PMID: 

Int J Surg. 2019 May ;65:61-69. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30928672

Abstract Title: 

The significance of probiotics in preventing radiotherapy-induced diarrhea in patients with cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

AIMS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics for prevention of radiotherapy-induced diarrhea (RID) in patients with cervical cancer. Previous studies failed to give a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and safety of probiotics in this point.METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up to June 4, 2018. We also hand searched some studies included in previous reviews. Our primary outcome aims to compare the incidence of all Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grades of RID and adverse events (AEs) in both probiotics groups and placebo groups. Relative risk (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to compare the efficacy of probiotics in prevention of RID, and the pooled RRs were estimated using a fixed- or random-effect model; heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran's Q and Higgins Itest. Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data independently. The analysis and bias for each of included studies were performed and assessed using Review Manager 5.2.RESULTS: Nine randomized, placebo-controlled studies (N = 1508 participants) were included for assessing the efficacy of probiotics. Compared with placebo groups, participants in probiotic groups experienced much lower incidence of RID with RR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.46-0.81; P = 0.0007). In addition, significant results were also observed in CTC grade ≥2 and grade ≥3 RID, with the pooled RRs of 0.52 (95% CI 0.30-0.98; P = 0.02) and 0.32 (95% CI 0.12-0.82; P = 0.02) respectively. Eight studies, included 1410 participants (726 consuming probiotics, 657 consuming placebo, 27 lost to follow-up), were used for the analysis of safety of probiotics. Of the 8 studies, 4 studies had no AEs caused by probiotics, while another 4 studies reported varying degrees of AEs during their treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics may have a beneficial effect in prevention of RID generally, especially for Grade≥2 or 3 diarrhea. Probiotics may be safe and rarely cause severe AEs during treatment.

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PMID: 

Genes (Basel). 2019 08 19 ;10(8). Epub 2019 Aug 19. PMID: 31430963

Abstract Title: 

Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Probiotic-Derived p8 Protein.

Abstract: 

Recently, we reported a novel therapeutic probiotic-derived protein, p8, which has anti-colorectal cancer (anti-CRC) properties. In vitro experiments using a CRC cell line (DLD-1), anti-proliferation activity (about 20%) did not improve after increasing the dose of recombinant-p8 (r-p8) to>10μM. Here, we show that this was due to the low penetrative efficiency of r-p8 exogenous treatment. Furthermore, we found that r-p8 entered the cytosol through endocytosis, which might be a reason for the low penetration efficiency. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of p8, we tried to improve delivery to CRC cells. This resulted in endogenous expression of p8 and increased the anti-proliferative effects by up to 2-fold compared with the exogenous treatment (40 μM). Anti-migration activity also increased markedly. Furthermore, we found that the anti-proliferation activity of p8 was mediated by inhibition of the p53-p21-Cyclin B1/Cdk1 signal pathway, resulting in growth arrest at the Gphase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results suggest that p8 is toxic to cancer cells, shows stable expression within cells, and shows strong cancer suppressive activity by inducing cell cycle arrest. Therefore, p8 is a strong candidate for gene therapy if it can be loaded onto cancer-specific viruses.

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PMID: 

Turk J Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep ;30(9):835-842. PMID: 31530527

Abstract Title: 

Anti-colon cancer activity of Bifidobacterium metabolites on colon cancer cell line SW742.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacteria species, which are used as probiotics, are lactic acid bacteria. The majority of them are under the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify Bifidobacterium and to evaluate the effects of their 24 h and 120 h cell-free supernatants (CFS) from both cultures on colon cancer cell line.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 84 samples of dairy products, infant feces, and probiotic capsule were collected, and Bifidobacterium was isolated. Gram stain, biochemical tests, and molecular identification were done for the isolation and identification of Bifidobacterium. Cytotoxicity effects of CFS derived from both cultures of isolated Bifidobacterium were assessed on colon cancer cell lines.RESULTS: In the present study, 17 isolates of Bifidobacterium were identified. The results show that Bifidobacterium was most frequently associated with infant feces and dairy products, whereas the lowest rate was associated with local milk. After the effects of CFS on colon cancer cell line, two isolates were identified from infant feces and probiotic capsule; they had the highest ability in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Bifidobacterium bifidum was effective in combating cancer cells and was associated with a substantial improvement in gastrointestinal cancer.CONCLUSION: The study has shown that the regular ingested probiotics could prevent the development of colorectal cancer. During the present study, the produced CFS could inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells. In conclusion, probiotics have good potential to be introduced as a new approach to colon cancer treatment.

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PMID: 

Oncol Rev. 2019 Jul 22 ;13(2):422. Epub 2019 Sep 27. PMID: 31583054

Abstract Title: 

Potential effect of probiotics in the treatment of breast cancer.

Abstract: 

Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of cancerrelated morbidity and mortality in the world. Probiotics, as functional food, have the potential to act against breast cancer, as evidenced by cell-based and animal model experiments. Probiotic may be useful in prevention or treatment of breast cancer by modulating the gastrointestinal bacteria and the systemic immune system. However, large-scale clinical trials and intensive research are mandatory to confirm theandresults and exploring the probiotics-related metabolic, immune, and molecular mechanisms in breast cancer. This current review summarizes the available data related to probiotics and their potential role in the treatment of breast cancer.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2019 Oct 14 ;11(10). Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31615096

Abstract Title: 

Potential Mechanisms of Probiotics Action in the Prevention and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.

Abstract: 

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and most diagnosed cancers in the world. There are many predisposing factors, for example, genetic predisposition, smoking, or a diet rich in red, processed meat and poor in vegetables and fruits. Probiotics may be helpful in the prevention of cancer and may provide support during treatment. The main aim of this study is to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of probiotics, in particular the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Probiotics' potential mechanisms of action are, for example, modification of intestinal microbiota, improvement of colonic physicochemical conditions, production of anticancerogenic and antioxidant metabolites against carcinogenesis, a decrease in intestinal inflammation, and the production of harmful enzymes. The prevention of colorectal cancer is associated with favorable quantitative and qualitative changes in the intestinal microbiota, as well as changes in metabolic activity and in the physicochemical conditions of the intestine. In addition, it is worth noting that the effect depends on the bacterial strain, as well as on the dose administered.

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PMID: 

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Nov 1. Epub 2019 Nov 1. PMID: 31674687

Abstract Title: 

Modulations of probiotics on gut microbiota in a 5-fluorouracil-induced mouse model of mucositis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal mucositis remained one of the most deleterious complications in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. 5-FU treatment was reported to affect the abundance of gut microbiota and cause mucositis, which might be ameliorated by probiotics. We investigate the potential changes of 5-FU treatment and the modulations of probiotics on gut microbiota in a mouse model.METHODS: Male BALB/c mice received either 5-FU or saline (S). They were separated and fed saline, Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus (Lcr) and Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (BG). Lcr and BG were simultaneously administered with 5-FU for 5 days. Stool specimens were collected for DNA extraction and pyrosequenced for bioinformatic analysis.RESULTS: Fecal microbial communities were obviously diverse. Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae were the most abundant microbiota in FU.BG group while S24_7 was the most in S.S group. At phylum and class levels, abundances of Betaproteobacteria, Erysipelotrichi, Gammaproteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were significantly increased in the FU groups. Probiotics supplementation did increase the abundances of Enterobacteriales and Turicibacterales. We demonstrated that probiotics did modulate the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. Bacterial motility proteins were found enriched and upregulated in the S.BG group. No mortality was noted. No bacterial translocation was found in spleen and blood among the six groups.CONCLUSION: Gut microbiota of mice undergoing chemotherapy exhibited a distinct disruption in bacterial composition. Probiotic did modulate the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota. This is the first study to analyze the effects and safety of Lactobacillus strains on 5-FU-induced mucositis systematically and assess changes in the intestinal microbiota after probiotic intervention.

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PMID: 

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Dec 1. Epub 2019 Dec 1. PMID: 31788852

Abstract Title: 

Effect and mechanism of vitamin D on the development of colorectal cancer based on intestinal flora disorder.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: To investigate the correlation between the level of circulating vitamin D and the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to clarify the effect and mechanism of vitamin D on the development of CRC.METHODS: Serum samples from 63 patients with CRC (CRC group) and 61 healthy volunteers (normal group) were collected. Azoxymethane + dextran sodium sulfate-induced CRC mouse model and dietary models with different doses of vitamin D were established to verify whether vitamin D supplementation could reverse the occurrence and development of CRC at the overall animal level. Intestinal barrier integrity and microbial defense response were evaluated by detection of intestinal flora and expression of related genes.RESULTS: In the clinical serum samples, compared with the normal group, the level of 25 (OH) D3 in the CRC group was relatively low (P 

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PMID: 

J Gastrointest Cancer. 2019 Dec 6. Epub 2019 Dec 6. PMID: 31808058

Abstract Title: 

Histone Deacetylase Modifications by Probiotics in Colorectal Cancer.

Abstract: 

It has been demonstrated that epigenetic modifications of histone (acetylation/deacetylation) participate in a critical role in cancer progression by the regulation of gene expression. Several processes could be regulated by deacetylation of histone and non-histone proteins such as apoptosis, proliferation, cell metabolism, differentiation, and DNA repair. Hence, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are employed as a hopeful group of anti-cancer drugs that could inhibit tumor cell proliferation or apoptosis. The elimination of the acetylation marks that take place as an essential epigenetic change in cancer cells is associated to HDAC expression and activity. In this regard, it has been reported that class I HDACs have a vital role in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation. OBJECTIVES: In this review, we discuss whether gut origin microorganisms could promote cancer or tumor resistance and explain mechanisms of these processes. CONCLUSIONS: According to the enormous capacity of the metabolism of the intestine microbiota, bacteria are likely to convert nutrients and digestive compounds into metabolites that regulate epigenetic in cancer. The effect of the food is of interest on epigenetic changes in the intestinal mucosa and colonocytes, as misleading nucleotide methylation may be a prognostic marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). Since epigenetic changes are potentially reversible, they can serve as therapeutic targets for preventing CRC. However, various mechanisms have been identified in the field of prevention, treatment, and progression of cancer by probiotics, which include intestinal microbiota modulation, increased intestinal barrier function, degradation of potential carcinogens, protective effect on intestinal epithelial damage, and increased immune function.

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PMID: 

Benef Microbes. 2019 Apr 19 ;10(4):375-384. Epub 2019 Apr 1. PMID: 30931588

Abstract Title: 

Effects ofas an adjunct to the treatment of periodontitis in smokers: randomised clinical trial.

Abstract: 

The aim of this randomised clinical trial was to evaluate the effect ofin chewable tablets as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis in smoking patients. 34 patient smokers were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The SRP group (n=17) received scaling and root planing (SRP) in one session and a placebo; the PRO group (n=17) received SRP in one session and 2 probiotic tablets 2× per day, for 21 days. Bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), and pockets with PD≥5 mm and bleeding were measured at baseline and 90 days. After 90 days of treatment, the PD and pockets with PD≥5 mm and bleeding were significantly lower in both groups compared to baseline (

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PMID: 

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2020 Jan 9:106864. Epub 2020 Jan 9. PMID: 31926947

Abstract Title: 

Bisphenol A (BPA) induces progesterone receptor expression in an estrogen receptorα-dependent manner in perinatal brain.

Abstract: 

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen that is prevalent in the environment of industrialized nations due its use in the production of many plastic household items. Virtually all adults in the U.S. have detectable levels of BPA in urine and it can be measured in fetal serum and in breastmilk, making developmental exposure a particular concern. The present study utilizes a progesterone receptor (PR) expression bioassay to assess the estrogen receptorα (ERα)-dependent effects of BPA in fetal rodent brain following maternal exposure. Maternal ingestion of 10 μg/kg/day, but not 50 μg/kg/day, BPA from gestational day 14-22 significantly increased levels of PR immunoreactivity (PRir) in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) of female offspring.PR expression in the perinatal MPN is highly dependent on the activation of ERα, but not ERβ, by estrogens. Indeed, injections of BPA (5 μg/kg) to neonates from postnatal day 2-4 (P2-4) significantly increased PR expression in the MPN of postnatal day 5 females compared to the MPN of females administered the oil vehicle. However, pretreatment with the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780 from P1-4 significantly attenuated the effects of BPA on PR expression, indicating an ERα-dependent mechanism. The present results also demonstrate a non-monotonic effect of BPA on the direct expression of a transcription factor in developing brain.

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