Traditional dairy products can supply beneficial microorganisms able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract Little is known about the role of traditional dairy products in naturally supplying beneficial microorganisms able to survive in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). To investigate this aspect, a fresh artisanal Pasta Filata cheese was administered daily to 18 healthy children, 3–6 years of age, for seven days. Counts and type of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and propionic acid bacteria (PAB) were carried out on the cheese and children's faeces before and after cheese consumption. In most cases, statistically significant increases of presumptive LAB were observed after seven days from suspension compared to values before and at the end of consumption. Based on repetitive element palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) genotyping, six cheese isolates were identical to faecal isolates. Identity was confirmed by sequencing regions of clpP and rpoD genes for LAB and pepN and proW genes for PAB. Among those cheese isolates P. freudenreichii S-1-P, L. plantarum S-2-2 and L. helveticus S-2-6 stimulated the production of high interleukin 10 (IL-10) and low tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Therefore they could exert anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Results suggested that traditional dairy products should be more efficiently exploited as a natural source of health-promoting microorganisms

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery