Changes in bile acids, FGF-19 and sterol absorption in response to bile salt hydrolase active L. reuteri NCIMB 30242.

The size and composition of the circulating bile acid (BA) pool are important factors in regulating the human gut microbiota. Disrupted regulation of BA metabolism is implicated in several chronic diseases. Bile salt hydrolase (BSH)-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242, previously shown to decrease LDL-cholesterol and increase circulating BA, was investigated for its dose response effect on BA profile in a pilot clinical study.

Bacterial bile metabolising gene abundance in Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes metagenomes.

We performed an analysis to determine the importance of bile acid modification genes in the gut microbiome of inflammatory bowel disease and type 2 diabetic patients. We used publicly available metagenomic datasets from the Human Microbiome Project and the MetaHIT consortium, and determined the abundance of bile salt hydrolase gene (bsh), 7 alpha-dehydroxylase gene (adh) and 7-alpha hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene (hsdh) in fecal bacteria in diseased populations of Crohn's disease (CD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Phylum level abundance analysis showed a significant reduction in Firmicute-derived bsh in UC and T2DM patients but not in CD patients, relative to healthy controls.

Cholesterol assimilation by Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria: an in vitro investigation.

Excess cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), an important cause of mortality worldwide. Current CVD therapeutic measures, lifestyle and dietary interventions, and pharmaceutical agents for regulating cholesterol levels are inadequate. Probiotic bacteria have demonstrated potential to lower cholesterol levels by different mechanisms, including bile salt hydrolase activity, production of compounds that inhibit enzymes such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and cholesterol assimilation.

Ingestible gastrointestinal sampling devices: state-of-the-art and future directions.

Despite the significant contribution of gastrointestinal diseases to the global disease burden and the increasing recognition of the role played by the intestinal microbiota in human health and disease states, conventional methods of exploring and collecting samples from the gastrointestinal tract remain invasive, resource intensive, and often unable to capture all the information contained in these heterogeneous samples. A new class of gastrointestinal sampling capsules is emerging in the literature, which contains the components required for an autonomous intra-luminal device and preserves the spatial and temporal information of the gastrointestinal samples. In this paper, we identify the primary design requirements for gastrointestinal sampling capsules, and we review the state-of-the-art for different components and functionalities.

Emerging science of the human microbiome.

The human gastrointestinal tract hosts a large number of microbial cells which exceed their mammalian counterparts by approximately 3-fold. The genes expressed by these microorganisms constitute the gut microbiome and may participate in diverse functions that are essential to the host, including digestion, regulation of energy metabolism, and modulation of inflammation and immunity. The gut microbiome can be modulated by dietary changes, antibiotic use, or disease.

The gut microbiome, probiotics, bile acids axis, and human health.

The human gut microbiome produces potent ligands to bile acid receptors, and probiotics could act as therapeutics of bile acid dysmetabolism. A recent study in Cell Reports demonstrates that probiotic VSL#3 affects bile acid deconjugation and excretion, as well as the gut-liver FXR-FGF15 axis.

The human microbiome and bile acid metabolism: dysbiosis, dysmetabolism, disease and intervention.

Introduction: Recent evidence indicates that the human gut microbiome plays a significant role in health and disease. Dysbiosis, defined as a pathological imbalance in a microbial community, is becoming increasingly appreciated as a 'central environmental factor' that is both associated with complex phenotypes and affected by host genetics, diet and antibiotic use. More recently, a link has been established between the dysmetabolism of bile acids (BAs) in the gut to dysbiosis.

Effect of orally administered L. fermentum NCIMB 5221 on markers of metabolic syndrome: an in vivo analysis using ZDF rats.

Metabolic syndrome, encompassing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, is a growing health concern of industrialized countries. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic acid found in foods normally consumed by humans that has demonstrated antioxidant activity, cholesterol-lowering capabilities, and anti-tumorigenic properties. Select probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221, produce FA due to intrinsic ferulic acid esterase activity.

Improvement of gastrointestinal health status in subjects consuming Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are conditions that are frequently observed in clinical practice. A post-hoc analysis has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of bile salt hydrolase-active L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 on GI health status based on Rome III questionnaire response in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Oral supplementation with probiotic L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is a risk factor for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Disruption of noncholesterol sterol absorption due to cholesterol-lowering therapies may result in reduced fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

Objective: We have previously reported on the cholesterol-lowering efficacy and reduced sterol absorption of probiotic bile salt hydrolase active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242; however, the effects on fat-soluble vitamins was previously unknown and the objective of the present study.

Cholesterol lowering with bile salt hydrolase-active probiotic bacteria, mechanism of action, clinical evidence, and future direction for heart health applications.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. Current CVD treatment methods include dietary intervention, statins, fibrates, niacin, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and bile acid sequestrants. These formulations have limitations and, thus, additional treatment modalities are needed.

Prevention and treatment of virulent bacterial biofilms with an enzymatic nitric oxide-releasing dressing.

The use of percutaneous medical devices often results in nosocomial infections. Attachment of microorganisms to the surfaces of these medical devices triggers biofilm formation, which presents significant complications to the health of a patient and may lead to septicemia, thromboembolism, or endocarditis if not correctly treated. Although several antimicrobials are commonly used for prevention of biofilm formation, they have limited efficacy against formed biofilms.

In vitro and in vivo characterization and strain safety of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30253 for probiotic applications.

Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30253 was shown to have potential as a probiotic by reducing the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin-8. Moreover, this strain was evaluated, by in vitro and in vivo techniques, for its safety for human consumption. The identity of the strain was investigated by metabolic profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and in vitro safety evaluations were performed by molecular and metabolic techniques.

Evaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trial.

A significant number of human clinical trials have reported no adverse effects associated with consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri). In the present study, the clinical safety and toxicology of oral ingestion of supplement capsules containing L.

Evaluation of safety and tolerance of microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 in a yogurt formulation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Probiotic organisms have shown promise in treating diseases. Previously, we have reported on the efficacy of microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 in a yogurt formulation at lowering serum cholesterol levels in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults. This study investigates the safety and toxicology of oral ingestion of microencapsulated L.

Probiotic Ferulic Acid Esterase Active Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 APA Microcapsules for Oral Delivery: Preparation and in Vitro Characterization.

Probiotics possess potential therapeutic and preventative effects for various diseases and metabolic disorders. One important limitation for the oral delivery of probiotics is the harsh conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) which challenge bacterial viability and activity. One proposed method to surpass this obstacle is the use of microencapsulation to improve the delivery of bacterial cells to the lower GIT.

Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adults.

Several studies have reported limited or no reduction in serum cholesterol in response to probiotic formulations. Recently, probiotics have shown promise in treating metabolic disease due to improved strain selection and delivery technologies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a yoghurt formulation containing microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase (BSH)-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242, taken twice per d over 6 weeks, in hypercholesterolaemic adults.

Antimicrobial properties of nitric oxide and its application in antimicrobial formulations and medical devices.

This review describes the antimicrobial properties of nitric oxide (NO) and its application as an antimicrobial agent in different formulations and medical devices. We depict the eukaryotic biosynthesis of NO and its physiologic functions as a cell messenger and as an antimicrobial agent of the cell-mediated immune response. We analyze the antimicrobial activity of NO and the eukaryotic protective mechanisms against NO for the purpose of delineating the therapeutic NO dosage range required for an efficacious and safe antimicrobial activity.

Novel multi-layer APPPA microcapsules for oral delivery: preparation condition, stability and permeability.

Oral therapy utilizing cell microencapsulation has shown promise in the treatment of many diseases. Current obtainable microcapsule membranes, however, show inadequate stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) environment, thus restricting the general application of live cells for oral therapy. To overcome this limitation, we have previously developed a novel multilayer alginate/poly-L-lysine/pectin/poly-L-lysine/alginate microcapsule (APPPA) with demonstrated improvement on membrane stability over the frequently reported alginate/poly-L-lysine/alginate (APA) microcapsules.

A novel nitric oxide producing probiotic patch and its antimicrobial efficacy: preparation and in vitro analysis.

Microbial and fungal infections are a significant consideration in the etiology of all wounds. Numerous antimicrobial and antifungal formulations have been developed with varying degrees of efficacy and stability. Here, we report a nitric oxide producing probiotic adhesive patch device and investigate its antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy in vitro.

Investigation of microencapsulated BSH active lactobacillus in the simulated human GI tract.

This study investigated the use of microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase (BSH) overproducing Lactobacillus plantarum 80 cells for oral delivery applications using a dynamic computer-controlled model simulating the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bile salt deconjugation rates for microencapsulated BSH overproducing cells were 4.87 +/- 0.

A new method for targeted drug delivery using polymeric microcapsules: implications for treatment of Crohn's disease.

Recent research and clinical evidence suggest that thalidomide could potentially be used to treat inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. However, systemic side effects associated with large doses of this drug have limited its widespread use. Treatment with thalidomide would prove more efficacious if the drug could be delivered directly to target areas in the gut, thereby reducing systemic circulation.

Artificial Cell Therapy: New Strategies for the Therapeutic Delivery of Live Bacteria.

There has been rapid growth in research regarding the use of live bacterial cells for therapeutic purposes. The recognition that these cells can be genetically engineered to synthesize products that have therapeutic potential has generated considerable interest and excitement among clinicians and health professionals. It is expected that a wide range of disease modifying substrates such as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, vaccines, and other genetic products will be used successfully and will impact upon health care substantially.

Artificial cell microcapsule for oral delivery of live bacterial cells for therapy: design, preparation, and in-vitro characterization.

Purpose: Bacterial cells can be engineered to synthesize a wide array of disease modifying substrates such as cytokines, vaccines and antibodies; however, their use as an orally delivered therapeutic is limited by poor gastrointestinal (GI) survival and instigation of immunogenic response. Artificial cell microcapsules have been well studied as a means to overcome such problems, however, presently obtainable microcapsules have limitations. This study summarizes a novel microcapsule design specifying its preparation and GI stability in-vitro.