Intake of Blueberry Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum

Prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics can be used as means to regulate the microbiota to exert preventative or beneficial effects to the host. However, not much is known about the effect of the gut microbiota on hypertension which is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease and also a symptom of the metabolic syndrome. The N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertensive rats were used in order to test the effect of a synbiotic dietary supplement of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL19 either together with fermented blueberry or with three phenolic compounds synthesized during fermentation. The experimental diets did not lower the blood pressure after 4 weeks. However, the fermented blueberries together with live L. plantarum showed protective effect on liver cells indicated by suppressed increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels. The diversity of the caecal microbiota was neither affected by L-NAME nor the experimental diets. However, inhibition of the nitric oxide synthesis by L-NAME exerted a selection pressure that led to a shift in the bacterial composition. The mixture of fermented blueberries with the bacterial strain altered the caecal microbiota in different direction compared to L-NAME, while the three phenolic compounds together with the bacteria eliminated the selection pressure from the L-NAME

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus plantarum

Objective. To clarify the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on the salivary cortisol and salivary IgA levels in young adults under examination stress. Design. Forty-one students with an upcoming academic exam were included in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The probiotic bacteria or the placebo product was administered in capsules once a day during 14 days. Saliva was collected and a perceived stress test was filled out at each sampling occasion. Saliva was collected for cortisol analysis by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLI) and salivary IgA was analysed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Abundance of lactobacilli was evaluated by cultivation of saliva on selective medium and identification of L. plantarum 299v was done on randomly selected colonies by a random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing. Results. A significant difference in cortisol levels was found between the treatment group and the placebo group (P < 0.05), together with a significant increase in levels of lactobacilli in the treatment group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). No significant changes were found for salivary IgA. Conclusion. A probiotic bacterium with ability to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) prohibited increased levels of the stress marker cortisol during the examination period. The registration number of the study is NCT02974894, and the study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov

Characterization of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae innate interactions with human cells

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a human pathogen causing diseases in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Otitis media-prone children and adults with cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are repeatedly infected by NTHi Research in recent years brought to light the entry and survival of NTHi in epithelial cells and macrophages. Their internalization could be a means for the bacteria to escape the local immunity or the activity of antibiotics and to persist within the respiratory tract. In the present thesis we have investigated the interactions of NTHi with human cells under nonopsonic conditions. We report that NTHi enters human epithelial and monocytic cells through a receptor-mediated endocytosis that requires microfilament and microtubuli polymerization. The adherence of NTHi to the cells and the subsequent internalization are events highly dependent on beta-glucan receptors on the eukaryotic cell surface. Moreover, the bacterial beta-glucans are pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) also involved in the NTHi-induced activation of eosinophils. Incubation of eosinophils with either bacteria or a beta-glucn derivative resulted in a time and dose-dependent production of hydrogen peroxide (respiratory burst). Furthermore, the inflammation triggered by NTHi is induced in the presence of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), in conjunction with membrane CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In addition, we show that protein D, expressed on the surface of all H. influenzae strains, contributes to a more efficient binding and entry of NTHi into human monocytes. Finally, we present a new in vitro model system for studying the activity of antibacterial drugs against intracellular NTHi

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein increases toll-like receptor 4-dependent activation by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections. This study investigated the ability of NTHi to bind lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) derived from respiratory epithelial cells and the subsequent stimulation of transfected cells expressing membrane-bound CD14 and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4. In the absence of LBP, NTHi at high concentrations (100 bacteria/epithelial cell) were required to induce signals through TLR2 and TLR4. Flow cytometry showed that NTHi in the stationary phase bound more LBP than did log-phase bacteria. Of interest, as few as 1 LBP-bearing bacterium/cell induced strong signaling through TLR4. In contrast, LBP bound to NTHi did not promote any increased signaling mediated by TLR2, compared with NTHi without LBP. These data suggest that, upon NTHi infection, low numbers of bacteria binding LBP may activate TLR4-bearing cells, such as alveolar macrophages, and consequently induce an inflammatory response

Protein D expression promotes the adherence and internalization of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae into human monocytic cells

Protein D, having a glycerol-3-phosphodiester phosphodiesterase activity, is found at the surface of all Haemophilus influenzae strains and is a possible virulence factor. In the present study, the involvement of protein D in the entry of NTHi into human monocytic cells is reported. Primary monocytes and the monocytic cell lines U-937 and THP-1 were infected with NTHi strain 772 and the mutant 772 Delta hpd 1 (lacking the gene for protein D). NTHi 772 adhered to and entered monocytic cells up to four-fold more efficiently compared to 772 Delta hpd 1. When an Escherichia coli transformant expressing protein D was incubated with monocytic cells, the number of intracellular bacteria increased 1.6-fold compared to protein D-deficient controls. Any correlation between internalization and phosphorylcholine expression was not detected. In conclusion, our data suggest that surface-expressed protein D promotes the adherence of NTHi to human monocytes leading to a higher number of internalized bacteria

Decreasing the Adverse Effects in Pelvic Radiation Therapy : A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Use of Probiotics

Purpose: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the potential benefit from 2 probiotic bacteria of the species Lactiplantibacillus plantarum against radiation therapy–induced comorbidities. Methods and Materials: Women (>18 years of age) scheduled for radiation therapy because of gynecologic cancer were randomly allocated to consume placebo or either low-dose probiotics (1 × 1010 colony-forming unit/capsule twice daily) or high-dose probiotics (5 × 1010 colony-forming unit/capsule twice daily). The intervention started approximately 1 week before the onset of radiation therapy and continued until 2 weeks after completion. During this period the participants were daily filling in a study diary documenting the incidence and severity of symptoms, intake of concomitant medication, and stool consistency. The primary endpoint was the probiotic effect on the mean number of loose stools during radiation therapy. Results: Of the 97 randomized women, 75 provided data for the analysis of the results. The mean number of loose stools (sum of Bristol stool type 6 and 7) was not significantly reduced in the probiotic groups, but there was a significant reduction in the mean number of days with >1 loose stool with 15.04 ± 8.92 days in the placebo and 8.65 ± 5.93 days in the high-dose probiotics group (P = .014). The benefit was even more pronounced in the 2 weeks following the end of radiation therapy (P = .005). Moreover, intake of the probiotics resulted in a reduced severity of the symptoms grinding abdominal pain (P = .041) and defecation urgency (P = .08) and a reduced percentage of days with these symptoms (P = .023 and P = .042, respectively), compared with placebo. There were no differences regarding reported adverse events. Conclusions: Intake of the 2 probiotic bacteria was beneficial and reduced many measures or symptoms of the radiation-induced toxicity in women treated for gynecologic cancer

Fewer Community-Acquired Colds with Daily Consumption of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Viral infections of the upper airways are the most common cause for absence from work or school, and there is evidence for probiotic efficacy in reducing the incidence and severity of these infections.OBJECTIVES: We aimed to confirm the previously reported beneficial effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 against community-acquired common colds and identify a possible mechanism of action.METHODS: In a double-blind study, healthy adults (18-70 years of age) with at least 4 colds during the last 12 months before recruitment were randomly allocated to consume either probiotics (n = 448; total daily dose of 109 CFU with the 2 strains equally represented) or placebo (n = 450) once daily for 12 weeks. Recruitment took place from October to February during 2013-2016 (over 3 cold seasons). The probiotic impact on the severity of the colds (Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21) was the primary endpoint, whereas secondary endpoints included the incidence rate and duration of colds and an analysis of immune markers. Mann-Whitney U test and mixed model were used for the analysis of continuous variables and Fisher´s exact test was used for the analysis of categorical endpoints.RESULTS: Symptom severity was not reduced after intake of the probiotic, despite the positive trend seen in the first season. However, significantly fewer colds were experienced in the probiotic group (mean of 1.24 colds) as compared to the placebo group (mean of 1.36 colds; P = 0.044) for subjects reporting at least 1 cold, the incidence of recurring colds was 30% lower (20.8% vs. 29.8%, respectively; P = 0.055), and the use of analgesics was 18% lower (26.3% vs. 32%, respectively; P = 0.07). After 12 weeks, the change from baseline for IFN-γ differed between the groups (mean difference of -7.01; 95% CI, -14.9 to 0.93; P = 0.045).CONCLUSIONS: Intake of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 can be protective against multiple colds in adults prone to getting colds.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02013934

The importance of a β-glucan receptor in the nonopsonic entry of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae into human monocytic and epithelial cells

Previous reports showed that nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) reside in macrophage-like cells in human adenoid tissue. This study investigated the ability of nonopsonized NTHi and encapsulated H. influenzae type b (Hib) to enter human monocytic and epithelial cells. The number of intracellular bacteria was determined by a viability assay and flow cytometry. To characterize the mechanisms responsible for the internalization of NTHi, different inhibitors of surface molecules, receptor turnover, and the cytoskeleton were used. Hib were found in monocytic cells at very low numbers (<100 bacteria/2 × 105 cells). In contrast, a great variation in intracellular numbers was detected between the different NTHi isolates (range, 0.0007%-0.28% of the inoculum for monocytes and 0.053%-3.5% for epithelial cells). NTHi entered human monocytic and epithelial cells via a receptor-mediated endocytosis involving mainly a β-glucan receptor that could be blocked by laminarin