Sayer Ji reports on a new NPR investigation which reveals that despite $660 million in federal spending to set up 30+ field hospitals for the anticipated catastrophic case load from COVID-19, most of the emergency field hospitals had ZERO patients.
PMID:
J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18. PMID: 32424849
Abstract Title:
Oligosaccharide-dependent anti-inflammatory role of galectin-1 for macrophages in ulcerative colitis.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Galectin-1 plays a protective role against colitis by binding with polylactosamine structures on macrophages inβ-1,4-galactosyltransferase I-deficient mice, but the precise function of galectin-1 remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory role of galectin-1 on macrophages to ameliorate ulcerative colitis in both animal model and human tissue samples.METHODS: The expression of galectin-1 in colonic tissues of ulcerative colitis patients was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Cytokine production of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) cultured with galectin-1 was investigated. Galectin-1 binding capacity and polylactosamine expression in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharides were evaluated by flow cytometry. BMDMs cultured with galectin-1 were transferred into Recombination activating gene (Rag) 2mice and the severity of the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model was investigated. Furthermore, RNA sequencing was performed to characterize macrophages treated with galectin-1.RESULTS: In ulcerative colitis patients, tissue expression of galectin-1was decreased in inflamed mucosa compared with non-inflamed mucosa. Galectin-1 induced interleukin (IL)-10 production in BMDMs, and the IL-10 production was abrogated by lactose, which inhibits the interaction of oligosaccharide-galectin binding. Dextran sodium sulfate colitis was significantly ameliorated in Rag2mice undergoing galectin-1-treated BMDM transfer compared with those undergoing vehicle-treated BMDM transfer. RNA sequencing revealed that treatment with galectin-1 increased the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinβ and CD163, but decreased the expression of CD80 on BMDMs.CONCLUSION: Galectin-1, whose expression is decreased in the inflamed mucosa of ulcerative colitis patients, can ameliorate murine colitis by conferring oligosaccharide-dependent anti-inflammatory properties to macrophages.
PMID:
Med Sci Monit. 2020 Apr 6 ;26:e920583. Epub 2020 Apr 6. PMID: 32249275
Abstract Title:
Bifidobacterium infantis Relieves Allergic Asthma in Mice by Regulating Th1/Th2.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND Bifidobacteria are among the probiotics used in treating intestinal diseases and are rarely used for allergic asthma treatment. The present study investigated the mechanism of B. infantis in treating allergic asthma in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 male Balb/c mice were randomized into control, ovalbumin (OVA), montelukast (Mon), and B. infantis (B10) groups, and allergic asthma was induced in the OVA, Mon, and B10 groups. Airway reactivity was measured on day 29 by methacholine at various doses. The numbers of total cells and inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted by blood cell counter and Diff-Quik staining. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues. Total IgE and OVA-specific IgE in serum were measured by ELISA. Mucin 5AC expression was detected by Western blot to evaluate airway obstruction. The levels of Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokines in BALF and tissues were detected by ELISA and qRT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS The mice in the OVA group had airway hyperreactivity, while the symptoms in the B10 group and Mon group were effectively relieved. B10 reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in tissues. Moreover, the levels of total serum IgE, OVA-specific IgE, and Mucin 5AC were increased in the OVA group, but were reduced in the Mon group and B10 group. B. infantis increased the levels of Th1 cytokines and decreased those of Th2 cytokines. CONCLUSIONS B. infantis can reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by OVA-specific antibodies in mice. B. infantis has therapeutic effects on allergic asthma by promoting Th1 and inhibiting Th2 immune responses.
PMID:
Nutrients. 2020 Apr 19 ;12(4). Epub 2020 Apr 19. PMID: 32325851
Abstract Title:
Exercise Training Combined withOLP-01 Supplementation Improves Exercise Physiological Adaption and Performance.
Abstract:
Probiotics exert multiple health benefits, including gastrointestinal health, immunoregulation, and metabolic disease improvement, by modulating microbiota to maintain eubiosis via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and brain-gut-microbiome axes. Physiological fatigue, mental stress, and gastrointestinal discomfort under the demands of athletic performance as well as immunosuppression are common during endurance training and competition. Limited studies investigated the functional effects of probiotic supplementation on endurance training.subsp.OLP-01 (OLP-01), isolated from an elite Olympic athlete, was combined with a six-week exercise training program with gradually increasing intensity. In this study, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were assigned to sedentary, exercise, OLP-01, or exercise + OLP-01 groups and administered probiotic and/or treadmill exercise training for six weeks to assess exercise performance, physiological adaption, and related metabolites. The exercise + OLP-01 group demonstrated higher performance in terms of endurance and grip strength, as well as improved fatigue-associated indexes (lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glycogen content), compared with the other groups. OLP-01 supplementation significantly ameliorated inflammation and injury indexes (platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), aminotransferase (AST), and CK) caused by prolonged endurance exercise test. Moreover, acetate, propionate, and butyrate levels were significantly higher in the exercise + OLP-01 group than in the sedentary and OLP-01 groups. Athletes often experience psychological and physiological stress caused by programed intensive exercise, competition, and off-site training, often leading to poor exercise performance and gastrointestinal issues. Functional OLP-01 probiotics are considered to be a nutritional strategy for improving physiological adaption, oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy balance to ensure high physical performance. Based on these results, probiotics combined with exercise training is a potential strategy for ensuring high physical performance of athletes, which should be further investigated through microbiota validation.
PMID:
Benef Microbes. 2019 Dec 9 ;10(8):855-866. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31965834
Abstract Title:
Effect of multi-strain probiotic (UB0316) in weight management in overweight/obese adults: a 12-week double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.
Abstract:
This clinical trial was carried out to assess the effects of multi-strain probiotic capsule (UB0316:UBLS-22,UBLC-42,, UBLP-40,UBLA-34,UBBr-01,Unique IS2 5×10cfu each and fructo-oligosaccharide, 100 mg) on overweight/obesity-related parameters. Ninety subjects (age, 30-65 years; body mass index (BMI), 25-32 kg/m) were randomised into two groups, i.e. UB0316 (probiotic) and placebo (excipient maltodextrin). They were instructed to take 2 capsules (UB0316 or placebo) per day after meals for 12 weeks. Primary (BMI), and secondary (waist-to-hip ratio: WHR; body weight, body fat; sugar and lipid profile) endpoint measures were evaluated at scheduled visits. Vital signs, physical investigations, quality of life, physician/subjects global assessment and adverse events were also recorded. A total of 71 subjects completed the scheduled study visits and analysis thereof showed that a 12-week UB0316 supplementation significantly reduced BMI (95% CI: -0.64, -0.27;=0.0001), body weight (95% CI: -1.16, -0.50;
PMID:
Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2020 ;13:19-29. Epub 2020 Jan 6. PMID: 32021348
Abstract Title:
The Impacts of Synbiotic Supplementation on Periodontal Indices and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Chronic Periodontitis Under Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate that combination of the synbiotic supplementation in adjunct with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is useful in treating periodontitis and biomarkers of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Methods: In this study, 47 patients suffering from DM and CP were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention (n= 23) and control (n=24) groups received either multispecies probiotic supplement plus 100 mg fructo-oligosaccharide (500 mg in each capsule) or placebo capsule containing 500 mg wheat flour, respectively, every day for 8 weeks. All subjects were treated with NSPT during the intervention period. Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and periodontal indices including clinical attachment loss (CAL), pocket depth (PD) (main outcome), BOP, and plaque index were measured before and after theintervention.Results: Supplementation with the synbiotic with NSPT led to a significant decrease in the levels of IL-1β, MDA, plaque index, PD, and CAL in the intervention group post-intervention (p
PMID:
Pharmacol Res. 2020 Apr 17 ;157:104784. Epub 2020 Apr 17. PMID: 32305492
Abstract Title:
Probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide intervention modulate the microbiota-gut brain axis to improve autism spectrum reducing also the hyper-serotonergic state and the dopamine metabolism disorder.
Abstract:
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is increasing, but its etiology remains elusive and hence an effective treatment is not available. Previous research conducted on animal models suggests that microbiota-gut-brain axis may contribute to ASD pathology and more human research is needed. This study was divided into two stages,.At the discovery stage, we compared the differences in gut microbiota profiles (using 16S rRNA sequencing), fecal SCFAs (using GC-MS) and plasma neurotransmitters (using UHPLC-MS/MS) of 26 children with ASD and 24 normal children. All 26 children with ASD participated in the intervention stage, and we measured the gut microbiota profiles, SCFAs and neurotransmitters before and after probiotics + FOS (n = 16) or placebo supplementation (n = 10). We found that gut microbiota was in a state of dysbiosis and significantly lower levels of Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacterium longum were observed at the discovery stage in children with ASD. An increase in beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteriales and B. longum) and suppression of suspected pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium) emerged after probiotics + FOS intervention, with significant reduction in the severity of autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Compared to children in the control group, significantly lower levels of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were found, and a hyperserotonergic state (increased serotonin) and dopamine metabolism disorder (decreased homovanillic acid) were observed in children with ASD. Interestingly, the above SCFAs in children with autism significantly elevated after probiotics + FOS intervention and approached those in the control group. In addition, our data demonstrated that decreased serotonin and increased homovanillic acid emerged after probiotics + FOS intervention. However, the above-mentioned changes did not appear in the placebo group for ASD children. Probiotics + FOS intervention can modulate gut microbiota, SCFAs and serotonin in association with improved ASD symptoms, including a hyper-serotonergic state and dopamine metabolism disorder.
PMID:
. PMID: 32440318
Abstract Title:
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Apoptotic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning in a Rat Model of Cisplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Abstract:
Objectives: Cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating side effect in patients receiving this drug. Recent studies suggest hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy as a new treatment approach for models of neural injury. The aim of the current study was to determine the protective effects of HBO preconditioning against peripheral neuropathy induced by Cisplatin (CDDP).
Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 4 groups of rats: Sham group; HBO group (60 min/d); Control group (CDDP 2 mg/kg/d); Precondition group (HBO+CDDP). Mechanical threshold testing was weekly carried out using von Frey filament. Sciatic nerve and associated ganglia were removed five weeks after the first CDDP injection for biochemical evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, immunohistochemistry of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), TNF-α, caspase-3 and iNOS, and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) assessments.
Results: MDA levels and MPO activities were significantly decreased in preconditioned rats. Attenuated TUNEL reaction along with attenuated caspase-3, TNF-α, and iNOS expression could be significantly detected in preconditioned rats. Also, HBO preconditioning improved the nociceptive threshold.
Conclusion: The results suggest that HBO preconditioning can attenuate peripheral neuropathy caused by cisplatin in rats.
PMID:
Heliyon. 2020 May ;6(5):e03973. Epub 2020 May 14. PMID: 32435716
Abstract Title:
Probiotics reduce anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish.
Abstract:
There is increasing evidence that gut microbiome could have effects on neurological processes and on behavior. In this study we used the novel tank test (NTT) to analyze zebrafish exploring behavior after four months' supplementation with probiotics with probed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Results showed that prolonged ingestion ofCECT8361 andCECT7347 significantly alters the swimming pattern and mean swimming speed in the zebrafish model. After treatment, zebrafish strongly reduced their bottom-dwelling geotactic behavior when placed in a new tank, which could be correlated to a lower state of anxiety.
PMID:
Front Microbiol. 2020 ;11:774. Epub 2020 Apr 30. PMID: 32425911
Abstract Title:
Inhibition ofBiofilm Formation and Virulence byK41 Isolated From Traditional Sichuan Pickles.
Abstract:
Among cariogenic microbes,is considered a major etiological pathogen of dental caries.strains have been promoted as possible probiotic agents against, although the inhibitory effect ofon caries has not yet been properly addressed. The objective of this study was to screenstrains found in traditional Sichuan pickles and to evaluate their antagonistic properties againstand. In the current study, we analyzed 54strains isolated from pickles and found that strainK41 showed the highest inhibitory effect ongrowth as well as on the formation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) and biofilm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) revealed the reduction of both EPS and of the network-like structure inbiofilm when these bacteria were co-cultured with strainK41. Furthermore, when rats were treated with strainK41, there was a significant reduction in the incidence and severity of dental caries. Due to K41's origin in a high salinity environment, it showed a high tolerance to acids and salts. This may give this strain an advantage in harsh oral conditions. Results showed thatK41 isolated from traditional Sichuan pickles effectively inhibitedbiofilm formation and thus possesses a potential inhibitory effect on dental caries.
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