A Potential Synbiotic Strategy for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: Lactobacillus paracasei JY062 and Exopolysaccharide Isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum JY039

The disturbance of intestinal microorganisms and the exacerbation of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are mutually influenced. In this study, the effect of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus plantarum JY039 on the adhesion of Lactobacillus paracasei JY062 was investigated, as well as their preventive efficacy against T2D. The results showed that the EPS isolated from L. plantarum JY039 effectively improved the adhesion rate of L. paracasei JY062 to Caco-2 cells (1.8 times) and promoted the proliferation of L. paracasei JY062. In the mice experiment, EPS, L. paracasei JY062 and their complex altered the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which elevated the proportion of Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, while inversely decreasing the proportion of Firmicutes, Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and other bacteria involved in energy metabolism (p < 0.01; p < 0.05); enhanced the intestinal barrier function; promoted secretion of the gut hormone peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1); and reduced inflammation by balancing pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α and anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 (p < 0.01; p < 0.05). These results illustrate that EPS and L. paracasei JY062 have the synbiotic potential to prevent and alleviate T2D.

Effect of Fluidized Bed Drying, Matrix Constituents and Structure on the Viability of Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 55544 during Storage at 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C

The stabilization of probiotics for application in non-refrigerated food products is a challenging task. In the present study, bacteria were immobilized in a dairy matrix comprising of whole milk powder, skim milk powder, or milk protein isolate using fluidized bed drying technology. The samples were taken out at different drying stages, with an apparent water activity of aw 0.5, aw 0.4, and aw 0.3, respectively, and vacuum-packed to maintain the aw and stored at three different temperatures of 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C. The study evaluated the impact of matrix constituents, milk fat, protein, and carbohydrate on the viability of encapsulated probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei) ATCC 55544 during storage for 1 month. The whole milk powder matrix provided superior protection to the bacteria. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) was used to investigate the structure of the immobilizing matrix and the location of the probiotic L. paracasei cells embedded within the matrix. The CLSM study revealed that the probiotic bacterial cells are mostly embedded as clusters beneath the top layer. We hypothesize that the biofilm-like structure, together with the protective whole milk powder matrix, helps to retain the superior viability of probiotic cells during storage at non-refrigerated storage conditions of 25 °C and 37 °C.

Innovative application of postbiotics, parabiotics and encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 and Lactobacillus paracasei KC39 for detoxification of aflatoxin M1 in milk powder

This study aimed to evaluate aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) level in milk powder and infant milk formulae, in addition to applying innovative methods for AFM1 & AFB1 detoxification. Fifty random samples of milk powder and infant formulae (25 of each) were collected from the Egyptian markets for assessing AFM1 level using ELISA technique. Bioactive components comprising cell free supernatants (postbiotic), acid-dead cells (parabiotic) and the encapsulated-cells of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 and Lactobacillus paracasei KC39 were evaluated for their antifungal activity against toxigenic mold strains and their impact on AFB1 and AFM1 reduction in reconstituted milk powder. AFM1 concentration in unpacked milk powder was higher than that of packed samples and infant formulae, although these differences were not significant (P > 0.05). About 96.0, 29.4 and 25.0% of the tested infant formulae, unpacked, and packed milk powder were unacceptable in terms of the AFM1 limit defined by Egyptian and European standards, while all samples were in accordance with the USA/FDA standard. All tested mycotoxigenic strains were sensitive to the different treatments of the probiotics with the highest sensitivity regarding Fusarium strain with L. paracasei KC39 compared to other genera. The degradation ratios of AFM1 using the bioactives of the L. paracasei KC39 were higher than that of L. plantarum RM1 bioactives. Additionally, KC39 parabiotic manifested the best AFB1 reduction (60.56%). In conclusion, the positive and highly significant relationship (P < 0.05) between these effective biocompounds mirrors their major detoxification role which gives a safe solution for AFs contamination issues in milk and milk products.

The Ameliorative Effect of Lactobacillus Paracasei BEJ01 Against FB1 Induced Spermatogenesis Disturbance, Testicular Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Damage

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) was a possible carcinogenic molecule for humans as classified by the IARC on 2B group. In livestock, it was responsible for several mycotoxicosis and economic losses. Lactobacillus strains, inhabitants of a wide range of foodstuffs as well as our gastro-intestinal tract, were Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of Lactobacillus paracasei (LP) against FB1 induced reprotoxicities including testicular histopathology, sperm quality disturbance and testosterone level reduction. Pubescent mice were divided randomly into four groups as bellow: Group1: Control; Group 2: FB1 (100 µg/kg b.w); Group 3: LP (2× 109 CFU/kg b.w); Group 4: LP (2× 109 CFU/kg b.w) and FB1 (100 µg/kg b.w) to be then treated for 10 days. After the end of the treatment, animals were sacrificed; the plasma and epididyms and testicles were harvested to the reproductive system studies. Our results highlighted that LP counteracted the harmful effect generated by FB1. Indeed; it induced sperm quality reduction, oxidative stress generation and histological alterations. In conclusion, the used strain was able to prevent FB1-reproductive system damages of in balb/c mice and could be valorised as an anti-cating agent in animal FB1-contaminated diet.

Probiotic Releasing Angiotensin (1-7) in a Drosophila Model of Alzheimer’s Disease Produces Sex-Specific Effects on Cognitive Function

Background: While extensive research on the brain has failed to identify effective therapies, using probiotics to target the gut microbiome has shown therapeutic potential in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Genetically modified probiotics (GMP) are a promising strategy to deliver key therapeutic peptides with high efficacy and tissue specificity. Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) levels inversely correlate to AD severity, but its administration is challenging. Our group has successfully established a GMP-based method of Ang-(1-7) delivery. Objective: Since Drosophila represents an excellent model to study the effect of probiotics on complex disorders in a high throughput manner, we tested whether oral supplementation with Lactobacillus paracasei releasing Ang-(1-7) (LP-A) delays memory loss in a Drosophila AD model. Methods: Flies overexpressing the human amyloid-β protein precursor and its β-site cleaving enzyme in neurons were randomized to receive four 24-h doses of Lactobacillus paracasei alone (LP), LP-A or sucrose over 14 days. Memory was assessed via an aversive phototaxic suppression assay. Results: Optimal dilution,1:2, was determined based on palatability. LP-A improved memory in trained AD males but worsened cognition in AD females. LP-supplementation experiments confirmed that Ang-(1-7) conferred additional cognitive benefits in males and was responsible for the deleterious cognitive effects in females. Sex-specific differences in the levels of angiotensin peptides and differential activation of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in response to supplementation may underlie this male-only therapeutic response. Conclusion: In summary, LP-A ameliorated the memory deficits of a Drosophila AD model, but effects were sex-specific. Dosage optimization may be required to address this differential response.

Lactobacillus Paracasei BEJ01 Protects Against Fumonisin B1-Induced Intestinal Toxicity in Balb/c Mice

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a carcinogenic (Class 2B) mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi and is responsible for several types of mycotoxicoses in animals and humans. Lactobacillus paracasei (LP), as a probiotic, is known to impart a wide range of advantageous effects on host health. The objective of the current study was to evaluate if LP (type BEJ01) isolated from Tunisian artisanal butter, could potentially help protect a host against intestinal alterations caused by exposure to FB1. Here, adult male Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups, i.e., control (vehicle only), treated with FB1 (100 µg/kg BW), LP (2 × 109 CFU/ml [≈ 2 mg/kg BW]) and FB1 (100 µg/kg BW) + LP (2 × 109 CFU/ml) and treated per os daily for 10 days. At 24 hr after the final treatment, mice were euthanized and their jejunum harvested for examination of intestinal alterations induced by the FB1. The data showed that a variety of negative effects in jejunal tissue were induced by the FB1, including DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, and histopathological alterations. The results also showed that co-treatment of LP with FB1 was able to mitigate the harmful FB1 effects. LP alone imparted no damage to jejunal tissues. These results show that apart from potential use as a bio-preservative for extending the shelf-life of food and feeds, LP may also provide a benefit of helping prevent untoward effects from a potent mycotoxin like FB1.