Strategies against the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans based on probiotic microorganisms represent a promising alternative to traditional antifungals. Here, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillaceae isolates from fermented foods or the human vagina, alone or in combination with the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3856, against C. albicans in vitro.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis are common causes of impaired health and quality of life for women. Although antimicrobial agents remain the main strategy for the treatment of vaginal infections, their repeated use involves high rates of resistance and recurrence. Alternative approaches such as probiotics are studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreventive actions of probiotics as antidiarrheal agents are well documented, but their mechanisms are poorly understood. Two selected probiotics, CU1 and CNCM I-4547, were tested in mouse experimental models of diarrhea and the possible mechanisms of action were investigated. Diarrhea was induced in mice by oral castor oil administration or by i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLutein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since microalgae are potent natural sources of these nutrients, their nutritional value should be evaluated based on the bioavailability of lutein and DHA for the retina via the plasmatic compartment. In this study, quail were fed for 5 months either with a diet supplemented or deprived with microalgae rich in lutein and DHA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFaecal microbiota of healthy infant displays a large abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Bacteroides spp. Although some studies have reported an association between these two genera and allergy, these findings remain a subject of debate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudies suggesting that the development of atopy is linked to gut microbiota composition are inconclusive on whether dysbiosis precedes or arises from allergic symptoms. Using a mouse model of cow's milk allergy, we aimed at investigating the link between the intestinal microbiota, allergic sensitization, and the severity of symptoms. Germ-free and conventional mice were orally sensitized with whey proteins and cholera toxin, and then orally challenged with β-lactoglobulin (BLG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium are partly due to its immunostimulatory properties. These immunostimulatory properties may be linked to the presence of unmethylated CpG motifs specific to bacterial DNA, which may induce a TH1 response by activating Toll-like receptors (TLR). Using in silico analyses, PCR amplification, and dot blotting, we characterized the CpG content of various bifidobacterial strains and evaluated the immunostimulatory properties and genomic heterogeneity of these motifs in the genus.
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