Nutrients

Background: Some lactobacilli strains have been documented to cause bacteremia and sepsis in immunocompromised or critically ill hospitalized patients, challenging the universally presumed safety of lactobacilli. Therefore, strain-specific risk assessments are required for the use of Lactobacillus as a probiotic. Lactobacillus xujianguonis, a novel Lactobacillus species isolated from Marmota himalayana, has probiotic potential but lacks safety data. Objective: To evaluate the preclinical safety of L. xujianguonis for food-grade use. Methods: Systematic safety assessment includes in vitro studies and oral toxicity studies. In vitro studies encompassed gastrointestinal tolerance, auto-aggregation and pathogen inhibition, antibiotic susceptibility, and hemolysis/gelatinase activity assays. Oral toxicity studies contained acute single-dose and repeated-dose 28-day oral toxicity studies in mice based on the OECD toxicity study guidelines. Results: L. xujianguonis strains HT111-2 and 06-2 demonstrated certain probiotic traits, including high acid/bile tolerance, strong auto-aggregation, and antimicrobial activity against common human gastrointestinal pathogens. In vitro safety assessments showed susceptibility to nine antibiotics and absence of hemolytic/gelatinase activity. Acute oral exposure (1 × 10¹¹ CFU/kg) induced no mortality, clinical abnormalities, or organ toxicity. Subchronic 28-day administration (multiple doses) showed absence of adverse clinical signs with body weight stability and no hematological, biochemical, or histopathological deviations in C57BL/6 mice. Inflammatory and immunological markers remained unaffected. Histological staining results and transcriptional level validation revealed no evidence of intestinal tissue damage. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence of the safety of L. xujianguonis, supporting its advancement to functional research.

Objective: To examine the association between the composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) and gastric cancer (GC) risk among adults in Southeast China, and to provide evidence for region-specific nutritional interventions. Methods: In this case–control study (July 2023–November 2024), 336 newly diagnosed GC patients were recruited from a hospital in Southeast China, and 336 sex-matched healthy controls were selected from local communities. Dietary data from a validated food frequency questionnaire were used to calculate CDAI scores. Results: A total of 672 participants (56.5% male) were included. The mean CDAI value was 0.47 ± 4.23 in cases versus −0.04 ± 4.61 in controls (p = 0.134), but CDAI quartile distribution differed significantly (p = 0.009). In multivariable analysis of individual CDAI components, vitamin C intake demonstrated a significant inverse association with GC risk, with the strongest protective effect observed in the highest quartile (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30–0.77, p = 0.002). Selenium intake also showed significant protective effects in the second (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32–0.83, p = 0.006) and third quartiles (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30–0.82, p = 0.006). Compared with the lowest quartile, adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for GC in the second, third, and fourth CDAI quartiles were 0.56 (0.36–0.87), 0.59 (0.38–0.90), and 0.60 (0.39–0.92), respectively. The inverse association was stronger in participants aged >55 years, unmarried, and nonsmokers. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a significant nonlinear dose–response relationship. Conclusions: Higher dietary antioxidant intake is associated with lower GC risk. Personalized dietary strategies to enhance antioxidant intake may be particularly beneficial in high-risk populations.

Background/Objectives: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common chronic complication of prematurity, associated with significant morbidity. Nutrition is a key modifiable factor influencing lung growth, repair, and overall development. This review summarizes current evidence on nutritional strategies for BPD prevention and management. Methods: Narrative review was conducted with literature search in major databases using relevant keywords. Results: Early nutritional deficits are strongly associated with BPD. Higher early protein (3.5–4 g/kg/day) and energy intake (>60 kcal/kg/day in the first week, with progressive increases) reduce ventilator dependence. Lipids are essential to achieve caloric goals. Fluid restriction may reduce BPD risk but often results in undernutrition. Nutrient density, rather than fluid volume, is critical. Enteral nutrition, particularly mother’s own milk, consistently reduces BPD risk, whereas formula feeding is linked to higher BPD incidence. In established BPD, nutritional requirements are substantially increased. Feeding is frequently complicated by fluid restriction, gastroesophageal reflux, and poor oral coordination. Management strategies include higher energy intake (130–150 kcal/kg/day), adequate protein provision (3.5–4 g/kg/day), and careful use of lipid-based energy sources. Fortified human milk or enriched preterm formulas are essential, with individualized fortification improving growth. Micronutrient support is critical, and long-term follow-up is required, as post-discharge growth remains vulnerable and predicts later outcomes. Conclusions: Nutritional strategies to mitigate BPD should focus on early optimization of protein and energy intake, prioritization of nutrient density and promotion of human milk feeding. Targeted micronutrient support, individualized fortification and multidisciplinary care are essential to improve pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes.