Bifidobacterium CECT 7765 improves metabolic and immunological alterations associated with obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of administration of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 on metabolic and immune alterations in obese mice. DESIGN AND METHODS: Adult male wild-type C57BL-6 mice were fed a standard diet or high-fat diet (HFD), supplemented or not with B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 for 7 weeks. The assessments included biochemical and immunological parameters, insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, histology of liver, white-adipose and intestinal tissues, immunocompetent cell functions, and microbiota-related features. RESULTS: B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 reduced serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels and decreased insulin resistance and improved glucose tolerance in obese mice. This strain reduced serum levels of leptin, interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, while increased those of IL-4 in HFD-fed mice. B. pseudocatenulatum CECT7765 reduced liver steatosis and the number of larger adipocytes and number of fat micelles in enterocytes of obese mice. The strain also improved the function of macrophages and dendritic cells in relation to phagocytosis, cytokine production, and induction of T-lymphocyte proliferation. The strain administration increased bifidobacteria and reduced enterobacteria and the inflammatory properties of the gut content in HFD-fed mice. CONCLUSION: B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 was shown to ameliorate both metabolic and immunological dysfunctions related to obesity in HFD-fed mice.

Effect of functional buffalo cheese on fatty acid profile and oxidative status of liver and intestine of mice.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of administration of buffalo dairy products on lipid content and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) incorporation on liver and intestine of mice. Buffalo cheeses were selected according to nutritional properties and CLA content. Cheeses were previously manufactured using as adjunct culture bacteria with probiotic or technological properties. BALB/c mice were fed for 28 days, and then a single dose of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) as oxidant agent was administered before the influence of diet and DMH on antioxidant status in tissues was evaluated. Mice fed buffalo cheese showed the highest body weight gain (P < .05). Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in foods was very different, but total PUFA incorporation was similar in mouse tissues. CLA was only detected in fat tissues of mice fed dairy products, with cis-9, trans-11 being the major isomer. A higher linolenic (C(18:3)) acid content was found in tissues of mice fed commercial diet (control group), and it was partially replaced by CLA in groups receiving buffalo milk or cheese. Lipoperoxides (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) were higher in tissues of the control group with or without DMH administration, and DMH had a cytotoxic effect on colon cells (P < .05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in liver and intestine were similar among animals, with a slight increase of SOD detected after DMH treatment. Consumption of buffalo dairy products did not affect the oxidative status of mice tissues even after DMH application. In the present study, a protective effect of buffalo cheese and milk on intestine cells was determined.

Probiotics induce resistance to enteropathogens in a re-nourished mouse model.

Nutritional deficiency is commonly associated with impaired immune response and the relation between infection and malnutrition is synergic. Probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria are immunomodulatory. The aim was to determine whether optimal doses of Lactobacillus casei and yogurt, used as adjuvants in a re-nutrition diet in a non-severe malnutrition experimental model, protect against Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Groups of malnourished mice were used, which were re-nourished with milk for 7 or 14 d. After that, both groups of mice received the optimal doses of Lb. casei and yogurt supplements. We measured IgA+ and IgG+-B cells and phenotypic markers of T lymphocytes; CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells. We also determined alphabeta and gammabeta T cell receptor (TCR). The ability to protect against Sal. typhimurium and Esch. coli infections and specific S-IgA were assessed. Probiotics complemented the effects of the re-nutrition diet, by stimulating recuperation of the activity of immune cells that improved protection against infections.

Immunological effects of yogurt addition to a re-nutrition diet in a malnutrition experimental model.

The therapeutic and preventive effects of yogurt and lactic acid bacteria on diseases such as cancer, infection and gastrointestinal disorders are well ocumented. The aim of this research was to study the effects of different doses of yogurt addition after milk re-nutrition diet, on the recovery of the intestinal barrier and mucosal immune function. Experiments were performed on groups of mice, malnourished and re-nourished with milk during 7 d, and mice with diet supplemented with yogurt for 2, 5 and 7 consecutive d. Nutritional parameters such as weight gain, serum total protein, and the number of IgA, IgM and IgG B cells of the small intestine were determined. We also quantified intraepithelial leukocytes, mastocytes and goblet cells, and performed structural and ultrastructural studies on the small intestine. We observed that 5 d of yogurt feeding was the optimal dose for improving gut barrier function and mucosal immune system in a malnutrition model. This effect was not observed with milk re-nutrition. Although the results were better for 5 d of yogurt, addition for 7 d also showed beneficial effects. Yogurt feeding in our model did not impair any gut functions. These results suggest that yogurt addition after a re-nutrition diet gives better recovery of intestinal function than the re-nutrition diet usually recommended. Although these results were obtained in an animal model, they indicate that consumption of yogurt by malnourished children might accelerate the restoration of gut function.

Adjuvant effects of Lactobacillus casei added to a renutrition diet in a malnourished mouse model

Nutritional deficiencies are associated with impaired immune response, affecting the body's defence mechanisms. It is also known that Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and fermented products such us yogurt have immunopotentiator activity and nutritional properties, and could thus be used as a valuable supplement in a renutrition diet. The aim of this study was to determine, in a non-severe malnutrition model, the effective dose of Lactobacillus casei (L. casei), which when is used as an adjuvant in a renutrition diet, would modulate the mucosal immune system and induce recovery of the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The experiments were performed on groups of malnourished and renourished BALB/c mice. They received after milk renutrition a supplement of different doses and periods of L. casei feeding. We measured body weight; hematologic values and serum proteins. We also characterized small intestine immunoglobulin secreting cells, intraepithelial leukocytes, mastocytes and goblet cells. Structural and ultrastructural studies were performed. Our results suggest that impaired gut barrier and mucosal immune function produced by malnutrition can be reversed by L. casei and that the dose of 10(7) cfu/day/mouse administered during 5 consecutive days was the optimal one for recovery of the gut mucosal immune system. The clinical significance of these findings suggests ways for improving mucosal immunity, and generating protection against enteropathogens in hosts immunosuppressed by malnutrition.

Adjuvant effects of Lactobacillus casei added to a renutrition diet in a malnourished mouse model

Nutritional deficiencies are associated with impaired immune response, affecting the bodys defence mechanisms. It is also known that Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and fermented products such us yogurt have immunopotentiator activity and nutritional properties, and could thus be used as a valuable supplement in a renutrition diet. The aim of this study was to determine, in a non-severe malnutrition model, the effective dose of Lactobacillus casei (L. casei), which when is used as an adjuvant in a renutrition diet, would modulate the mucosal immune system and induce recovery of the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The experiments were performed on groups of malnourished and renourished BALB/c mice. They received after milk renutrition a supplement of different doses and periods of L. casei feeding. We measured body weight; hematologic values and serum proteins. We also characterized small intestine immunoglobulin secreting cells, intraepithelial leukocytes, mastocytes and goblet cells. Structural and ultrastructural studies were performed. Our results suggest that impaired gut barrier and mucosal immune function produced by malnutrition can be reversed by L. casei and that the dose of 10(7) cfu/day/mouse administered during 5 consecutive days was the optimal one for recovery of the gut mucosal immune system. The clinical significance of these findings suggests ways for improving mucosal immunity, and generating protection against enteropathogens in hosts immunosuppressed by malnutrition.(AU)