Hydrolysis of oligosaccharides in the gastrointestinal tract alters their prebiotic effects on probiotic strains.

Oligosaccharides have been widely used as prebiotics in the food industry, however their properties have been examined in vitro, without considering hydrolysis in the human digestive tract, especially in the small intestine. Here, we hypothesized that the prebiotic effects and utilization efficiency of ingested oligosaccharides would be altered in the colon, as their structures are partially hydrolyzed during digestion. Different types of oligosaccharides were partially degraded during simulated digestion, and digestible monosaccharides were released from the initial substrates. The growth of some probiotic strains responded to the presence of digestible/absorbable mono- and disaccharides (components of the prebiotic oligosaccharides), but not to that of the oligosaccharides themselves. These findings regarding oligosaccharide degradation in the gastrointestinal tract can be used to achieve greater experimental accuracy when examining the effects of prebiotics on gut flora via in vitro studies (e.g., on fecal fermentation or microbial growth rates). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01474-z.

Lactobacillus brevis M2-Fermented Whey Protein Hydrolysate Increases Slow-Wave Sleep via GABAA Receptors in Rodent Models.

In this study, we investigated the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) fermented with Lactobacillus brevis on sleep behavior and GABAergic mechanisms in rodent models. Fermentation converted the glutamate in WPH to high (3.15 ± 0.21 mg/mL) levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Fermented WPH (WP-SF) enhanced sleep duration in mice by increasing GABA content in the brain. The increase in sleep duration induced by WP-SF resulted from an increase in delta wave activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep, and its sleep-promoting effect in a caffeine-induced insomnia model was characterized by an increase in delta waves. WP-SF increased GABAergic receptors at both mRNA and protein levels. Cotreatment with GABAA receptor antagonists abolished the sleep-promoting effects of WP-SF, indicating that WP-SF shares binding sites with antagonists on GABAA receptors. Collectively, WP-SF effectively increased sleep duration by enhancing delta wave activity through GABAergic activation; thus, it is suggested as a functional food-grade ingredient for promoting sleep.

Efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharide in the treatment of functional constipation: randomized clinical trial.

The efficacy and safety of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in treating functional constipation were evaluated in a four-week randomized, double-blind clinical trial on 63 patients who met Rome IV criteria (34 GOS, 29 placebo group). The number of bowel movements per day and changes in the shape of bowel movements in the treatment group significantly improved compared to those in the control group after four weeks. The Patient Assessment Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire showed that satisfaction with constipation significantly increased in the treatment group. The levels of Bifidobacterium sp. and Lactobacillus sp. significantly increased after four weeks of GOS treatment compared to those measured at baseline. No significant adverse drug reactions were identified in any indicator except for pulse rate. Thus, the prebiotic GOS can be safely used in foods and pharmaceuticals to alleviate symptoms of functional constipation by improving the intestinal flora.

Yeast Hydrolysate Inhibits Lipid Accumulation via Regulation of Lipid Accumulation-Related Genes in a Drosophila Model of High-Sugar Diet-Induced Obesity.

The increasing frequency of processed food consumption has led to the higher ingestion of sugar, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity. Yeast hydrolysates (YHs) inhibit body fat accumulation. However, the action mechanism of YH in relation to high-sugar diet-induced obesity is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the biological effects of YH on lipid accumulation and verify behavioral changes and carbohydrate metabolic gene regulation in high-sugar diet-fed fruit flies. Adult male flies (Drosophila melanogaster; 2-5 days old) were exposed to 20% sucrose for obesity induction. In high-sugar-fed Drosophila, the effect of YH was compared with that of yeast extract. The effects of YH on body conditions and lipid droplet size were quantified and analyzed. Behavioral factors were evaluated by analyzing circadian rhythm patterns and neurotransmitter content, and a molecular approach was used to analyze the expression of metabolism-related genes. Dietary supplementation with YH did not reduce total sugar content, but significantly decreased the triglyceride (TG) levels in Drosophila. A behavioral analysis showed that the total number of night-time activities increased significantly with YH treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, YH effectively regulated the gene expression of insulin-like peptides related to carbohydrate metabolism as well as genes related to lipogenesis. The TG content was significantly reduced at a YH concentration of 0.5%, confirming that the active compound in YH effectively suppresses fat accumulation. These findings support that YH is a potential anti-obesity food material via regulating carbohydrate metabolism in Drosophila.

Ameliorating the efficacy of galacto-oligosaccharides on ovalumin-induced allergic dermatitis symptoms in Balb/c mice by regulating Th2 immune response and the ecosystem of gut microbiota.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of oral administration of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), famous biological molecules that are comprised of galactose and lactose, on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic dermatitis. OVA-induced mice were divided into the OVA-administered group (OVA-C), promethazine hydrochloride-administered group (PC), and 100 and 200 mg kg-1 GOS-administered groups (GL and GH, respectively). GOS administration significantly improved epidermal thickness and decreased CD4+ cell numbers. The concentrations of IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and INF-γ) in GH group mice were significantly lower than those in OVA-C group mice. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were identified as the major phyla in the intestinal microbiota in mice, and the relative abundance of Deferribacteres was significantly lower in the GH group than in the OVA-C group. Deferribacteraceae and Mucispirillum species were significantly lower in the GH group than in the OVA-C group. The relative abundance of Muribaculum species was significantly lower, but those of Lachnospira and Lactococcus species were significantly higher in the GH group than in the OVA-C group. Our results suggest that the alleviation effect of GOS on allergic dermatitis induced by OVA sensitization was achieved by regulating hypersensitive immune responses by improving the intestinal microbial ecosystem.

Effects of Collagen-Tripeptide and Galacto-oligosaccharide Mixture on Skin Photoaging Inhibition in UVB-exposed Hairless Mice.

Collagen-tripeptide (CTP) and galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), which improve collagen homeostasis and barrier function in the skin, are widely used in the food industry to improve wrinkle-related parameters and skin health. In this study, the photoprotective effect of CTP/GOS mixtures (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) in ultraviolet (UV) B-irradiated hairless mice was examined. Skin parameter analysis, histological approaches, molecular biology techniques and HPLC analysis were applied to investigate the photoaging protective effect, signaling pathways and changes in the microbiota. Oral administration of CTP/GOS mixtures ameliorated photoaged physical parameters and serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to UV-irradiated control group. Administration of the 1:3 mixture showed significant changes in the extracellular matrix-related gene expression compared to other mixture groups. The cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content showed a significant increase in the CTP/GOS mixed group with a higher GOS content than the control group. In the 16S rRNA-based analysis of cecal microbiota, the relative abundance ratio of the Akkermansia genus belonging to the Verrucomicrobia phylum was higher in CTP and GOS mixture-administered groups than in the UV-irradiated control group. Taken together, CTP/GOS mixtures showed a synergistic effect on photoprotective activity through changes in the gene expression, cytokine levels and intestinal microbiota composition.

Surgical outcomes of 654 ulnar nerve lesions.

OBJECT: In this article the authors present a retrospective analysis of 654 surgical outcomes in patients with ulnar nerve entrapments, injuries, and tumors during a 30-year period. METHODS: Data were gathered between 1968 and 1998 at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Mechanisms of injuries or lesions included 460 entrapments at the elbow level (70%), 76 lacerations (12%), 52 stretches/contusions (8%), 34 fractures/dislocations (5%), 12 gunshot wounds (2%), two injection-induced injuries (0.3%), and 13 nerve sheath tumors (2%). In cases of entrapment, direct operative recordings uniformly demonstrated a slowing of conduction at the elbow, even in cases in which preoperative noninvasive studies had been nondiagnostic. Intraoperative electrical "inching" studies also demonstrated significant conduction abnormalities that lie just proximal to and through the olecranon notch rather than distal, beneath the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. There were only eight exceptions to this. Lesions not in continuity due to the injury required primary or secondary end-to-end sutures or graft repair. Aided by intraoperative nerve action potential recording, lesions in continuity received either external or internal neurolysis and split repair or resection followed by end-to-end suture or graft repair. Functional recoveries of Grade 3 or better were seen in 81 (92%) of 88 patients who underwent neurolysis, 42 (72%) of 58 patients who received suture repair, and 24 (67%) of 36 patients who received graft repair. Nevertheless, fewer Grade 4 or 5 recoveries were reached than those seen in patients with radial or median nerve injuries. Nerve sheath tumors were resected with preservation of preoperative function in five of seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although difficult to obtain, useful functional recovery can be achieved with proper surgical management of ulnar nerve entrapments and injuries.