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The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health
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The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 27489

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Beatrice Vitali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: human microbiota; probiotic bacteria; bioactive compounds derived from bacteria; beneficial bacteria formulation
Dr. Carola Parolin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna (BO), Italy
Interests: microbial ecology; human health microbiology; cellular biochemistry; cancer; human microbial ecosystems; molecular microbiology; applied microbiology; lactobacillus bacteria; probiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The human body hosts various Lactobacillus species in different anatomic regions (e.g., the female genital tract, the gut, and oral cavity), each involving different interactions with the host. Lactobacilli have beneficial effects in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of these environments, through direct antimicrobial effects, enhancement of mucosal barrier integrity, and immune modulation. In addition, lactobacilli are important bacteria in food microbiology and human nutrition due to their contribution to fermented food production and their use as probiotics in food and pharmaceuticals.

The scope of this Special Issue will be to bring together the latest research on the role of lactobacilli in human health promotion and in the prevention and/or management of human dysbiosis and infections, such as intestinal disequilibrium, urogenital and respiratory tract infections, periodontal disease, and allergic reactions. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in host colonization and interactions with the other components of human ecosystems, including pathogens, is currently necessary in order to identify possible strategies to employ Lactobacillus strains or their metabolites/derivatives in pharmaceuticals and food vehicles aimed at protecting human health at different levels.   

Dr. Beatrice Vitali
Dr. Carola Parolin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Lactobacillus
  • human health
  • human microbiome
  • beneficial activities
  • antimicrobial activities
  • microbial bioactive molecules, probiotics

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2464 KiB  
Article
Vaginal Lactobacillus Impair Candida Dimorphic Switching and Biofilm Formation
by Carola Parolin, Vanessa Croatti, Barbara Giordani and Beatrice Vitali
Microorganisms 2022, 10(10), 2091; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10102091 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1910
Abstract
Lactobacillus spp. generally dominate the vaginal microbiota and prevent pathogen adhesion and overgrowth, including Candida spp., by various mechanisms. Although Candida spp. can be commensal, in certain conditions they can become pathogenic, causing vulvovaginal candidiasis. The insurgence of candidiasis is related to the [...] Read more.
Lactobacillus spp. generally dominate the vaginal microbiota and prevent pathogen adhesion and overgrowth, including Candida spp., by various mechanisms. Although Candida spp. can be commensal, in certain conditions they can become pathogenic, causing vulvovaginal candidiasis. The insurgence of candidiasis is related to the expression of Candida virulence factors, including morphologic switching and biofilm formation. Germ tubes, pseudohyphae, and hyphae promote Candida tissue invasion, biofilms increase persistence and are often resistant to antifungals and host immune response. Here, we explored the inhibitory activity of vaginal Lactobacillus strains belonging to Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum species towards Candida virulence factors. With the aim to investigate the interrelation between mode of growth and functionality, supernatants were collected from lactobacilli planktonic cultures and, for the first time, from adherent ones, and were evaluated towards Candida dimorphic switching and biofilm. Candida biofilms were analyzed by multiple methodologies, i.e., crystal violet staining, MTT assay, and confocal microscopy. Lactobacillus supernatants reduce Candida switching and biofilm formation. Importantly, L. crispatus supernatants showed the best profile of virulence suppression, especially when grown in adherence. These results highlight the role of such species as a hallmark of vaginal eubiosis and prompt its employment in new probiotics for women’s health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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11 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
Probiotics Reduce Vaginal Candidiasis in Pregnant Women via Modulating Abundance of Candida and Lactobacillus in Vaginal and Cervicovaginal Regions
by Xin Yee Ang, Uma Mageswary Mageswaran, Yi Li Fiona Chung, Boon Kiat Lee, Siti Nur Afiqah Azhar, Nurhanis Syazni Roslan, Ili Farhana Binti Saufian, Nor Sheila Mustaffa, Ermadina Mohamad Kalam, Aini Farhah Ibrahim, Normala Abdul Wahid, Zakuan Zainy Deris, Chern-Ein Oon, Wan Fadhlina Wan Adnan, Salina Sany and Min-Tze Liong
Microorganisms 2022, 10(2), 285; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10020285 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4424
Abstract
We previously reported on the effects of a lactobacilli probiotic (SynForU-HerCare; two capsules/day of 9.5 log CFU/capsule) in improving symptoms of vaginal irritation, discharge and burning in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis upon administration for 8 weeks, accompanied by improved emotional and social [...] Read more.
We previously reported on the effects of a lactobacilli probiotic (SynForU-HerCare; two capsules/day of 9.5 log CFU/capsule) in improving symptoms of vaginal irritation, discharge and burning in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis upon administration for 8 weeks, accompanied by improved emotional and social quality of life parameters. Thus, the present study aimed to analyse vaginal microbiota and inflammatory changes in hope to better understand the improved clinical symptoms as observed previously. Patients in the probiotic group showed a decreased abundance of Candida glabrata after 8 weeks (p = 0.009) in the lower vaginal region, while patients in the placebo group did not show any changes over time. In the higher vaginal and cervicovaginal regions, patients in the placebo group showed a decreased abundance of Candida albicans only within 4 weeks (p < 0.05) but no changes in abundance of C. glabrata over time, while patients in the probiotic group showed a continuous decreased abundance of C. albicans and C. glabrata over 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Patients in the placebo group also had a decreased abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus over 4 weeks (p = 0.023) in the lower vaginal region and a decreased abundance of L. jensenii over 8 weeks in the cervicovaginal region (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, patients in the probiotic group had an increased abundance of L. crispatus in the lower vaginal region after 8 weeks (p = 0.012) and Lactobacillus jensenii over 4 weeks in the cervicovaginal region (p < 0.001). Inflammation may have occurred in both low and high vaginal regions, predominantly observed by the increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in patients from the placebo group (p < 0.05), while the administration of probiotics has shortened the period of inflammation as observed from the reduced need for anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and IL-10 over time (p < 0.05). Taken together, our present new data further support previous findings that probiotic SynForU-HerCare had a beneficial effect against vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women via modulation of the vaginal microbiota and microenvironment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
10 pages, 13817 KiB  
Article
Probiotics Alleviate Oxidative Stress in H2O2-Exposed Hepatocytes and t-BHP-Induced C57BL/6 Mice
by Ji Yeon Lee and Chang-Ho Kang
Microorganisms 2022, 10(2), 234; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10020234 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2503
Abstract
Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress that can damage proteins, the cellular immune system, and DNA. In recent studies, probiotics have been shown to impart a microbial balance to the gastrointestinal tract, demonstrating significant antioxidant capacity. In this study, the probiotic properties and antioxidant [...] Read more.
Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress that can damage proteins, the cellular immune system, and DNA. In recent studies, probiotics have been shown to impart a microbial balance to the gastrointestinal tract, demonstrating significant antioxidant capacity. In this study, the probiotic properties and antioxidant mechanism of probiotics were evaluated in HepG2 cells and in an animal model. The characteristics of Lactococcus lactis MG5125, Bifidobacterium bifidum MG731, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MG741, which were used as lactic acid bacteria in this study, were analyzed. The results revealed the safety and stability of these probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract because they did not cause hemolysis and had excellent intestinal adhesion (75–84%). In HepG2 cells, the three probiotics alleviated H2O2-induced oxidative stress by mediating lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels and upregulating antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. In the tBHP-induced mouse model, administration of the three probiotics reduced hepatic aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and lipid peroxidation levels. In conclusion, Lc. lactis MG5125, B. bifidum MG731, and B. lactis MG741 showed considerable antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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15 pages, 3034 KiB  
Article
The Exopolysaccharide Produced by Lactobacillus paracasei IJH-SONE68 Prevents and Ameliorates Inflammatory Responses in DSS–Induced Ulcerative Colitis
by Masafumi Noda, Narandalai Danshiitsoodol, Keishi Kanno, Tomoyuki Uchida and Masanori Sugiyama
Microorganisms 2021, 9(11), 2243; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9112243 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2553
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). CD can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas UC mainly occurs in the colon and [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). CD can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas UC mainly occurs in the colon and rectum. We previously demonstrated that a novel exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by a plant-derived bacterium, Lactobacillus paracasei IJH-SONE68, prevents and improves the inflammation in contact dermatitis model mice via oral administration. To evaluate the preventive effect of the EPS against other inflammatory diseases, in the present study, we employed dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model mice. The stool consistency, hematochezia, and colonic atrophy of the mice were improved by the orally administered EPS. We also evaluated the cytokine transcription. Overexpression of the mouse macrophage inflammatory protein 2 mRNA in the colon as a functional homolog of human interleukin-8 was decreased by the orally administered EPS. However, the expression of interleukin-10, which is known as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was stimulated in the EPS-administrated group. Based on these results, we conclude that the IJH-SONE68-derived EPS is a promising lead material for the development of drugs useful in treating inflammatory diseases such as UC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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14 pages, 2237 KiB  
Article
Lactobacillus reuteri BM53-1 Produces a Compound That Inhibits Sticky Glucan Synthesis by Streptococcus mutans
by Masafumi Noda, Naho Sugihara, Yoshimi Sugimoto, Ikue Hayashi, Sachiko Sugimoto, Narandalai Danshiitsoodol and Masanori Sugiyama
Microorganisms 2021, 9(7), 1390; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9071390 - 27 Jun 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Cariogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus (S.) mutans and S. sobrinus, produce insoluble and sticky glucans as a biofilm material. The present study demonstrates that a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) named BM53-1 produces a substance that inhibits the sticky glucan synthesis. [...] Read more.
Cariogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus (S.) mutans and S. sobrinus, produce insoluble and sticky glucans as a biofilm material. The present study demonstrates that a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) named BM53-1 produces a substance that inhibits the sticky glucan synthesis. The BM53-1 strain was isolated from a flower of Actinidia polygama and identified as Lactobacillus reuteri. The substance that inhibits sticky glucan synthesis does not exhibit antibacterial activity against S. mutans. The cariogenic S. mutans produces glucans under the control of three glucosyltransferase (GTF) enzymes, named GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD. Although GtfB and GtfC produce insoluble glucans, GtfD forms soluble glucans. Through quantitative reverse-transcriptional (qRT)-PCR analysis, it was revealed that the BM53-1-derived glucan-production inhibitor (GI) enhances the transcriptions of gtfB and gtfC genes 2- to 7-fold at the early stage of cultivation. However, that of gtfD was not enhanced in the presence of the GI, indicating that the glucan stickiness produced by S. mutans was significantly weaker in the presence of the GI. Our result demonstrates that Lb. reuteri BM53-1 is useful to prevent dental caries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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15 pages, 2387 KiB  
Article
Probiotic Properties and Immunomodulatory Activity of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated from Dairy Products
by Luz María Rocha-Ramírez, Ulises Hernández-Chiñas, Silvia Selene Moreno-Guerrero, Arturo Ramírez-Pacheco and Carlos A. Eslava
Microorganisms 2021, 9(4), 825; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9040825 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3718
Abstract
Lactobacilli species are an effective biotherapeutic alternative against bacterial infections and intestinal inflammatory disorders. However, it is important to evaluate their beneficial properties, before considering them as probiotics for medical use. In this study we evaluated some probiotic properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, [...] Read more.
Lactobacilli species are an effective biotherapeutic alternative against bacterial infections and intestinal inflammatory disorders. However, it is important to evaluate their beneficial properties, before considering them as probiotics for medical use. In this study we evaluated some probiotic properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus KLSD, Lactobacillus helveticus IMAU70129, and Lactobacillus casei IMAU60214 previously isolated from dairy products and as control Lactobacillus casei Shirota. Experimental evaluations revealed that all strains expressed hydrophobicity (25–40%), auto-aggregation (55–60%), NaCl tolerance (1–4%), adhesion to Caco-2 cells (25–33%), partial inhibition on adherence of Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 23219. Cell-free supernatants (CFS) of Lactobacilli also inhibit growth of these pathogens. In immunomodulatory properties a reduction of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and nitric oxide (NO) release was observed in assays with Caco-2 cells stimulated with interleukin-1β (1 ng/mL), or lipopolysaccharide (0.1 µg/mL). On the other hand, the damage induced to Caco-2 cells with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was attenuated when the cultured cells were pretreated with L. rhamnosus KLDS, L. helveticus IMAU70129 and L. casei IMAU60214. These Lactobacilli possess probiotic properties determined by both an antagonistic activity on pathogenic bacteria and reduction in the inflammatory response of cells treated with SDS, a pro-inflammatory stimulant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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20 pages, 920 KiB  
Review
The Lactobacillus as a Probiotic: Focusing on Liver Diseases
by Jin-Ju Jeong, Hee Jin Park, Min Gi Cha, Eunju Park, Sung-Min Won, Raja Ganesan, Haripriya Gupta, Yoseph Asmelash Gebru, Satya Priya Sharma, Su Been Lee, Goo Hyun Kwon, Min Kyo Jeong, Byeong Hyun Min, Ji Ye Hyun, Jung A Eom, Sang Jun Yoon, Mi Ran Choi, Dong Joon Kim and Ki Tae Suk
Microorganisms 2022, 10(2), 288; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms10020288 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 8535
Abstract
Over the past decade, scientific evidence for the properties, functions, and beneficial effects of probiotics for humans has continued to accumulate. Interest in the use of probiotics for humans has increased tremendously. Among various microorganisms, probiotics using bacteria have been widely studied and [...] Read more.
Over the past decade, scientific evidence for the properties, functions, and beneficial effects of probiotics for humans has continued to accumulate. Interest in the use of probiotics for humans has increased tremendously. Among various microorganisms, probiotics using bacteria have been widely studied and commercialized, and, among them, Lactobacillus is representative. This genus contains about 300 species of bacteria (recently differentiated into 23 genera) and countless strains have been reported. They improved a wide range of diseases including liver disease, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Here, we intend to discuss in depth the genus Lactobacillus as a representative probiotic for chronic liver diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Lactobacillus in Human Health)
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