Therapeutic Potential of Bacteroides fragilis SNBF-1 as a Next-Generation Probiotic: In Vitro Efficacy in Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism and Antioxidant Activity.

This study explores the potential of aerotolerant Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) strains as next-generation probiotics (NGPs), focusing on their adaptability in the gastrointestinal environment, safety profile, and probiotic functions. From 23 healthy infant fecal samples, we successfully isolated 56 beneficial B. fragilis strains. Notably, the SNBF-1 strain demonstrated superior cholesterol removal efficiency in HepG2 cells, outshining all other strains by achieving a remarkable reduction in cholesterol by 55.38 ± 2.26%. Comprehensive genotype and phenotype analyses were conducted, including sugar utilization and antibiotic sensitivity tests, leading to the development of an optimized growth medium for SNBF-1. SNBF-1 also demonstrated robust and consistent antioxidant activity, particularly in cell-free extracts, as evidenced by an average oxygen radical absorbance capacity value of 1.061 and a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability of 94.53 ± 7.31%. The regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by SNBF-1 was assessed in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cell line. In enzyme inhibition assays, SNBF-1 showed significant α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, with rates of 87.04 ± 2.03% and 37.82 ± 1.36%, respectively. Furthermore, the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of SNBF-1 enhanced glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, indicating improved cellular energy metabolism. This was consistent with the observation that the CFS of SNBF-1 increased the proliferation of HepG2 cells by 123.77 ± 0.82% compared to that of the control. Overall, this research significantly enhances our understanding of NGPs and their potential therapeutic applications in modulating the gut microbiome.

Application of starch-based nanoparticles and cyclodextrin for prebiotics delivery and controlled glucose release in the human gut: a review.

Starches are a major constituent of staple foods and are the main source of energy in the human diet (55-70%). In the gastrointestinal tract, starches are hydrolyzed into glucose by α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which leads to a postprandial glucose elevation. High levels of blood glucose levels over sustained periods may promote type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Increasing consumption of starchy foods with a lower glycemic index may therefore contribute to improved health. In this paper, the preparation and properties of several starch-based nanoparticles (SNPs) and cyclodextrins (CDs) derivatives are reviewed. In particular, we focus on the various mechanisms responsible for the ability of these edible nanomaterials to modulate glucose release and the gut microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract. The probiotic functions are achieved through encapsulation and protection of prebiotics or bioactive components in foods or the human gut. This review therefore provides valuable information that could be used to design functional foods for improving human health and wellbeing.

The mechanism of probiotic action of human milk N-glycome towards B. infantis ATCC 15697 and identification of the principal functional components.

Human milk N-glycome promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697. However, the action mode of, and the major functional components for, the bifidogenic function of human milk N-glycome remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that milk N-glycome was transferred in an intact form from culture into the bacterial cell and then decomposed intracellularly, evidenced by the following facts: (1) No UHPLC peak shift of N-glycome recovered from culture was observed. (2) No milk N-glycan specific monosugar was detected in culture supernatant. (3) High intracellular exoglycosidase activities were detected. (4) Fluorescently labeled N-glycans were found to be located intracellularly using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM). Regarding the principal components identification, a novel sequential deglycosylation-based strategy was established. Degalactosylation, defucosylation-desialylation, and defucosylation-desialylation-degalactosylation treatments of human milk N-glycome showed that galactose-containing glycans were the principal components for the probiotic function of human milk N-glycome towards B. infantis ATCC 15697.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A1, C1 and C10 Are Potential Probiotics Isolated from Pineapple Residual Silage.

The production and consumption of pineapple creates large quantities of residues. Ensiling these residues might help to minimize the waste burden and meet the intensive feed demand for ruminants. Proper lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are not only responsible for pineapple residual silage fermentation, but might also deliver probiotics. The aim of this study was to isolate LAB strains with probiotic functions, and to enhance intestinal antioxidant capacity from naturally fermented pineapple residues. A total of 47 LAB isolates with gram-positive, catalase-negative, nonhemolytic properties were used for probiotic screening. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) A1, C1 and C10 were susceptible to rifampicin, gentamicin and erythromycin, did not contain virulence factor-coding genes and showed good tolerance to acid (pH 3.0), 0.5% bile salt and simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. Their hydrophobicity indices were 71.92%, 45.50% and 66.90%, respectively. All of them were able to adhere to bovine jejunum epithelial cells (BJECs) and to antagonize Escherichia coli F5 and Salmonella Dublin. These three LAB strains tolerated hydrogen peroxide and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) reactive oxygen species levels in BJECs. In addition, L. plantarum C1 and C10 significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total antioxidant capacity in BJECs in the presence of 200 µmol/L hydrogen peroxide condition. L. plantarum A1, C1 and C10 are potential probiotics isolated from pineapple residual silage. This study aims to promote pineapple residue's utilization in the feed industry.

Exposure to p40 in Early Life Prevents Intestinal Inflammation in Adulthood Through Inducing a Long-Lasting Epigenetic Imprint on TGFß.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Colonization by gut microbiota in early life confers beneficial effects on immunity throughout the host's lifespan. We sought to elucidate the mechanisms whereby neonatal supplementation with p40, a probiotic functional factor, reprograms intestinal epithelial cells for protection against adult-onset intestinal inflammation. METHODS: p40 was used to treat young adult mouse colonic (YAMC) epithelial cells with and without deletion of a methyltransferase, su(var)3-9, enhancer-of-zeste and trithorax domain-containing 1ß (Setd1ß), and mice in early life or in adulthood. Anti-transforming growth factor ß (TGFß)-neutralizing antibodies were administered to adult mice with and without colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid or dextran sulfate sodium. We examined Setd1b and Tgfb gene expression, TGFß production, monomethylation and trimethylation of histone H3 on the lysine 4 residue (H3K4me1/3), H3K4me3 enrichment in Tgfb promoter, differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and the inflammatory status. RESULTS: p40 up-regulated expression of Setd1b in YAMC cells. Accordingly, p40 enhanced H3K4me1/3 in YAMC cells in a Setd1ß-dependent manner. p40-regulated Setd1ß mediated programming the TGFß locus into a transcriptionally permissive chromatin state and promoting TGFß production in YAMC. Furthermore, transient exposure to p40 during the neonatal period and in adulthood resulted in the immediate increase in Tgfb gene expression. However, only neonatal p40 supplementation induced the sustained H3K4me1/3 and Tgfb gene expression that persisted into adulthood. Interfering with TGFß function by neutralizing antibodies diminished the long-lasting effects of neonatal p40 supplementation on differentiation of Tregs and protection against colitis in adult mice. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to p40 in early life enables an epigenetic imprint on TGFß, leading to long-lasting production of TGFß by intestinal epithelial cells to expand Tregs and protect the gut against inflammation.

Characterization of surface layer proteins and its role in probiotic properties of three Lactobacillus strains.

The objective of this study was the characterization of the surface layer proteins (SLPs) and their functional role in the probiotic activity of Lactobacillus helveticus fb213, L. acidophilus fb116 and L. acidophilus fb214. SLPs were extracted and identified by SDS-PAGE, circular dichroism spectra and LC-MS analysis. The results revealed that the molecular masses of the three proteins were 49.7 kDa, 46.0 kDa and 44.6 kDa, respectively. The secondary structures and amino acid compositions of the three proteins were found to be similar. After removing SLPs, the survival of the three lactobacilli in simulated gastric and intestinal juices was reduced by 2-3log as compared with survival of the intact cells. And the adhesion ability of the three strains to HT-29 cells decreased by 61%, 65% and 92%, respectively. SLPs also inhibited the adhesion and invasion of Escherichia coli ATCC 43893 to HT-29 cells. These results suggest that SLPs are advantageous barriers for lactobacilli in the gastrointestinal tract, and these proteins help make it possible for lactobacilli to serve their probiotic functions.