Orally administered Streptococcus thermophilus YIT 2001 is a vehicle for the delivery of glutathione, a reactive reduced thiol, to the intestine.

AIMS: We aimed to analyze the behavior of cellular glutathione of Streptococcus thermophilus strain YIT 2001 (ST-1) in the gastrointestinal environment to understand how orally administered glutathione in ST-1 cells is delivered stably to the intestine in a reactive form, which is essential for its systemic bioavailability against lipid peroxidation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intracellular glutathione was labeled with L-cysteine-containing stable isotopes. ST-1 cells from fresh culture or lyophilized powder were treated with simulated gastric and intestinal juices for 60 min each. The release of intracellular glutathione in digestive juices was quantified via LC-MS/MS. Most of the cellular glutathione was retained in the gastric environment and released in response to exposure to the gastrointestinal environment. During digestion, the membrane permeability of propidium iodide increased significantly, especially when cells were exposed to cholate, without change in the cell wall state. CONCLUSIONS: ST-1 cells act as vehicles to protect intracellular reactive components, such as glutathione, from digestive stress, and release them in the upper intestine owing to the disruption of membrane integrity induced by bile acid.

Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Isoscapes of Reef Corals and Algal Symbionts: Relative Influences of Environmental Gradients and Heterotrophy.

The elemental (C/N) and stable isotopic (δ13C, δ15N) compositions and compound-specific δ15N values of amino acids (δ15NAA) were evaluated for coral holobionts as diagnostic tools to detect spatiotemporal environmental heterogeneity and its effects on coral health. Hermatypic coral samples of eight species were collected at 12 reef sites with differing levels of pollution stress. The C/N ratios, δ13C values, and δ15N values of coral tissues and endosymbiotic algae were determined for 193 coral holobionts, and the amino acid composition and δ15NAA values of selected samples were analyzed. δ15N values were influenced most by pollution stress, while C/N ratios and δ13C values depended most strongly on species. The results imply that δ13C and δ15N values are useful indicators for distinguishing the ecological niches of sympatric coral species based on microhabitat preference and resource selectivity. Using δ15NAA values, the trophic level (TL) of the examined coral samples was estimated to be 0.71 to 1.53, i.e., purely autotrophic to partially heterotrophic. Significant portions of the variation in bulk δ15N and δ13C values could be explained by the influence of heterotrophy. The TL of symbionts covaried with that of their hosts, implying that amino acids acquired through host heterotrophy are translocated to symbionts. Dependence on heterotrophy was stronger at polluted sites, indicating that the ecological role of corals changes in response to eutrophication.

Clinico-radiological spectrum of reversible splenial lesions in children.

Recently, many cases of children presenting reversible splenial lesions during febrile illness (RESLEF) have been reported; however, their overall clinico-radiological features are unclear. To describe the clinico-radiological features, we retrospectively reviewed the etiology (pathogen), clinical course, laboratory data, magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography (EEG) findings, therapy, and prognosis of 23 episodes in 22 children (1 child recurred) who presented neurological symptoms, with RESLEF. The etiologies (pathogens) varied. Seizure occurred in 7 episodes, disturbance of consciousness (DC) in 13, and delirious behavior in 18. Serum sodium levels <136 mEq/L were observed in 18 episodes. Lesions outside the splenium were found in 4 cases. Slow waves were observed on EEG in 10 episodes. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was given in 7 cases. No case resulted in neurological sequelae. Among 23 episodes, clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) was diagnosed in 6 episodes, whereas non-MERS was observed in 17 episodes. No difference was observed in almost all the clinico-radiological features' data between the 2 groups. The largest differences were observed in the rate of purposeless movement, DC, extension of the abnormal lesions outside the splenium, and marked slowing of background activity on EEG. RESLEF exhibit a spectrum of clinico-radiological features. These results suggest that non-MERS and MERS both are a part of a larger pathological condition, which we have termed as RESLEF spectrum syndrome. Given the view that such a syndrome exists, the clinical characteristics and position of non-MERS and MERS become clear.