The Efficacy of Fecal Transplantation and Bifidobacterium Supplementation in Ameliorating Propionic Acid-Induced Behavioral and Biochemical Autistic Features in Juvenile Male Rats.

Gut microbiota plays a major role in neurological disorders, including autism. Modulation of the gut microbiota through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) or probiotic administration, such as Bifidobacteria, is suggested to alleviate autistic symptoms; however, their effects on the brain are not fully examined. We tested both approaches in a propionic acid (PPA) rodent model of autism as treatment strategies. Autism was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by administering PPA orally (250 mg/kg) for 3 days. Animals were later treated with either saline, FMT, or Bifidobacteria for 22 days. Control animals were treated with saline throughout the study. Social behavior and selected brain biochemical markers related to stress hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress were assessed. PPA treatment induced social impairments, which was rescued by the treatments. In the brain, Bifidobacteria treatment increased oxytocin relative to control and PPA groups. Moreover, Bifidobacteria treatment rescued the PPA-induced increase in IFN-γ levels. Both treatments increased GST levels, which was diminished by the PPA treatment. These findings indicate the potential of gut microbiota-targeted therapeutics in ameliorating behavioral deficit and underlying neural biochemistry.

Impacts of the independent and synergistic effects of curcuma and mangosteen extracts on the gut bacterial composition in lean and obese rats.

Dietary polyphenols in plant extracts are being widely investigated due to their great health-promoting activities and effect on modulating gut ecology. In turn, gut microbiota, plays a vital role in the biological activities of phenolic metabolites, particularly after the intake of food rich in polyphenols, such as plant extracts. However, this two-way relationship between polyphenols and microbiota is poorly understood. We prepared curcuma and mangosteen methanol extracts and fed them to healthy, lean, and obese rats over a period of 10 weeks. Subsequent alterations in the gut microbiota were determined. Overall, Firmicutes were more abundant than Bacteroidetes throughout the experiment. A particular increase of gram-positive cocci species and a significant decrease in both Clostridium and Bacteroides species were noted primarily in the first weeks of both plant extract intake in the control and lean rats. Compared to obese rats fed a regular diet, obese rats fed plant extracts showed an increase in Enterobacteriacea, Clostridium, and Bacteroides species and a decrease in gram-positive cocci in the first weeks of treatment with the last weeks of treatment the results at the species level were inverted.

Efficacy of Novavit in ameliorating the neurotoxicity of propionic acid.

Oxidative stress, abnormal fatty acid metabolism, and impaired gut microbiota play a serious role in the pathology of autism. The use of dietary supplements to improve the core symptoms of autism is a common therapeutic strategy. The present study analyzed the effects of oral supplementation with Novavit, a multi-ingredient supplement, on ameliorating oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism in a propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of autism. Male western albino rats were divided into three groups. The first group is the control, the second group was given an oral neurotoxic dose of PPA (250 mg/kg body weight/day) for 3 days and then received buffered saline until the end of the experiment. The third group received Novavit (70 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days after the 3-day PPA treatment). Markers of oxidative stress and impaired fatty acid metabolism were measured in brain homogenates obtained from each group. Novavit modulation of the gut microbiota was also evaluated. While PPA induced significant increases in lipid peroxides and 5-lipoxygenase, together with significantly decreased glutathione, and cyclooxygenase 2, oral supplementation with Novavit ameliorated PPA-induced oxidative stress and impaired fatty acid metabolism. Our results showed that the presence of multivitamins, coenzyme Q10, minerals, and colostrum, the major components of Novavit, protects against PPA-induced neurotoxicity.

High-fat diet-induced obesity and impairment of brain neurotransmitter pool.

Obesity and the brain are linked since the brain can control the weight of the body through its neurotransmitters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on brain functioning through the measurement of brain glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin metabolic pools. In the present study, two groups of rats served as subjects. Group 1 was fed a normal diet and named as the lean group. Group 2 was fed an HFD for 4 weeks and named as the obese group. Markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione-s-transferase, and vitamin C), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-12), and leptin along with a lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels) were measured in the serum. Neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate were measured in brain tissue. Fecal samples were collected for observing changes in gut flora. In brain tissue, significantly high levels of dopamine and glutamate as well as significantly low levels of serotonin were found in the obese group compared to those in the lean group (P > 0.001) and were discussed in relation to the biochemical profile in the serum. It was also noted that the HFD affected bacterial gut composition in comparison to the control group with gram-positive cocci dominance in the control group compared to obese. The results of the present study confirm that obesity is linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemic processes, and altered brain neurotransmitter levels that can cause obesity-related neuropsychiatric complications.

Screening and identification of gut anaerobes (Bacteroidetes) from human diabetic stool samples with and without retinopathy in comparison to control subjects.

Studies have reported a reciprocal interaction between metabolic disorders and the human gut microbial composition. However, more information is still needed concerning the gut microbiome related to metabolic disorders such as Diabetes. The aim of the present study was to reveal whether stool samples collected from normal individuals and from diabetic subjects with or without retinopathy differ in their gut microbial composition. Data showed higher Bacteroides ratio in diabetic groups gut composition with no significant difference of bacterial strains in diabetic subjects with or without retinopathy compared to lean (control) individuals gut microbiota. These findings indicated that the gut microbiota is altered in accordance to the presence of metabolic disorders. However, further studies have to be elaborated in terms of gut microbial composition with diabetes.

The association between sociodemographic, hormonal, tubo-ovarian factors and bacterial count in Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with infertility.

Aim: To determine if there is an association between the Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections with socio-demographic and clinical factors, and also with infertility. Methods: We conducted a study on 100 infertile married women and 100 control group, and collected data on the socio-demographic, hormonal and tubo-ovarian factors. The results of the endocervical swabs were analyzed for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infection, the bacterial counts were also determined. Results: The percentage positivity to infection was significantly more among the infertile group compared to the control group, and also significantly more among the age group <30 years old. The positivity for infection with Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Further sub-analysis of the infertile group showed that positivity to Chlamydia and/or Mycoplasma infection was significantly correlated to hormonal factors, ovarian factors, irregular menstruation, and previous abortion. Regression analysis showed that hormonal, ovarian factors, and irregular menstruation were the most significant factors in the positivity to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infection. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion. Conclusion: Infection to Chlamydia and Mycoplasma is associated to younger age (⩽30 years old), and occurs in the infertile women. There is an interplay between infection in younger women, irregular menstruation, hormonal, and tubo-ovarian factors with infertility. Bacterial count was significantly correlated with age, history of irregular menstruation, and history of previous abortion.

An organic solvent-stable lipase from a newly isolated Staphylococcus aureus ALA1 strain with potential for use as an industrial biocatalyst.

In this study, a new strain, ALA1, was identified as Staphylococcus aureus by biochemical tests, and its 16S ribosomal DNA sequence was isolated from dromedary milk. ALA1 lipase production was optimized in shake flask experiments and measured with varying pH (3-11), temperature (20-55 °C) and substrate concentrations. The maximum lipase production was recorded at pH 8 and 30 °C for up to 30 H of culture period for the S. aureus ALA1 strain. Among the substrates tested, selected carbon sources, xylose, nitrogen source, yeast extract, and olive oil (1%) were suitable for maximizing lipase production. The effects of surfactants were investigated and showed that Tween 20, Tween 80, and Triton X-100 prevented lipase production. Interestingly, isolate ALA1 was able to grow in high concentrations of benzene or toluene (up to 50% (v/v)). Moreover, the lipolytic activity of the S. aureus ALA1 lipase was stimulated by diethyl ether, whereas almost 100% of S. aureus ALA1 lipase activity was retained in 25% acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, 2-propanol, ethanol, methanol, or toluene. Because of its stability in organic solvent, the S. aureus ALA1 lipase was used as a biocatalyst to synthesize high levels of added value molecules. S. aureus ALA1 lipase could be considered as an ideal choice for applications in detergent formulations because of its high stability and compatibility with various surfactants, oxidizing agents, and commercial detergents.