scholarly journals Probiotics enhance susceptibility of mice to cryptosporidiosis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno C. M. Oliveira ◽  
Giovanni Widmer

AbstractCryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrhea in infants and immune-compromised individuals. The lack of effective drugs against this enteric infection is motivating research to develop alternative treatments. To this aim, the impact of probiotics on the course of cryptosporidiosis was explored. The native intestinal microbiota of specific pathogen-free immunosuppressed mice was initially depleted with orally administered antibiotics. Then, a commercially available probiotic product intended for human consumption was added (or not) to the drinking water. Probiotic treated and untreated mice were orally infected withCryptosporidium parvumoocysts. On average, mice treated with probiotic excreted more oocysts, indicative of a more severe infection. The probiotic treatment significantly altered the fecal microbiota, but taxonomic analyses showed no direct association between ingestion of probiotic bacteria and their abundance in fecal microbiota. These results suggest that probiotics indirectly alter the intestinal microenvironment in such a way that favors proliferation ofC. parvum. The increase in the relative abundance of facultative anaerobes observed in mice with severe cryptosporidiosis indicates that dysbiosis is a consequence of severe cryptosporidiosis. The increase in the abundance of facultative anaerobes observed in severely infected animals is consistent with analyses of microbiota from individuals infected with other enteric pathogens. The results are significant because they show thatC. parvumresponds to changes in the intestinal microenvironment induced by a nutritional supplement.One Sentence SummaryMice treated with probiotics develop more severe symptoms of cryptosporidiosis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno C. M. Oliveira ◽  
Giovanni Widmer

ABSTRACTCryptosporidiosis, a leading cause of diarrhea among infants, is caused by apicomplexan parasites classified in the genusCryptosporidium. The lack of effective drugs is motivating research to develop alternative treatments. With this aim, the impact of probiotics on the course of cryptosporidiosis was investigated. The native intestinal microbiota of specific pathogen-free immunosuppressed mice was initially depleted with orally administered antibiotics. A commercially available probiotic product intended for human consumption was subsequently added to the drinking water. Mice were infected withCryptosporidium parvumoocysts. On average, mice treated with the probiotic product developed more severe infections. The probiotics significantly altered the fecal microbiota, but no direct association between ingestion of probiotic bacteria and their abundance in fecal microbiota was observed. These results suggest that probiotics indirectly altered the intestinal microenvironment or the intestinal epithelium in a way that favored proliferation ofC. parvum.IMPORTANCEThe results of our study show thatC. parvumresponded to changes in the intestinal microenvironment induced by a nutritional supplement. This outcome paves the way for research to identify nutritional interventions aimed at limiting the impact of cryptosporidiosis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno César Miranda Oliveira ◽  
Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani ◽  
Giovanni Widmer

ABSTRACTBased on our initial observations showing that mice consuming a probiotic product develop more severe cryptosporidiosis, we investigated the impact of other dietary interventions on the intracellular proliferation ofCryptosporidium parvumandC. tyzzeriin the mouse. Mice were orally infected with oocysts and parasite multiplication measured by quantifying fecal oocyst output. High-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA amplicons was used to correlate oocyst output with diet and with the composition of the intestinal microbiota. On average, mice fed a diet without fiber (cellulose, pectin and inulin) developed more severe infections. As expected, a diet without fibers also significantly altered the fecal microbiota. Consistent with these observations, mice fed a prebiotic product sold for human consumption excreted significantly fewer oocysts. The fecal microbiota of mice consuming no plant polysaccharides was characterized by a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes bacteria. Since bacterial metabolites play an important role in the physiology of intestinal enterocytes, we hypothesize based on these observations that the impact of diet on parasite proliferation is mediated primarily by the metabolic activity of the anaerobic microbiota, specifically by the effect of certain metabolites on the host. This model is consistent with the metabolic dependence of intracellular stages of the parasite on the host cell. These observations underscore the potential of dietary interventions to alleviate the impact of cryptosporidiosis, particularly in infants at risk of recurrent enteric infections.AUTHOR SUMMARYThe infection withCryptosporidiumparasite, a condition known as cryptosporidiosis, is a common cause of infant diarrhea in developing countries. We have previously shown that mice infected withC. parvum, one of the main cause of human cryptosporidiosis, develop a more severe infection if given probiotics. To investigate the mechanism of this effect, we fed mice prebiotics and diet lacking plant fiber. We found that fermentable fiber, whether administered as a prebiotic supplement or is part of the diet, has a protective effect against cryptosporidiosis in mice. We also observed a significant association between the severity of infection and the composition of the gut microbiota. A significant inverse correlation was found between severity of cryptosporidiosis and the ratio between the abundance of bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes and the abundance of Firmicute bacteria. This ratio is frequently viewed as a marker of a healthy microbiota. These results raise the possibility that dietary interventions could be used to alleviate the impact of cryptosporidiosis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Carasi ◽  
S. M. Racedo ◽  
C. Jacquot ◽  
D. E. Romanin ◽  
M. A. Serradell ◽  
...  

The evaluation of the impact of probiotics on host health could help to understand how they can be used in the prevention of diseases. On the basis of our previous studies andin vitroassays on PBMC and Caco-2 ccl20:luc reporter system presented in this work, the strainLactobacillus kefiriCIDCA 8348 was selected and administrated to healthy Swiss mice daily for 21 days. The probiotic treatment increased IgA in feces and reduced expression of proinflammatory mediators in Peyer Patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, where it also increased IL-10. In ileum IL-10, CXCL-1 and mucin 6 genes were upregulated; meanwhile in colon mucin 4 was induced whereas IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and IL-1βgenes were downregulated. Moreover, ileum and colon explants showed the anti-inflammatory effect ofL. kefirisince the LPS-induced increment of IL-6 and GM-CSF levels in control mice was significantly attenuated inL. kefiritreated mice. Regarding fecal microbiota, DGGE profiles allowed differentiation of experimental groups in two separated clusters. Quantitative PCR analysis of different bacterial groups revealed only significant changes inLactobacilluspopulation. In conclusion,L. kefiriis a good candidate to be used in gut inflammatory disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xupeng Yuan ◽  
Jiahao Yan ◽  
Ruizhi Hu ◽  
Yanli Li ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  

Recent evidences suggest that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating physiological and metabolic activities of pregnant sows, and β-carotene has a potentially positive effect on reproduction, but the impact of β-carotene on gut microbiota in pregnant sows remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanisms of β-carotene on the reproductive performance of sows from the aspect of gut microbiota. A total of 48 hybrid pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar parity were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 16) and fed with a basal diet or a diet containing 30 or 90 mg/kg of β-carotene from day 90 of gestation until parturition. Dietary supplementation of 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the number of live birth to 11.82 ± 1.54 and 12.29 ± 2.09, respectively, while the control group was 11.00 ± 1.41 (P = 0.201). Moreover, β-carotene increased significantly the serum nitric oxide (NO) level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05). Characterization of fecal microbiota revealed that 90 mg/kg β-carotene increased the diversity of the gut flora (P < 0.05). In particular, β-carotene decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes including Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, but enriched Proteobacteria including Bilophila and Sutterella, and Actinobacteria including Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium 1 which are related to NO synthesis. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene may increase antioxidant enzyme activity and NO, an important vasodilator to promote the neonatal blood circulation, through regulating gut microbiota in sows.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Julio Plaza-Díaz ◽  
Patricio Solis-Urra ◽  
Jerónimo Aragón-Vela ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Jorge Olivares-Arancibia ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing cause of chronic liver illness associated with obesity and metabolic disorders, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. A more severe type of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is considered an ongoing global health threat and dramatically increases the risks of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several reports have demonstrated that liver steatosis is associated with the elevation of certain clinical and biochemical markers but with low predictive potential. In addition, current imaging methods are inaccurate and inadequate for quantification of liver steatosis and do not distinguish clearly between the microvesicular and the macrovesicular types. On the other hand, an unhealthy status usually presents an altered gut microbiota, associated with the loss of its functions. Indeed, NAFLD pathophysiology has been linked to lower microbial diversity and a weakened intestinal barrier, exposing the host to bacterial components and stimulating pathways of immune defense and inflammation via toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, this activation of inflammation in hepatocytes induces progression from simple steatosis to NASH. In the present review, we aim to: (a) summarize studies on both human and animals addressed to determine the impact of alterations in gut microbiota in NASH; (b) evaluate the potential role of such alterations as biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of this disorder; and (c) discuss the involvement of microbiota in the current treatment for NAFLD/NASH (i.e., bariatric surgery, physical exercise and lifestyle, diet, probiotics and prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation).


2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098137
Author(s):  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Emily K. Vraga ◽  
Melissa Tully

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of “likes,” play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations’ credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.


Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zheng ◽  
Pengtao Xu ◽  
Qiaoying Jiang ◽  
Qingqing Xu ◽  
Yafei Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Modification of the gut microbiota has been reported to reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). We hypothesized that the gut microbiota shifts might also have an effect on cognitive functions in T1D. Herein we used a non-absorbable antibiotic vancomycin to modify the gut microbiota in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D mice and studied the impact of microbial changes on cognitive performances in T1D mice and its potential gut-brain neural mechanism. Results We found that vancomycin exposure disrupted the gut microbiome, altered host metabolic phenotypes, and facilitated cognitive impairment in T1D mice. Long-term acetate deficiency due to depletion of acetate-producing bacteria resulted in the reduction of synaptophysin (SYP) in the hippocampus as well as learning and memory impairments. Exogenous acetate supplement or fecal microbiota transplant recovered hippocampal SYP level in vancomycin-treated T1D mice, and this effect was attenuated by vagal inhibition or vagotomy. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the protective role of microbiota metabolite acetate in cognitive functions and suggest long-term acetate deficiency as a risk factor of cognitive decline.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2180
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Moon ◽  
Peter Finnegan ◽  
Richard A. Stecker ◽  
Hanna Lee ◽  
Kayla M. Ratliff ◽  
...  

Glucosamine (GLU) is a natural compound found in cartilage, and supplementation with glucosamine has been shown to improve joint heath and has been linked to reduced mortality rates. GLU is poorly absorbed and may exhibit functional properties in the gut. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of glucosamine on gastrointestinal function as well as changes in fecal microbiota and metabolome. Healthy males (n = 6) and females (n = 5) (33.4 ± 7.7 years, 174.1 ± 12.0 cm, 76.5 ± 12.9 kg, 25.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2, n = 11) completed two supplementation protocols that each spanned three weeks separated by a washout period that lasted two weeks. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, participants ingested a daily dose of GLU hydrochloride (3000 mg GlucosaGreen®, TSI Group Ltd., USA) or maltodextrin placebo. Study participants completed bowel habit and gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaires in addition to providing a stool sample that was analyzed for fecal microbiota and metabolome at baseline and after the completion of each supplementation period. GLU significantly reduced stomach bloating and showed a trend towards reducing constipation and hard stools. Phylogenetic diversity (Faith’s PD) and proportions of Pseudomonadaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Bacillaceae were significantly reduced following GLU consumption. GLU supplementation significantly reduced individual, total branched-chain, and total amino acid excretion, with no glucosamine being detected in any of the fecal samples. GLU had no effect on fecal short-chain fatty acids levels. GLU supplementation provided functional gut health benefits and induced fecal microbiota and metabolome changes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 845-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Paule Fernandez-Gerlinger ◽  
Anne-Sophie Jannot ◽  
Sophie Rigaudeau ◽  
Juliette Lambert ◽  
Odile Eloy ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEInvasive aspergillosis (IA) is a rare but severe infection caused by Aspergillus spp. that often develops in immunocompromised patients. Lethality remains high in this population. Therefore, preventive strategies are of key importance. The impact of a mobile air decontamination system (Plasmair, AirInSpace, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France) on the incidence of IA in neutropenic patients was evaluated in this study.DESIGNRetrospective cohort studyMETHODSPatients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia lasting 7 days or more were included over a 2-year period. Cases of IA were confirmed using the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. We took advantage of a partial installation of Plasmair systems in the hematology intensive care unit during this period to compare patients treated in Plasmair-equipped versus non-equipped rooms. Patients were assigned to Plasmair-equipped or non-equipped rooms depending only on bed availability. Differences in IA incidence in both groups were compared using Fisher’s exact test, and a multivariate analysis was performed to take into account potential confounding factors.RESULTSData from 156 evaluable patients were available. Both groups were homogenous in terms of age, gender, hematological diagnosis, duration of neutropenia, and prophylaxis. A total of 11 cases of probable IA were diagnosed: 10 in patients in non-equipped rooms and only 1 patient in a Plasmair-equipped room. The odds of developing IA were much lower for patients hospitalized in Plasmair-equipped rooms than for patients in non-equipped rooms (P=.02; odds ratio [OR] =0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00–0.84).CONCLUSIONIn this study, Plasmair demonstrated a major impact in reducing the incidence of IA in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:845–851


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