Actions of probiotics on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats.

We investigated the actions of probiotics, Streptococcus faecalis 129 BIO 3B (SF3B), in a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid- (TNBS-) induced colitis model in rats. After TNBS was administered into the colons of rats for induction of colitis, the rats were divided into two groups: one group was given a control diet and the other group was given a diet containing SF3B for 14 days. There were no apparent differences in body weight, diarrhea period, macroscopic colitis score, and colonic weight/length ratio between the control group and SF3B group, suggesting that induction of colitis was not prevented by SF3B.

Longitudinal study of effects of oral dosage of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 on Japanese cedar pollen-induced allergic nasal symptoms in guinea pigs.

Previous studies using experimental animal models have reported the beneficial effects of probiotics on allergic responses; however, their long-term effects on allergic nasal symptoms in clinical settings have not yet been elucidated in detail. In the present study, a guinea pig allergic rhinitis model involving repeated inhalation challenges with a natural allergen, Japanese cedar pollen, was used to examine the longitudinal effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 (BBG9-1) on allergic nasal symptoms. BBG9-1 was administered orally once a day.

Parabacteroides faecis sp. nov., isolated from human faeces.

A bacterial strain, designated 157(T), isolated from human faeces was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach, which included analysis of physiological and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profiles, menaquinone profiles and its phylogenetic position, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The strain was obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative rods. The isolate was able to grown on medium containing 20% (w/v) bile.

Application of a single-colony coculture technique to the isolation of hitherto unculturable gut bacteria.

Molecular studies have led to postulation of a relationship between gut microbiota and certain diseases. However, because studies of hitherto uncultured species in vivo are essential for characterizing the biology and pathogenic properties of gut bacteria, techniques for culturing and isolating such bacteria must be developed. Here, a technique is described that partially overcomes the obstacles that prevent detection of interbacterial communication in vitro and are thus responsible for the failure to culture certain bacterial species.

Consecutive oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 improves the defense system against influenza virus infection by enhancing natural killer cell activity in a murine model.

Bifidobacterium, one of the major components of intestinal microflora, shows anti-influenza virus (IFV) potential as a probiotic, partly through enhancement of innate immunity by modulation of the intestinal immune system. Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 (MM-2), a very safe bacterium in humans, was isolated from healthy humans and its protective effect against IFV infection in a murine model shown. In mice that were intranasally inoculated with IFV, oral administration of MM-2 for 17 consecutive days improved clinical symptoms, reduced mortality, suppressed inflammation in the lower respiratory tract, and decreased virus titers, cell death, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Butyricimonas faecihominis sp. nov. and Butyricimonas paravirosa sp. nov., isolated from human faeces, and emended description of the genus Butyricimonas.

Two bacterial strains, designated 180-3(T) and 214-4(T), isolated from human faeces were characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included analysis of their phenotypic and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profiles, menaquinone profiles and phylogenetic positions based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that these strains represented members of the genus Butyricimonas. These strains shared 97.

Comparison between oral antibiotics and probiotics as bowel preparation for elective colon cancer surgery to prevent infection: prospective randomized trial.

Background: We have already reported that, for patients undergoing elective colon cancer operations, perioperative infection can be prevented by a single intravenous dose of an antibiotic given immediately beforehand if mechanical bowel preparation and the administration of oral antibiotics are implemented. Synbiotics has been reported to reduce the rate of infection in patients after pancreatic cancer operations. The effectiveness of oral antibiotics and probiotics in preventing postoperative infection in elective colon cancer procedures was examined in a randomized controlled trial.

Identification of Human Intestinal Microbiota of 92 Men by Data Mining for 5 Characteristics, i.e., Age, BMI, Smoking Habit, Cessation Period of Previous Smokers and Drinking Habit.

The intestinal microbiota compositions of 92 men living in Japan were identified following consumption of identical meals for 3 days. Fecal samples were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism with 4 primer-restriction enzyme systems, and the 120 obtained operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analyzed by Data mining software focusing on the following 5 characteristics, namely, age, body mass index, present smoking habit, cessation period of previous smokers and drinking habit, according to the answers of the subjects. After performing Data mining analyses with each characteristic, the details of the constructed Decision trees precisely identified the subjects or discriminated them into various suitable groups.

Effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 on Nasal Symptoms in a Guinea Pig Model of Experimental Allergic Rhinitis.

Recent studies of several animal models have shown beneficial effects of probiotics against allergic responses. However, few reports have examined the effects of probiotics on allergic nasal symptoms such as sneezing and nasal obstruction in animal models of allergic rhinitis. This study evaluated the efficacy of Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 (BBG9-1) on antigen-induced nasal symptoms using guinea pig models of allergic rhinitis.