Search Results (46)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut–brain axis chronic disorder, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of organic pathology. Nutrition plays a central role in symptom management, yet no single dietary strategy has demonstrated universal effectiveness. This narrative review critically evaluates current nutritional approaches to IBS. The low-Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols (FODMAP) diet is the most extensively studied and provides short-term symptom relief, but its long-term effects on microbiota diversity remain concerning. The Mediterranean diet, due to its anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties, offers a sustainable, microbiota-friendly option; however, it has specific limitations in the context of IBS, particularly due to the adverse effects of certain FODMAP-rich foods. A gluten-free diet may benefit individuals with suspected non-celiac gluten sensitivity, although improvements are often attributed to fructan restriction and placebo and nocebo effects. Lactose-free diets are effective in patients with documented lactose intolerance, while a high-soluble-fiber diet is beneficial for constipation-predominant IBS. IgG-based elimination diets are emerging but remain controversial and require further validation. In this review, we present the 10 dietary commandments for IBS, pragmatic and easily retained recommendations. It advocates a personalized, flexible, and multidisciplinary management approach, avoiding rigidity and standardized protocols, with the aim of optimizing adherence, symptom mitigation, and health-related quality of life. Future research should aim to evaluate, in real-world clinical settings, the impact and applicability of the 10 dietary commandments for IBS in terms of symptom improvement and quality of life Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with estrogen-like activity, known to impair immune function. BPA may act as a pro-inflammatory agent, reducing immune response efficacy, increasing bacterial load in E. coli infections, and altering immune responses in parasitic infections (Leishmania major, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Toxocara canis) through cytokine and regulatory T-cell modulation. Following its ban in food contact materials in Europe, several analogs have been introduced. This study assessed the immunotoxicity of BPA and six analogs, namely BPAP, BPE, BPP, BPS-MAE, BPZ, and TCBPA, by evaluating in vitro the antibody production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy male and female donors were exposed to increasing concentrations of each compound for 24 h. After stimulation with rhIL-2 and ODN2006, IgM and IgG secretion were measured on day six. All compounds suppressed antibody production in a concentration-dependent manner, with some sex-related differences. IC₅₀ values showed BPP as the most potent suppressor, and BPE as the weakest. Similarly, IC₂₀ values confirmed these differences in potency, except for BPA being the weakest for IgM in males. Overall, te results do not support the idea that BPA analogs are safer than BPA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a severe health problem globally, resulting in substantial social and economic challenges. While existing medications for managing OUD are proven to be effective, they also present certain challenges. A vaccine offers a promising therapeutic strategy to combat OUD and potentially reduce the risk of overdose death. The TT-6-AmHap heroin conjugate vaccine has effectively reduced heroin-induced pharmacological effects in behavioral assays as well as demonstrated the induction of high titer and high affinity antibody responses in mice and rats. In this GLP study conducted in rabbits, the potential local and systemic toxicity of the TT-6-AmHap heroin vaccine in combination with or without adjuvants ALF43 and Alhydrogel^® (ALFA) was investigated. Methods: Male and female New Zealand White rabbits were administered with vaccines or a saline control intramuscularly at two-week intervals over a 57-day study period. The presence, persistence or reversibility of any toxic effects of the vaccine was determined over a four-week recovery period. Results: Administration of TT-6-AmHap with or without the adjuvants induced high antibody-specific IgG in treatment groups compared to the controls. The study found no TT-6-AmHap-related effects on mortality, physical examinations, dermal Draize observations, body weights, body weight changes, food consumption, ophthalmology, clinical pathology (hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis), macroscopic pathology, or organ weights. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, these results demonstrate that the TT-6-AmHap vaccine with or without adjuvants was well tolerated, immunogenic, and the effects were not considered adverse in both male and female rabbits. Full article

The mRNA vaccine has protected humans from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has taken the lead in reversing the epidemic efficiently. However, the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) reported and raised the alarm of allergic or acute inflammatory adverse reactions after vaccination with mRNA-LNP vaccines. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added four black-box warnings in the instructions for mRNA-LNP vaccines. Numerous studies have proven that the observance of side effects after vaccination is indeed positively correlated to the level of anti-PEG antibodies (IgM or IgG), which are enhanced by PEGylated preparations like LNP vaccine and environmental exposure. After literature research and review in the past two decades, it was found that the many clinical trial failures (BIND-014, RB006 fell in phase II) of PEG modified delivery system or PEGylated drug were related to the high expression of anti-PEG IgM and IgG. In the background of shooting multiple mRNA-LNP vaccines in billions of people around the world in the past three years, the level of anti-PEG antibodies in the population may have significantly increased, which brings potential risks for PEG-modified drug development and clinical safety. This review summarizes the experience of using mRNA-LNP vaccines from the mechanism of the anti-PEG antibodies generation, detection methods, clinical failure cases of PEG-containing products, harm analysis of abuse of PEGylation, and alternatives. In light of the increasing prevalence of anti-PEG antibodies in the population and the need to avoid secondary injuries, this review article holds greater significance by offering insights for drug developers. It suggests avoiding the use of PEG excipients when designing PEGylated drugs or PEG-modified nano-formulations and provides references for strategies such as utilizing PEG-free or alternative excipients. Full article

Background: The etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is complicated, and it includes aspects such as dysfunction of the skin barrier, changes in immune responses, IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, and many characteristics of the environment. Regarding skin barrier dysfunction, a number of genetic changes have been described. This genetic predisposition could be related to the phenotypes of atopic dermatitis. Aim: In this study, several polymorphisms in five proinflammatory genes were associated with certain phenotypes of AD patients (genotype–phenotype study). Methods: In total, 89 unrelated AD Czech (Caucasian) patients were genotyped regarding five proinflammatory gene polymorphisms (angiotensinogen AGT M235T, AGT-6 G/A, TNF-α-238 G/A, TNF-β Fok1, IL-6-174 C/G and IL-6-596 G/A). Genotyping was performed using PCR and restriction analysis. For phenotypes, patients’ sex, age and personal and family history of atopy, aero- and food allergies and other complex diseases were evaluated. Results: A significant association with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measured on the forearm was found with the AGT M235T polymorphism (p = 0.02). For the AG genotype of TNF-α-238 G/A, a six-times higher risk for a family history of diabetes mellitus compared to other examined aspects of family history was found (p = 0.02). A family history of thyreopathy was associated with the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism when compared to a family history of other complex diseases. The GG genotype had a ten-times higher risk for a family history of thyreopathy compared to the other genotypes (p = 0.004). This result was highly specific (0.914). The GG genotype of IL-6-596 G/A was associated with a family history of thyreopathy, with the same result (p = 0.004). Moreover, the G allele of IL-6-174 G/C was associated with a family history of thyreopathy compared to AD patients without a positive family history of complex diseases (p = 0.03). In AD men, the MM genotype of the AGT M235T gene was found to be associated with food allergies (p = 0.004). This result was highly sensitive (0.833). A family history of cardiovascular disease in AD men was associated with AGT-6 G/A variability. The A allele was found to be six times more frequent in patients with a positive family history of cardiovascular disease (p = 0.02, with high sensitivity and specificity (0.700 and 0.735, respectively)). A family history of diabetes mellitus was associated with the TNF-β Fok1 polymorphism, where the B1 allele was almost six times more frequent in AD men with a positive family history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02), with high sensitivity (0.85). A significant association between TEWL measured on the forearm and the AGT M235T polymorphism was found when AD women were carriers of the MM genotype, with a median of 25 and range 4–61; those patients with the MT genotype had a median of 10 and range of 0.3–39; and patients with the TT genotype had a median of 5 and range of 3–40, p = 0.003. The polymorphism AGT-6 G/A was associated with different ages of eczema onset. The AG genotype was almost nine times more risky for the youngest group (0–7 years) compared to the oldest group (more than 18 years) (p = 0.02), with high specificity for this result. Conclusions: Our results in the field of cytokine signaling in the immune system in patients with atopic dermatitis are in agreement with those of GWASs. We suggest that cost-effective and simple PCR tests may be the best approach for the rapid and optimal collection of valid genetic information in clinical practice. Full article

(1) Background: Mopeia–Lassa reassortant ML29 virus is an investigational, reassortant virus vaccine for the prevention of Lassa fever caused by Lassa virus (LASV). (2) Methods: The vaccine virus ML29-SF was prepared in Vero cells using a serum-free culture medium under Good Manufacturing Practice. A 2-week repeat dose toxicity study was performed in guinea pigs under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations to assess the local and systemic toxicological effects. (3) Results: Following an intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection of 10⁴ PFU of ML29-SF LASV vaccine at the start of the study, with a second dose 15 days later, no toxicological response attributable to the vaccine was observed. Vaccine-related effects were not observed in any in-life or post-mortem parameter evaluated, including clinical observations, injection site observations, body temperature, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, immunology, hematology, clinical chemistry, gross anatomical pathology, organ weights, and histopathology. An immunogenic response, as measured by the elicitation of IgG antibodies against major LASV immunogens, nucleocapsid and glycoprotein precursor, was observed in all vaccine-treated animals prior to the booster dose (Study Day 15) which endured through the end of the study (Study Day 42). There was no evidence of viral shedding in any vaccinated animal. (4) Conclusions: Overall, this single-dose vaccine was locally and systemically well tolerated even after a two-dose repeat administration, confirming the high level of safety of ML29-SF vaccination and supporting the future evaluation of this LASV vaccine, including in clinical trials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSW3805 was isolated from Korean kimchi samples to examine its effect in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model. Methods: To induce colitis, mice were treated with DSS for one week before sacrifice (n = 8 per group, total n = 40). Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (10⁹ CFU/day) or probiotics (L. plantarum DSW3805; 10⁸ or 10⁹ CFU/day) were administered for two weeks. To assess colitis damage, we evaluated the disease activity index, colon tissue, inflammatory factors, the microbiome, short-chain fatty acids, and intestine-related factors. Results: DSS induced colonic tissue damage (colon length, mucus thickness, and colonic crypts), and L. plantarum DSW3805 alleviated the tissue damage. Induced inflammation was reduced by inhibiting TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IgA, IgG, LTB4, PGE2, and NF-κB protein expression. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in the PC group (DSS-treated control) was lower than that in the NC (DSS-nontreated control); L. plantarum DSW3805 increased the ratio. Higher concentrations of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were detected in probiotic groups. In addition, harmful factors, such as calprotectin and β-glucuronidase, were reduced in the probiotic groups. Conclusions: L. plantarum DSW3805 alleviates gut damage by colitis; therefore, it can be used as a functional food to improve gut health. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite in cats that can be a cause of zoonotic concern due to sheding infectious and highly resistant oocysts. Clinical toxoplasmosis is rare in cats and can occur with mild to severe clinical signs or even fatal outcomes. T. gondii immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgG is an indicator of ongoing or prior infection. Information about T. gondii occurrence in the domestic cat population, primary clinical concerns about affected cats, and potential risk factors is scarce in Germany. This retrospective study explored data from 174 feline patients (≥12 weeks old) presented to a tertiary veterinary care facility in central Germany between 2012 and 2023. T. gondii serological status, determined as part of the cats’ routine diagnostic evaluation, was assessed in relation to patient characteristics, environmental factors, medical history data, and clinical diagnosis. Neurological (57%), locomotor (25%), and ocular signs (11%) were common, and older age was associated with the presence of IgG (p = 0.008). Sex had no significant effects on T. gondii antibody positivity (p = 0.865). More outdoor cats than indoor-only cats were T. gondii IgG-positive (p = 0.021), and IgG-seropositive animals received a canned/wet diet more often than a dry kibble diet (p < 0.0001). Clinical representations aligned with previous studies, and age, choice of food, and outdoor living (p = 0.021) were significant predisposing factors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Elevated cytokine levels, including IL-6 and IL-1β, can contribute to persistent brain inflammation in children with autism and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, exacerbating autism-related behaviours and symptoms. This study evaluates the impact of CMV-induced cytokine increases on the eating behaviours and sensory profiles of children with autism. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, involving children aged two to five years (CMV-reactive IgG), with ASD (n= 98) and TD (n = 96). Serological tests using ELISA were conducted to measure IgG CMV, IL-6, and IL-1β biomarkers. Eating behaviours were evaluated using the BAMBI (Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviour Inventory), and sensory profiles were assessed using the SSP (Short Sensory Profile). Statistical analyses were performed using Spearman’s rank and chi-square tests. Results: The results show that autism significantly affects children’s eating behaviours and sensory profiles (p < 0.001), with notable differences found between the groups. Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between IgG CMV and IL-6 (p = 0.026) and IL-1β (p = 0.014) in the ASD group. Additionally, eating behaviours (food refusal and limited variety) in ASD correlated with IL-6 and IL-1β. Sensory characteristics, such as tactile sensitivity, were found to correlate with IL-6 (p = 0.027) and IL-1β (p = 0.002) in the ASD group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CMV-infected children with autism are at increased risk of IL-6 and IL-1β dysregulation, contributing to sensory processing issues and eating behaviours. Further research is needed to enhance CMV testing protocols and better understand the virus’s role in the development of sensory and behavioural issues in children with autism. Full article

Lentinus edodes serves as a significant source of both medicine and food, with its key component, lentinan (LNT), recognized as an effective immunomodulator. However, the mechanisms by which it regulates immune and intestinal functions under conditions of immunosuppression remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the components of lentinan and examine its potential effects on countering cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppression, intestinal barrier damage, and dysregulation of gut microbiota. In this study, the effects of LNT were evaluated by serological indicators, histopathological changes in ileum, tight-junction-related protein expression, cytokine expression levels, and gut microbiota 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We found that LNT was effective in mitigating the abnormalities in body weight, immune organ index, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IgG in mice induced by CP (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LNT demonstrated the ability to alleviate intestinal barrier damage induced by CP by increasing the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, Occludin, and ZO-1 (p < 0.05). Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that LNT also normalized the disrupted abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidets caused by CP. This restoration brought the gut microbiota back to normal levels and increased the abundance of certain tumor-inhibiting bacteria, such as Alistipes. Overall, lentinan demonstrated the ability to reverse the immunosuppressive effects induced by cyclophosphamide and modulate gut microbiota to restore a healthy microbial balance. Full article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are zoonotic pathogens posing significant health concerns in rural Amazonia, a region marked by high endemicity, poverty, and limited healthcare access. However, the epidemiology of HBV and HEV in this ecosystem remains underexplored. This study examines the circulation of HBV and HEV at the human–wildlife interface and identifies risk factors within an isolated Amazonian indigenous community reliant on hunting for subsistence. Antibodies against HBV core antigens (HBcAbs) were found in three wildlife species: Cuniculus paca (0.8%), Tayassu pecari (1.6%), and Mazama americana (4.1%), marking the first record of HBV antibodies in free-ranging wildlife in the Amazon. However, further research is necessary to identify circulating strains and their relation to human HBV. HBcAbs were also detected in 9.1% of human samples, confirming exposure to HBV in the region. HEV IgG antibodies were present in 17.1% of humans and were associated with higher age. All wildlife and domestic animal samples tested negative for HEV, but transmission through consumption of wild animals and contaminated water needs further investigation. The identified risk factors highlight the urgent need for measures to promote safer food handling, improved sanitation, hygiene, and practices related to contact with wild animals. Full article

This study investigated the structure of Pleurocinus ostreatus polysaccharide (POP-1) and its effect on immunocompromised mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CY). Novel POP-1 was α- and β-glucopyranose, its molecular weight was 4.78 × 104 Da, it was mainly composed of glucose (88.9%), and it also contained galactose (2.97%), mannose (5.02%), fucose (0.3%), arabinose (0.21%), ribose (0.04%), galactose acid (0.17%), and glucose acid (1.45%). After POP-1 was administered to immunosuppressed mice, results showed that POP-1 increased the body weight, spleen, and thymus index and enhanced T lymphocyte proliferation in mice. POP-1 up-regulated the expression of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the mouse spleen to increase immunoglobulin (IgM, IgG, and IgA) and secrete cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) through activation of the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway. Moreover, POP-1 remarkably reversed the gut-microbiota dysbiosis in immunosuppressed mice by increasing the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Blautia, and Ligilactobacillus and altered the fecal metabolites by increasing hexahomomethionine, DG(8:0/20:4(5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z)-OH(20)/0:0, 2-((3-aminopyridin-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide, Ginkgoic acid, and carboxy-ethyl-hydroxychroman, which is closely related to the immunity function. This study indicates that P. ostreatus polysaccharide effectively restores immunosuppressive activity and can be a functional ingredient in food and pharmaceutical products. Full article

Severe gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and food hypersensitivity are tightly associated in young individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Here, we explored the relationship of GIS (gastrointestinal severity index, ROMA IV criteria, Bristol scale), ASD-like behaviors (Childhood Autism Rating Scale), and certain sociodemographic/clinical traits (epidemiological survey) with serum immunoreactivity (IgG, IgA, IgE titers) towards bovine milk caseins (BMC; by ELISA) and subfractions (by immunoblotting) in thirty-one pediatric patients (~3–15 y, 77% male) with mild-to-severe GIS and ASD-like behaviors. In total, 42%, 25%, and 23% of all participants exhibited no (IgG−/IgA−), mono (IgG+/IgA−), or dual (IgG+/IgA+) immunoreactivity to BMC, respectively; the trend was significantly associated with the severity of the GIS and ASD-like behaviors, regurgitations, and self-reported allergies (OR: 1 → (1.9–3.1) → 13.5–16.0)]. No IgE+ response to BMC was found. Dual responders were α > κ > β-casein, though nonspecific reactivity to other protein fractions was also observed. The IgA+ > IgG+ but not IgE+ response to BMC (mainly α-casein) seems to be related to the severity of GIS and ASD-like behaviors, although a larger number of ASD patients are needed to draw a causal association. Full article

Numerous studies have investigated the immunomodulatory effects of yogurt, but the underlying mechanism remained elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the alleviating properties of yogurt on immunosuppression and proposed the underlying mechanism was related to the metabolite D-lactate. In the healthy mice, we validated the safety of daily yogurt consumption (600 μL) or D-lactate (300 mg/kg). In immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX), we evaluated the immune regulation of yogurt and D-lactate. The result showed that yogurt restored body weight, boosted immune organ index, repaired splenic tissue, recovered the severity of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and increased serum cytokines (IgA, IgG, IL-6, IFN-γ). Additionally, yogurt enhanced intestinal immune function by restoring the intestinal barrier and upregulating the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Further studies showed that D-lactate alleviated immunosuppression in mice mainly by promoting cellular immunity. D-lactate recovered body weight and organ development, elevated serum cytokines (IgA, IgG, IL-6, IFN-γ), enhanced splenic lymphocyte proliferation and increased the mRNA level of T-bet in splenic lymphocyte to bolster Th1 differentiation. Finally, CTX is a chemotherapeutic drug, thus, the application of yogurt and D-lactate in the tumor-bearing mouse model was initially explored. The results showed that both yogurt (600 μL) and D-lactate (300 mg/kg) reduced cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression without promoting tumor growth. Overall, this study evaluated the safety, immune efficacy and applicability of yogurt and D-lactate in regulating immunosuppression. It emphasized the potential of yogurt as a functional food for immune regulation, with D-lactate playing a crucial role in its immunomodulatory effects. Full article

Heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 (HT-nF1) increases immune cell activation and the production of various immunomodulators (e.g., interleukin (IL)-12) as well as immunoglobulin (Ig) G, which plays an important role in humoral immunity, and IgA, which activates mucosal immunity. To determine the effect of HT-nF1 intake on improving immune function, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 100 subjects with normal white blood cell counts. The HT-nF1 group was administered capsules containing 5 × 10¹¹ cells of HT-nF1 once a day for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of HT-nF1 intake, significant changes in IL-12 were observed in the HT-nF1 group (p = 0.045). In particular, the change in natural killer (NK) cell activity significantly increased in subjects with low secretory (s) IgA (≤49.61 μg/mL) and low NK activity (E:T = 10:1) (≤3.59%). These results suggest that HT-nF1 has no safety issues and improves the innate immune function by regulating T helper (Th)1-related immune factors. Therefore, we confirmed that HT-nF1 not only has a positive effect on regulating the body’s immunity, but it is also a safe material for the human body, which confirms its potential as a functional health food ingredient. Full article