Potentially Probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum Fruit-Derived Strains Alleviate Cardiometabolic Disorders and Gut Microbiota Impairment in Male Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption is a risk factor for dyslipidemias, insulin resistance, and arterial hypertension linked with gut dysbiosis. Probiotic administration has been suggested as a safe therapeutic strategy for gut microbiota modulation and treatment and/or prevention of cardiometabolic disorders. Here, we assessed the effects of a potentially probiotic formulation containing strains of the Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum 139, 263, and 296 on the cardiometabolic disorders and gut microbiota derangements provoked by the HFD consumption. Male Wistar rats were allocated into control diet (CTL, n = 6), HFD (n = 6), and HFD receiving L. fermentum formulation (HFD-LF, n = 6) groups for 4 weeks. L. fermentum formulation (109 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml of each strain) was daily administered by oral gavage. After 4-week follow-up, biochemical measurements, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), sympathetic tone, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. HFD consumption for 4 weeks increased lipid profile, insulin resistance, sympathetic tone, and blood pressure and impaired gut microbiota composition in male rats. Administration of L. fermentum formulation improved the gut microbiota composition, lipid profile, insulin resistance, autonomic dysfunction, and BP in rats fed with a HFD. Administration of a potentially fruit-derived probiotic formulation of L. fermentum strains improved gut microbiota composition and alleviated hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and sympathetic hyperactivity and increased BP in rats fed a HFD. Our findings may encourage the development of randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of L. fermentum treatment in subjects with cardiometabolic disorders.

Live and ultrasound-inactivated Lacticaseibacillus casei modulate the intestinal microbiota and improve biochemical and cardiovascular parameters in male rats fed a high-fat diet.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ingestion of live (9 log CFU mL-1) and ultrasound-inactivated (paraprobiotic, 20 kHz, 40 min) Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 cells for 28 days on healthy parameters (biochemical and cardiovascular) and intestinal microbiota (amplicon sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA) of rats fed a high-fat diet. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six animals: CTL (standard diet), HFD (high-fat diet), HFD-LC (high-fat diet and live L. casei), and HFD-ILC (high-fat diet and inactivated L. casei). The administration of live and ultrasound-inactivated L. casei prevented the increase (p < 0.05) in cholesterol levels (total and LDL) and controlled the insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat diet. Furthermore, it promoted a modulation of the intestinal microbial composition by increasing (p < 0.05) beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Ruminoccocaceae) and decreasing (p < 0.05) harmful bacteria (Clostridiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Helicobacteriacea), attenuating the effects promoted by the HFD ingestion. Only live cells could increase (p < 0.05) the HDL-cholesterol, while only inactivated cells caused attenuation (p < 0.05) of the blood pressure. Results show beneficial effects of live and inactivated L. casei 01 and indicate that ultrasound inactivation produces a paraprobiotic with similar or improved health properties compared to live cells.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL administration during pregnancy and lactation improves lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and gut microbiota diversity in dyslipidemic dams and protects male offspring against cardiovascular dysfunction in later life.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Maternal dyslipidemia is recognized as a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension (AH) and cardiovascular dysfunction in offspring. Here we evaluated the effects of probiotic administration of a specific strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (WJL) during pregnancy and lactation on gut microbiota and metabolic profile in dams fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet and its long-term effects on the cardiovascular function in male rat offspring. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into three groups: dams fed a control diet (CTL = 5), dams fed a HFHC diet (DLP = 5) and dams fed a HFHC diet and receiving L. plantarum WJL during pregnancy and lactation (DLP-LpWJL). L. plantarum WJL (1 × 109 CFU) or vehicle (NaCl, 0.9%) was administered daily by oral gavage for 6 weeks, covering the pregnancy and lactation periods. After weaning, male offspring received a standard diet up to 90 days of life. Biochemical measurements and gut microbiota were evaluated in dams. In male offspring, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and vascular reactivity were evaluated at 90 days of age. Dams fed with a HFHC diet during pregnancy and lactation had increased lipid profile and insulin resistance and showed dysbiotic gut microbiota. Administration of L. plantarum WJL to dams having maternal dyslipidemia improved gut microbiota composition, lipid profile and insulin resistance in them. Blood pressure was augmented and vascular reactivity was impaired with a higher contractile response and a lower response to endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in DLP male offspring. In contrast, male offspring of DLP-LpWJL dams had reduced blood pressure and recovered vascular function in later life. CONCLUSION: Administration of L. plantarum WJL during pregnancy and lactation in dams improved gut microbiota diversity, reduced maternal dyslipidemia and prevented cardiovascular dysfunction in male rat offspring.

Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Minas Frescal cheese made with oregano and rosemary essential oils.

The effects of the incorporation of the essential oils from Origanum vulgare L. (OVEO; 0.07 µL/g) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (ROEO; 2.65 µL/g) in combination in Minas Frescal cheese on the counts of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were evaluated during refrigerated storage (7 ±â€¯0.5 °C). The terpenes of OVEO and ROEO, survival of the probiotic strain during in vitro digestion, as well as the physicochemical and sensory aspects were also monitored in Minas Frescal cheese. All terpenes decreased in cheese when the storage time increased. The incorporation of OVEO and ROEO delayed the increase in L. acidophilus LA-5 counts in cheese, but did not affect its ability to survive in cheese under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The decreases in counts of E. coli O157:H7 observed in the first 15 days of refrigerated storage were strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.82) with the terpenes detected in cheese. Scores attributed for aroma, flavor, overall impression and purchase intention of cheese with OVEO and ROEO increased with the increase of the storage time. The incorporation of OVEO and ROEO in combination could be a strategy to control E. coli O157:H7 in probiotic Minas cheese during storage; however, the amounts of these substances should be cautiously selected considering possible negative sensory impacts in this product.

Qualification of tropical fruit-derived Lactobacillus plantarum strains as potential probiotics acting on blood glucose and total cholesterol levels in Wistar rats.

Tropical fruit and their industrial processing byproducts have been considered sources of probiotic Lactobacillus. Sixteen tropical fruit-derived Lactobacillus strains were assessed for growth-promoting effects using a host-commensal nutrient scarcity model with Drosophila melanogaster (Dm). Two Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum 49 and L. plantarum 201) presenting the most significant effects (p ≤ .005) on Dm growth were selected and evaluated for their safety and beneficial effects in adult male Wistar rats during 28 days of administration of 9 log CFU/day, followed by 14 days of wash-out. Daily administration of L. plantarum 49 and L. plantarum 201 did not affect (p > .05) food intake or morphometric parameters. Both strains were associated with reduction (p ≤ .05) in blood glucose levels after 28 days of administration and after wash-out period; glucose levels remained reduced only in the group that received L. plantarum 49. Both strains were able to reduce (p ≤ .05) total cholesterol levels after 14 days of administration; after the wash-out period these levels remained reduced only in the group that received L. plantarum 201. L. plantarum 49 and L. plantarum 201 were detected in the intestine and did not cause alteration or translocate to spleen, kidneys or liver during the experimental or wash-out period. These results indicate that L. plantarum 49 and L. plantarum 201 present potential for use as probiotics with intrinsic abilities to modulate biochemical parameters of interest for the management of metabolic diseases.

Exploiting antagonistic activity of fruit-derived Lactobacillus to control pathogenic bacteria in fresh cheese and chicken meat.

This study assessed the antagonistic activity of fruit-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains against food-related bacteria and the effects of the highest organic acids LAB producers on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 in cheese and chicken meat, respectively. The production of organic acids by the Lactobacillus strains in the tested food matrices was also monitored. All tested LAB strains showed antagonistic activity in vitro on the growth of pathogenic or spoiling food-related bacteria, particularly on L. monocytogenes and/or S. Enteritidis PT4, through the action of non-proteinaceous substances. The highest amounts of acetic and lactic acid were detected in cell free culture supernatants of L. paracasei 108 and L. plantarum 201. In "Minas Frescal" cheese, L. plantarum 49 and L. paracasei 108 decreased the counts of L. monocytogenes, and L. plantarum 201 showed bacteriostatic effects on this pathogen over time. L. paracasei 108 decreased the counts of S. Enteritidis PT4 in ground chicken breast; L. plantarum 49 and L. plantarum 201 failed to decrease the counts of this pathogen. Decreases in counts of L. monocytogenes or S. Enteritidis in "Minas Frescal" cheese and ground chicken breast, respectively, were related with increases in lactic and acetic acid contents and decreases in pH values. L. plantarum 49 and L. paracasei 108 could be used as biopreservation tools in cheese and chicken breast meat, respectively.