Corrigendum: Effect of balloon pulmonary angioplasty on cardio-ankle vascular index and biventricular remodeling in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1325846.].

Achievement of adequate nutrition contributes to maintaining the skeletal muscle area in patients with sepsis undergoing early mobilization: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The onset of muscle loss in critically ill patients, known as intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW), worsens their outcomes. Preventing muscle loss, which begins in the early phase of critical illness, is crucial in patient care. Adequate nutrition management may contribute to maintaining muscles; however, its evidence in patients with sepsis is insufficient. This study aimed to analyze the association between energy achievement rate in the first 7-days of critical care and muscle area changes evaluated by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital in Japan were included. They were divided into three groups according to tertiles of the first 7-day energy achievement rate calculated using administered energy doses and basement energy expenditure. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) and changes in SMA were determined by CT on ICU admission and within days 7-10 of ICU admission. SMA maintenance was defined as SMA change ≥ 100%. Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association of energy achievement rate with SMA changes (primary outcome) and in-hospital 28-day mortality (secondary outcome). RESULTS: Patients (n = 93) were classified into low, middle, and high groups according to their 7-day energy achievement rate (median rates, 16.8%, 38.8%, and 73.4%, respectively). The CT scans showed that SMA decreased between the CT scans in the low and middle groups, whereas it was maintained in the high group (median changes, -8.5%, -11.7%, and 2.8%, respectively). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that high energy achievement rate was significantly associated with SMA maintenance (reference, middle energy achieved group; univariate, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 6.23 [2.04-19.10], P = 0.0013; multivariate, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 5.92 [1.90-18.40], P = 0.0021). There was no significant difference in the association between energy achievement rate and mortality among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that a fulfillment of energy achievement in the first 7 days of hospitalization was associated with maintenance of muscle area. Thus, satisfying adequate energy should be considered even in patients with sepsis.

Effect of balloon pulmonary angioplasty on cardio-ankle vascular index and biventricular remodeling in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is caused by organized pulmonary thrombi, and pulmonary endarterectomy is the only curative treatment. Since balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has become an established therapeutic option for inoperable CTEPH, prognosis has improved. Recent reports suggest that arterial stiffness evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) may play an important role in the cardio-vascular interaction in CTEPH; however, the details remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the role of CAVI in CTEPH through hemodynamic changes and ventricular remodeling after BPA. Methods and results: A total of 23 patients with CTEPH who had undergone BPA were enrolled in this study. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and CAVI significantly decreased after BPA [mPAP, 34 (26-45) mmHg to 20 (19-24) mmHg, p < 0.0001; CAVI, 9.4 (8.0-10.3) to 8.3 (7.5-9.6), p = 0.004]. The echocardiographic right ventricle was significantly decreased, and the left ventricular volume was significantly increased after BPA, indicating significant biventricular remodeling after BPA. Changes in CAVI (ΔCAVI) significantly correlated with changes in mPAP (r = 0.45, p = 0.03). Additionally, ΔCAVI was significantly correlated with changes in both right ventricular area and left ventricular volume. Conclusions: Arterial stiffness, evaluated using the CAVI, improved after BPA. Changes in CAVI were significantly correlated with changes in pulmonary arterial pressure and biventricular remodeling. CAVI may play an important role in cardiovascular interactions in patients with CTEPH.

Study of the Responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Difference of the Trunk Impairment Scale in Patients With Acute Stroke.

Background: Trunk function is a prerequisite for functional activity; thus, it is crucial to carry out proper assessments and interventions. However, there is no clear indicator for trunk function evaluation in patients with stroke. To understand the effects of interventions over time, it is important to adopt responsive clinical indicators. Purpose: To examine the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) (Fujiwara version) in terms of responsiveness and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Methods: In total, 55 patients who experienced an acute stroke were evaluated on the seventh day of hospitalization and the day before discharge. The responsiveness of the TIS was assessed by the effect size and standardized response mean (SRM). Additionally, an MCID study was conducted to examine the amount of change in TIS scores required to indicate a clinically meaningful change, which was determined by the presence or absence of improvement in the activities of daily living. Results: The SRM of the TIS was 1.42. Additionally, the MCID was determined to be 3 points. Conclusion: The TIS score improved over time and a 3-point improvement in the TIS score was associated with improvement in the activities of daily living. Thus, this scale's clinical sensitivity and MCID have been established in patients with stroke.

A Case of Young Obese Heart Failure Patient Using Multidisciplinary Treatment Centered on the Fantastic Four Improved Cardio Ankle Vascular Index and Cardiac Function.

Obesity-induced heart failure (HF) in young people is a serious problem. The treatments for HF have developed in recent years. The following four basic HF drugs have been widely recognized as the "Fantastic Four": beta-adrenergic blocking agents, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors), and angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI). However, the interaction between the heart and blood vessels has not received much attention. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an arterial stiffness index that is unaffected by blood pressure at the time of measurement. A 34-year-old obese man was admitted with dyspnea and edema. His cardiac function was severely impaired, and CAVI was increased. After administration of multidisciplinary HF treatment centered on the "Fantastic Four", his cardiac function and CAVI improved dramatically in a short time period. This case suggests the importance of improvement both cardiac and vascular function for the treatment of HF.

Determination of Peak Oxygen Uptake in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Role of Arterial Stiffness in Cardio-Vascular-Skeletal Muscle Coupling.

The relationship between arterial stiffness and oxygen uptake (VO2) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate this relationship and factors contributing to VO2 in patients with AMI. The role of arterial stiffness in cardio-skeletal muscle coupling during exercise was then elucidated. Upon discharge, we measured exercise capacity using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), assessed arterial stiffness with the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and determined body composition to assess the skeletal muscle mass of 101 patients with AMI. Patients were categorized based on their CAVI scores into three groups: (i) normal (CAVI: ≤7.9), (ii) borderline (CAVI: 8.0-8.9), and (iii) abnormal (CAVI: ≥9.0). Subsequently, VO2 was compared among these groups. The relationship between the CAVI and VO2 Peak during CPX and factors contributing to VO2 Peak were investigated. The abnormal CAVI group had a significantly lower VO2 Peak than the normal and borderline groups. The CAVI was associated with VO2 Peak. Furthermore, the CAVI was found to be a factor contributing to VO2 Peak. These findings suggest that arterial stiffness in tissue blood distribution and blood supply causes systemic exercise limits in patients with AMI. This suggests that arterial stiffness plays a significant role in cardio-vascular-skeletal muscle coupling.

Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index Reflects the Efficacy of Waon Therapy in Heart Failure Patients.

Waon therapy is a form of thermal treatment in a dry sauna developed by Tei. Although Waon therapy is reportedly effective for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, not all patients respond to the therapy. The reason for this ineffectiveness has not been fully clarified. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an index of arterial stiffness of the arterial tree from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, and it is thought to reflect some of the afterload of the left ventricle. We investigated the effects of Waon therapy on CAVI and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level to clarify the usefulness of CAVI during Waon therapy.CHF patients (n = 21) treated with Waon therapy (2 weeks of 10 sessions) were divided into two groups: responders with an improved BNP level (n = 11) and nonresponders with no improvement in BNP (n = 10). CAVI was measured using Vasela 1500.A significant decrease in CAVI (median and interquartile range) was observed in the responder group (from 10.3 [9.6, 11.6] to 9.6 [8.6, 10.3], P = 0.021), whereas no change was observed in the nonresponder group (from 9.6 [8.6, 10.5] to 9.5 [9.1, 11.2], P = 0.919). The incidence of rehospitalization or cardiac death due to heart failure was significantly higher in patients in whom Waon therapy was ineffective at 12 months of follow-up (log-rank P = 0.001).The effectiveness of Waon therapy in CHF patients may be reflected by the improvement in CAVI.

Increased Arterial Stiffness in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Was Improved with Riociguat and Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: The role of arterial stiffness in the pathophysiology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is unclear. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel arterial stiffness index reflecting stiffness of the arterial tree from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, independent from blood pressure at the time of measurement. CAVI reflects functional stiffness, due to smooth muscle cell contraction or relaxation, and organic stiffness, due to atherosclerosis. Here, we report the case of a patient with an increased CAVI due to CTEPH and the improvement after riociguat administration and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man suffered from dyspnea on exertion, and he was diagnosed with distal CTEPH. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 51 mmHg, and the initial CAVI was 10.0, which is high for patient's age. In addition to right ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular dysfunction was observed as reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS-LV). After riociguat administration, CAVI decreased to 9.1 and GLS-LV improved from -10.3% to -17.3%, although pulmonary hypertension remained (mPAP 41 mmHg). Subsequently, a total of five BPA sessions were performed. Six months after the final BPA, mPAP decreased to 19 mmHg and GLS-LV improved to 19.3%. The patient was symptom free and his 6-minute walk distance improved from 322 m to 510 m. CAVI markedly decreased to 5.8, which is extremely low for his age. CONCLUSION: These observations suggested that arterial stiffness as measured by CAVI was increased in CTEPH, potentially deteriorating cardiac function because of enhanced afterload. The mechanism of the increase of CAVI in this case of CTEPH was obscure; however, riociguat administration and BPA might improve the pathophysiology of CTEPH partly by decreasing CAVI.

Large-scale preparation and glycan characterization of sialylglycopeptide from bovine milk glycomacropeptide and its bifidogenic properties.

Bovine glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 7,000-Da glycopolypeptide released from κ-casein during cheese making. The O-glycan chains linked to GMP have many biological activities, but their utilization for nutraceutical products is limited due to their low content. To concentrate the functional glycan chains of GMP, we prepared sialylglycopeptide concentrate (SGC) from GMP-containing whey protein concentrate via proteolytic digestion of peptide chains and concentration of sialylglycopeptide by ultrafiltration using membranes with a molecular weight cut-off of 1,000 Da. The abundant saccharides detected in the prepared SGC were N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac: 32.3% wt/wt), N-acetylgalactosamine (11.3%), and galactose (10.2%), which constitute O-glycans attached to GMP. The Neu5Ac content in SGC was found concentrated at approximately 4.8-fold of its content in GMP-containing whey protein concentrate (6.8%). Structural analysis of O-glycopeptides by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry identified 88 O-glycopeptides. Moreover, O-acetylated or O-diacetylated Neu5Ac was detected in addition to the previously characterized O-glycans of GMP. Quantitative analysis of O-glycan in SGC by fluorescence labeling of chemically released O-glycan revealed that a disialylated tetrasaccharide was the most abundant glycan (76.6% of the total O-glycan). We further examined bifidogenic properties of SGC in vitro, which revealed that SGC served as a more potent carbon source than GMP and contributes to the growth-promoting effects on certain species of bifidobacteria. Overall, our study findings indicate that SGC contains abundant O-glycans and has a bifidogenic activity. Moreover, the protocol for the preparation of SGC described herein is relatively simple, providing a high yield of glycan, and can be used for large-scale preparation.

Physical Function and Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in Elderly Heart Failure Patients.

The number of heart failure patients is increasing rapidly in Japan because of its large elderly population. As age increases, arterial stiffness and physical dysfunction progress. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the physical function and arterial stiffness in elderly heart failure patients.This retrospective, observational study includes data from 100 heart failure patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to our hospital and underwent cardiac rehabilitation. The Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) was measured as an indicator of arterial stiffness. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. To determine the degree of physical function, we assessed handgrip strength, five-meter walk speed (5MWS), five-repetition sit-to-stand time (5RSST) and six-minute walk distance (6MWD). Sarcopenia was defined using Asian guidelines based on physical function and body composition.Among 100 patients, 47.0% of patients had sarcopenia. After adjustments for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic cardiomyopathy, CAVI was significantly higher in with sarcopenia patients than those without sarcopenia. Age, handgrip strength, 5MWS, 5RSST, and 6MWD were associated with CAVI, and 6MWD was as an independent determinant factor of CAVI.6MWD was recognized as an accurate physical function indicator. These findings suggested that physical function and arterial stiffness complement each other. To restore cardiac dysfunction, improving both arterial stiffness and physical function might be useful.

Observation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 using the Tokuyasu method.

Some species of lactic acid bacteria used for the production of natural cheese produce exopolysaccharides (EPS). Electron microscopy is useful for analyzing the microstructure of EPS produced by lactic acid bacteria. However, pretreatments used to observe the microstructure of EPS by electron microscopy, such as dehydration and resin embedding, can result in EPS flowing out easily from the cell. Therefore, in this study, the Tokuyasu method was conducted on cryosection to reduce EPS outflow. Two types of observation method, namely, using lectin and ruthenium red, were conducted in an attempt to observe EPS produced by Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171. Observation using the lectin method confirmed that colloidal gold particles conjugated with a lectin recognizing ß-galactoside were present in the capsule. Structures that appeared to be ß-galactoside-containing slime polysaccharides that were released from the cell wall were also observed. Observation using ruthenium red showed that capsular polysaccharides (CPS) in the capsule were present as a net-like structure. Colloidal gold conjugation with an anti-ß-lactoglobulin antibody, in addition to ruthenium red staining, allowed the identification of slime polysaccharides released from the cell wall in the milk protein network derived from the culture medium. Based on these results, the Tokuyasu method was considered to be a useful pretreatment method to clarify and observe the presence of EPS. In particular, both CPS in the capsule and slime exopolysaccharides released from the cell wall were visualized.

Urodynamic and gait analyses in multiple system atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Limited attention has been paid to the relationship between bladder dysfunction and motor disorder in multiple system atrophy (MSA). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to correlate pressure-flow urodynamic parameters with video-gait analysis parameters in MSA. METHODS: We recruited 34 patients with MSA: 20 men, 14 women; age 64.0 + - 7.9 years; disease duration 2 years (1-4 years). Nineteen cases had the cerebellar form, and 15 had the parkinsonian form; the patients were taking levodopa 300 mg/day (100-400 mg). All patients underwent pressure-flow urodynamics (parameters: detrusor overactivity [noted in 72%] and Watts factor) and video-gait analysis (parameters: time and the number of strides taken to walk 5 m (simple task) and time for timed up and go (complex task). Statistical analysis was done using Student's t-test to analyze the relation between detrusor overactivity and gait, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test to analyze the relation between the remaining parameters and gait. RESULTS: We found no relation between filling-phase urodynamics (detrusor overactivity) and video-gait analysis parameters. Also, we found no relation between voiding-phase urodynamics (Watts factor, reflecting detrusor power) and all three video-gait analysis parameters in our MSA patients. CONCLUSION: The fact that neither detrusor overactivity nor the Watts factor was related with motor disorders in the present study suggests that bladder dysfunction occurs independently from motor disorder in MSA.

Effect of Alcohols on the Phase Behavior and Emulsification of a Sucrose Fatty Acid Ester/Water/Edible Oil System.

The effect of alcohols (ethanol, 1-propanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, sucrose) on the phase behavior and emulsification of sucrose stearic acid ester (SSE)/water/edible vegetable oil (EVO) systems was investigated. Adding sucrose, propylene glycol, and glycerin narrowed the oil-separated two-phase region in the phase diagram of the SSE/water/EVO systems, whereas adding ethanol and 1-propanol expanded the oil-separated two-phase region. Changing the course of emulsification in the phase diagram showed that the size of the oil-droplet particle typically decreased in a system with a narrowed oil-separated region. The emulsification properties of the systems varied with respect to changes in the phase diagram. The microstructure of the systems was examined using small-angle X-ray scattering, and the ability to retain the oil in the lamellar structure of the SSEs was suggested as an important role in emulsification, because the mechanism of the systems was the same as that for the liquid crystal emulsification method.

Luminol Chemiluminescence Profile of O/W Emulsions during Thermal Oxidation.

The luminol chemiluminescence (CL) profile of an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion during thermal oxidation (60°C) was assessed using the luminol-K3[Fe(CN)6] assay, in which the oxidation species produced by the autoxidation of an O/W emulsion generated CL emission. Increased CL intensity was observed for O/W emulsions prepared using either linseed or corn oil, which was increased by the addition of Fe2+ to the O/W emulsion. The relationship between the CL profile and results obtained by conventional approaches, such as the peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods, were compared. Owing to good correlation between the CL intensity and results obtained by the methods, the CL method might be applicable for estimating the oil oxidizing of an emulsion in thermal oxidation.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 inhibits adipose tissue inflammation and intestinal permeability in mice fed a high-fat diet.

The probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has anti-obesity effects. Obesity is closely correlated with inflammation in adipose tissue, and maintaining adipose tissue in a less-inflamed state requires intestinal integrity or a barrier function to protect the intestine from the disruption that can be caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, we examined the anti-inflammatory and intestinal barrier-protecting effects of LG2055 in C57BL/6 mice fed a normal-fat diet (NFD), HFD, or the HFD containing LG2055 (HFD-LG) for 21 weeks. HFD-LG intake significantly prevented HFD-induced increases in body weight, visceral fat mass, and the ratio of inflammatory-type macrophages to anti-inflammatory ones in adipose tissue. Mice fed the HFD showed higher intestinal permeability to a fluorescent dextran administered by oral administration and an elevated concentration of antibodies specific to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the blood compared with those fed the NFD, suggesting an increased penetration of the gut contents into the systemic circulation. These elevations of intestinal permeability and anti-LPS antibody levels were significantly suppressed in mice fed the HFD-LG. Moreover, treatment with LG2055 cells suppressed an increase in the cytokine-induced permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers. These results suggest that LG2055 improves the intestinal integrity, reducing the entry of inflammatory substances like LPS from the intestine, which may lead to decreased inflammation in adipose tissue.

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 improves glucose tolerance and reduces body weight gain in rats by stimulating energy expenditure.

Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) reduces postprandial TAG absorption and exerts anti-obesity effects in rats and humans; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we addressed the mechanistic insights of the anti-obesity activity of LG2055 by feeding Sprague-Dawley rats diets containing skimmed milk fermented or not by LG2055 for 4 weeks and by analysing energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, the levels of SCFA in the caecum and serum inflammatory markers. Rats fed the LG2055-containing diet demonstrated significantly higher carbohydrate oxidation in the dark cycle (active phase for rats) compared with the control group, which resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure. LG2055 significantly reduced cumulative blood glucose levels (AUC) compared with the control diet after 3 weeks and increased the molar ratio of butyrate:total SCFA in the caecum after 4 weeks. Furthermore, the LG2055-supplemented diet significantly reduced the levels of serum amyloid P component - an indicator of the inflammatory process. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, in addition to the inhibition of dietary TAG absorption reported previously, the intake of probiotic LG2055 enhanced energy expenditure via carbohydrate oxidation, improved glucose tolerance and attenuated inflammation, suggesting multiple additive and/or synergistic actions underlying the anti-obesity effects exerted by LG2055.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 suppresses fatty acid release through enlargement of fat emulsion size in vitro and promotes fecal fat excretion in healthy Japanese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has been shown to prevent abdominal adiposity, and suppression of lipid absorption is considered a possible mechanism, detail of which, however, are poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of LG2055 on fat hydrolysis by determining pancreatic lipase activity and fat emulsion properties in vitro. We also examined whether LG2055 influences fecal fat excretion in humans. METHODS: Pancreatic lipase activity was investigated in vitro using an artificially prepared fat emulsion and 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate (4-MUO) as substrates. The concentrations of free fatty acids and 4-methylumbelliferone were quantified. Fat emulsion droplet size was measured using a particle size analyzer. The clinical study was performed as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects consumed 100 g of fermented milk (FM)/d, either with or without LG2055 supplementation, for seven days. Fecal samples were collected during three-day pre-observational and FM intake periods and fecal fat levels were determined. RESULTS: LG2055 dose-dependently suppressed lipase activity in the fat emulsion assay but not in the 4-MUO assay. LG2055 dose-dependently increased fat emulsion droplet size. The effects of LG2055 on lipase activity and fat emulsion properties were increased compared with four other tested strains (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT0317, Lactobacillus gasseri JCM1131T, Lactobacillus. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus JCM1002T and Streptococcus thermophilus ATCC19258T). In our clinical study, fecal fat level after FM intake was significantly increased compared with that observed before FM intake in the LG2055-containing active FM group but not the control FM group lacking LG2055. CONCLUSIONS: LG2055 increased fat emulsion droplet size, resulting in the suppression of lipase-mediated fat hydrolysis. The influence of LG2055 on the physicochemical properties of fat emulsion provides a mechanism for the probiotic-mediated suppression of lipid absorption and promotion of fecal fat excretion in humans. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000015772.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 induces TGF-ß expression in dendritic cells and activates TLR2 signal to produce IgA in the small intestine.

Probiotic bacteria provide benefits in enhancing host immune responses and protecting against infection. Induction of IgA production by oral administration of probiotic bacteria in the intestine has been considered to be one reason for this beneficial effect, but the mechanisms of the effect are poorly understood. Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) is a probiotic bacterium with properties such as bile tolerance, ability to improve the intestinal environment, and it has preventive effects related to abdominal adiposity. In this study, we have found that oral administration of LG2055 induced IgA production and increased the rate of IgA(+) cell population in Peyer's patch and in the lamina propria of the mouse small intestine. The LG2055 markedly increased the amount of IgA in a co-culture of B cells and bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC), and TLR2 signal is critical for it. In addition, it is demonstrated that LG2055 stimulates BMDC to promote the production of TGF-ß, BAFF, IL-6, and IL-10, all critical for IgA production from B cells. Combined stimulation of B cells with BAFF and LG2055 enhanced the induction of IgA production. Further, TGF-ß signal was shown to be critical for LG2055-induced IgA production in the B cell and BMDC co-culture system, but TGF-ß did not induce IgA production in a culture of only B cells stimulated with LG2055. Furthermore, TGF-ß was critical for the production of BAFF, IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-ß itself from LG2055-stimulated BMDC. These results demonstrate that TGF-ß was produced by BMDC stimulated with LG2055 and it has an autocrine/paracrine function essential for BMDC to induce the production of BAFF, IL-6, and IL-10.

Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 reduces postprandial and fasting serum non-esterified fatty acid levels in Japanese hypertriacylglycerolemic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) inhibits dietary fat absorption in rats and exerts preventive effects on abdominal adiposity in rats and humans. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of LG2055 on postprandial serum lipid responses in Japanese subjects with hypertriacylglycerolemia after the intake of oral fat-loading test (OFLT) meals. METHODS: We conducted a single-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject, repeated-measure intervention trial. Twenty subjects initially ingested the fermented milk (FM) without LG2055 for 4 weeks (control FM period), followed by a 4-week washout period, and then consumed FM containing LG2055 for 4 weeks (active FM period). The subjects were asked to consume FM at 200 g/day. At the end of each 4-week period, an 8-h OFLT was conducted. Blood samples were collected at fasting and every hour for 8 h after OFLT meal intake. Thereafter, postprandial serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels and fasting blood parameters were measured. RESULTS: The OFLT showed that the postprandial serum NEFA levels from 120 to 480 min and the postprandial serum TAG level at 120 min in the active FM period were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in the control FM period. The fasting serum NEFA level in the active FM period significantly (P < 0.001) decreased at week 4 from the initial period compared with the control FM period. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of probiotic LG2055 reduced postprandial and fasting serum NEFA levels, suggesting its possible contribution to the reduction of the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000011605.

Anti-obesity effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 accompanied by inhibition of pro-inflammatory gene expression in the visceral adipose tissue in diet-induced obese mice.

PURPOSE: Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has an anti-obesity effect although it is unknown whether the effect influences inflammatory responses in adipose tissue and lipid metabolism in the liver, which are considered substantially relevant to adiposity. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed a 10%-fat diet containing LG2055 cells for 24 weeks. We then studied body weight, fat tissue mass, liver fat content and inflammatory genes in the adipose tissue, and lipogenic and lipolytic genes in the liver. RESULTS: Consumption of LG2055 resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and fat tissue mass (epididymal and perirenal/retroperitoneal), with a lowered level of triglyceride content in the liver. DNA microarray analysis showed that LG2055 generally inhibited the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including CCL2 and CCR2, in the epididymal adipose tissue. In the liver, LG2055 tended to inhibit lipogenic gene up-regulation, including ACC1, FAS and SREBP1, but LG2055 did not markedly alter lipolytic genes. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the DNA microarray results in part, showing a significant reduction in the mRNA expression of CCL2 in the epididymal adipose tissue, and a downward tendency in FAS mRNA expression in the liver, in the LG2055-fed group. CONCLUSIONS: LG2055 significantly prevented body weight gain, fat accumulation and pro-inflammatory gene expression in the adipose tissue. Relatively lower triglyceride levels and reduced expression of lipogenic genes were also observed in the liver. It is suggested that improvement in the inflammatory state of the adipose tissue might be a possible mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effect of LG2055.