176 research outputs found
Can the FUT2 non-secretor phenotype associated with gut microbiota increase the children susceptibility for type 1 diabetes? A mini review
The global toll of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has steadily increased over the last decades. It is now widely acknowledged that T1D pathophysiology is more complex than expected. Indeed, a multifaceted interplay between genetic, metabolic, inflammatory and environmental factors exists that leads to heterogeneous clinical manifestations across individuals. Children with non-secretor phenotype and those affected by
T1D share low abundance of bifidobacteria, low content of short-chain fatty acids, intestinal phosphatase alkaline and a high incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases. In this context, host-gut microbiota dyad may represent a relevant contributor to T1D development and progression due to its crucial role in shaping host immunity and susceptibility to autoimmune conditions. The FUT2 gene is responsible for the
composition and functional properties of glycans in mucosal tissues and bodily secretions, including human milk. FUT2 polymorphisms may profoundly influence gut microbiota composition and host susceptibility to viral infections and chronic inflammatory disease. In this minireview, the possible interplay between mothers’phenotype, host FUT2 genetic background and gut microbiota composition will be
discussed in perspective of the T1D onset. The study of FUT2-gut microbiota interaction may add a new piece on the puzzling T1D etiology and unveil novel targets of intervention to contrast T1D development and progression. Dietary interventions, including the intake of a-(1, 2)-fucosyl oligosaccharides in formula milk and the use of specific prebiotics and probiotics, could be hypothesized
Combination of metabolomic and proteomic analysis revealed different features among Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and lactis strains while in vivo testing in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans highlighted probiotic properties
Lactobacillus delbrueckii represents a technologically relevant member of lactic acid bacteria, since the two subspecies bulgaricus and lactis are widely associated with fermented dairy products. In the present work, we report the characterization of two commercial strains belonging to L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus, lactis and a novel strain previously isolated from a traditional fermented fresh cheese. A phenomic approach was performed by combining metabolomic and proteomic analysis of the three strains, which were subsequently supplemented as food source to the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, with the final aim to evaluate their possible probiotic effects. Restriction analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA revealed that the novel foodborne strain belonged to L. delbrueckii subspecies lactis. Proteomic and metabolomic approaches showed differences in folate, aminoacid and sugar metabolic pathways among the three strains. Moreover, evaluation of C. elegans lifespan, larval development, brood size, and bacterial colonization capacity demonstrated that L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus diet exerted beneficial effects on nematodes. On the other hand, both L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis strains affected lifespan and larval development. We have characterized three strains belonging to L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus and lactis highlighting their divergent origin. In particular, the two closely related isolates L. delbrueckii subspecies lactis display different galactose metabolic capabilities. Moreover, the L. delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus strain demonstrated potential probiotic features. Combination of omic platforms coupled with in vivo screening in the simple model organism C. elegans is a powerful tool to characterize industrially relevant bacterial isolates
In vitro probiotic properties and in vivo anti-ageing effects of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum PFA2018AU strain isolated from carrots on Caenorhabditis elegans
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) share and provide several beneficial effects on human health, such as the release of bioactive metabolites, pathogen competition, and immune stimulation. The two major reservoirs of probiotic microorganisms are the human gastro-intestinal tract and fermented dairy products. However, other sources, such as plant-based foods, represent important alternatives thanks to their large distribution and nutritive value. Here, the probiotic potential of autochthonous Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PFA2018AU, isolated from carrots harvested in Fucino highland, Abruzzo (Italy), was investigated through in vitro and in vivo approaches. The strain was sent to the biobank of Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna in Italy for the purpose of patent procedures under the Budapest Treaty. The isolate showed high survival capability under in vitro simulated gastro-intestinal conditions, antibiotic susceptibility, hydrophobicity, aggregation, and the ability to inhibit the in vitro growth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus pathogens. Caenorhabditis elegans was used as the in vivo model in order to analyse prolongevity and anti-ageing effects. L. plantarum PFA2018AU significantly colonised the gut of the worms, extended their lifespan, and stimulated their innate immunity. Overall, these results showed that autochthonous LAB from vegetables, such as carrots, have functional features that can be considered novel probiotic candidates
Olive mill wastes. A source of bioactive molecules for plant growth and protection against pathogens
Olive oil production generates high amounts of liquid and solid wastes. For a long time, such complex matrices were considered only as an environmental issue, due to their polluting properties. On the other hand, olive mill wastes (OMWs) exert a positive effect on plant growth when applied to soil due to the high content of organic matter and mineral nutrients. Moreover, OMWs also exhibit antimicrobial activity and protective properties against plant pathogens possibly due to the presence of bioactive molecules including phenols and polysaccharides. This review covers the recent advances made in the identification, isolation, and characterization of OMW-derived bioactive molecules able to influence important plant processes such as plant growth and defend against pathogens. Such studies are relevant from different points of view. First, basic research in plant biology may benefit from the isolation and characterization of new biomolecules to be potentially applied in crop growth and protection against diseases. Moreover, the valorization of waste materials is necessary for the development of a circular economy, which is foreseen to drive the future development of a more sustainable agriculture
Gut Microbiota Functional Traits, Blood pH, and Anti-GAD Antibodies Concur in the Clinical Characterization of T1D at Onset
Alterations of gut microbiota have been identified before clinical manifestation of type 1 diabetes (T1D). To identify the associations amongst gut microbiome profile, metabolism and disease markers, the 16S rRNA-based microbiota profiling and H-1-NMR metabolomic analysis were performed on stool samples of 52 T1D patients at onset, 17 T1D siblings and 57 healthy subjects (CTRL). Univariate, multivariate analyses and classification models were applied to clinical and -omic integrated datasets. In T1D patients and their siblings, Clostridiales and Dorea were increased and Dialister and Akkermansia were decreased compared to CTRL, while in T1D, Lachnospiraceae were higher and Collinsella was lower, compared to siblings and CTRL. Higher levels of isobutyrate, malonate, Clostridium, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, were associated to T1D compared to CTRL. Patients with higher anti-GAD levels showed low abundances of Roseburia, Faecalibacterium and Alistipes and those with normal blood pH and low serum HbA(1c) levels showed high levels of purine and pyrimidine intermediates. We detected specific gut microbiota profiles linked to both T1D at the onset and to diabetes familiarity. The presence of specific microbial and metabolic profiles in gut linked to anti-GAD levels and to blood acidosis can be considered as predictive biomarker associated progression and severity of T1D
Hyperbaric exposure and oxidative Stress in occupational activities (HEOxS): the study protocol
Background: Hyperbaric exposure (HE) is proven to be a stressor to several mechanisms in living cells.
Even if after homeostasis restoration, harmful effects are expected, in particular a presence of free
radicals. These latter are the stimulus to negative phenomenon as inflammation or cancer. In Italy,
with 7500 km of sea shores, a large quantity of workers is exposed to HE during occupational
activities. A deep knowledge of HE and bodily effects is not well defined; hence a multidisciplinary
assessment of risk is needed. To detect one or more indicators of HE a research group is organised,
under the INAIL sponsorship. The research project focused on the oxidative stress (OxS) and this
paper details on the possible protocol to estimate, with a large amount of techniques on several
human liquids, the relationship between OxS and HE. Specific attention will be paid to identify
confounding factors and their influence.
Methods: Blood and urine will be sampled. Several lab techniques will be performed on samples, both
targeted, to measure the level of well-known biomarkers, and untargeted. Regard the formers:
products of oxidation of DNA and RNA in urine; inflammation and temperature cytokines and
protein carbonyles in blood. Untargeted evaluation will be performed for a metabolomics analysis in
urine. Confounding factors: temperature, body fat, fitness, allergies and dietary habits. These factors
will be assessed, directly or indirectly, prior and after HE. The final scope of the project is to determine
one or more indicators that relates to HE in hits twofold nature: depth and duration.
Conclusion: The relationship between OxS and HE is not deeply investigated and literature proposes
diverging results. The project aims to define the time dependence of biomarkers related to OxS, to
rise knowledge in risk assessment in workers exposed to HE
Phylogenetic and Metabolic Tracking of Gut Microbiota during Perinatal Development
The colonization and development of gut microbiota immediately after birth is highly variable and depends on several factors, such as delivery mode and modality of feeding during the first months of life. A cohort of 31 mother and neonate pairs, including 25 at-term caesarean (CS) and 6 vaginally (V) delivered neonates (DNs), were included in this study and 121 meconium/faecal samples were collected at days 1 through 30 following birth. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were assessed in 69 stool samples by phylogenetic microarray HITChip and inter- and intra-individual distributions were established by inter-OTUs correlation matrices and OTUs co-occurrence or co-exclusion networks. H-1-NMR metabolites were determined in 70 stool samples, PCA analysis was performed on 55 CS DNs samples, and metabolome/OTUs co-correlations were assessed in 45 CS samples, providing an integrated map of the early microbiota OTUs-metabolome. A microbiota "core" of OTUs was identified that was independent of delivery mode and lactation stage, suggesting highly specialized communities that act as seminal colonizers of microbial networks. Correlations among OTUs, metabolites, and OTUs-metabolites revealed metabolic profiles associated with early microbial ecological dynamics, maturation of milk components, and host physiology.Peer reviewe
Si può modificare il microbiota intestinale durante l’epoca perinatale?
L’influenza della flora intestinale
sulla salute umana è continua dalla
nascita alla vecchiaia. Il primo contatto
con i batteri durante e immediatamente
dopo la nascita ha un
ruolo importante nello sviluppo della
flora intestinale e successivamente
sul sistema immunitario della
mucosa del neonato. Il microbiota
intestinale del neonato è correlato
alla suscettibilità alle infezioni e alla
sensibilizzazione ad antigeni ambientali
nei primi anni di vita.
La corretta successione nelle specie
microbiche che colonizzano l’intestino
del neonato nel primo periodo
di vita determina una programmazione
immunitaria e metabolica che
ha un’influenza a lungo termine sul
rischio di malattie. Ad esempio la
nascita mediante parto cesareo
sembra aumentare il rischio di malattia
celiaca, diabete di tipo 1 e
asma, che sono generalmente associati
a risposte T helper eccessive o
aberranti.
È stato ipotizzato che il contatto tra
microbiota materno e feto possa avvenire
già a livello uterino.
Quantità rilevabili di batteri o DNA
batterico sono stati rilevati nella
placenta sana come pure nelle
membrane e nel liquido amniotico
e questo contatto microbico, pur
non ancora del tutto chiarito, è associato
ad una risposta immunitaria
sistemica nel neonato.
La presenza di DNA microbico nella
placenta potrebbe modulare significativamente
l’immunità innata
nell’ intestino fetale.
La possibilità di modulare lo sviluppo
e la composizione del microbiota
intestinale allo scopo di migliorare
la salute della madre e del bambino
è alla base dell’utilizzo di probiotici.
La somministrazione di probiotici
alla madre nel periodo perinatale
determina variazioni sul microbiota
intestinale della donna che si riflettono
in modifiche di fattori immunitari
e del microbiota del neonato.
Infatti l’assunzione di una miscela
di lattobacilli e bifidobatteri
(VSL#3) nell’ultimo mese di gravidanza
e durante il primo mese di
allattamento ha determinato nel
latte materno un aumento significativo
della concentrazione di IgA secretorie
e citochine ad attività antinfiammatoria
e immunomodulante
come TGF-β e Il-10. Inoltre la concentrazione
di lattobacilli e bifidobatteri
del microbiota intestinale
dei neonati allattati da madri che
assumevano il probiotico è risultata
maggiore rispetto ai neonati di madri
di controllo (1).
Anche l’assunzione del Lactobacillus
GG da parte di madri finlandesi
prima del parto e durante l’allattamento
induceva la modulazione
della colonizzazione e dello sviluppo
di bifidobatteri nell’intestino dei
loro bambini, in particolare aumentando
la diversità delle specie di bifidobatteri
(2).
Inoltre la somministrazione alle
madri durante le ultime settimane
di gravidanza di probiotici contenenti
un ceppo di lattobacilli ha determinato
un’aumentata quantitÃ
di B. longum fecale nei neonati (3) e
si è dimostrata efficace nel proteggere
il bambino dalla dermatite
atopica (4).
Uno studio recente (5) ha dimostrato
che l’assunzione orale di VSL#3
nell’ultimo trimestre di gravidanza
è associato ad una modulazione del
microbiota vaginale e della secrezione
di citochine, con livelli significativamente
più alti di IL-4 e IL-10,
ad azione antiinfiammatoria, e riduzione
della Eotassina, chemochina
pro-infiammatoria.
Tutto ciò potrebbe avere importanti
implicazioni nella prevenzione delle
infezioni vaginali e quindi del parto
pretermine.
In conclusione, alcuni probiotici,
validati sul piano scientifico, somministrati
alla madre durante la
gravidanza e l’allattamento possono
modulare il microbiota della madre
e del neonato
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