A comparative evaluation of probiotic formulations in prevention of dental caries A clinical study

Background: Caries is a multifactorial disease, microbes being an important etiological factor. “Probiotics” are nonpathogenic microbes which can stimulate health-promoting flora and suppress pathogens. It's the era of prevention, clinical approach toward prevention by altering bacterial ecology is the need of the hour. The aim of the study was to evaluate anticariogenic effect of probiotic curd (Amul's Probiotic Dahi) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (La5) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb12) in 6–12 years of age group. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, nonblinded study conducted on school children aged between 6 and 12 years having Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and/or deft ?2. Selected subjects were divided into two groups of 31 each, study group received probiotic curd (“Amul's Probiotic Dahi”) two times a day in a quantity of 100 g, respectively, for 21 days and control group did not receive any intervention. Salivary Streptococcus mutans count and salivary pH estimation were done at the baseline, after 7 days and at the end after 24 days, for comparison. Results: No statistical difference was seen in salivary S. mutans count between both groups, after intervention of 7 days. However, there was significant difference in salivary S. mutans count at the end of 24 days. There was no statistical difference in salivary pH between both groups. Conclusion: The present study concludes that probiotics substitute decreases salivary S. mutans count after continuous consumption for 3 weeks and there is no short-term effect on salivary pH.

Research progress on Bifidobacterium BB-12 and human immune regulation / 上海预防医学

Bifidobacterium BB-12 belongs to the 12th strain of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.lactis BB-12, commonly used in infant formula powder, food additives and yogurt, and is the most documented Bifidobacterium.In this review, we describe the effect of BB-12 on gut microbiota, and investigate the effects of BB-12 on regulating immune function, reducing infection and improving resistance in infants, children and adults.

Assessment of Probiotics in Infant Formula and Cereal Based Baby Foods Containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12– Update 2014.

“Assessment of benefits and risks of probiotics in processed cereal-based baby foods supplemented Bifidobacteriumn lactis Bb12” from 2010 answered a request from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority focusing on the age groups 4-6 months, 6-12 months and 1-3 years. However, the use of infant formula intended for newborns, supplemented with this probiotic, was neither asked by the NFSA nor assessed by VKM. The notifier of the baby foods intended for infants and small children has provided information on three different cereal-based products intended for age-groups over 4 months and one infant formula intended for newborns, all supplemented with B. lactis. In its letter the company concludes that their products supplemented with B. lactis do not pose any health and safety risk. Regarding health effect, we have already mentioned in our assessment (Halvorsen et al. 2010) that: “It is not the mandate of this report to evaluate the health claims related to the products as these health claims are assessed by EFSA.” Our main conclusions regarding safety were as follows: “No serious adverse events are reported, but neither has the effect of long-term intake of a single bacterial strain been studied. Furthermore, cereals supplemented with B. lactis Bb12 intended for infants and toddlers have not been studied regarding safety. We are not aware of any in vivo studies explicitly concerning the ability of B. lactis Bb12 to influence gene expression of epithelial cells”. Furthermore, we were concerned regarding presence of antibiotic resistance gene against tetracycline (tetW) in the B. lactis Bb12. In the answer to the question from NFSA regarding antibiotic resistance gene in L. lactis Bb12, we concluded that: “Consumption of probiotic microororganism B. lactis Bb12 that harbour gene encoding resistance against tetracycline (tetW) may increase the risk of the transfer of such genes to the resident microbiota and pathogenic bacteria and hence increase development of bacterial resistance. High similarity has been observed between tetW gene in bacteria of human and environment origin and B. lactis Bb12. This suggests the spread of tetracycline resistance gene (tetW) between bacteria of various origins. However, the transfer of tetracycline resistance gene (tetW) to other bacteria as a consequence of consumption of Bb12 has not been studied.” As we have already mentioned in our assessment (Halvorsen et al. 2010). “It is important to note that the infant’s diet comprises a restricted variety of foods, which often are taken several times a day during a period of life when a stable intestinal flora is not yet established. The establishment of a normal intestinal microbiota takes at least two years and thus the intake of large numbers of probiotic bacteria in monoculture during the first years of life may greatly influence this process.” According to the “Guideline for evaluation of probiotics in food” (FAO/WHO 2002): ‘‘….the onus is on the producer to prove that any given probiotic strain is not a significant risk with regard to transferable antibiotic resistance or other opportunistic virulence properties.” The tet(W) gene in Bifidobacterium seems to be integrated in the chromosome and its surrounding regions vary depending on the strain, but very often the gene is flanked by transposase target sequences or genes coding for transposase, an enzyme that catalyzes the movement of DNA fragments between different locations by recognizing specific target sequences, suggesting that, under adequate conditions, the gene could be transferred (Gueimonde et al. 2013). The presence of a tetracycline resistance gene, tet(W), flanked by a putative transposase gene in B. animalis subsp. lactis was also confirmed in other strains of Bifidobacterium than Bb12 (Stahl & Barrangou 2012). Among the data provided by the notifier, we could not identify any new studies regarding the above mentioned concerns. As already mentioned, our assessment from 2010 did not include probiotic-supplemented infant formula intended for use by newborns. It seems likely that the same concerns as for the cerealbased products will be valid in this age group and possibly of even greater importance. Among the literature provided by the notifier was also the position paper from 2011 of the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition (ESPGHAN 2011). Among their general conclusions are: • (Conclusion 1): “For healthy infants, the available scientific data suggest that the administration of currently evaluated probiotic-supplemented formula to healthy infants does not raise safety concerns with regard to growth and adverse effects”. But none the less: • (Conclusion 5): “In general, there is a lack of data on the long-term effects of the administration of formula supplemented with probiotics. Such data would be of particular importance if the effects persisted after the administration of the probiotics has ceased.” And concludes lastly; • (Conclusion 6): “Considering the above, the Committee does not recommend the routine use of probiotic-supplemented formula in infants.” Our view is in accordance with these conclusions.

El papel de las bifidobacterias en el funcionamiento del organismo humano / Role of bifidobacteria in the function of the human body

Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 is a probiotic strain that has received considerable attention from the scientific community. It has tolerance to higher temperatures and lower, acidic pH than other bacteria. When administered for 12 months to infants and children together with S. thermophilus this was associated with lower incidences of acute diarrhea. Studies in different countries and with different experimental designs confirmed these results. It was also shown that its administration did not interfere the growth or the normal weight gain of the children. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 was associated with decreases of the fecal excretion of rotavirus during episodes of diarrhea, a fact that represents an epidemiological benefit. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 exerts positive effects on manifestations of atopy/eczema, with decreases of the parameters of inflammation such as CD4 in blood serum and eosinophil protein X in urine. This was associated with changes in the extension and severity of the skin lesions. No modifications of the normal growth parameters were observed when Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis CNCM I-3446 was given. Administration of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 is associated with higher levels of fecal sIgA and calprotectin, which are considered parameters of immune responses and ofthe capacity to launch inflammatory responses. The statements made by some groups that infants under 4 months of age who are not breastfed should not receive probiotics have weak support if it is considered that maternal milk contains a large number and variety of strains of bacteria which may be considered as probiotics. These may not only protect from acute diarrhea but also from upper respiratory infections. Although cases of septicemia due to probiotic have been reported these represent an infinitely small proportion of the total numbers of consumers. No outbreaks have been reported that would point to invasive properties in a strain. It is not advisable to administer any living bacteria to individuals in shock or with innate or severe defects of immunity. However, carriers of HIV or patients with AIDS benefit from probiotic agents. A study carried out in Chile showed that although without evident clinical benefits L. rhamnosus HN001, significantly increased fecal sIgA as a manifestation of improved mucosal defense in the digestive tract.

Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 es una de las cepaBifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 es una de las cepas probióticas más estudiadas. Posee ventajas que la hacen útil para el uso industrial: tolerancia a ambientes ácidos y a temperaturas superiores a las de los demás probióticos. En un estudio de 12 meses Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 fue administrada por un año asociada con S. thermophilus y se observó que los niños experimentaron menos episodios de diarrea aguda. Estudios con seguimientos de distinta duración y diseño refrendaron estos resultados y su administración no ejercía influencias negativas en el crecimiento. Esta bifido-bacteria inducía disminuciones de la excreción de rotavirus durante episodios de diarrea, lo que disminuye la posibilidad de contagios. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 ejerce efectos positivos sobre las manifestaciones de atopia como el eccema con el descenso de marcadores de inflamación tales como CD4 en el suero y de la proteína X de los eosinófilos en la orina; y mejorías de las alteraciones de la permeabilidad. Estudios con Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis CNCM I-3446 administrada con ARA y DHA mostraron alteraciones de los parámetros de crecimiento y bioquímicos en lactantes y preescolares en seguimientos entre 14 y 119 días. La administración de Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis Bb12 junto con inmunizaciones se asociaba con niveles más elevados de sIgA específica anti-poliovirus y de calprotectina, cuyos niveles estarían asociados con los de esta inmunoglobulina. Se ha sostenido que no existe justificación para administrar probióticos a menores de 4-6 meses no amamantados, el hecho que la leche materna los proporciona en cantidad y variedad apoya las posibles ventajas de su administración. Los probióticos protegerían no sólo de infecciones del tracto gastrointestinal sino también de las respiratorias altas. Hay casos aislados de sepsis en individuos con diversas afecciones, pero la proporción de afectados es mínima. No se han comunicado brotes epidémicos que indicarían cepas probióticas con capacidades invasoras. Probablemente no es aconsejable administrarlos a sujetos en shock o con defectos de la función de barrera intestinal. Los portadores de VIH y los pacientes con SIDA experimentan mejorías al recibir probióticos. En un estudio en Chile se demostró que aunque sin efectos clínicamente evidentes, administrar L. rhamnosus HN001 produjo aumentos del la IgA secretoria fecal, que representa un aumento de las defensas del tubo digestivo.

The effect of Bifidobacterium BB12 on S.enteritidis-induced IL-8 secretion by Caco-2 cells / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the in vitro effect of Bifidobacterium BB12 on IL-8 secretion by Caco-2 cells induced with S.enteritidis.Methods:The coculture systems of Caco-2 cells with S.enteritidis alone or combined with the strain of Bifidobacterium BB12 were established. The expression of IL-8 mRNA and NF-?B p65 in the cells were examined by reverse transcription PCR, real-time PCR and EMSA, and IL-8 in the supernatant was measured by ELISA.Results:In control group, there was little IL-8 mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells, NF-?B p65 was seldom in Caco-2 cells’ nuclei, and the concentration of IL-8 in the supernatant was as few as 126 ng/L. After stimulated by the S.enteritidis, the expression of IL-8 mRNA and activated NF-?B p65 was found in Caco-2 cells (P