Search Results (579)

Sarcopenia is characterized by a reduction in muscle function and skeletal muscle mass relative to that of healthy individuals. In older adults and those who are less resistant to sarcopenia, glucocorticoid secretion or accumulation during treatment exacerbates muscle protein degradation, potentially causing sarcopenia. This study assessed the preventive effects and mechanisms of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum postbiotic beLP-K (beLP-K) against dexamethasone (DEX)-induced sarcopenia in C2C12 myotubes and Sprague-Dawley rats. The administration of beLP-K did not induce cytotoxicity and mitigated cell damage caused by DEX. Furthermore, beLP-K significantly reduced the expression of forkhead box O3 α (FoxO3α), muscle atrophy f-box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1, and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1), which are associated with muscle protein degradation. DEX induced weight loss in rats; however, in the beLP-K group, weight gain was observed. Micro-computed tomography analysis revealed that beLP-K increased muscle mass, correlating with weight and grip strength. beLP-K alleviated the DEX-induced reduction in grip strength and increased the mass of hind leg muscles. The correlation between beLP-K administration and increased muscle mass was associated with decreased expression levels of muscle degradation-related proteins such as MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1. Therefore, beLP-K may serve as a treatment for sarcopenia or as functional food material. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early gut colonization by bifidobacteria, occurring more favorably in vaginally born infants than in those delivered via C-section, is crucial for maintaining overall health. The study investigated the health-promoting properties of Limosilactobacillus vaginalis BC17 both as viable cells and as postbiotics (i.e., cell-free supernatant and heat-killed cells), with the purpose of developing oral formulations to support intestinal health. Methods: The safety, effects on the adhesion of bifidobacteria and enteropathogens to intestinal cells, and anti-inflammatory properties of L. vaginalis BC17 viable cells and postbiotics were evaluated. Fast-disintegrating tablets were formulated by freeze-drying cell-free supernatant in combination with heat-killed or viable cells alongside maltodextrins. Results: The formulations were shown to be non-genotoxic and compatible with intestinal cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29). BC17 viable cells survived in co-culture with intestinal cells up to 48 h and exhibited moderate adhesion to the cell lines. Notably, both BC17 viable cells and postbiotics enhanced the adhesion of beneficial bifidobacteria to Caco-2 cells by up to 250%, while reducing enteropathogens adhesion by 40–70%. Moreover, they exerted significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing nitric oxide production in macrophages by 40–50% and protecting intestinal cells from SDS-induced damage. The formulations allowed administration of at least 10⁹ BC17 cells in infants and adults through easy and rapid dispersion in milk or water, or directly in the oral cavity without chewing, and preserved their functional properties for up to 3 months of storage. Conclusions: L. vaginalis BC17 viable cells and postbiotics, as well as fast-disintegrating tablets, showed promising functional and safety profiles. Although further in vivo validation is needed, this approach represents a compelling strategy for promoting gut health. Full article

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune imbalance demands novel ameliorative strategies beyond conventional approaches. Methods: In this study, the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus paracasei L21 (L. paracasei L21) and its ability to ameliorate colitis were evaluated using an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal crypt epithelial cell (IEC-6) model and an in vivo dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model. Results: In vitro, L. paracasei L21 decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels (p < 0.05) in LPS-induced IEC-6 cells, significantly enhancing the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1), thereby restoring the intestinal barrier. In vivo, both viable L. paracasei L21 and its heat-inactivated postbiotic (H-L21) mitigated weight loss, colon shortening, and disease activity indices, concurrently reducing serum LPS and proinflammatory mediators. Interventions inhibited NF-κB signaling while activating HIF1α/AhR pathways, increasing IL-22 and mucin MUC2 to restore goblet cell populations. Gut microbiota analysis showed that both interventions increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria (Lactobacillus, Dubococcus, and Akkermansia) and improved faecal propanoic acid and butyric acid levels. H-L21 uniquely exerted an anti-inflammatory effect, marked by the regulation of Dubosiella, while L. paracasei L21 marked by the Akkermansia. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of L. paracasei L21 as a candidate for the development of both probiotic and postbiotic formulations. It is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the management of UC and to drive the development of the next generation of UC therapies. Full article

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms known for their health-promoting effects, particularly in modulating immune responses and reducing inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Emerging evidence suggests probiotics may also influence respiratory health, prompting investigation into their potential therapeutic application in lung inflammation. Methods: This study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of Ligilactobacillus salivarius (LS01 DSM 22775) and Bifidobacterium breve (B632 DSM 24706) on inflamed pulmonary epithelial cells. Lung carcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and normal bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were stimulated with IL-1β and treated with viable and heat-treated probiotics. Results: CCL-2 levels were significantly reduced by up to 40%, in A549 by viable form (10⁵–10⁷ AFU/g), instead of in 16HBE by heat-treated form (10⁷–10⁹ TFU/g). In A549 cells, TNF-α decreased by 20–80% with all formulations; instead, in 16HBE cells, IL-8 was reduced by viable strains (10⁷ AFU/g) by approximately 50%, while heat-treated strains (10⁹ TFU/g) decreased both IL-6 and IL-8 by 50%. All effective treatments completely inhibited IL-4 and eotaxin and suppressed NF-κB activation in both cell lines, with up to 80% reduction in phospho-p65 levels. In A549 cells, heat-treated strains fully blocked PGE2 production; instead, all four probiotics significantly inhibited COX-2 expression by approximately 50%. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that both viable and heat-treated probiotics can modulate inflammatory responses in pulmonary epithelial cells, suggesting their potential application in inflammatory respiratory diseases. Heat-treated formulations may be particularly suited for local administration via inhalation, offering a promising strategy for targeting airway inflammation directly. Full article

The human gut microbiota significantly influences host health through its metabolic products and interaction with immune, neural, and metabolic systems. Among these, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, play key roles in maintaining gut barrier integrity, modulating inflammation, and supporting metabolic regulation. Dysbiosis is increasingly linked to diverse conditions such as gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and colorectal cancer (CRC). Probiotics offer therapeutic potential by restoring microbial balance, enhancing epithelial defenses, and modulating immune responses. This review highlights the physiological functions of gut microbiota and SCFAs, with a particular focus on butyrate’s anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in CRC. It also examines emerging microbial therapies like probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and engineered microbes. Emphasis is placed on the need for precision microbiome medicine, tailored to individual host–microbiome interactions and metabolomic profiles. These insights underscore the promising role of gut microbiota modulation in advancing preventive and personalized healthcare. Full article

Lymphoma continues to pose a serious challenge to global health, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the gut microbiome has been shown to play a potential role in regulating immune responses and influencing cancer progression. However, its molecular mechanisms of action in lymphoma remain poorly understood. This study investigates the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, specifically nisin (N) and urolithin B (UB), individually and in combination 7:3 (5750 μM), against the human lymphoma cell line HKB-11. Comprehensive evaluations were performed using Alamar Blue viability assays, combination index (CI) analyses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, flow cytometry for apoptosis detection, and advanced bottom-up proteomics analyses. N and UB exhibited potent antiproliferative activity, with the 7:3 combination demonstrating strong synergistic effects (CI < 1), significantly enhancing apoptosis (p < 0.01) and ROS production (p < 0.0001) compared to the untreated control. Proteomics analyses revealed substantial alterations in proteins crucial to ribosomal biogenesis, mitochondrial function, cell cycle control, and apoptosis regulation, including a marked downregulation of ribosomal proteins (RPS27; Log₂FC = −3.47) and UBE2N (Log₂FC = −0.60). These findings highlight the potential of N and UB combinations as a novel and practical therapeutic approach for lymphoma treatment, warranting further in vivo exploration and clinical validation. Full article

Clinical trials serve as a cornerstone in the meticulous assessment of the efficacy and myriad health benefits that functional foods offer. These trials are not merely confined to the specific domain of functional foods; rather, they resonate throughout the expansive realms of nutrition science and public health, illuminating the intricate interdependencies that exist among these disciplines. This interconnectedness is becoming increasingly apparent, emphasizing the significant influence of scientific inquiry on fostering healthier dietary habits and shaping well-informed public health strategies. Functional food clinical trials yield essential insights into the potential of functional foods to enhance health outcomes, thereby playing a pivotal role in the prevention of various ailments and substantially elevating the quality of life for individuals in diverse contexts. By delivering consistent and compelling results, these trials bolster the foundational knowledge requisite healthcare practitioners to navigate dietary decisions wisely. Ultimately, the impact of such trials transcends individual health, contributing to the collective well-being of communities. They serve as a vital link between scientific progress and practical implementation, ensuring that the benefits of research are seamlessly integrated into everyday dietary practices, thereby promoting a healthier society at large. Full article

Porphyra-derived polysaccharides (PPs) are promising prebiotic candidates due to their capacity to modulate gut microbiota and promote host health. However, their interactions with and utilization by probiotic microorganisms remain unclear. In this study, the fermentability of PPs by murine-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains was investigated, with particular attention to strain-specific metabolic activity, carbohydrate utilization, and potential exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. All tested strains were capable of utilizing PPs to varying extents, with strain A10 exhibiting the highest level of carbohydrate consumption. Notably, strain A5 showed increased mannose concentrations following fermentation, suggesting the biosynthesis of mannose-rich EPSs. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides ranging from 2.6 to 8.1 × 10⁵ Da, indicative of EPS production. FT-IR spectroscopy further revealed spectral features consistent with EPS structures. The antibacterial activity of postbiotic compounds produced by LAB strains fermenting PPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was observed. These findings demonstrate distinct metabolic adaptations of LAB strains to PPs and emphasize their potential as prebiotic substrates. Full article

Postbiotics, defined as metabolites produced by probiotics, encompass both bacterial cells and their metabolic byproducts, and offer significant health benefits to the host. However, there are relatively few reports on their effects on intestinal microbiota. In this study, we investigated the components, total antioxidant capacity of Lactobacillus helveticus postbiotics (LHPs) and their impact on intestinal flora using the Simulator for Human Intestinal Microecology Simulation (SHIME). The results indicate that the primary components of postbiotics include polysaccharides, proteins, and organic acids. Furthermore, LHPs have a strong ability to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria while promoting the growth of probiotics. Additionally, LHPs significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity in the intestine and regulated the balance of intestinal microbiota. Notably, there was also a significant increase in the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestine. Overall, LHPs have the potential to aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases by enhancing gut microbiology. Full article

Background: Probiotics can modulate the microbiota and decrease uric acid levels. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on uric acid levels. Methods: The keywords “probiotics”, “uric acid”, “gout”, “hyperuricemia” were searched in PubMed Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to the English, French, Italian, and Spanish languages, and to the period between 1 January 2000 to 30 August 2024. We included RCTs and observational studies comparing probiotics to placebo. We excluded studies reporting (1) prebiotics, symbiotics, or postbiotics, (2) animal studies, and (3) case reports, commentaries, or reviews. Two independent reviewers performed quality assessment and data extraction. This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2 guidelines. The main outcome measure was uric acid levels “after–before” probiotic versus placebo interventions. Forest plots summarized the data using a random model. Results: Nine studies included 394 patients, of whom 201 were treated with probiotics and 193 with placebo. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the probiotic group compared with the control group regarding the main outcome measure. However, substantial heterogeneity was noted, explained (after applying subgroup analysis and meta-regression) by the following moderators: continent, diseased/healthy, male sex, and monostrain probiotics. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that probiotics reduced uric acid levels in Asian males who had disease and were treated with monostrain probiotics. Full article

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microbial metabolites also known as postbiotics, are essential for maintaining gut health. However, their antiproliferative effects on gastric cancer cells and potential interactions with conventional therapies remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three SCFA salts—magnesium acetate (A), sodium propionate (P), and sodium butyrate (B)—individually and in combination (APB), as well as in combination with dexamethasone (Dex), on AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: AGS cells were treated with PB, AP, AB, APB, Dex, and APB+Dex. Cell viability was assessed to determine antiproliferative effects, and the IC₅₀ of APB was calculated. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured to assess oxidative stress. Proteomic analysis via LC-MS was performed to identify differential protein expression and related pathways impacted by the treatments. Results: SCFA salts showed significant antiproliferative effects on AGS cells, with APB exhibiting a combined IC₅₀ of 568.33 μg/mL. The APB+Dex combination demonstrated strong synergy (combination index = 0.76) and significantly enhanced growth inhibition. Both APB and APB+Dex induced substantial apoptosis (p < 0.0001) with minimal necrosis. APB alone significantly increased ROS levels (p < 0.0001), while Dex moderated this effect in the combination group APB+Dex (p < 0.0001). Notably, the APB+Dex treatment synergistically targeted multiple tumour-promoting mechanisms, including the impairment of redox homeostasis through SLC7A11 suppression, and inhibition of the haemostasis, platelet activation network and NF-κB signalling pathway via downregulation of NFKB1 (−1.34), exemplified by increased expression of SERPINE1 (1.99) within the “Response to elevated platelet cytosolic Ca²⁺” pathway. Conclusions: These findings showed a multifaceted anticancer mechanism by APB+Dex that may collectively impair cell proliferation, survival signalling, immune modulation, and tumour microenvironment support in gastric cancer. Full article

Dietary patterns have been identified as one of the most important modifiable risk factors for several non-communicable diseases, inextricably linked to the health span of older people. Poor dietary choices may act as triggers for immune responses such as aggravated inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress contributing to the pathophysiology of several ageing hallmarks. Novel dietary interventions are being explored to restore gut microbiota balance and promote overall health in ageing populations. Probiotics and, most recently, postbiotics, which are products of probiotic fermentation, have been reported to modulate different signalling biomolecules involved in immunity, metabolism, inflammation, and oxidation pathways. This review presents evidence-based literature on the effects of postbiotics in promoting healthy ageing and mitigating various age-related diseases. The development of postbiotic-based therapeutics and diet-based interventions within a personalised microbiota-targeted approach is proposed as a possible direction for improving health in the elderly population. Despite growing evidence, the data regarding their exact mechanistic pathways for antioxidant and immunomodulating activities remain largely unexplored. Expanding our understanding of the mechanistic and chemical determinants of postbiotics could contribute to disease management approaches, as well as the development of and optimisation of biotherapeutics. Full article

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which leads to alveolar bone destruction and systemic inflammation. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics may mitigate periodontal pathology. To systematically evaluate the alleviative effects and mechanisms of different forms of probiotics, including live bacteria and postbiotics, on periodontitis, we first screened and identified Ligilactobacillus salivarius CCFM1332 (L. salivarius CCFM1332) through in vitro antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity assays. Subsequently, we investigated its therapeutic potential in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. The results demonstrated that both live L. salivarius CCFM1332 (PL) and its postbiotics (PP) significantly reduced the gingival index (GI) and probing depth (PD) in rats, while suppressing oral colonization of P. gingivalis. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were differentially modulated: the PL group exhibited reductions in interleukin-17A (IL-17A), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by 39.31% (p < 0.01), 17.26% (p < 0.05), and 14.74% (p < 0.05), respectively, whereas the PP group showed decreases of 34.79% (p < 0.05), 29.85% (p < 0.01), and 19.74% (p < 0.05). Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis demonstrated that compared to the periodontitis model group (PM), the PL group significantly reduced alveolar bone loss (ABL) by 30.1% (p < 0.05) and increased bone volume fraction (BV/TV) by 49.5% (p < 0.01). In contrast, while the PP group similarly decreased ABL by 32.7% (p < 0.05), it resulted in a 40.4% improvement in BV/TV (p > 0.05). Histological assessments via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining confirmed that both the PL group and the PP group alleviated structural damage to alveolar bone-supporting tissues and reduced osteoclast-positive cell counts. This study suggests that live L. salivarius CCFM1332 and its postbiotics reduce alveolar bone resorption and attachment loss in rats through antibacterial and anti-inflammatory pathways, thereby alleviating periodontal inflammation in rats. Full article

This study aimed to ferment protein-rich amaranth flour with different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and to analyse the fermented dough’s functional properties. The fermented dough analysis was conducted using titrimetric, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic methods. The antioxidant activity of the fermented doughs was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) methods, finding ABTS radical scavenging values ranging from 26.00 ± 1.05% to 58.92 ± 6.05%, while the DPPH values ranged from 21.29 ± 0.83% to 28.24 ± 5.48%. By RP-HPLC (Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) characterisation, several phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified and quantified. Among these compounds, epigallocatechin was the most abundant, with the highest concentration recorded at 7789.88 ± 17.0 ng/µL in the control sample. This was followed by a 6942.47 ± 5.632 ng/µL concentration in the dough fermented with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MIUG BL38 strain and 4983.16 ± 7.29 ng/µL in the dough fermented with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus MIUG BL24 strain. These two LAB strains (Lc. rhamnosus MIUG BL38 and Lp. pentosus MIUG BL24), with probiotic properties previously demonstrated, were selected based on their acidification potential, antioxidant activity, and bioactivity for future optimisation studies. Lactic acid fermentation significantly enhances bioactive characteristics of the amaranth flour, enabling the design of diverse gluten-free products with increased functional properties based on the attributes induced by the prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic contents (tribiotics). Full article