Multispecies probiotic intake during pregnancy modulates neurodevelopmental trajectories of offspring: Aiming towards precision microbial intervention.

Recent research highlights the pivotal role of the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy in shaping offspring neurodevelopment. In this study, we investigated the impact of maternal intake of a multispecies probiotic formulation during a critical prenatal window (from gestational day 6 until birth) on neurodevelopmental trajectories in mice. Our findings demonstrate significant and persistent benefits in emotional behavior, gut microbiota composition, and expression of tight junction-related genes, particularly in male offspring, who exhibited heightened sensitivity to the probiotic intervention compared to females.

Metabolic network construction reveals probiotic-specific alterations in the metabolic activity of a synthetic small intestinal community.

The development of probiotic therapies targeted at the small intestinal microbiota represents a significant advancement in the field of probiotic interventions. This region poses unique opportunities due to its low number of gut microbiota, along with the presence of heightened immune and metabolic host responses. However, progress in this area has been hindered by a lack of detailed understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms through which probiotics exert their effects in the small intestine.

Dynamic effects of probiotic formula ecologic®825 on human small intestinal ileostoma microbiota: a network theory approach.

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in health and disease. The use of probiotics as microbiota-targeted therapies is a promising strategy to improve host health. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in such therapies are often not well understood, particularly when targeting the small intestinal microbiota.

The Effect of Probiotic Bacteria on Composition and Metabolite Production of Faecal Microbiota Using In Vitro Batch Cultures.

Probiotic supplements are increasingly being used to target the gut microbiome with a view to improving cognitive and psychological function via the gut-brain axis. One possible mechanism behind the effect of probiotics is through alterations to microbially-derived metabolites including short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and neurotransmitters. However, research to date has largely been conducted in animal models or under conditions irrelevant to the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Metabolic phenotyping reveals a potential link between elevated faecal amino acids, diet and symptom severity in individuals with severe mental illness.

The brain-gut axis is increasingly recognized as an important contributing factor in the onset and progression of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder. This study investigates associations between levels of faecal metabolites identified using H-NMR, clinical parameters, and dietary components of forty-two individuals diagnosed in a transdiagnostic approach to have severe mental illness. Faecal levels of the amino acids; alanine, leucine, and valine showed a significant positive correlation with psychiatric symptom severity as well as with dairy intake.

A Systematic Review on the Effects of Different Types of Probiotics in Animal Alzheimer's Disease Studies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global public health priority as with aging populations, its prevalence is expected to rise even further in the future. The brain and gut are in close communication through immunological, nervous and hormonal routes, and therefore, probiotics are examined as an option to influence AD hallmarks, such as plaques, tangles, and low grade inflammation. This study aimed to provide an overview of the available animal evidence on the effect of different probiotics on gut microbiota composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), inflammatory markers, Amyloid-β (Aβ), and cognitive functioning in AD animal models.

The effect of probiotics on cognitive function across the human lifespan: A systematic review.

Recently the scientific community has seen a growing interest in the role of the gut-brain axis and, in particular, how probiotic supplementation may influence neural function and behaviour via manipulation of the gut microbiota. The purpose of this review was to systematically review the current literature exploring the effect of probiotic intervention on cognitive function. PsychINFO, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for human trials.

Probiotics-induced changes in gut microbial composition and its effects on cognitive performance after stress: exploratory analyses.

Stress negatively affects cognitive performance. Probiotics remediate somatic and behavioral stress responses, hypothetically by acting on the gut microbiota. Here, in exploratory analyses, we assessed gut microbial alterations after 28-days supplementation of multi-strain probiotics (EcologicBarrier consisting of Lactobacilli, Lactococci, and Bifidobacteria in healthy, female subjects (probiotics group n = 27, placebo group n = 29).

Targeting the endocannabinoid system with microbial interventions to improve gut integrity.

The endocannabinoid system is a metabolic pathway involved in the communication between the gut microbiota and the host. In the gut, the endocannabinoid system regulates the integrity of the intestinal barrier. A compromised integrity of the intestinal barrier is associated with several disorders such as inflammatory bowel disorder, obesity and major depressive disorder.

Gut feelings: A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of probiotics for depressive symptoms.

Background: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide; with evidence suggesting that decreased gut barrier function and inflammation are correlated with depressive symptoms. We conducted a clinical trial to determine the effect of consumption of probiotic supplements (Winclove's Ecologic® Barrier) on depressive symptoms in a sample of participants with mild to severe depression.

Method: 71 participants were randomly allocated to either probiotic or placebo, which was, consumed daily over eight weeks.

Dose-Dependent Effects of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation on the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Level and Cardiometabolic Profile in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial.

During the postmenopausal period, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is increased in many obese women and is associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile and a sub-chronic low-grade systemic inflammation caused by a gut barrier permeability dysfunction. Here, we tested whether administration of two different dosages of the multispecies probiotic Ecologic Barrier influenced the cardiometabolic biochemical parameters and lipopolysaccharide levels, the latter used as a marker of increased gut permeability in obese postmenopausal women. A total of 81 obese Caucasian postmenopausal women participated in the trial.

Microscopic colitis-microbiome, barrier function and associated diseases.

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with little in terms of endoscopic abnormalities and is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases. The peak incidence of the disease is in middle aged or older populations, mostly females. The pathogenesis of MC is complex, multifactorial and poorly understood.

From clinical uncertainties to precision medicine: the emerging role of the gut barrier and microbiome in small bowel functional diseases.

Over the last decade, remarkable progress has been made in the understanding of disease pathophysiology. Many new theories expound on the importance of emerging factors such as microbiome influences, genomics/omics, stem cells, innate intestinal immunity or mucosal barrier complexities. This has introduced a further dimension of uncertainty into clinical decision-making, but equally, may shed some light on less well-understood and difficult to manage conditions.

Strain-specific probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria and their interference with human intestinal pathogens invasion.

Background: One of the working mechanisms of probiotic bacteria is their ability to compete with pathogens. To define the probiotic properties of seven Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains, we tested them for survival in simulated gastro-intestinal conditions, antimicrobial activities, co-aggregative abilities, and interferences studies against five human intestinal pathogens ( ATCC 13076, ATCC 7644, O157: H7 ATCC 35150, ATCC 29544 and ATCC 33291).

Results: The LAB strains were able to survive the stomach simulated conditions, and varied in their abilities to survive the small intestinal-simulated conditions.

Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 and its host interaction: a dozen years after the genome.

Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 is one of the best studied Lactobacilli, notably as its genome was unravelled over 12 years ago. L. plantarum WCFS1 can be grown to high densities, is amenable to genetic transformation and highly robust with a relatively high survival rate during the gastrointestinal passage.

A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood.

Background: Recent insights into the role of the human microbiota in cognitive and affective functioning have led to the hypothesis that probiotic supplementation may act as an adjuvant strategy to ameliorate or prevent depression.

Objective: Heightened cognitive reactivity to normal, transient changes in sad mood is an established marker of vulnerability to depression and is considered an important target for interventions. The present study aimed to test if a multispecies probiotic containing Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Lactobacillus brevis W63, Lactobacillus casei W56, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, and Lactococcus lactis (W19 and W58) may reduce cognitive reactivity in non-depressed individuals.

Manipulating the gut microbiota to maintain health and treat disease.

Background: The intestinal microbiota composition varies between healthy and diseased individuals for numerous diseases. Although any cause or effect relationship between the alterations in the gut microbiota and disease is not always clear, targeting the intestinal microbiota might offer new possibilities for prevention and/or treatment of disease.

Objective: Here we review some examples of manipulating the intestinal microbiota by prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbial transplants.

Migraine associated with gastrointestinal disorders: review of the literature and clinical implications.

Recent studies suggest that migraine may be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. Here, an overview of the associations between migraine and GI disorders is presented, as well as possible mechanistic links and clinical implications. People who regularly experience GI symptoms have a higher prevalence of headaches, with a stronger association with increasing headache frequency.

Microbes central to human reproduction.

As studies uncover the breadth of microbes associated with human life, opportunities will emerge to manipulate and augment their functions in ways that improve health and longevity. From involvement in the complexities of reproduction and fetal/infant development, to delaying the onset of disease, and indeed countering many maladies, microbes offer hope for human well-being. Evidence is emerging to suggest that microbes may play a beneficial role in body sites traditionally viewed as being sterile.

Draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus casei W56.

We announce the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus casei W56 in one contig. This strain shows immunomodulatory and probiotic properties. The strain is also an ingredient of commercially available probiotic products.

The potential role of probiotics in the management of childhood autism spectrum disorders.

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction has been reported in a substantial number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Activation of the mucosal immune response and the presence of abnormal gut microbiota are repeatedly observed in these children. In children with ASD, the presence of GI dysfunction is often associated with increased irritability, tantrums, aggressive behaviour, and sleep disturbances.

Identification of Lactobacillus plantarum genes modulating the cytokine response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: Modulation of the immune system is one of the most plausible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria on human health. Presently, the specific probiotic cell products responsible for immunomodulation are largely unknown. In this study, the genetic and phenotypic diversity of strains of the Lactobacillus plantarum species were investigated to identify genes of L.

Identification of genetic loci in Lactobacillus plantarum that modulate the immune response of dendritic cells using comparative genome hybridization.

Background: Probiotics can be used to stimulate or regulate epithelial and immune cells of the intestinal mucosa and generate beneficial mucosal immunomodulatory effects. Beneficial effects of specific strains of probiotics have been established in the treatment and prevention of various intestinal disorders, including allergic diseases and diarrhea. However, the precise molecular mechanisms and the strain-dependent factors involved are poorly understood.

Lifestyle of Lactobacillus plantarum in the mouse caecum.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a common inhabitant of mammalian gastrointestinal tracts. Strains of L. plantarum are also marketed as probiotics intended to confer beneficial health effects upon delivery to the human gut.

Differential NF-kappaB pathways induction by Lactobacillus plantarum in the duodenum of healthy humans correlating with immune tolerance.

How do we acquire immune tolerance against food microorganisms and commensal bacteria that constitute the intestinal microbiota? We investigated this by stimulating the immune system of adults with commensal Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria. We studied the in vivo human responses to L. plantarum in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study.