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19 pages, 4756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gelatin-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Kluyveromyces lactis Encapsulation: Potential Applications in Probiotics and Bioreactor Packings

by Jorge Luis Patarroyo, Eduardo Fonseca, Javier Cifuentes, Felipe Salcedo, Juan C. Cruz and Luis H. Reyes

Biomolecules 2021, 11(7), 922; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11070922 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4581

Abstract

Nutraceutical formulations based on probiotic microorganisms have gained significant attention over the past decade due to their beneficial properties on human health. Yeasts offer some advantages over other probiotic organisms, such as immunomodulatory properties, anticancer effects and effective suppression of pathogens. However, one [...] Read more.

Nutraceutical formulations based on probiotic microorganisms have gained significant attention over the past decade due to their beneficial properties on human health. Yeasts offer some advantages over other probiotic organisms, such as immunomodulatory properties, anticancer effects and effective suppression of pathogens. However, one of the main challenges for their oral administration is ensuring that cell viability remains high enough for a sustained therapeutic effect while avoiding possible substrate inhibition issues as they transit through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here, we propose addressing these issues using a probiotic yeast encapsulation strategy, Kluyveromyces lactis, based on gelatin hydrogels doubly cross-linked with graphene oxide (GO) and glutaraldehyde to form highly resistant nanocomposite encapsulates. GO was selected here as a reinforcement agent due to its unique properties, including superior solubility and dispersibility in water and other solvents, high biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and response to electrical fields in its reduced form. Finally, GO has been reported to enhance the mechanical properties of several materials, including natural and synthetic polymers and ceramics. The synthesized GO-gelatin nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized in morphological, swelling, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties and their ability to maintain probiotic cell viability. The obtained nanocomposites exhibited larger pore sizes for successful cell entrapment and proliferation, tunable degradation rates, pH-dependent swelling ratio, and higher mechanical stability and integrity in simulated GI media and during bioreactor operation. These results encourage us to consider the application of the obtained nanocomposites to not only formulate high-performance nutraceuticals but to extend it to tissue engineering, bioadhesives, smart coatings, controlled release systems, and bioproduction of highly added value metabolites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 903 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serological Biomarkers and Diversion Colitis: Changes after Stimulation with Probiotics

by Ángela Rodríguez-Padilla, Germán Morales-Martín, Rocío Pérez-Quintero, Juan Gómez-Salgado and Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

Biomolecules 2021, 11(5), 684; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11050684 - 02 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2817

Abstract

Diversion colitis is a non-specific inflammation of a defunctionalised segment of the colon after a temporary stoma has been performed. This inflammation is associated with an alteration of certain inflammatory serum markers. The aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the modification [...] Read more.

Diversion colitis is a non-specific inflammation of a defunctionalised segment of the colon after a temporary stoma has been performed. This inflammation is associated with an alteration of certain inflammatory serum markers. The aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the modification of inflammatory biomarkers after stimulation with probiotics prior to closure of the protective ileostomy. Secondly, to identify if a relationship could be established between the severity of diversion colitis and the alteration of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted. Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with protective ileostomy between January 2017 and December 2018 were included, pending reconstructive surgery and with diversion colitis as diagnosis. The sample was randomly divided into a group stimulated with probiotics (SG) (n = 34) and a control group (CG) (n = 35). Histological and endoscopic changes were evaluated after stimulation, after restorative surgery and during the short-term follow-up after surgery, including the correlation with pro-inflammatory biomarkers in blood. As main findings, a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR ratio), and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (LMR ratio) was observed in the SG versus the CG with a p < 0.001. A significant increase in transferrin values and in the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was observed in the SG versus CG after stimulation with probiotics with a p < 0.001. A normalisation of CRP and transferrin levels was observed in the third month of follow-up after closure ileostomy, and NLR, LMR and PLR ratios were equal in both groups. Decreased modified Glasgow prognostic score was found in SG compared to CG after probiotic stimulation (p < 0.001). The endoscopic and histological severity of diversion colitis is associated with a greater alteration of blood inflammatory biomarkers. The stimulation with probiotics prior to reconstructive surgery promotes an early normalization of these parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 14054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lactobacillus rhamnosus AD3 as a Promising Alternative for Probiotic Products

by Aldo Stivala, Giuseppe Carota, Virginia Fuochi and Pio Maria Furneri

Biomolecules 2021, 11(1), 94; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11010094 - 13 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4620

Abstract

Lactobacillus strains dominate the vaginal habitat and they are associated with a lower risk of genital infections. In addition, they contribute to the conservation of the vaginal microbiota by producing postbiotic agents. Previous studies have shown that their predominance involves antimicrobial activity against [...] Read more.

Lactobacillus strains dominate the vaginal habitat and they are associated with a lower risk of genital infections. In addition, they contribute to the conservation of the vaginal microbiota by producing postbiotic agents. Previous studies have shown that their predominance involves antimicrobial activity against urogenital pathologies. In this context, probiotics may improve treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactobacilli strains of vaginal origin using a multidisciplinary approach. For this purpose, safety criteria, ability to resist at low pH and bile salts, antimicrobial activity, ability to produce biofilm, capacity to produce hydrogen peroxide and more importantly, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation (with Candida spp.) and adhesion to human cells were evaluated. The strains belonged to the species of L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus and L. delbruckii. Among these, a strain of L. rhamnosus named AD3 showed the best probiotic properties. As probiotics are already in use in many clinical practice and there are no major safety concerns, L. rhamnosus AD3 showed promise in becoming a prevention and complementary treatment option for urogenital diseases. Indeed, these results suggest that strain L. rhamnosus AD3 is non-pathogenic and likely to be safe for human consumption. This study revealed the great amensalistic properties of a new L. rhamnosus strain which can aim to be used as probiotic in pharmaceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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Review

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24 pages, 415 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics, Paraprobiotics and Postbiotic Compounds in IBD

by Adrian Martyniak, Aleksandra Medyńska-Przęczek, Andrzej Wędrychowicz, Szymon Skoczeń and Przemysław J. Tomasik

Biomolecules 2021, 11(12), 1903; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11121903 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 10048

Abstract

The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and the increasing severity of the course of these diseases create the need for developing new methods of therapy. The gut microbiome is extensively studied as a factor influencing the development and course of IBD. [...] Read more.

The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and the increasing severity of the course of these diseases create the need for developing new methods of therapy. The gut microbiome is extensively studied as a factor influencing the development and course of IBD. The composition of intestinal microbiota can be relatively easily modified by diet (i.e., prebiotics, mainly dietary fibers) and bacterial supplementation using beneficial bacteria strains called probiotics. Additionally, the effects of the improved microbiome could be enhanced or gained by using paraprobiotics (non-viable, inactivated bacteria or their components) and/or postbiotics (products of bacterial metabolism or equal synthetic products that beneficially modulate immunological response and inflammation). This study summarizes the recent works on prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics (products merging pre- and probiotics), paraprobiotics and postbiotics in IBD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

21 pages, 33660 KiB

Open AccessReview

Probiotics and Trained Immunity

by Naima G. Cortes-Perez, Alejandra de Moreno de LeBlanc, Jorge G. Gomez-Gutierrez, Jean Guy LeBlanc and Luis G. Bermúdez-Humarán

Biomolecules 2021, 11(10), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11101402 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3726

Abstract

The characteristics of innate immunity have recently been investigated in depth in several research articles, and original findings suggest that innate immunity also has a memory capacity, which has been named “trained immunity”. This notion has revolutionized our knowledge of the innate immune [...] Read more.

The characteristics of innate immunity have recently been investigated in depth in several research articles, and original findings suggest that innate immunity also has a memory capacity, which has been named “trained immunity”. This notion has revolutionized our knowledge of the innate immune response. Thus, stimulation of trained immunity represents a therapeutic alternative that is worth exploring. In this context, probiotics, live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host, represent attractive candidates for the stimulation of trained immunity; however, although numerous studies have documented the beneficial proprieties of these microorganisms, their mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. In this review, we propose to explore the putative connection between probiotics and stimulation of trained immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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41 pages, 465 KiB

Open AccessReview

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment: A Review

by Agnieszka Chlebicz-Wójcik and Katarzyna Śliżewska

Biomolecules 2021, 11(8), 1154; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11081154 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5188

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a life-threatening disease, yet it significantly affects the quality of life and contributes to economic loss. It is estimated that even up to 45% of the world’s population can suffer from the disease. The first attempts to diagnose [...] Read more.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a life-threatening disease, yet it significantly affects the quality of life and contributes to economic loss. It is estimated that even up to 45% of the world’s population can suffer from the disease. The first attempts to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome were made at the end of the 19th century; however, establishing appropriate diagnostic criteria and treatment methods is still ongoing. To date, little is known about the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome; however, growing attention is drawn to the intestinal microbiota as a factor in the disease development. For this reason, researchers have conducted many studies on therapies that modulate the microbiota, among which probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are widely studied. To date, most studies have examined probiotics; however, there are also several studies demonstrating the efficacy of prebiotics and synbiotics. The aim of this review was to summarize findings on the usefulness of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

26 pages, 872 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics on Mitigation of Depression Symptoms: Modulation of the Brain–Gut–Microbiome Axis

by Agata Chudzik, Anna Orzyłowska, Radosław Rola and Greg J. Stanisz

Biomolecules 2021, 11(7), 1000; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11071000 - 07 Jul 2021

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 13092

Abstract

The brain–gut–microbiome axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. The growing interest in the gut microbiota and mechanisms of its interaction with the brain has contributed to the considerable attention given to the potential use [...] Read more.

The brain–gut–microbiome axis is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. The growing interest in the gut microbiota and mechanisms of its interaction with the brain has contributed to the considerable attention given to the potential use of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders. This review discusses the up-to-date findings in preclinical and clinical trials regarding the use of pro-, pre- and postbiotics in depressive disorders. Studies in rodent models of depression show that some of them inhibit inflammation, decrease corticosterone level and change the level of neurometabolites, which consequently lead to mitigation of the symptoms of depression. Moreover, certain clinical studies have indicated improvement in mood as well as changes in biochemical parameters in patients suffering from depressive disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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25 pages, 1688 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Prebiotics and Their Role in the Amelioration of Diseases

by Amrit Pal Kaur, Sonali Bhardwaj, Daljeet Singh Dhanjal, Eugenie Nepovimova, Natália Cruz-Martins, Kamil Kuča, Chirag Chopra, Reena Singh, Harsh Kumar, Fatih Șen, Vinod Kumar, Rachna Verma and Dinesh Kumar

Biomolecules 2021, 11(3), 440; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11030440 - 16 Mar 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 13024

Abstract

Prebiotics are either natural or synthetic non-digestible (non-)carbohydrate substances that boost the proliferation of gut microbes. Undigested fructooligosaccharides in the large intestine are utilised by the beneficial microorganisms for the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids for their own growth. Although various food products [...] Read more.

Prebiotics are either natural or synthetic non-digestible (non-)carbohydrate substances that boost the proliferation of gut microbes. Undigested fructooligosaccharides in the large intestine are utilised by the beneficial microorganisms for the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids for their own growth. Although various food products are now recognized as having prebiotic properties, several others, such as almonds, artichoke, barley, chia seeds, chicory, dandelion greens, flaxseeds, garlic, and oats, are being explored and used as functional foods. Considering the benefits of these prebiotics in mineral absorption, metabolite production, gut microbiota modulation, and in various diseases such as diabetes, allergy, metabolic disorders, and necrotising enterocolitis, increasing attention has been focused on their applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries, although some of these food products are actually used as food supplements. This review aims to highlight the potential and need of these prebiotics in the diet and also discusses data related to the distinct types, sources, modes of action, and health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prebiotics and Probiotics in Health and Disease)

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