Molecular investigation of CTX-M gene in Extended Spectrum β Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Iranian patients with burn wound infection

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most important causes of infection in burns and intensive care units. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production in P. aeruginosa is a major factor in the antibiotic resistance and is thought of as a serious threat to the currently available antibiotic armory. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTX-M gene in ESBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates in burn wound samples.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional survey, a total of 60 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were obtained from patients suffering from burn wound infection referred to major hospitals of Tehran, Iran. After verification by biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, CTX-M gene was identified using PCR method.Results: The results of the molecular analysis of CTX-M gene showed that the prevalence of isolates of P. aeruginosa harboring CTX-M gene was 20% (12/60).Conclusion: The results from this study showed high levels of antibiotic resistance and CTX-M gene among P. aeruginosa isolated samples of burn-wound infections which condition may result in the increased the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains and the failure of therapy This study suggests that detailed data on the CTX-M gene frequency can be useful to achieve the best therapy for infections caused by ESBLs producing P. aeruginosa

Growth Optimization of Lactobacillus plantarum T5jq301796.1, an Iranian Indigenous Probiotic in Lab Scale Fermenter

Background and Objective: Lactobacillus plantarum is one of the probiotics species used in functional food products. These bacteria or their purified bacteriocins are used as biological preservatives in the food industry. The first step in production of an array of probiotic products is optimizing production in fermentors. This study aimed to examine factors affecting the in vitro growth optimization of Lactobacillus plantarum T5JQ301796.1 in a lab scale fermentor.Materials and Methods: Following 24 hours of anaerobic culture of the lactobacillus at 37°C, the pre-culture was ready and was inoculated to a 5 liter fermentor at 37°C and stirred at 40 rpm. Then factors affecting lactobacillus growth including carbon and nitrogen sources and pH were studied. The results were interpreted using response surface methodology (RSM), and optimal conditions for the equipment were determined.Results and Conclusion: For optimal growth of Lactobacillus plantarum T5JQ301796.1 in lab scale fermentor, the optimal conditions were 25.96 gl-1 of glucose, 1.82% of yeast extract, pH of 7.26, and stirring at 40 rpm at optimum temperature between 37-40°C. In this condition, maximum viable cell in the batch fermentation was 1.25×1010 CFU ml-1. Application of central composite design for the growth optimization of this bacterium led to maximum viable cells equal to 1.25×1010 CFU ml-1. So the mentioned features can lead to optimum industrial scale production and usage of this probiotic strain in probiotic products.Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest

Production and Characterization of Biosurfactants Using Bacteria Isolated from Acidic Hot Springs

  Background and objective: Biosurfactants are increasingly used by food industries due to their low toxicities and unique structures. In this study, biosurfactants were produced and characterized for the first time using acidic bacteria isolated from acidic hot springs in Bushehr Province, Iran. Material and methods: Screening and identification of the most efficient species for biosurfactant production were carried out on 12 bacterial species using several experiments such as hemolysis, surface tension, emulsification index and diameter of clear zone. In addition to biosurfactant production, kinetics, stability and structural and thermal analysis were carried out for the bacterial strains using thin layer chromatography, Fourier Transform Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimetry. Results and conclusion: The biosurfactant from the selected bacteria (0.1 g l-1) was thermally stable at 120°C for 30 min. Stability at temperatures up to 140°C was confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry. The most significant novelty included the fact that the surface property was preserved until an osmolarity of 4% w v-1. Decreased surface tension and the emulsification potential were only reported at concentrations higher the highlighted concentration. Biological assay showed that Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to produced biosurfactants, while no susceptibility was seen in Escherichia coli. Degeneration of SW480 cell line exposed to 0.601 µg µl-1 of the biosurfactant was detected after 24 h. The structural analysis showed that the biosurfactant was similar to surfactin as a food bioemulsifier. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Characterization of Effective Native Lactic Acid Bacteria as Potential Oral Probiotics on Growth Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans

Background and Objective: Probiotics' effects on harmful oral bacteria have been verifed. As antibiotic resistance becomes a major problem, searching for novel potential species is important. The objective of this study was to select novel safe strains of lactic acid bacteria with potentials as oral probiotics. Furthermore, ability of these strains to suppress growth and attachment of Streptococcus mutans as the most important cariogenic bacteria in tooth decay was investigated. Material and Methods: Initial identification tests, including Gram staining and catalase and oxidase tests, were carried out on 22 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Iranian traditional dairy products. Safety of the strains was assessed using hemolysis test and antibiotic resistance assessment. Strains were then assessed for probiotic characteristics such inhibition of Streptococcus mutans growth, tolerance to lysozyme enzymes and ability of adhesion as well as ability of decreasing Streptococcus mutans adhesion. Selected strains were identified using16S rRNA molecular method. Results and Conclusion: Of all strains, four strains with the optimal probiotic characteristics were selected. These included one Lactobacillus brevis, one Lactobacillus casei and two Lactobacillus paraceasei. These four strains showed strong antimicrobial characteristics against Streptococcus mutans, were resistant to oral lysozyme enzymes and included high adhesion abilities to polystyrene wells. Furthermore, they decreased Streptococcus mutans attachment; thus, biofilm formation by this bacterium was prevented. These strains were recognized as safe strains since they were approved in assessments of antibiotic susceptibility and hemolytic activity. Therefore, these four strains are suggested as oral probiotics. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract Data on the effects of synbiotic supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles in women with PCOS. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done at the Naghavi Hospital affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, between April 2017 and June 2017. Sixty women with PCOS were randomized to intake synbiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), Lactobacillus casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 × 109 CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention to determine related variables. Compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum insulin concentrations (− 2.8 ± 4.1 vs. + 1.8 ± 6.4 μIU/mL, P = 0.002) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (− 0.7 ± 1.0 vs. + 0.4 ± 1.5, P = 0.002), and a significant elevation in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+ 0.01 ± 0.01 vs. − 0.01 ± 0.03, P < 0.001). In addition, significant decreases in serum triglycerides (− 16.2 ± 31.4 vs. + 5.8 ± 23.1 mg/dL, P = 0.003), VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (− 3.3 ± 6.3 vs. + 1.1 ± 4.6 mg/dL, P = 0.003), and AIP (− 0.05 ± 0.08 vs. − 0.003 ± 0.10 mg/dL, P = 0.03) were seen following the supplementation of synbiotic compared with the placebo. Overall, we found that synbiotic supplementation to women with PCOS for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on markers of insulin resistance, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol concentrations, and AIP, but did not influence other lipid profiles. Keywords Synbiotic supplementation Probiotic bacteria Polycystic ovary syndrome Glycemic control Lipid profile

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in People with Overweight, Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotic supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in people with overweight, diabetes, and coronary heart disease (CHD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted and involved 60 people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD, aged 50�85 years old. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either synbiotic supplements containing three probiotic bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), Lactobacillus casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 � 10 9  CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin or placebo (n = 30 each group) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the 12-week intervention period to determine metabolic variables. After the 12-week intervention, compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (� 3101.7 ± 5109.1 vs. � 6.2 ± 3163.6 ng/mL, P = 0.02), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (� 0.6 ± 1.0 vs. � 0.1 ± 0.3 μmol/L, P = 0.01), and significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) levels (+ 7.8 ± 10.3 vs. � 3.6 ± 6.9 μmol/L, P &lt; 0.001). We did not observe any significant changes of synbiotic supplementation on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels. Overall, synbiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among people with overweight, diabetes, and CHD had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma NO, and MDA levels; however, it did not have any effect on other biomarkers of oxidative stress and CIMT levels. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

The Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes

Synbiotics are known to exert multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of synbiotic administration on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among gestational diabetic (GDM) women. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out among 60 subjects with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. Patients were randomly assigned to consume either one synbiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain T16 (IBRC-M10785), L. casei strain T2 (IBRC-M10783), and Bifidobacterium bifidum strain T1 (IBRC-M10771) (2 � 10 9  CFU/g each) plus 800 mg inulin (HPX) (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation significantly decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (� 1.9 ± 4.2 vs. +1.1 ± 3.5 mg/L, P = 0.004), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (� 0.1 ± 0.6 vs. + 0.3 ± 0.7 μmol/L, P = 0.02), and significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+ 70.1 ± 130.9 vs. � 19.7 ± 124.6 mmol/L, P = 0.009) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (+ 28.7 ± 61.5 vs. � 14.9 ± 85.3 μmol/L, P = 0.02). Supplementation with synbiotic had a significant decrease in cesarean section rate (16.7 vs. 40.0, P = 0.04), lower incidence of hyperbilirubinemic newborns (3.3 vs. 30.0, P = 0.006), and newborns� hospitalization (3.3 vs. 30.0, P = 0.006) compared with the placebo. Synbiotic supplementation did not affect plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels and other pregnancy outcomes. Overall, synbiotic supplementation among GDM women for 6 weeks had beneficial effects on serum hs-CRP, plasma TAC, GSH, and MDA; cesarean section; incidence of newborn�s hyperbilirubinemia; and newborns� hospitalization but did not affect plasma NO levels and other pregnancy outcomes. http://www.irct.ir: www.irct.ir: IRCT201704205623N108. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Probiotic and selenium co-supplementation, and the effects on clinical, metabolic and genetic status in Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Background and aims: Combined probiotic and selenium supplementation may improve Alzheimer's disease (AD) by correcting metabolic abnormalities, and attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the effects of probiotic and selenium co-supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic status among patients with AD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted among 79 patients with AD. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either selenium (200 μg/day) plus probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum (2 � 109 CFU/day each) (n = 27), selenium (200 μg/day) (n = 26) or placebo (n = 26) for 12 weeks. Results: Selenium supplementation, compared with the placebo, significantly reduced serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P &lt; 0.001), insulin (P = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.002), LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.04) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.004), and significantly increased total glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.001) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.01). Compared with only selenium and placebo, probiotic and selenium co-supplementation resulted in a significant increase in mini-mental state examination score (+1.5 ± 1.3 vs. +0.5 ± 1.2 and �0.2 ± 1.1, respectively, P &lt; 0.001). Probiotic plus selenium intake resulted in a significant reduction in hs-CRP (�1.6 ± 1.4 vs. �0.8 ± 1.0 and +0.1 ± 0.5 mg/L, respectively, P &lt; 0.001), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (+89.4 ± 129.6 vs. +20.0 ± 62.5 and �0.7 ± 27.2 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) and GSH (+122.8 ± 136.5 vs. +102.2 ± 135.2 and +1.5 ± 53.2 μmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) compared with only selenium and placebo. In addition, subjects who received probiotic plus selenium supplements had significantly lower insulin levels (�2.1 ± 2.5 vs. �1.0 ± 1.3 and +0.7 ± 2.0 μIU/mL, respectively, P &lt; 0.001), HOMA-IR (�0.5 ± 0.6 vs. �0.2 ± 0.3 and +0.1 ± 0.4, respectively, P &lt; 0.001), and higher QUICKI (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. +0.005 ± 0.007 and �0.002 ± 0.01, respectively, P &lt; 0.006) compared with only selenium and placebo. Additionally, probiotic and selenium co-supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (�17.9 ± 26.1 vs. �3.5 ± 33.9 and +0.3 ± 9.3 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.02), VLDL- (�3.6 ± 5.2 vs. �0.7 ± 6.8 and +0.05 ± 1.8 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.02), LDL- (�8.8 ± 17.8 vs. �8.1 ± 19.2 and +2.7 ± 19.0 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.04) and total-/HDL-cholesterol (�0.3 ± 0.7 vs. �0.4 ± 0.9 and +0.3 ± 0.6, respectively, P = 0.005) compared with only selenium and placebo. Conclusions: Overall, we found that probiotic and selenium co-supplementation for 12 weeks to patients with AD improved cognitive function and some metabolic profiles. This study was registered in the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for registration of clinical trials (http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170612034497N5). © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolis

Probiotic and selenium co-supplementation, and the effects on clinical, metabolic and genetic status in Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Background and aims: Combined probiotic and selenium supplementation may improve Alzheimer's disease (AD) by correcting metabolic abnormalities, and attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the effects of probiotic and selenium co-supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic status among patients with AD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted among 79 patients with AD. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either selenium (200 μg/day) plus probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum (2 × 109 CFU/day each) (n = 27), selenium (200 μg/day) (n = 26) or placebo (n = 26) for 12 weeks. Results: Selenium supplementation, compared with the placebo, significantly reduced serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.001), insulin (P = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.002), LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.04) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.004), and significantly increased total glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.001) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.01). Compared with only selenium and placebo, probiotic and selenium co-supplementation resulted in a significant increase in mini-mental state examination score (+1.5 ± 1.3 vs. +0.5 ± 1.2 and −0.2 ± 1.1, respectively, P < 0.001). Probiotic plus selenium intake resulted in a significant reduction in hs-CRP (−1.6 ± 1.4 vs. −0.8 ± 1.0 and +0.1 ± 0.5 mg/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (+89.4 ± 129.6 vs. +20.0 ± 62.5 and −0.7 ± 27.2 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) and GSH (+122.8 ± 136.5 vs. +102.2 ± 135.2 and +1.5 ± 53.2 μmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) compared with only selenium and placebo. In addition, subjects who received probiotic plus selenium supplements had significantly lower insulin levels (−2.1 ± 2.5 vs. −1.0 ± 1.3 and +0.7 ± 2.0 μIU/mL, respectively, P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (−0.5 ± 0.6 vs. −0.2 ± 0.3 and +0.1 ± 0.4, respectively, P < 0.001), and higher QUICKI (+0.01 ± 0.01 vs. +0.005 ± 0.007 and −0.002 ± 0.01, respectively, P < 0.006) compared with only selenium and placebo. Additionally, probiotic and selenium co-supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (−17.9 ± 26.1 vs. −3.5 ± 33.9 and +0.3 ± 9.3 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.02), VLDL- (−3.6 ± 5.2 vs. −0.7 ± 6.8 and +0.05 ± 1.8 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.02), LDL- (−8.8 ± 17.8 vs. −8.1 ± 19.2 and +2.7 ± 19.0 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.04) and total-/HDL-cholesterol (−0.3 ± 0.7 vs. −0.4 ± 0.9 and +0.3 ± 0.6, respectively, P = 0.005) compared with only selenium and placebo. Conclusions: Overall, we found that probiotic and selenium co-supplementation for 12 weeks to patients with AD improved cognitive function and some metabolic profiles. This study was registered in the Iranian website (www.irct.ir) for registration of clinical trial