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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge
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Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 28748

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jacek Piatek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
Interests: probiotics; gut microbiota; antimicrobial activity; pathogen overgrowth; Clostridium infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The topic of the use of probiotic strains in medical practice is relatively new but at the same time is of great interest. Recognition of the role of the microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of many diseases, not only of the gastrointestinal tract, makes microbiota modifications of interest to physicians. Currently, the number of publications on the use of particular strains of probiotic bacteria in alleviating the symptoms of many diseases and their prevention is growing rapidly. Scientific studies have shown a link between intestinal dysbiosis and conditions such as functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS), atopic dermatitis (AD), mental and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders). In addition, a link between abnormal gut microbiota structure and diseases of civilization has been suggested.

New publications on microbiota are appearing every day, due to the rapid development of microbiological techniques for identifying microorganisms. In addition to traditional methods (microbial culture), these are mainly new, more sensitive and specific methods, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing. They allow for a better understanding of the microbiota, often referred to as an additional organ.

Considering the above facts, we would like to encourage as many scientists as possible to participate in research on probiotic issues. From our side, we offer the possibility of publishing your research results in a Special Issue of one of the best journals on these issues, Microorganisms.

Prof. Dr. Jacek Piatek
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbiota modification
  • microbiological techniques for identifying microorganisms
  • probiotics in therapy
  • probiotics and antibiotic resistance

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
The Antiviral Effects of Heat-Killed Lactococcus lactis Strain Plasma Against Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses in Humans by Upregulating the IFN-α Signaling Pathway
by Zhao Xuan Low, Osamu Kanauchi, Vunjia Tiong, Norhidayu Sahimin, Rafidah Lani, Ryohei Tsuji, Sazaly AbuBakar and Pouya Hassandarvish
Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2304; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112304 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 798
Abstract
The growing risk of contracting viral infections due to high-density populations and ecological disruptions, such as climate change and increased population mobility, has highlighted the necessity for effective antiviral treatment and preventive measures against Dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus [...] Read more.
The growing risk of contracting viral infections due to high-density populations and ecological disruptions, such as climate change and increased population mobility, has highlighted the necessity for effective antiviral treatment and preventive measures against Dengue virus (DENV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). Recently, there has been increasing attention on the use of probiotics as a potential antiviral option to reduce virus infections. The present study aimed to assess the immunomodulatory effects of heat-killed Lactococcus lactis strain plasma (LC-Plasma) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its subsequent antiviral response against DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV. To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of LC-Plasma on PBMCs isolated from healthy individuals, PBMCs were cultured at a density of 2 × 105 cells/well and stimulated with 10 µg/mL of LC-Plasma. LC-plasma-stimulated PBMCs demonstrated elevated interferon-alpha (IFN-α) production and cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) and human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR) upregulation, potentially linked to plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) activation. The replication of DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV was dose-dependently inhibited when Huh-7 cells were stimulated with LC-Plasma-stimulated PBMC supernatant (LCP Sup). IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, including IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), IFN-stimulated exonuclease gene 20 (ISG20), IFN-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM-1), myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), and radical S-adenosyl methionine domain-containing protein 2 (RSAD2), was significantly upregulated in LCP Sup-stimulated Huh-7 cells. Findings from this study indicate that LC-Plasma has the potential to induce IFN-α production, leading to an enhancement in the expression of ISGs and contributing to a broad-spectrum antiviral response. Thus, LC-Plasma may serve as a rational adjunctive treatment to ameliorate viral diseases, warranting future clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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25 pages, 6224 KiB  
Article
Strain-Dependent Adhesion Variations of Shouchella clausii Isolated from Healthy Human Volunteers: A Study on Cell Surface Properties and Potential Probiotic Benefits
by Tanisha Dhakephalkar, Vaidehi Pisu, Prajakta Margale, Siddhi Chandras, Deepa Shetty, Shilpa Wagh, Sumit Singh Dagar, Neelam Kapse and Prashant K. Dhakephalkar
Microorganisms 2024, 12(9), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091771 - 27 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961
Abstract
The probiotic potential of Shouchella clausii is widely recognized, but little is known about its adhesive properties. Hence, this study aims to investigate the adhesion potential and cell surface properties of four human-origin S. clausii strains (B619/R, B603/Nb, B106, and B637/Nm). We evaluated [...] Read more.
The probiotic potential of Shouchella clausii is widely recognized, but little is known about its adhesive properties. Hence, this study aims to investigate the adhesion potential and cell surface properties of four human-origin S. clausii strains (B619/R, B603/Nb, B106, and B637/Nm). We evaluated epithelial adhesion, Extracellular Matrix (ECM) binding, aggregation ability, and cell surface hydrophobicity and used genome analysis for validation. Our results demonstrate that adhesion capability is a strain-specific attribute, with significant variations observed among the four strains. B619/R, B603/Nb, and B106 displayed stronger adhesion properties than B637/Nm. Supplementary adhesion assays showed that B637/Nm displayed high hydrophobicity, significant auto-aggregation, and significant mucin-binding abilities. Conversely, B619/R, B603/Nb, and B106 had mildly hydrophobic surfaces and low aggregation abilities. Genome annotation revealed the presence of various adhesion proteins in four strains. Notably, the reduced adhesion potential of B637/Nm was supported by the absence of the cell wall surface anchor family protein (LPxTG motif), which is crucial for interactions with intestinal epithelial cells or mucus components. Further, docking studies provided insights into the interaction of adhesion proteins with gut mucins. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how S. clausii strains interact with the gut environment, facilitating the development of probiotic formulations tailored for improved gut health and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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14 pages, 2030 KiB  
Article
The Probiotic Properties and Safety of Limosilactobacillus mucosae NK41 and Bifidobacterium longum NK46
by Jaekoo Lee, Jaehyun Jo, Hanseul Seo, Seung-Won Han and Dong-Hyun Kim
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040776 - 11 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1342
Abstract
Probiotics should possess specific properties to exert beneficial effects, and their safety must be ensured for human consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties and safety of Limosilactobacillus mucosae NK41 and Bifidobacterium longum NK46 isolated from human feces in vitro. [...] Read more.
Probiotics should possess specific properties to exert beneficial effects, and their safety must be ensured for human consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties and safety of Limosilactobacillus mucosae NK41 and Bifidobacterium longum NK46 isolated from human feces in vitro. Both strains exhibited high resistance to simulated gastrointestinal fluid. Furthermore, probiotic-related cell surface characteristics including auto-aggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity were assessed by measuring the absorbance at a wavelength of 600 nm, which demonstrated good auto-aggregation ability and affinity for xylene, indicating their effective adhesion to Caco-2 cells. In addition, hemolytic, gelatinase, and β-glucuronidase activities were found to be negative in both strains. The susceptibility to nine commonly used antibiotics was assessed using the broth macrodilution method, which demonstrated that both strains were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. Furthermore, L. mucosae NK41 and B. longum NK46 produced significantly higher levels of L-lactate (71.8 ± 0.7% and 97.8 ± 0.4%) than D-lactate (28.2 ± 0.7% and 2.2 ± 0.4%, respectively). Using PCR amplification to investigate genes associated with virulence factors, we found that neither strain harbored any virulence genes. These findings suggest that L. mucosae NK41 and B. longum NK46 have the potential to be used as probiotics and are considered safe for human consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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15 pages, 7917 KiB  
Article
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma and Breast Cancer Cells
by Oana Budu, Alexandra Mioc, Codruta Soica, Florina Caruntu, Andreea Milan, Camelia Oprean, Daniel Lighezan, Slavita Rotunjanu, Viviana Ivan and Christian Banciu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010182 - 17 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2790
Abstract
Despite the notable advancements witnessed in the past decade in medical and health research domain, cancer remains a prominent global cause of mortality. Moreover, the conventional treatments employed to combat this disease have been found to considerably compromise the quality of life experienced [...] Read more.
Despite the notable advancements witnessed in the past decade in medical and health research domain, cancer remains a prominent global cause of mortality. Moreover, the conventional treatments employed to combat this disease have been found to considerably compromise the quality of life experienced by patients due to its severe side effects. Recent in vitro studies revealed encouraging findings on the potential beneficial effects of probiotics as adjuvants of anticancer therapy, and even as possible agents for the prevention and treatment of various types of malignancies. From this standpoint, the primary objective of this work was to investigate the anticancer properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) and elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. In order to investigate this matter, several doses of LP (ranging from 105 to 1010 CFU/mL) were examined in relation to melanoma cancer cell lines (A375) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The cell viability findings, which were substantiated by morphological investigations and annexin V/PI assay, indicated that LP exerted inhibitory effects on cellular activity and triggered apoptosis. Additionally, upon further investigation into its mechanism, it was observed through the apoptosis assay and Western blot analysis that the administration of LP resulted in an elevation of pro-apoptotic BAX protein levels and an upregulation of cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) protein expression. Conversely, the levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein were found to decrease in the A375 and MCF-7 cell lines. These findings provide insight into the pro-apoptotic mechanism of action of LP in these specific cell lines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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Review

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13 pages, 746 KiB  
Review
New Insights into Chronic Pancreatitis: Potential Mechanisms Related to Probiotics
by Yingyu Pan, Jianing Li, Zhengyang Fan, Yonghao Chen, Xiaoxuan Huang and Dong Wu
Microorganisms 2024, 12(9), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091760 - 24 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1204
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive fibroinflammatory disorder with no currently satisfactory treatment. Emerging evidence suggests an association between gut microbial dysbiosis and chronic pancreatitis. Although direct causative evidence is lacking, it is hypothesized that the gut microbiota may play a pivotal role in [...] Read more.
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive fibroinflammatory disorder with no currently satisfactory treatment. Emerging evidence suggests an association between gut microbial dysbiosis and chronic pancreatitis. Although direct causative evidence is lacking, it is hypothesized that the gut microbiota may play a pivotal role in modulating pancreatic function via the gut–pancreas axis. Thus, modulating the gut microbiota through the administration of probiotics or prebiotics may alleviate pancreatic disorders. In this review, we first propose the potential mechanisms by which specific probiotics or prebiotics may ameliorate chronic pancreatitis, including the alleviation of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), the facilitation of short-chain fatty acids’ (SCFAs) production, and the activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the pancreas. Since there are currently no probiotics or prebiotics used for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, we discuss research in other disease models that have used probiotics or prebiotics to modulate pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions and prevent pancreatic fibrosis. This provides indirect evidence for their potential application in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. We anticipate that this research will stimulate further investigation into the gut–pancreas axis and the potential therapeutic value of probiotics and prebiotics in chronic pancreatitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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13 pages, 258 KiB  
Review
Synbiotics as Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
by Henning Sommermeyer and Jacek Piątek
Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1493; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071493 - 21 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome is a persistent disturbance of the function of the gastrointestinal tract with a prevalence of about 11.2% in the population at large. While the etiology of the disorder remains unclear, there is mounting evidence that the disturbance of the gut [...] Read more.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a persistent disturbance of the function of the gastrointestinal tract with a prevalence of about 11.2% in the population at large. While the etiology of the disorder remains unclear, there is mounting evidence that the disturbance of the gut microbiota is at least one contributing factor. This insight resulted in clinical trials investigating the therapeutic effects of products containing probiotic microorganisms. Most studies with IBS patients have evaluated the therapeutic effects of mono- and multi-strain probiotics, but only a few studies have investigated the efficacy of synbiotics (combinations of probiotic bacteria and one or more prebiotic components). This review summarizes the results from eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of synbiotic preparations (three mono-strain and five multi-strain products) in adult IBS patients. While data remain sparse, some of the surveyed clinical trials have demonstrated interesting efficacy results in IBS patients. To allow a judgment of the role played by synbiotics in the treatment of IBS patients, more high-quality clinical trials are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
32 pages, 1235 KiB  
Review
Importance of Probiotics in Fish Aquaculture: Towards the Identification and Design of Novel Probiotics
by Edgar Torres-Maravilla, Mick Parra, Kevin Maisey, Rodrigo A. Vargas, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Alex Gonzalez, Mario Tello and Luis G. Bermúdez-Humarán
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030626 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4852
Abstract
Aquaculture is a growing industry worldwide, but it faces challenges related to animal health. These challenges include infections by parasites, bacteria, and viral pathogens. These harmful pathogens have devastating effects on the industry, despite efforts to control them through vaccination and antimicrobial treatments. [...] Read more.
Aquaculture is a growing industry worldwide, but it faces challenges related to animal health. These challenges include infections by parasites, bacteria, and viral pathogens. These harmful pathogens have devastating effects on the industry, despite efforts to control them through vaccination and antimicrobial treatments. Unfortunately, these measures have proven insufficient to address the sanitary problems, resulting in greater environmental impact due to the excessive use of antimicrobials. In recent years, probiotics have emerged as a promising solution to enhance the performance of the immune system against parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens in various species, including mammals, birds, and fish. Some probiotics have been genetically engineered to express and deliver immunomodulatory molecules. These promote selective therapeutic effects and specific immunization against specific pathogens. This review aims to summarize recent research on the use of probiotics in fish aquaculture, with a particular emphasis on genetically modified probiotics. In particular, we focus on the advantages of using these microorganisms and highlight the main barriers hindering their widespread application in the aquaculture industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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23 pages, 586 KiB  
Review
Probiotics’ Effects in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Comprehensive Review of 2014–2023 Clinical Trials
by Ermis Merkouris, Theodora Mavroudi, Daniil Miliotas, Dimitrios Tsiptsios, Aspasia Serdari, Foteini Christidi, Triantafyllos K. Doskas, Christoph Mueller and Konstantinos Tsamakis
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020411 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 13939
Abstract
Changes in the gut microbiome can affect cognitive and psychological functions via the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis. Probiotic supplements are thought to have largely positive effects on mental health when taken in sufficient amounts; however, despite extensive research having been conducted, there is a [...] Read more.
Changes in the gut microbiome can affect cognitive and psychological functions via the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis. Probiotic supplements are thought to have largely positive effects on mental health when taken in sufficient amounts; however, despite extensive research having been conducted, there is a lack of consistent findings on the effects of probiotics on anxiety and depression and the associated microbiome alterations. The aim of our study is to systematically review the most recent literature of the last 10 years in order to clarify whether probiotics could actually improve depression and anxiety symptoms. Our results indicate that the majority of the most recent literature suggests a beneficial role of probiotics in the treatment of depression and anxiety, despite the existence of a substantial number of less positive findings. Given probiotics’ potential to offer novel, personalized treatment options for mood disorders, further, better targeted research in psychiatric populations is needed to address concerns about the exact mechanisms of probiotics, dosing, timing of treatment, and possible differences in outcomes depending on the severity of anxiety and depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge)
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