Probiotic potential and safety assessment of type strains of Weissella and Periweissella species

Although numerous strains belonging to the Weissella genus have been described in the last decades for their probiotic and biotechnological potential, others are known to be opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Here, we investigated the probiotic potential of two Weissella and four Periweissella type strains belonging to the species Weissella diestrammenae, Weissella uvarum, Periweissella beninensis, Periweissella fabalis, Periweissella fabaria, and Periweissella ghanensis by genomic and phenotypic analyses, and performed a safety assessment of these strains. Based on the results of the survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit, autoaggregation and hydrophobicity characteristics, as well as adhesion to Caco-2 cells, we showed that the P. beninensis, P. fabalis, P. fabaria, P. ghanensis, and W. uvarum type strains exhibited a high probiotic potential. The safety assessment, based on the genomic analysis, performed by searching for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as on the phenotypic evaluation, by testing hemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility, allowed us to identify the P. beninensis type strain as a safe potential probiotic microorganism

Perinatal asphyxia and hypothermic treatment from the endocrine perspective

IntroductionPerinatal asphyxia is one of the three most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia represents the standard treatment for infants with moderate-severe perinatal asphyxia, resulting in reduction in the mortality and major neurodevelopmental disability. So far, data in the literature focusing on the endocrine aspects of both asphyxia and hypothermia treatment at birth are scanty, and many aspects are still debated. Aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the short- and long-term effects of perinatal asphyxia and of hypothermia treatment on the endocrine system, thus providing suggestions for improving the management of asphyxiated children.ResultsInvolvement of the endocrine system (especially glucose and electrolyte disturbances, adrenal hemorrhage, non-thyroidal illness syndrome) can occur in a variable percentage of subjects with perinatal asphyxia, potentially affecting mortality as well as neurological outcome. Hypothermia may also affect endocrine homeostasis, leading to a decreased incidence of hypocalcemia and an increased risk of dilutional hyponatremia and hypercalcemia.ConclusionsMetabolic abnormalities in the context of perinatal asphyxia are important modifiable factors that may be associated with a worse outcome. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of endocrine complication, in order to establish appropriate screening protocols and allow timely treatment

Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins

The present study aimed at evaluating the potential of an integrated process based on the use of membrane technology and adsorbent resins for the recovery, concentration and purification of phenolic compounds from artichoke wastewaters. In particular, artichoke wastewaters coming from the blanching step were pre-treated by ultrafiltration (UF) in order to remove suspended solids and macromolecular compounds. The UF permeate was submitted to a nanofiltration (NF) process producing a concentrated fraction enriched in phenolic and sugar compounds. Three different macroporous resins were tested through adsorption/desorption methods to produce purified phenolic fractions with high antioxidant activity. Samples produced in UF, NF and adsorption desorption tests were assayed for phenolic composition (chlorogenic acid and apigenin 7-O-glucoside), sugar composition (fructose, glucose and sucrose) and antioxidant activity. Among the three different tested resins, the S 7968 offered the best performance in terms of adsorption/desorption ratio for chlorogenic acid, with a total adsorption/desorption yield (TADY) of 63.39%; for the apigenin 7-O-glucoside the S 7968 and the S 2328 resins showed a TADY in the range 68.31-78.45%. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Authors acknowledge the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion of the "Universitat Politecnica de Valencia" for the financial support (project 1965) from the call "Proyectos de Nuevas Lineas de Investigacion Mul-tidisciplinares (PAID05-11)".Conidi, C.; Rodríguez López, AD.; Garcia-Castello, EM.; Cassano, A. (2015). Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins. Separation and Purification Technology. 144(1):153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.02.025S153161144

Dose-dependent lipid peroxidation induction on ex vivo intestine tracts exposed to chyme samples from fumonisins contaminated corn samples.

Fumonisins (FBs), Fusarium mycotoxins common food contaminant, are a potent inducer of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in intestinal cells. In order to verify this toxic effect in intestine tract, the aim was to assess lipid peroxidation (as malondialdehyde MDA increased levels) on intestine rat samples exposed to chyme samples from in vitro digestion of FBs contaminated corn samples. Naturally (9.61±3.2 μg/gr), artificially (726±94 μg/gr) and spiked corn samples at EU permitted FBs levels were digested and added to luminal side of Ussing chamber for 120 min. Fumonisins-free corn sample was used as control. The MDA increase was observed just in 83% of intestine samples exposed at EU FBs levels and the digestion process seems to reduce this incidence (50% of samples). Malondialdehyde levels were FBs dose- and subject-related and ranged from 0.07±0.01 to 3.59±0.6 nmol/mg. Highest incidence and MDA % increment (I) were found when intestine tracts were exposed to chymes from artificially corn sample. The induction of lipid peroxidation induced by FBs could be due to interactions between FBs and intestinal membranes, with consequent modifications in membrane permeability and oxygen diffusion-concentration, as suggested by other authors

Influence on functional parameters of intestinal tract induced by short-term exposure to fumonisins contaminated corn chyme samples.

The gut is a possible target toward mycotoxin Fumonisins (FBs) exposure. The study aims to investigate the effects induced by FBs contaminated-corn chyme samples on functional parameters of human and rat intestine by using Ussing chamber. Fumonisins-contaminated corn and processed corn samples were undergone to in vitro digestion process and then added to luminal side. A reduction (about 90%) of short circuit current (Isc μA/cm2) during exposure of human colon tissues to fumonisins-free corn chyme samples was observed, probably related to increased chyme osmolality. This hyperosmotic stress could drain water towards the luminal compartment, modifying Na+ and Cl- transports. The presence of FBs in corn chyme samples, independently to their concentration, did not affect significantly the Isc, probably related to their interference toward epithelial Na+ transport, as assessed by using a specific inhibitor (Amiloride). The rat colon tract represents a more accessible model to study FBs toxicity showing a similar functional response to human. In the rat small intestine a significant reduction (about 15%) of Isc parameter during exposure to uncontaminated or FBs contaminated corn chyme samples was observed; therefore such model was not suitable to assess the FBs toxicity, probably because the prevalent glucose and amino acids electrogenic absorption overwhelmed the FBs influence on ionic transport

Toxic mechanisms induced by Fumonisin B1 mycotoxin on human intestinal cell line.

The gastrointestinal tract is the main target of exposure to mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1), common natural contaminant in food. Previous studies reported that proliferating cells are more sensitive than confluent cells to the toxic effect of FB1. This study aims to investigate, by dose- and time-dependent experiments on human colon proliferating intestinal cell line (HT-29), the modifications induced by FB1 at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 69 μM. The choice of highest FB1 concentration considered the low toxicity previously reported on intestinal cell lines, whereas the lowest one corresponded to the lower FBs levels permitted by European Commission Regulation. Different functional parameters were tested such as cell proliferation, oxidative status, immunomodulatory effect and changes in membrane microviscosity. In addition FB1-FITC localization in this cell line was assessed by using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Lipid peroxidation induction was the main and early (12 h) effect induced by FB1 at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 69 μM, followed by inhibition of cell proliferation (up to 8.6 μM), the immunomodulatory effect (up to 17.2 μM), by assessing IL-8 secretion, and increase in membrane microviscosity (up to 34.5 μM). The toxic effects observed in different functional parameters were not dose-dependent and could be the consequence of the FB1 intracytoplasmatic localization as confirmed by confocal microscopy results. The different timescales and concentrations active of different functional parameters could suggest different cellular targets of FB1

High degradation and no bioavailability of artichoke miRNAs assessed using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model

Although the cross-kingdom transfer of vegetable miRNAs (miRNAs) in mammalian species, including humans, is still controversial, recent studies have rejected this theory. Based on these recent studies, we hypothesized that artichoke-derived miRNAs (cca-miRNAs) are not adsorbed into human intestinal cells after cooking and in vitro digestion. In order to test this hypothesis, we evaluated miRNA (cca-miRNAs) in the edible part of globe artichokes (head portion), after cooking and digestion by an in vitro digestion system. The cca-miRNA levels were analyzed by real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and those that withstood cooking and digestion conditions were further analyzed for their bioavailability using an in vitro system (Caco-2/TC7 cell clone). We detected 20 cca-miRNAs after cooking, 5 of which were statistically down-regulated in comparison with uncooked samples. Only 4 cca-miRNAs were found after in vitro digestion. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we also evaluated the extracellular vesicles (EVs) in homogenized artichoke as possible miRNA transporters. However, approximately 81% were degraded after cooking, while the remaining EVs had changed shape from round to elliptical. Finally, we detected no cell-free cca-miRNAs, miRNAs bound to protein complex, and no cca-miRNAs encapsulated in EVs inside Caco-2 cells or in basolateral medium after bioavailability experiments. In conclusion, the data from the present study agrees with recent findings that the human small intestine does not uptake dietary miRNAs from raw or cooked artichoke heads