PMID: 

Front Microbiol. 2018 ;9:1439. Epub 2018 Jul 2. PMID: 30013538

Abstract Title: 

Attenuates-Induced Stress of Epithelial Cells by Modulating Tight-Junction Genes and Cytokine Responses.

Abstract: 

Salmonellosis is a prevalent food-borne illness that causes diarrhea in over 130 million humans yearly and can lead to death. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to antibiotics as many salmonellae are now multidrug resistant. As such, specific beneficial bacteria and dietary fibers can be an alternative as they may preventTyphimurium (STM) infection and spreading by strengthening intestinal barrier function.We tested whether immune active long-chain inulin-type fructans and/orW37,W63, andW56 can strengthen barrier integrity of intestinal Caco-2 cells in the presence and absence of a STM. Effects of the ingredients on intestinal barrier function were first evaluated by quantifying trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER) and regulation of gene expression by microarray. Onlyhad effects on TEER and modulated a group of 26 genes related to tight-junctions. Inulin-type fructans,W63 andW56 regulated other genes, unrelated to tight-junctions.also had unique effects on a group of six genes regulating epithelial phenotype toward follicle-associated epithelium.W37 was therefore selected for a challenge with STM and prevented STM-induced barrier disruption and decreased secretion of IL-8.W37 increases TEER and can protect against STM induced disruption of gut epithelial cells integrity. Our results suggest that selection of specific bacterial strains for enforcing barrier function may be a promising strategy to reduce or prevent STM infections.

read more

PMID: 

Nutrition. 2019 Jun ;62:63-73. Epub 2018 Nov 26. PMID: 30852460

Abstract Title: 

Lactobacillus brevis DM9218 ameliorates fructose-induced hyperuricemia through inosine degradation and manipulation of intestinal dysbiosis.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: High fructose consumption exacerbates purine degradation and intestinal dysbiosis, which are closely related to the development of hyperuricemia. Probiotics are powerful weapons to combat metabolic disturbance and intestinal dysbiosis. Previously we isolated a Lactobacillus strain named DM9218 that could reduce the serum uric acid (UA) level by assimilating purine nucleosides. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of DM9218 on high-fructose-induced hyperuricemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: Mice were fed a normal diet, a high-fructose diet, or high-fructose diet with DM9218. Metabolic parameters, fructose- and UA-related metabolites, and fecal microbiota were investigated. Whole-genome sequencing of strain DM9218 was also conducted. In addition, an inosine hydrolase from DM9218 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and its inosine-degrading activity was detected.RESULTS: Our results indicated that DM9218 could decrease serum UA level and hepatic xanthine oxidase activity in fructose-fed mice. It could protect against high-fructose-induced liver damage and retard UA accumulation by degrading inosine. The modulation effect of DM9218 on high-fructose-induced intestinal dysbiosis resulted in enhancement of intestinal barrier function and reduction of liver lipopolysaccharide, which was closely correlated with the down-regulation of inflammatory cytokine-stimulated xanthine oxidase expression and activity.CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus brevis DM9218 is a probiotic strain with the potential to ameliorate fructose-induced hyperuricemia.

read more

PMID: 

Neuropsychopharmacol Rep. 2019 Jun ;39(2):140-145. Epub 2019 Apr 11. PMID: 30977307

Abstract Title: 

Dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 (SBL88™) improves hippocampus-dependent memory performance and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Abstract: 

AIMS: Lactobacillus species are used widely as various food and supplements to improve health. Previous studies have shown that heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 induces serotonin release from intestinal cells and affects sleep rhythm and the autonomic nervous system. However, the effect of SBC8803 on cognitive function remains unknown. Here, we examined the effects of dietary heat-killed SBC8803 on hippocampus-dependent memory and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.METHODS: Hippocampus-dependent memory performance was assessed in mice fed heat-killed SBC8803 using social recognition and contextual fear conditioning tasks. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was evaluated before, during, and after feeding heat-killed SBC8803 by measuring the number of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells following systemic injections of BrdU using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Mice fed a heat-killed SBC8803 diet showed an improvement of hippocampus-dependent social recognition and contextual fear memories and enhanced adult hippocampal neurogenesis by increasing the survival, but not proliferation, of newborn neurons.CONCLUSION: Dietary heat-killed SBC8803 functions as memory and neurogenesis enhancers.

read more

PMID: 

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2019 ;65(2):164-170. PMID: 31061285

Abstract Title: 

Dietary Heat-Killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 Attenuates Chronic Sleep Disorders Induced by Psychophysiological Stress in Mice.

Abstract: 

We previously reported that dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 affects sleep in mice and humans. The present study examined whether SBC8803 improves psychophysiological stress-induced chronic sleep disorders (CSD) using a mouse model characterized by disrupted circadian rhythms of wheel-running activity and sleep-wake cycles. Mice were fed with a diet supplemented with 0.5% heat-killed SBC8803 for 6 wk and imposed stress-induced CSD for last 2 wk. Dietary SBC8803 suppressed the reduction in wheel-running activity induced by CSD. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed that SBC8803 significantly restored wakefulness and increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep during the second half of the active phase during CSD. The CSD-induced reduction in EEG slow wave activity, a marker of NREM sleep intensity, during the beginning of the inactive phase was significantly improved by SBC8803 supplementation. These findings suggest that dietary heat-killed SBC8803 confers beneficial effects on insomnia and circadian sleep disorders induced by psychophysiological stress.

read more

PMID: 

Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012 Jun ;37(6):844-51. Epub 2011 Oct 24. PMID: 22029953

Abstract Title: 

Intense exercise increases circulating endocannabinoid and BDNF levels in humans–possible implications for reward and depression.

Abstract: 

The endocannabinoid system is known to have positive effects on depression partly through its actions on neurotrophins, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). As BDNF is also considered the major candidate molecule for exercise-induced brain plasticity, we hypothesized that the endocannabinoid system represents a crucial signaling system mediating the beneficial antidepressant effects of exercise. Here we investigated, in 11 healthy trained male cyclists, the effects of an intense exercise (60 min at 55% followed by 30 min at 75% W(max)) on plasma levels of endocannabinoids (anandamide, AEA and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2-AG) and their possible link with serum BDNF. AEA levels increased during exercise and the 15 min recovery (P

read more

PMID: 

PLoS One. 2015 ;10(5):e0125470. Epub 2015 May 13. PMID: 25970607

Abstract Title: 

Unexpected dual task benefits on cycling in Parkinson disease and healthy adults: a neuro-behavioral model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: When performing two tasks at once, a dual task, performance on one or both tasks typically suffers. People with Parkinson's disease (PD) usually experience larger dual task decrements on motor tasks than healthy older adults (HOA). Our objective was to investigate the decrements in cycling caused by performing cognitive tasks with a range of difficulty in people with PD and HOAs.METHODS: Twenty-eight participants with Parkinson's disease and 20 healthy older adults completed a baseline cycling task with no secondary tasks and then completed dual task cycling while performing 12 tasks from six cognitive domains representing a wide range of difficulty.RESULTS: Cycling was faster during dual task conditions than at baseline, and was significantly faster for six tasks (all p

read more

PMID: 

Brain Cogn. 2017 04 ;113:23-31. Epub 2017 Jan 11. PMID: 28088064

Abstract Title: 

Improved cognition while cycling in Parkinson's disease patients and healthy adults.

Abstract: 

Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) are typically more susceptible than healthy adults to impaired performance when two tasks (dual task interference) are performed simultaneously. This limitation has by many experts been attributed to limitations in cognitive resources. Nearly all studies of dual task performance in PD employ walking or balance-based motor tasks, which are commonly impaired in PD. These tasks can be performed using a combination of one or two executive function tasks. The current study examined whether persons with PD would demonstrate greater dual task effects (DTEs) on cognition compared to healthy older adults (HOAs) during a concurrent cycling task. Participants with and without PD completed a battery of 12 cognitive tasks assessing visual and verbal processing in the following cognitive domains: speed of processing, controlled processing, working memory and executive function. Persons with PD exhibited impairments compared to healthy participants in select tasks (i.e., 0-back, 2-back and operation span). Further, both groups unexpectedly exhibited dual task facilitation of response times in visual tasks across cognitive domains, and improved verbal recall during an executive function task. Only one measure, 2-back, showed a speed-accuracy trade-off in the dual task. These results demonstrate that, when paired with a motor task in which they are not impaired, people with PD exhibit similar DTEs on cognitive tasks as HOAs, even when these task effects are facilitative. More generally, these findings demonstrate that pairing cognitive tasks with cycling may actually improve cognitive performance which may have therapeutic relevance to cognitive decline associated with aging and PD pathology.

read more

PMID: 

Clin J Sport Med. 2018 05 ;28(3):255-265. PMID: 29095201

Abstract Title: 

Effect of E-Bike Versus Bike Commuting on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overweight Adults: A 4-Week Randomized Pilot Study.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To assess if active commuting with an electrically assisted bicycle (e-bike) during a 4-week period can induce increases in cardiorespiratory fitness measured as peak oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) in untrained, overweight individuals, and if these changes are comparable with those induced by a conventional bicycle.DESIGN: Four-week randomized pilot study.SETTING: Controlled laboratory.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two volunteers (28 men) participated. Seventeen {median age 37 years [interquartile range (IQR) 34, 45], median body mass index [BMI] 29 kg/m [IQR 27, 31]} were randomized to the E-Bike group and 15 [median age 43 years (IQR 38, 45), median BMI 28 kg/m (IQR 26, 29)] to the Bike group.INTERVENTIONS: Participants in both groups were instructed to use the bicycle allocated to them (e-bike or conventional bicycle) for an active commute to work in the Basel (Switzerland) area at a self-chosen speed on at least 3 days per week during the 4-week intervention period.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak was assessed before and after the intervention in an all-out exercise test on a bicycle ergometer.RESULTS: V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak increased by an average of 3.6 mL/(kg·min) [SD 3.6 mL/(kg·min)] in the E-Bike group and by 2.2 mL/(kg·min) [SD 3.5 mL/(kg·min)] in the Bike group, with an adjusted difference between the 2 groups of 1.4 mL/(kg·min) [95% confidence interval, -1.4-4.1; P = 0.327].CONCLUSIONS: E-bikes may have the potential to improve cardiorespiratory fitness similar to conventional bicycles despite the available power assist, as they enable higher biking speeds and greater elevation gain.

read more

PMID: 

PLoS One. 2019 ;14(2):e0211779. Epub 2019 Feb 20. PMID: 30785893

Abstract Title: 

The effect of cycling on cognitive function and well-being in older adults.

Abstract: 

It has been demonstrated that, on their own, both exercise and stimulation from the environment can improve cognitive function and well-being in older adults. The combined effect of exercising in the outdoor environment on psychological function is less well studied. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of an outdoor cycling intervention on cognitive function and mental health and well-being in older adults. A total of 100 older adults took part in the study (aged 50-83), 26 of which were non-cycling controls, 36 were conventional pedal cyclists and 38 were participants using an e-bike (a bike fitted with an electric motor to provide assistance with pedaling), as part of a larger project (www.cycleboom.org). Participants took part in the study for an eight-week period, with cycling participants required to cycle at least three times a week for thirty minutes in duration for each cycle ride. Cognitive function and well-being were measured before and after the intervention period. For executive function, namely inhibition (the Stroop task) and updating (Letter Updating Task), both cycling groups improved in accuracy after the intervention compared to non-cycling control participants. E-bike participants also improved in processing speed (reaction times in go trials of the Stop-It task) after the intervention compared to non-cycling control participants. Finally, e-bike participants improved in their mental health score after the intervention compared to non-cycling controls as measured by the SF-36. This suggests that there may be an impact of exercising in the environment on executive function and mental health. Importantly, we showed a similar (sometimes larger) effect for the e-bike group compared to the pedal cyclists. This suggests that it is not just the physical activity component of cycling that is having an influence. Both pedal cycles and e-bikes can enable increased physical activity and engagement with the outdoor environment with e-bikes potentially providing greater benefits.

read more

PMID: 

Int Immunopharmacol. 2014 Jan ;18(1):1-6. Epub 2013 Oct 22. PMID: 24161745

Abstract Title: 

Total glucosides of paeony inhibit the proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes through the regulation of G proteins in rats with collagen-induced arthritis.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of G proteins in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and to determine the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP). CIA rats were induced with chicken type II collagen (CCII) in Freund's complete adjuvant. The rats with experimental arthritis were randomly separated into five groups and then treated with TGP (25, 50, and 100mg/kg) from days 14 to 35 after immunization. The secondary inflammatory reactions were evaluated through the polyarthritis index and histopathological changes. The level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was measured by radioimmunoassay. The FLS proliferation response was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G proteins was performed through autoradiography. The results show that TGP (25, 50, and 100mg/kg) significantly decreased the arthritis scores of CIA rats and improved the histopathological changes. TGP inhibited the proliferation of FLSs and increased the level of cAMP. Moreover, the FLS proliferation and the level of Gαi expression were significantly increased, but the level of Gαs expression was decreased after stimulation with IL-1β (10ng/ml) in vitro. TGP (12.5 and 62.5μg/ml) significantly inhibited the FLS proliferation and regulated the balance between Gαi and Gαs. These results demonstrate that TGP may exert its anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of FLS proliferation, which may be associated with its ability to regulate the balance of G proteins. Thus, TGP may have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

read more