was closely related to Lactococcus fujiensis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, L. lactis subsp. cremoris, L. lactis subsp. hordniae, L. lactis subsp. tructae and Lactococcus taiwanensis, showing 93-94% and 82-89% 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence similarities, respectively. Strain 4195(T) was closely related to Lactococcus chungangensis, Lactococcus raffinolactis, Lactococcus plantarum and Lactococcus piscium, showing 92-98% and 86-99% 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence similarities, respectively. Based on this evidence and the data obtained in the present study, the milk isolates represent two novel species of the genus Lactococcus, for which the names Lactococcushircilactis sp. nov., and Lactococcuslaudensis sp. nov. are proposed. The respective type strains are 117(T) ( = LMG 28352(T) = DSM 28960(T)) and 4195(T )( = LMG 28353(T) = DSM 28961(T)).

Biodiversity of Lactobacillus helveticus bacteriophages isolated from cheese whey starters.

Twenty-one Lactobacillus helveticus bacteriophages, 18 isolated from different cheese whey starters and three from CNRZ collection, were phenotypically and genetically characterised. A biodiversity between phages was evidenced both by host range and molecular (RAPD-PCR) typing. A more detailed characterisation of six phages showed similar structural protein profiles and a relevant genetic biodiversity, as shown by restriction enzyme analysis of total DNA. Latent period, burst time and burst size data evidenced that phages were active and virulent. Overall, data highlighted the biodiversity of Lb. helveticus phages isolated from cheese whey starters, which were confirmed to be one of the most common phage contamination source in dairy factories. More research is required to further unravel the ecological role of Lb. helveticus phages and to evaluate their impact on the dairy fermentation processes where whey starter cultures are used.

Investigating the efficacy of amnion-derived compared with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in equine tendon and ligament injuries.

BACKGROUND AIMS: This is the first study to compare the treatment of horse tendon and ligament injuries with the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) obtained from two different sources: amniotic membrane (AMSCs) and bone marrow (BM-MSCs). The objective was to prove the ability of AMSCs to exert beneficial effects in vivo. METHODS: Five million allogeneic frozen-thawed AMSCs or autologous fresh BM-MSCs were injected intralesionally in horses belonging to group A (51 horses) and group B (44 horses). The interval lesion/implantation was of 6-15 days for the AMSCs and 16-35 days for the BM-MSCs. Healing was assessed clinically and ultrasonographically. Follow-up was monitored for 2 further years from return to full work. RESULTS: No significant adverse effects after MSCs treatment were seen in any of the horses studied, independent of the type of stromal cell implanted. All animals belonging to group A resumed their activities between 4-5 months after treatment, whereas animals of group B resumed their activities after 4-12 months. The rate of re-injury in horses treated with AMSCs is lower (4.00%) compared with the average observed when horses were treated with BM-MSCs (23.08%). CONCLUSIONS: The possibility to inject allogeneic AMSCs in real time, before any ultrasonographic change occurs within the injured tendon and ligament, together with the higher plasticity and proliferative capacity of these cells compared with BM-MSCs, represents the main features of interest for this novel approach for the treatment of equine tendon diseases. An obvious active proliferative healing in the area injected with AMSCs makes these cells more effective than BM-MSCs.

Follicular fluid leptin concentrations and expression of leptin and leptin receptor in the equine ovary and in vitro-matured oocyte with reference to pubertal development and breeds.

There is no published information about follicular-fluid leptin concentrations or the presence of leptin and leptin receptor in the equine ovary or oocyte. Three groups of mares - adult draft mares, draft fillies and adult Standardbred mares - were included in the study. Leptin and leptin receptor were detected in all immature oocytes by immunofluorescence with higher intensity in oocytes from draft mares compared with draft fillies and Standardbred mares. After in vitro maturation a higher proportion of oocytes reached metaphase II in draft mares than in draft fillies and Standardbred mares, and in all groups both leptin and leptin receptor became localised in the oocyte cortex but with higher immunopositivity in draft mares compared with draft fillies and Standardbred mares. These intensities were confirmed by the expression profiles of leptin and leptin receptor mRNA. Moreover, leptin was detected in ovarian blood vessels in all three types of animal and within the corpora lutea in adult mares. Serum and follicular-fluid concentrations of leptin were similar in draft and Standardbred mares but higher in draft mares than in draft fillies. This study supports the hypothesis that expression of leptin and leptin receptor mRNA and the rate of maturation can be related either to adiposity or to puberty.

Applicability of Lactococcus hircilactis and Lactococcus laudensis as dairy cultures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Lactococcus hircilactis and Lactococcus laudensis can be used as starter cultures. To this end, the two lactococci were characterized for traits of technological and functional interest. Tests in milk included growth at 20, 25, 30, and 37 °C, flavor production, antioxidant (AO) activity, folate and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. At 30 °C, which resulted the best growth temperature for both strains, Lc. hircilactis and Lc. laudensis lowered the pH of the milk to 4.8 and 5.5, respectively, after 24 h of incubation. Sugar and organic acid composition indicated a higher lactose utilization, coupled with a higher lactate accumulation, by Lc. hircilactis, while galactose was completely consumed by both species. Both strains showed a Cit- phenotype after growth in a selective medium containing citrate as the sole carbon source. Nevertheless, a small amount of citrate was used by both lactococci when grown in milk. The two strains were characterized by a different flavor production, showed high AO activity, and produced small amounts of EPS (~30 mg/L). Lactococcus laudensis showed a weak proteolytic activity while Lc. hircilactis was able to accumulate folate at levels four times higher than uninoculated milk. When the two lactococci were tested as starter cultures in small-scale cheesemaking trials, cheeses resulted of satisfying quality and contained amounts of ethanol, acetic acid, diacetyl and acetoin higher than controls, obtained using a commercial culture. The application of Lc. hircilactis and Lc. laudensis as aromatic cultures in cheesemaking is proposed.

Lactose, galactose and glucose determination in naturally "lactose free" hard cheese: HPAEC-PAD method validation.

A chromatographic method by HPAEC-PAD was developed and in-house validated for the quantification of low sugar levels in hard cheese, specifically Grana Padano PDO cheese. Particular attention was paid to the extraction procedure, due to residual microbial and enzymatic activities. Specificity in detection and linearity were verified. Recoveries ranged from 93% for lactose to 98% for glucose and galactose. The obtained LOD and LOQ values were, respectively, 0.25 and 0.41mg/100g for lactose, 0.14 and 0.27mg/100g for galactose, and 0.16 and 0.26mg/100g for glucose. The method was applied to 59 samples of Grana Padano PDO cheese: galactose showed the highest concentration and variability among the samples (1.36±0.89), compared to both lactose (0.45±0.12) and glucose (0.46±0.13). Considering the very low levels of sugars detected, authentic PDO Grana Padano could be safely included in the diet of people suffering from lactose intolerance.

Molecular characterization and in vitro differentiation of feline progenitor-like amniotic epithelial cells.

INTRODUCTION: While amniotic mesenchymal cells have been isolated and characterized in different species, amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) have been found only in humans and horses and are recently considered valid candidates in regenerative medicine. The aim of this work is to obtain and characterize, for the first time in the feline species, presumptive stem cells from the epithelial portion of the amnion (AECs) to be used for clinical applications. METHODS: In our study, we molecularly characterized and induced in vitro differentiation of feline AECs, obtained after enzymatic digestion of amnion. RESULTS: AECs displayed a polygonal morphology and the mean doubling time value was 1.94 ± 0.04 days demonstrating the high proliferating capacity of these cells. By RT-PCR, AECs expressed pluripotent (Oct4, Nanog) and some mesenchymal markers (CD166, CD44) suggesting that an epithelial-mesenchymal transition may occur in these cells that lack the hematopoietic marker CD34. Cells also showed the expression of embryonic marker SSEA-4, but not SSEA-3, as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Moreover, the possibility to use feline AECs in cell therapies resides in their low immunogenicity, due to the absence of MHC-II antigen expression. After induction, AECs differentiated into the mesodermic and ectodermic lineages, demonstrating high plasticity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, feline AECs appear to be a readily obtainable, highly proliferative, multipotent and non-immunogenic cell line from a source that may represent a good model system for stem cell biology and be useful in allogenic cell-based therapies in order to treat tissue lesions, especially with loss of substance.