Preclinical and clinical relevance of probiotics and synbiotics in colorectal carcinogenesis: a systematic review.

Context: Recent evidence suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota may help prevent colorectal cancer.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the role of probiotics and synbiotics in the prevention of colorectal cancer and to clarify potential mechanisms involved.

Data Sources: The PubMed, ScienceDirect, and LILACS databases were searched for studies conducted in humans or animal models and published up to August 15, 2018.

Traditional Colonial-type cheese from the south of Brazil: A case to support the new Brazilian laws for artisanal cheese production from raw milk.

Artisanal Colonial-type cheese is made from raw milk and is the main cheese produced by rural families of the southern region of Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate, identify problems, and propose solutions for the current situation of small family farms producing and informally selling artisanal Colonial-type cheese located in the western part of Santa Catarina State in Southern Brazil. A semistructured questionnaire was employed in 12 rural properties to analyze the mode of production.

Kefir reduces insulin resistance and inflammatory cytokine expression in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.

There is growing evidence that kefir can be a promising tool in decreasing the risk of many diseases, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of kefir supplementation in the diet of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) in which MetS was induced with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and to determine its effect on metabolic parameters, inflammatory and oxidation marker expression and glycemic index control. Thirty animals were used in this experiment.

Determining the minimum ripening time of artisanal Minas cheese, a traditional Brazilian cheese.

Physical, physicochemical, and microbiological changes were monitored in 256 samples of artisanal Minas cheese from eight producers from Serro region (Minas Gerais, Brazil) for 64 days of ripening to determine the minimum ripening time for the cheese to reach the safe microbiological limits established by Brazilian legislation. The cheeses were produced between dry season (April-September) and rainy season (October-March); 128 cheeses were ripened at room temperature (25 ± 4 °C), and 128 were ripened under refrigeration (8 ± 1 °C), as a control. No Listeria monocytogenes was found, but one cheese under refrigeration had Salmonella at first 15 days of ripening.

Higher level of faecal SCFA in women correlates with metabolic syndrome risk factors.

SCFA provide energy to the host and influence lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting that they may have an impact on the occurrence of metabolic risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of SCFA in faeces of lean and obese individuals and to analyse whether associations between faecal SCFA and metabolic syndrome parameters are present. Lean (n 20) and obese (n 20) women of similar age (28·5 (sd 7·6) v.

Potential mechanisms for the emerging link between obesity and increased intestinal permeability.

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the link between gut microbial composition and obesity. Gut microbiota is a source of endotoxins whose increase in plasma is related to obesity and insulin resistance through increased intestinal permeability in animal models; however, this relationship still needs to be confirmed in humans. That intestinal permeability is subject to change and that it might be the interface between gut microbiota and endotoxins in the core of metabolic dysfunctions reinforce the need to understand the mechanisms involved in these aspects to direct more efficient therapeutic approaches.

Intestinal permeability parameters in obese patients are correlated with metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Background & Aims: Altered intestinal permeability has been shown to be associated with metabolic alterations in animal models of obesity, but not in humans. The aim of this study was to assess intestinal permeability in obese women and verify if there is any association with anthropometric measurements, body composition or biochemical variables.

Methods: Twenty lean and twenty obese females participated in the study.

Growth of preschool children was improved when fed an iron-fortified fermented milk beverage supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Food fortification is an efficient strategy applied to overcome iron deficiency anemia. This study investigated the effect of iron fortification with probiotic bacteria in a milk beverage on growth and iron status of preschool children with a usually low-bioavailable-iron diet intake. The fermented milk beverage was fortified with iron amino acid chelate (3 mg iron per 80 mL) and supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (test) or not (control).