Lactococcus lactis Administration Modulates IgE and IL-4 Production and Promotes Enterobacteria Growth in the Gut from Ethanol-Intake Mice.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that alcohol can trigger inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), interfering with mucosal homeostasis. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Lactococcus lactis treatment in controlling the increase in molecular biomarkers related to allergic inflammation and the effect on the diversity and abundance of the Enterobacteriaceae family in the GIT after high-dose acute administration of ethanol. METHODS: Mice received ethanol or saline solution by gavage for four consecutive days, and 24 h after the last administration, the animals were given L. lactis or M17 broth orally ad libitum for two consecutive days. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and dissected. RESULTS: L. lactis treatment was able to restore basal levels of secretory immunoglobulin A in the gastric mucosa, serum total immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4 production in gastric and intestinal tissues, and IL-10 levels in gastric tissue. L. lactis treatment encouraged the diversification of the Enterobacteriaceae population, particularly the commensal species, in the GIT. CONCLUSION: This research opens a field of studies regarding the modulatory effect of L. lactis on immunological and microbial changes induced after alcohol intake.

Acute oral treatment with resveratrol and Lactococcus Lactis Subsp. Lactis decrease body weight and improve liver proinflammatory markers in C57BL/6 mice.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol, a nutraceutical polyphenol, and Lactococcus lactis (bacteria probiotic), on metabolic parameters and hepatic proinflammatory markers expression. C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups: Standard (ST), Lactococcus lactis (LL), Resveratrol (RSV), and Lactococcus lactis plus resveratrol (LL + RSV). Lactococcus lactis and resveratrol were administered by orogastric gavage. Blood parameters were assessed (total cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and AST). IL-6 mRNA expression was evaluated by Real-time PCR and TNF-α protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The main findings showed that resveratrol and Lactococcus lactis association decreased body weight, aspartate aminotransferase and total cholesterol levels. LL and LL + RSV decreased triglycerides levels and IL-6 and TNF-α expression. These results open a perspective of using resveratrol and Lactococcus lactis to improve metabolic parameters and Lactococcus lactis in preventing inflammation and the hepatic diseases development.

Lactococcus lactis and Resveratrol Decrease Body Weight and Increase Benefic Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Mice.

BACKGROUND: The microbiome is now known for its important role in whole-body homeostasis. A dysbiosis of the normal microbiota is correlated with metabolic disorders. In this sense, the search for compounds able to modulate the microbiome is needed. Resveratrol, a natural compound found in grapes seems to be a promising candidate. OBJECTIVE: In this study, our motivation was to evaluate the effects of the association between Resveratrol and Lactococcus lactis, a probiotic, on the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota and body weight of mice. METHODS: Twenty female mice were divided into 4 groups: (1) standard diet, (2) standard diet plus Lactococcus lactis, (3) standard diet plus resveratrol, and (4) standard diet plus Lactococcus lactis and resveratrol. At the end of the treatment period, samples of blood, mucus, stomach, and small and large intestines were collected for analysis. Total levels of Immunoglobulin A and Immunoglobulin E, Lac+ and Lac- bacteria and Lactobacillus were measured. RESULTS: The main results indicate that the association between resveratrol and probiotics was able to decrease mice body weight, as compared to the other groups, in addition to decrease the number of Lac- bacteria and increasing the number of Lac+ bacteria. The levels of secretory IgA were also decreased, compared to the animals treated with only probiotics or resveratrol. CONCLUSION: We observed potential synergism between Resveratrol and Lactococcus lactis mainly in modulating the stomach and intestinal microbiota.

Polymicrobial Leakage and Retention of MTA and Portland Cement in a Model of Apexification

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the sealing capacity and retention of apical barriers made with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC). Material and Methods: Fifty-six bovine incisors were sectioned 8 mm above and 12 mm below the cement-enamel junction. The root canal was enlarged with a diamond drill to create a standard 2.5 mm diameter opening. Apical sheets of 5 mm thickness were placed using white MTA-Angelus or white PC. Fifteen samples of each material were exposed to human saliva in a dual chamber apparatus and casting was evaluated at 30 days. Samples without apical barriers and fully sealed samples were used as positive and negative controls (n = 3), respectively. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (p<0.05) after 3 periods: 1 to 10 days (P1); days 11 to 20 (P2); and days 21 to 30 (P3). Then, three 1 mm thick sections were obtained at the apical level of other root samples of each material (n = 10) and the push-out test was performed Results: The leakage rates in P1, P2 and P3 were 60%, 73.3% and 100% for the MTA; and 73.3%, 86.7% and 100% for CP, with no significant difference between materials, regardless of the period analyzed. There were no significant differences between the bond strengths for both cements (p>0.05) Conclusion: Mineral trioxide aggregate and Portland cement apical barriers presented similar sealing ability and bond strength values.

Microbiota intestinal e associações com desordens clínicas em função da faixa etária de idosos: um estudo analítico transversal / Gut microbiota and associations with clinical disorders for each age range of elderly: analytical and cross-sectional study

O envelhecimento da população e as projeções para o aumento crescente de idosos é uma realidade mundial, que desperta interesse da comunidade científica no intuito de esclarecer os aspetos relacionados ao envelhecimento saudável. As características da microbiota intestinal podem estar relacionadas com indicadores de saúde/doença e a sua relação com o processo de envelhecimento é parcialmente compreendida. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar dois grupos de bactérias intestinais em indivíduos idosos institucionalizados, em função da faixa etária, e verificar possíveis associações a variáveis clínicas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, analítica e transversal, realizada com 62 idosos residentes em uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram realizadas análises parasitológica e microbiológica em amostras de fezes e aplicação de um questionário individual. Os resultados demonstraram um aumento de enterobactérias totais com o avançar da idade em mulheres de 70-79 anos com relação aos homens da mesma faixa etária. Verificou-se, ainda, que os idosos com idade superior a 80 anos e dependentes nas atividades de vida diária apresentam um aumento de lactobacilos presuntivos. Não se observou relação significativa entre gêneros e contagens de lactobacilos presuntivos nem houve associação entre as contagens e constipação intestinal, incontinência urinária e hipertensão.

The aging population and projections for the increasing number of elderly is a global reality, that arouses interest of the scientific community to clarify aspects related to healthy aging. The characteristics of the gut microbiota may be related to disease or health indicators and their relationship to the aging process is only partially understood. The aim of this study was to quantify two groups of intestinal bacteria in elderly institutionalized individuals, according to age, and investigate possible associations with clinical variables. This is a quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional research conducted with 62 elderly in a long term residence in the Minas Gerais state - Brazil . Parasitological and microbiological analysis in fecal samples and application of an questionnaire for each elderly were performed. The results showed an increase of total enterobacteria with advancing age, and in women of 70-79 years compared to men of the same range age. It was also found that elderly older than 80 years and dependent in basic activities of daily living, presented an increase of presumptive Lactobacilli. There was no significant relationship between gender and scores of presumptive Lactobacilli, or there was an association between the scores and constipation, urinary incontinence and hypertension.

Microbiota intestinal e associações com desordens clínicas em função da faixa etária de idosos: um estudo analítico transversal / Gut microbiota and associations with clinical disorders for each age range of elderly: analytical and cross-sectional study

O envelhecimento da população e as projeções para o aumento crescente de idosos é uma realidade mundial, que desperta interesse da comunidade científica no intuito de esclarecer os aspetos relacionados ao envelhecimento saudável. As características da microbiota intestinal podem estar relacionadas com indicadores de saúde/doença e a sua relação com o processo de envelhecimento é parcialmente compreendida. O objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar dois grupos de bactérias intestinais em indivíduos idosos institucionalizados, em função da faixa etária, e verificar possíveis associações a variáveis clínicas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, analítica e transversal, realizada com 62 idosos residentes em uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram realizadas análises parasitológica e microbiológica em amostras de fezes e aplicação de um questionário individual. Os resultados demonstraram um aumento de enterobactérias totais com o avançar da idade em mulheres de 70-79 anos com relação aos homens da mesma faixa etária. Verificou-se, ainda, que os idosos com idade superior a 80 anos e dependentes nas atividades de vida diária apresentam um aumento de lactobacilos presuntivos. Não se observou relação significativa entre gêneros e contagens de lactobacilos presuntivos nem houve associação entre as contagens e constipação intestinal, incontinência urinária e hipertensão. (AU)

The aging population and projections for the increasing number of elderly is a global reality, that arouses interest of the scientific community to clarify aspects related to healthy aging. The characteristics of the gut microbiota may be related to disease or health indicators and their relationship to the aging process is only partially understood. The aim of this study was to quantify two groups of intestinal bacteria in elderly institutionalized individuals, according to age, and investigate possible associations with clinical variables. This is a quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional research conducted with 62 elderly in a long term residence in the Minas Gerais state - Brazil . Parasitological and microbiological analysis in fecal samples and application of an questionnaire for each elderly were performed. The results showed an increase of total enterobacteria with advancing age, and in women of 70-79 years compared to men of the same range age. It was also found that elderly older than 80 years and dependent in basic activities of daily living, presented an increase of presumptive Lactobacilli. There was no significant relationship between gender and scores of presumptive Lactobacilli, or there was an association between the scores and constipation, urinary incontinence and hypertension. (AU)

Agreement between rapd, api20c aux, chromagar candida and microculture on oral candida identification

Aim: To measure the agreement of methods for identification of Candida species in oral cavity samples, comparing the CHROMagar Candida, microculture, API 20C AUX and RAPD techniques. Methods: Ninety-one colonies of Candida were isolated and presumptively identified in CHROMagar Candida, submitted to microculture, API 20C AUX and RAPD techniques. After this, agreement among methods using Kappa test was performed. Results: Agreement rates between RAPD and CHROMagar Candida, showed significant accuracy for C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis and C. krusei (Kappa: 0.760, 0.640, 0.416 and 0.360, respectively, p<0.05). Comparing RAPD results with microculture, the highest agreement was for C. albicans (Kappa: 0.851 - p<0.05) but no significant agreement for C. lusitaniae, C. krusei and C. guilliermondii was obtained (p>0.05). The agreement was significant for all identified species when RAPD (OPE-18) and API 20C AUX (p<0.05) were used. Critical levels of agreement between RAPD and microculture were observed when C. lusitaniae, C. krusei and C. guilliermondii were identified.

Antifungal susceptibility in vitro determined by the Etest® for Candida obtained from the oral cavity of irradiated and elderly individuals.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Candida species of head-and-neck-irradiated patients (Group 1), non-institutionalized (Group 2) and institutionalized elders (Group 3) using Etest® methodology. Candida was isolated from saliva and presumptively identified by CHROMagar Candida(r), confirmed by morphological criteria, carbohydrate assimilation (API 20C AUX®) and genetic typing (OPE 18). The collection was made from 29, 34 and 29 individuals (Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) with 67 isolates. Etest® strips (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B and flucytosine) on RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) agar, on duplicate, were used to evaluate susceptibility. ATTC (American Type Culture Collection) 10231 (Candida albicans) was used as quality control. Among the 67 isolates of Candida species, most were susceptible to azoles, flucytosine and amphotericin B. None of the isolates showed resistance and dose-dependent susceptibility to amphotericin B. There were nine strains resistant to itraconazole, six to fluconazole and two to ketoconazole and ten dose-dependent, mainly to flucytocine. The highest MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) to C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis was 2.671 µg.mL-1, 8.104 µg.mL-1, 4.429 µg.mL-1, all for flucytosine. C. krusei and C. glabrata were associated with higher MIC for azoles and C. glabrata with higher MIC to flucytosine. In summary, susceptibility to all tested antifungal agents was evident. The isolates were more resistant to itraconazole and dose-dependent to flucytosine. A comparison of C. albicans in the three groups showed no outliers. Higher MIC was associated with C. krusei and C. glabrata.

Antifungal Susceptibility In Vitro Determined by the Etest(r) for Candida Obtained from the Oral Cavity of Irradiated and Elderly Individuals

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Candida species of head-and-neck-irradiated patients (Group 1), non-institutionalized (Group 2) and institutionalized elders (Group 3) using Etest(r) methodology. Candida was isolated from saliva and presumptively identified by CHROMagar Candida(r), confirmed by morphological criteria, carbohydrate assimilation (API 20C AUX(r)) and genetic typing (OPE 18). The collection was made from 29, 34 and 29 individuals (Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) with 67 isolates. Etest(r) strips (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B and flucytosine) on RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) agar, on duplicate, were used to evaluate susceptibility. ATTC (American Type Culture Collection) 10231 (Candida albicans) was used as quality control. Among the 67 isolates of Candida species, most were susceptible to azoles, flucytosine and amphotericin B. None of the isolates showed resistance and dose-dependent susceptibility to amphotericin B. There were nine strains resistant to itraconazole, six to fluconazole and two to ketoconazole and ten dose-dependent, mainly to flucytocine. The highest MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) to C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis was 2.671 μg.mL-1, 8.104 μg.mL-1, 4.429 μg.mL-1, all for flucytosine. C. krusei and C. glabrata were associated with higher MIC for azoles and C. glabrata with higher MIC to flucytosine. In summary, susceptibility to all tested antifungal agents was evident. The isolates were more resistant to itraconazole and dose-dependent to flucytosine. A comparison of C. albicans in the three groups showed no outliers. Higher MIC was associated with C. krusei and C. glabrata.

Esse estudo objetivou avaliar a susceptibilidade antifúngica in vitro de espécies de Candida obtidas de pacientes irradiados em cabeça e pescoço (Grupo 1), idosos não institucionalizados (Grupo 2) e idosos institucionalizados (Grupo 3) usando a metodologia Etest(r). Candida foi isolada da saliva e identificada presuntivamente pelo teste CHROMagar Candida(r), confirmada pelo critério morfológico, assimilação de carboidratos API 20C AUX(r) e identificação genética (OPE 18). A coleta foi feita em 29, 34 e 29 indivíduos (Grupos 1, 2 and 3, respectivamente) com 67 isolados. As fitas de Etest(r) (cetoconazol, itraconazol, fluconazol, anfotericina B and flucitosina) em meio ágar RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute), em duplicata, foram utilizados para avaliar a susceptibilidade. A ATTC (American Type Culture Collection) 10231 (Candida albicans) foi usada como controle de qualidade. Dos 67 isolados de espécies de Candida, a maioria foi susceptíveis aos azoles, flucitosina e anfotericina B. Nenhum dos isolados mostrou resistência ou susceptibilidade dose-dependente a anfotericina B. Houve nove espécies resistentes ao itraconazol, seis ao fluconazol e duas ao cetoconazol e dez dose-dependentes, principalmente a flucitosina. Os maiores valores de MIC (mínima concentração inibitória) para C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis foram, respectivamente, 2,671 μg.mL-1, 8,104 μg.mL-1, 4, 429 μg.mL-1, todos para a flucitosina. C. krusei e C. glabrata foram associadas a um maior MIC para azoles e C. glabrata com maior MIC para flucitosina. Em resumo, a susceptibilidade a todos os antifúngicos testados foi evidente. Os isolados foram mais resistentes ao itraconazol e dose dependentes para a flucitosina. A comparação para C. albicans nos três grupos não mostrou diferença. Os maiores valores de MIC estavam relacionados a C. krusei e C. glabrata.

Leptin receptor polymorphism Gln223Arg (rs1137101) in oral squamous cell carcinoma and potentially malignant oral lesions.

The purpose of this study was to assess the LEPR gene Gln223Arg polymorphism (rs1137101) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and in potentially malignant oral lesions (PMOL) in comparison to normal oral mucosa in a Brazilian population. Smokers (n = 89) were selected from a representative sample of 471 individuals from the general population of Montes Claros, Brazil. Participants were age and gender matched to patients with OSCC (n = 25) and oral epithelial dysplasia (n = 25). We investigated the LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphism (A>G; rs1137101) in these groups. Genotype variants were assessed by RFLP-PCR, using MspI (HPAII) restriction endonuclease. The institutional review board of the Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros approved the study (process number 2667/2011). Written informed consent for this study was obtained from all participants. The GG genotype (Arg223Arg) appears to be the more relevant polymorphic variant in OSCC. It occurred, approximately, twice as frequently in OSCC patients than in the general population. In contrast, the A allele in its homozygosis form (Gln223Gln) is significantly associated with the development of PMOL; 80% of the samples from the PMOL group exhibit AA genotype. Our findings suggest new insights regarding LEPR gene variations in the development of OSCC and PMOL.