Effect of a multistrain probiotic (Lactoflorene® Plus) on inflammatory parameters and microbiota composition in subjects with stress-related symptoms.

Stress affects the immune system and intestinal microbiota composition and can lead to imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or to uncontrolled production of cytokines. The effect of emotional stress on secretory IgA levels also indicates that stress decreases mucosal integrity. Our aim was to evaluate whether a probiotic product (Lactoflorene® Plus) can prevent alterations in the immune response associated with self-reported stress and microbiota composition. Healthy adult volunteers who self-reported psychological stress were enrolled and randomised into a placebo and a probiotic group. Salivary stress markers (α-amylase, cortisol, chromogranin A) and immunological parameters (sIgA, NK cell activity, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α) in feces and the composition of intestinal microbiota were evaluated. Administration of the product did not exert a direct effect on the salivary stress markers or NK cell activity but did reduce abdominal pain and increase faecal IgA and IL-10 levels. The probiotic product induced a moderate increase in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp., as expected, and in Faecalibacterium spp., and decreased the size of the Dialister spp. and Escherichia and Shigella populations. Administration of the product helped protect the mucosal barrier by supporting the number of short-chain fatty acid producers and decreasing the load of potentially harmful bacteria, thus reducing intestinal inflammation and abdominal discomfort. CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT03234452.

Low-dose multicomponent medication modulates humoral and cellular immune response in an ex-vivo study on children subjected to adenoid surgery.

Respiratory infections, mainly in children, are a demanding challenge for physicians. Commonly, a relative immune-defect sustains their recurrence. At present, there is no standardized treatment for their prevention acting on the immune system. Citomix is a low-dose multicomponent medication largely used in this issue. The current study evaluated its ex vivo effect on adenoidal mononuclear cells recovered from children operated for adenoid hypertrophy. B cell phenotype, and IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IgG, IgA, IgM in culture supernatants were evaluated. Citomix was able to significantly increase the expression of B memory cells, IFN-γ, IL-6, IgA and IgM, and significantly decrease IL-10 and IgG. The current outcomes could be consistent with a strategy deputed to improve the early immune response to pathogens. In conclusion, the present ex vivo study suggests that Citomix might be a promising medication in preventing and early treating respiratory infections.

Fecal Clostridiales distribution and short-chain fatty acids reflect bowel habits in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is classified according to bowel habits as IBS with constipation (IBS-C), with diarrhea (IBS-D), with alternating constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M), and unsubtyped (IBS-U). The mechanisms leading to the different IBS forms are mostly unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether specific fecal bacterial taxa and/or short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can be used to distinguish IBS subtypes and are relevant for explaining the clinical differences between IBS subcategories. We characterized five fecal samples collected at 4-weeks intervals from 40 IBS patients by 16S rRNA gene profiling and SCFA quantification. Finally, we investigated the potential correlations in IBS subtypes between the fecal microbial signatures and host physiological and clinical parameters. We found significant differences in the distribution of Clostridiales OTUs among IBS subtypes and reduced levels of SCFAs in IBS-C compared to IBS-U and IBS-D patients. Correlation analyses showed that the diverse representation of Clostridiales OTUs between IBS subtypes was associated with altered levels of SCFAs; furthermore, the same OTUs and SCFAs were associated with the fecal cytokine levels and stool consistency. Our results suggest that intestinal Clostridiales and SCFAs might serve as potential mechanistic biomarkers of IBS subtypes and represent therapeutic targets.

HLA-DQ genetics in children with celiac disease: a meta-analysis suggesting a two-step genetic screening procedure starting with HLA-DQ ß chains.

BackgroundSpecific HLA-DQ genes have been recognized as necessary - but not sufficient - factors for the occurrence of Celiac Disease (CD). Through a meta-analysis, evaluating the distribution of CD-related HLA genotypes in children, we aimed at providing insights for a potential widened screening strategy.MethodsAfter a systematic search on the association between class II HLA genes and CD in children, 46 publications were obtained and assessed for eligibility. A total of 13 eligible studies were submitted to data extraction and analysis (10 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies). Case-control studies collectively enrolled 740 CD patients and 943 controls.ResultsIn the population-stratified analysis, the following alleles conferred a significantly increased risk for CD: HLA-DQB1*02 (odds ratio [OR]=10.28) and HLA-DQB1*03:02 (OR=2.24). By drafting a risk gradient to develop CD according to HLA genetic background, the highest risk is confirmed to exist for DQ2/DQ2 homozygous subjects, regardless of the ethnicities (OR=5.4). Actually, the genotype DQ2/ß2 showed basically the same risk (OR=5.3). Indeed, no differences have been found in CD risk between DQ2/ß2 and DQ2/DQ2, as well as between DQ8/ß2 and DQ2/DQ8, and between ß2/DQX and DQ2/X.ConclusionThe HLA-DQB1*02:01 allele is present in more than 90% CD children. In the perspective of a widened pediatric population screening for CD, a double-step process might be suggested: HLA-DQB1*02:01 might be investigated first and, only if this result is positive, children might be candidate for a prospective serologic screening, as a second step.

Impact of passive smoke and/or atopy on adenoid immunoglobulin production in children.

The adenoids are exposed to a wide number and variety of microbes, environmental pollutants, and food antigens. Atopy and passive smoke may significantly affect immune responses, mainly in children. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether passive exposure to tobacco smoke and/or atopy could affect immunoglobulin production by adenoidal lymphocytes in a cohort of children presenting with adenoid hypertrophy. A total of 277 children (151 males and 126 females; median age 5.5 years), with adenoidal hypertrophy requiring adenoidectomy and or adeno-tonsillectomy, were consecutively enrolled in the study. Adenoid mononuclear cells were in vitro stimulated with LPS or CpG. When considering both the presence of smoke exposure and atopy, we observed that the CpG-induced decrease in IgA and IgM production was significantly associated with this combination of risk factors. In the T-independent immunoglobulin production assay we found a positive association between the two risk factors and IgA and IgM production. In particular, the presence of both risk factors, showed a significant increase in IgA and IgM production after stimulation. In conclusion, this is the first study that investigated the in vitro adenoidal B cell response after different stimuli in children, also evaluating possible exposure to passive smoke and/or an atopic condition.