Correction: Stofilová et al. Probiotic-Based Intervention in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: Conventional and New Approaches. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 2236.

The authors would like to add the following clarification regarding the clinical trials evaluating the probiotic product VSL#3 cited in the published paper [...].

The Importance of Natural Antioxidants in Female Reproduction.

Oxidative stress (OS) has an important role in female reproduction, whether it is ovulation, endometrium decidualization, menstruation, oocyte fertilization, or development andimplantation of an embryo in the uterus. The menstrual cycle is regulated by the physiological concentration of reactive forms of oxygen and nitrogen as redox signal molecules, which trigger and regulate the length of individual phases of the menstrual cycle. It has been suggested that the decline in female fertility is modulated by pathological OS. The pathological excess of OS compared to antioxidants triggers many disorders of female reproduction which could lead to gynecological diseases and to infertility. Therefore, antioxidants are crucial for proper female reproductive function. They play a part in the metabolism of oocytes; in endometrium maturation via the activation of antioxidant signaling pathways Nrf2 and NF-κB; and in the hormonal regulation of vascular action. Antioxidants can directly scavenge radicals and act as a cofactor of highly valuable enzymes of cell differentiation and development, or enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Compensation for low levels of antioxidants through their supplementation can improve fertility. This review considers the role of selected vitamins, flavonoids, peptides, and trace elements with antioxidant effects in female reproduction mechanisms.

Beneficial Effect of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation on Mild, Moderate and Severe Dextran Sodium Sulphate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in a Pseudo Germ-Free Animal Model.

Transplantation of faecal microbiota (FMT) is generally considered a safe therapeutic procedure with few adverse effects. The main factors that limit the spread of the use of FMT therapy for idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are the necessity of minimising the risk of infection and transfer of another disease. Obtaining the animal model of UC (ulcerative colitis) by exposure to DSS (dextran sodium sulphate) depends on many factors that significantly affect the result. Per os intake of DSS with water is individual for each animal and results in the development of a range of various forms of induced UC. For this reason, the aim of our study was to evaluate the modulation and regenerative effects of FMT on the clinical and histopathological responses and the changes in the bowel microenvironment in pseudo germ-free (PGF) mice of the BALB/c line subjected to chemical induction of mild, moderate and serious forms of UC. The goal was to obtain new data related to the safety and effectiveness of FMT that can contribute to its improved and optimised use. The animals with mild and moderate forms of UC subjected to FMT treatment exhibited lower severity of the disease and markedly lower damage to the colon, including reduced clinical and histological disease index and decreased inflammatory response of colon mucosa. However, FMT treatment failed to achieve the expected therapeutic effect in animals with the serious form of UC activity. The results of our study indicated a potential safety risk involving development of bacteraemia and also translocation of non-pathogenic representatives of bowel microbiota associated with FMT treatment of animals with a diagnosed serious form of UC.

Probiotics and postbiotics in colorectal cancer: Prevention and complementary therapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of human mortality worldwide. As conventional anticancer therapy not always being effective, there is growing interest in innovative "drug-free" cancer treatments or interventions that improve the efficacy of established therapy. CRC is associated with microbiome alterations, a process known as dysbiosis that involves depletion and/or enrichment of particular gut bacterial species and their metabolic functions. Supplementing patient treatment with traditional probiotics (with or without prebiotics), next-generation probiotics (NGP), or postbiotics represents a potentially effective and accessible complementary anticancer strategy by restoring gut microbiota composition and/or by signaling to the host. In this capacity, restoration of the gut microbiota in cancer patients can stabilize and enhance intestinal barrier function, as well as promote anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic or other biologically important biochemical pathways that show high specificity towards tumor cells. Potential benefits of traditional probiotics, NGP, and postbiotics include modulating gut microbiota composition and function, as well as the host inflammatory response. Their application in CRC prevention is highlighted in this review, where we consider supportive in vitro, animal, and clinical studies. Based on emerging research, NGP and postbiotics hold promise in establishing innovative treatments for CRC by conferring physiological functions via the production of dominant natural products and metabolites that provide new host-microbiota signals to combat CRC. Although favorable results have been reported, further investigations focusing on strain and dose specificity are required to ensure the efficacy and safety of traditional probiotics, NGP, and postbiotics in CRC prevention and treatment.

Probiotic-Based Intervention in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: Conventional and New Approaches.

Although there are number of available therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC), many patients are unresponsive to these treatments or experience secondary failure during treatment. Thus, the development of new therapies or alternative strategies with minimal side effects is inevitable. Strategies targeting dysbiosis of gut microbiota have been tested in the management of UC due to the unquestionable role of gut microbiota in the etiology of UC. Advanced molecular analyses of gut microbiomes revealed evident dysbiosis in UC patients, characterized by a reduced biodiversity of commensal microbiota. Administration of conventional probiotic strains is a commonly applied approach in the management of the disease to modify the gut microbiome, improve intestinal barrier integrity and function, and maintain a balanced immune response. However, conventional probiotics do not always provide the expected health benefits to a patient. Their benefits vary significantly, depending on the type and stage of the disease and the strain and dose of the probiotics administered. Their mechanism of action is also strain-dependent. Recently, new candidates for potential next-generation probiotics have been discovered. This could bring to light new approaches in the restoration of microbiome homeostasis and in UC treatment in a targeted manner. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review on the current options of probiotic-based therapies, highlight the effective conventional probiotic strains, and outline the future possibilities of next-generation probiotic and postbiotic supplementation and fecal microbiota transplantation in the management of UC.

Co-Encapsulated Synbiotics and Immobilized Probiotics in Human Health and Gut Microbiota Modulation.

Growing interest in the development of innovative functional products as ideal carriers for synbiotics, e.g., nutrient bars, yogurt, chocolate, juice, ice cream, and cheese, to ensure the daily intake of probiotics and prebiotics, which are needed to maintain a healthy gut microbiota and overall well-being, is undeniable and inevitable. This review focuses on the modern approaches that are currently being developed to modulate the gut microbiota, with an emphasis on the health benefits mediated by co-encapsulated synbiotics and immobilized probiotics. The impact of processing, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions on the viability and bioactivity of probiotics together with prebiotics such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers using various delivery systems are considered. Despite the proven biological properties of synbiotics, research in this area needs to be focused on the proper selection of probiotic strains, their prebiotic counterparts, and delivery systems to avoid suppression of their synergistic or complementary effect on human health. Future directions should lead to the development of functional food products containing stable synbiotics tailored for different age groups or specifically designed to fulfill the needs of adjuvant therapy.

Single Donor FMT Reverses Microbial/Immune Dysbiosis and Induces Clinical Remission in a Rat Model of Acute Colitis.

Deviation in the gut microbial composition is involved in various pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) can act as a promising approach to treat IBD by which changes in microbiome can be reversed and homeostasis restored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of FMT on the remission of acute inflammatory response using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced rat colitis model. Faecal microbial communities were analysed using the 16S rRNA approach, and clinical manifestations together with histological/haematological/biochemical/immunological analyses were assessed. Our study demonstrated significant shifts in the dominant species of microbiota under inflammatory conditions induced by DSS and evident restoration effect of FMT treatment on microbial composition. These faecal microbial alterations in FMT-treated rats led to a relative restoration of colon length, and a significant decrease in both epithelium damage and disease severity, which was reflected in lower serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Haematological/biochemical parameters in DSS-treated animals showed signs of anaemia with a significant reduction in red blood cell count together with increasing levels of total bilirubin, creatinine and phosphorus suggesting potential protective effect of FMT. These results support FMT as a valuable therapeutic strategy to control inflammation during acute colitis.

Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin in the management of chronic disease risk factors.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of modification of chronic disease risk factors with probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and prebiotic inulin in rats with western high fat diet. The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control group (CG group), group with high fat diet (HFD group), group receiving high fat diet in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 (HFD+PRO group), and group receiving high fat diet in combination with oligofructose enriched inulin (HFD+PRE group). The activity of ß-glucuronidase, lipid parameters, bile acids, oxLDL, short chain fatty acids, and counts of coliforms and lactobacilli were determined. High fat diet as a key risk factor of chronic diseases had adverse effect on expression of metabolic and biochemical parameters. Dietary intake of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 (HFD+PRO group) and inulin (HFD+PRE group) suppressed weight gain of rats. In HFD+PRO group, the level of total cholesterol (P<0.001), LDL-CH (P<0.05), oxLDL (P<0.001), total bile acids (P<0.001) were statistically significantly decreased, while the production of short chain fatty acids was enhanced. Changes in the selected parameters exhibited a similar tendency also in the HFD+PRE group. Activity of ß-glucuronidase was statistically significantly decreased (P<0.001) in the HFD+PRE group. Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin caused a statistically significant increase in the count of lactobacilli (P<0.001) and a decrease in the number of coliforms (P<0.001). These results indicate Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and inulin could be used in diet for human and animals as an important nutritional supplement or in medicinal products.

Dietary fibre as prebiotics in nutrition.

Trends in dietary nutrition and their personalization are progress in medical science and point out the necessity of adaptation and development of innovations in health system. The main objective of this article is to review the role of dietary fibre as prebiotics in nutrition with different functionality, its influence on modulation of intestinal microbiota, which has an essential role in maintenance of healthy organisms in people of all ages.

Cytokine production in vitro and in rat model of colitis in response to Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07.

Over the past decade, it has become clear that specific probiotic lactobacilli are valuable in the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of gastrointestinal tract but their successful application would benefit greatly from a better understanding of the mechanisms of individual strains. Hence, each probiotic strain should be characterized for their immune activity before being proposed for clinical applications. The aim of the study was to characterize the immunomodulatory activity of the strain Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum LS/07 in vitro using functional gut model and to study its anti-inflammatory potential in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. We showed that L. plantarum LS/07 induced production of IL-10 in macrophages derived from blood monocytes as well as monocyte/macrophages cell line stimulated indirectly via enterocytes in vitro. In rat model of colitis, L. plantarum LS/07 attenuated the DSS-induced signs of inflammatory process in colon such as weight loss, diarrhoea, infiltration of inflammatory cells associated with decreased colon weight/length ratio, inhibited gut mucosa destruction and depletion of goblet cells. Moreover, the strain increased the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mucosal tissue. In conclusion, the protective effects of L. plantarum LS/07 in the DSS-induced colitis model seem to be related to the stimulation of IL-10 and the restoration of goblet cells and indicate it as a good candidate to prevent and treat diseases associated with inflammation.

Ability of Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 to modify intestinal enzymes activity in chronic diseases prevention.

The ability of probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 to modify the activity of intestinal bacterial enzymes - ß-glucuronidase (ß-GLUCUR), ß-galactosidase (ß-GAL), and ß-glucosidase (ß-GLU) in prevention of chronic diseases - cancer, atherosclerosis and dysbiosis was investigated. The male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 12 experimental groups: controls groups - C (control), AT (atherosclerotic), CC (carcinogenic), dysbiotic groups - each group in combination with antibiotics (ATB), probiotics groups - in combinatioan with probiotic (PRO) alone, and each group with combination of antibiotic and probiotic (ATB+PRO). In the control group the ß-glucuronidase activity did not change throughout the experiment. High fat diet in atherosclerotic group significantly increased the activity of ß-glucuronidase (P<0.001) and ß-glucosidase (P<0.01). Azoxymethane application in carcinogenic group significantly increased ß-glucuronidase (P<0.01), but reduced ß-glucosidase (P<0.01) activity. Daily application of probiotics alone and in combination with antibiotic increased ß-galactosidase, of ß-glucosidase, and decreased ß-glucuronidase activity. In control antibiotic group we observed significant increase in ß-glucuronidase (P<0.05) and decreased ß-glucosidase (P<0.01) activity which can be caused by the change of microflora in favor of coliform bacteria. These findings indicate the positive effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and suggest its use in disease prevention in human medicine and some animal species.

Co-administration of a probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 CCM7766 with prebiotic inulin alleviates the intestinal inflammation in rats exposed to N,N-dimethylhydrazine.

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of preventive administration of a probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 CCM7766 alone or in combination with prebiotic inulin or with flax-seed oil in the gut of rats, which developed chronic inflammation following administration of the pro-carcinogen N,N-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). After 28weeks administration of probiotic/prebiotic-containing diet, rats were killed and their colons were examined by immunohistological criteria, whereas cytokines were determined in the jejunal mucosa. Application of DMH triggered the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators NF-κB, COX-2 and iNOS and caused depletion of goblet cells. Supplementing the diet with L. plantarum and its combination with the prebiotic abolished DMH-induced inflammatory process in the jejunal mucosa by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by stimulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine synthesis, whereas concentration of TGF-ß1 was not influenced significantly. Diet prevented a decrease in goblet cell numbers but numbers of mast cells were lowered only moderately. However, combined treatment of rats with L. plantarum and flax-seed oil had no significant effect on the parameters examined, except for decreased expression of NF-κB, in comparison with the negative control. Results indicate that the preventive administration of probiotic L. plantarum LS/07 CCM7766 alone or in combination with prebiotic inulin to rats with DMH-induced chronic inflammation can reduce inflammatory process in the jejunal and colon mucosa, probably indirectly, and involves down-regulation of synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of NF-κB activity in mucosal cells.

Biomarkers associated with obesity and overweight in the Roma population residing in eastern Slovakia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight are major contributors to the global burden of chronic diseases and disability in both majority and minority populations. METHODS: Data from the cross-sectional population-based HepaMeta study conducted in Slovakia in 2011 were used. The sample comprised a total of 452 Roma. Measurements of special bioactive mediators were taken in final groups consisting of 63 male Roma respondents (mean age = 32.59; SD = 8.63) and 117 female Roma respondents (mean age = 34.55; SD = 8.35). Respondents were divided into three groups: those with normal weight, those with overweight and obese. Values for anthropometric parameters, lipids parameters, C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin were determined. RESULTS: 27.6% of examined Roma females and 26.9% of males were overweight. Obesity (BMI > 30.0 kg/m2) appeared in a higher proportion of males (28.8%) compared with female (26.5%). Mean levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly elevated in the overweight and obese subjects compared to normal-weight Roma respondents. The relation was reversed for HDL-C level, with significantly decreased levels in both male and female obese Roma (p < 0.001). The concentration of adiponectin was significantly lower in obese subjects of both genders versus non-obese (Roma male p < 0.001, Roma female p < 0.05). Plasma levels of leptin, IL-6, hs-CRP as well as TNF-alpha increased in Roma significantly with increasing BMI. CONCLUSION: The study is the first one to provide data about selected biomarkers. Results may be useful in predicting obesity and its related diseases in the Roma population from the eastern part of Slovakia.

The effects of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains on rat lipid metabolism receiving a high fat diet.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of the different probiotic strains, Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96, on lipid metabolism and body weight in rats fed a high fat diet. Compared with the high fat diet group, the results showed that Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 reduced serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, but Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96 decreased triglycerides and VLDL, while there was no change in the serum HDL level and liver lipids. Both probiotic strains lowered total bile acids in serum. Our strains have no significant change in body weight, gain weight, and body fat. These findings indicate that the effect of lactobacilli on lipid metabolism may differ among strains and that the Lactobacillus plantarum LS/07 and Lactobacillus plantarum Biocenol LP96 can be used to improve lipid profile and can contribute to a healthier bowel microbial balance.

Prebiotics and bioactive natural substances induce changes of composition and metabolic activities of the colonic microflora in cancerous rats.

Prebiotics are defined as selectively fermented food ingredients that induce specific changes in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota beneficial to the host well-being and health. The aim of the presented experiment was to investigate the effect of a prebiotic applied alone or in combination with Hyppocastani extractum siccum, and Lini oleum virginale in rats with dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer. Wistar albino rats were fed high fat diet supplemented with the prebiotic alone or in combination with Horse chestnut and flaxseed oil. The activity of faecal glycolytic enzymes, lipid parameters, bile acids, short chain fatty acids and counts of coliforms and lactobacilli were determined. Treatment with the prebiotic alone and in combination with selected substances significantly decreased the activity of glycolytic bacterial enzyme ß-glucuronidase (P<0.001) and increased activities of ß-galactosidase and ß-glucosidase. Bile acids concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01) except for the combination of the prebiotic with Horse chestnut. The prebiotic alone decreased the lipid parameters (P<0.001) and enhanced production of short chain fatty acids. Application of prebiotic and bioactive natural substances significantly reduced number of coliforms (P<0.05). Prebiotic alone significantly increased the count of lactobacilli (P<0.05). These results show that prebiotics have a protective effect and may be the useful for colon cancer prevention and treatment.