Effects of Probiotics on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Its Associations With Cardiac Autonomic Function in Women With Arterial Hypertension: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Preclinical evidence suggests that probiotic administration may exert an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce autonomic dysfunction and blood pressure. This study evaluated the effects of probiotic therapy on inflammatory biomarkers and characterized the correlations between inflammation and cardiac autonomic function in women with arterial hypertension. Women were randomized into probiotics (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20). The probiotic group received 109 CFU/day of Lactobacillus (L.) paracasei LPC-37, L. rhamnosus HN001, L. acidophilus NCFM, and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and the placebo group received polydextrose. Clinical, electrocardiogram, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, and cytokine levels were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Women who received probiotics for 8 weeks had increased serum levels of IL-17A (p = 0.02) and decreased INF-γ (p = 0.02) compared to baseline. Probiotic supplementation increased serum levels of IL-10 compared to the placebo group (p = 0.03). Probiotic or placebo administration did not change serum levels of TNFα and IL-6. Serum levels of IL-2 (p = 0.001, and p = 0.001) and IL-4 (p = 0.001, and p = 0.001) were reduced in women receiving placebo or probiotics, respectively. Correlations between HRV indices and inflammatory variables showed that INF-γ was positively correlated with heart rate (HR) and sympathetic HRV indices and negatively correlated with vagal HRV indices. IL-10 was negatively correlated with HR and sympathetic HRV indices. IL-6 was negatively correlated with parasympathetic HRV indices and positively correlated with SD2/SD1 ratio. Probiotic therapy has a discreet anti-inflammatory effect in hypertensive women, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were negatively correlated with vagal modulation and positively correlated with sympathetic modulation of HRV. The clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) with the identification RBR-9mj2dt.

A Mix of Potentially Probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum Strains Alters the Gut Microbiota in a Dose- and Sex-Dependent Manner in Wistar Rats.

Multi-strain Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum is a potential probiotic with reported immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the composition, richness, and diversity of the gut microbiota in male and female rats after treatment with a multi-strain of L. fermentum at different doses. Thirty rats (fifteen male and fifteen female) were allocated into a control group (CTL), a group receiving L. fermentum at a dose of 108 CFU (Lf-108), and a group receiving L. fermentum at a dose of 1010 CFU (Lf-1010) for 13 weeks. Gut microbiota and serum cytokine levels were evaluated after L. fermentum treatment. Male CTL rats had a lower relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae and Prevotella and a lower alpha diversity than their female CTL counterparts (p < 0.05). In addition, male CTL rats had a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio than female CTL rats (p < 0.05). In female rats, the administration of L. fermentum at 108 CFU decreased the relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae and Anaerobiospirillum and increased Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). In male rats, the administration of L. fermentum at 1010 CFU decreased the F/B ratio and increased Lachnospiraceae and the diversity of the gut microbiota (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and the alpha-diversity of gut microbiota were negatively correlated with serum levels of IL1ß (r = -0.44) and TNFα (r = -0.39), respectively. This study identified important changes in gut microbiota between male and female rats and showed that a lower dose of L. fermentum may have more beneficial effects on gut microbiota in females, while a higher dose may result in more beneficial effects on gut microbiota in male rats.

Cereus jamacaru DC. (mandacaru) fruit as a source of lactic acid bacteria with in vitro probiotic-related characteristics and its protective effects on Pediococcus pentosaceus during lyophilization and refrigeration storage.

This study isolated and identified autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from mandacaru fruit and evaluated their potential probiotic and technological aptitudes in vitro, as well as the protective effects of freeze-dried mandacaru fruit on the most promising LAB isolate during lyophilization and refrigeration storage. Initially, 212 colonies were isolated from mandacaru fruit, and 34 were preliminarily identified as LAB. Thirteen isolates identified by 16S-rRNA sequencing as Pediococcus pentosaceus were negative for DNase, gelatinase, hemolytic, and biogenic amine production. The selected isolates showed proteolytic activity, diacetyl and exopolysaccharide production, and good tolerance to different NaCl concentrations while having low cellular hydrophobicity and antagonistic activity against pathogens. The survival of isolates sharply decreased after 3 h of exposure to pH 2 and had a good tolerance to 1 % bile salt. A principal component analysis selected P. pentosaceus 57 as the most promising isolate based on the examined technological and probiotic-related physiological properties. This isolate was lyophilized with mandacaru fruit and stored under refrigeration for 90 days. P. pentosaceus 57 lyophilized with mandacaru fruit had high viable cell counts (9.69 ± 0.03 log CFU/mL) and >50 % of physiologically active cells at 90 days of refrigeration storage. The results indicate that mandacaru fruit is a source of P. pentosaceus with aptitudes to be explored as potential probiotic and technological characteristics of interest for the food industry, besides being a good candidate for use in lyophilization processes and refrigeration storage of LAB due to its cryoprotective effects.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum Strains as Novel Probiotic Candidates to Promote Host Health Benefits and Development of Biotherapeutics: A Comprehensive Review.

Fruits and their processing by-products are sources of potentially probiotic strains. Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum strains isolated from fruit processing by-products have shown probiotic-related properties. This review presents and discusses the results of the available studies that evaluated the probiotic properties of L. fermentum in promoting host health benefits, their application by the food industry, and the development of biotherapeutics. The results showed that administration of L. fermentum for 4 to 8 weeks promoted host health benefits in rats, including the modulation of gut microbiota, improvement of metabolic parameters, and antihypertensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The results also showed the relevance of L. fermentum strains for application in the food industry and for the formulation of novel biotherapeutics, especially nutraceuticals. This review provides evidence that L. fermentum strains isolated from fruit processing by-products have great potential for promoting host health and indicate the need for a translational approach to confirm their effects in humans using randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Shedding light on the impacts of Spirulina platensis on gut microbiota and related health benefits.

Spirulina (S.) platensis is a blue-green algae with reported nutritional and health-promoting properties, such as immunomodulating, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering properties, and beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases. Spirulina platensis can improve the function and composition of the gut microbiota and exert systemic beneficial effects. Gut dysbiosis is characterized by an imbalance in the composition and function of gut microbiota and is associated with several diseases. Some dietary bioactive compounds can restore the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota and improve health-related parameters. This review proposes to gather relevant information on the effects of S. platensis supplementation on the modulation of the function and composition of gut microbiota and local and systemic measures related to gut health, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. The body of evidence conducted with animals and clinical studies shows that S. platensis supplementation increased gut microbiota diversity and improved gut microbiota composition, as reported by a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, increase in the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lactobacillaceae, increase in short-chain fatty acid production and decrease of gut permeability. Improvements in gut microbiota have been associated with host health benefits such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-lipemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

Evaluation of cardiac autonomic function and low-grade inflammation in children with obesity living in the Northeast Brazilian region.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate autonomic function and low-grade inflammation and characterize the correlation between these variables in schoolchildren with obesity living in the Brazilian northeast region. METHODS: 84 children with obesity and 41 with normal weight were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure (BP), inflammatory biomarkers, and heart rate variability (HRV) indexes were analyzed in children aged 7 to 11 years. RESULTS: children with obesity had increased systolic (p = 0.0017) and diastolic (p = 0.0131) BP and heart rate (p = 0.0022). The children with obesity displayed significantly lower SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, HF (ms), HF (nu), SD1, SD2, and higher LF (ms), LF (nu), LF/HF, SD1/SD2, DFA-α1, and DFA-α2, compared to normal weight. A lower and higher capacity for producing IL-10 (p = 0.039) and IL-2 (p = 0.009), respectively, were found in children with obesity compared to children with normal weight. Although IL-2, IL-4 and IL17A did not correlate with HRV parameters, IL-6 was positively correlated with SDNN, LF (ms) and SD2, TNF-α was positively correlated with LF/HF and SD1/SD2 ratio, and IFN-γ was positively correlated with SDNN, RMMSSD, NN50, LF (ms), HF (ms), SD1, and SD2. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that children with obesity have impaired autonomic function and systemic low-grade inflammation compared to children within the normal weight range, the inflammatory biomarkers were correlated with HRV parameters in schoolchildren living in the northeastern region of Brazil.

Effects of Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions on Combined Potentially Probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum 296, Quercetin, and/or Resveratrol as Bioactive Components of Novel Nutraceuticals.

This study evaluated the effects of simulated gastrointestinal conditions (SGIC) on combined potentially probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum 296 (~ 10 log CFU/mL), quercetin (QUE, 160 mg), and/or resveratrol (RES, 150 mg) as the bioactive components of novel nutraceuticals. Four different nutraceuticals were evaluated during exposure to SGIC and analyzed the plate counts and physiological status of L. fermentum 296, contents and bioaccessibility of QUE and RES, and antioxidant capacity. Nutraceuticals with QUE and RES had the highest plate counts (4.94 ± 0.32 log CFU/mL) and sizes of live cell subpopulations (28.40 ± 0.28%) of L. fermentum 296 after SGIC exposure. An index of injured cells (Gmean index, arbitrary unit defined as above 0.5) indicated that part of L. fermentum 296 cells could be entered the viable but nonculturable state when the nutraceuticals were exposed to gastric and intestinal conditions while maintaining vitality. The nutraceuticals maintained high contents (QUE ~ 29.17 ± 0.62 and RES ~ 23.05 mg/100 g) and bioaccessibility (QUE ~ 41.0 ± 0.09% and RES ~ 67.4 ± 0.17%) of QUE and RES, as well as high antioxidant capacity (ABTS assay ~ 88.18 ± 1.16% and DPPH assay 75.54 ± 0.65%) during SGIC exposure, which could be linked to the protective effects on L. fermentum 296 cells. The developed nutraceuticals could cross along the gastrointestinal tract with high concentrations of functioning potentially probiotic cells and bioavailable phenolic compounds to exert their beneficial impacts on consumer health, being an innovative strategy for the co-ingestion of these bioactive components.

Unrevealing the in vitro impacts of Cereus jacamaru DC. cladodes flour on potentially probiotic strains, selected bacterial populations, and metabolic activity of human intestinal microbiota.

This study investigated the potential impacts of the flour from Cereus jamacaru cactus cladodes (CJF), a cactus native to the Brazilian Caatinga biome, on the growth and metabolism of different potentially probiotic strains, as well as on the abundance of selected intestinal bacterial populations and microbial metabolic activity during in vitro colonic fermentation with a pooled human fecal inoculum. Cultivation of the probiotics in a medium with C. jamacaru cladodes flour (20 g/L) resulted in viable cell counts of up to 9.8 log CFU/mL, positive prebiotic activity scores (0.73-0.91), decreased pH and sugar contents, and increased lactic, acetic, and propionic acid production over time, indicating enhanced probiotic growth and metabolic activity. CJF overall increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp./Enterococcus spp. (2.12-3.29%) and Bifidobacterium spp. (4.08-4.32%) and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroides spp./Prevotella spp. (8.35-6.81%), Clostridium histolyticum (6.91-3.59%), and Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides (7.70-3.95%) during 48 h of an in vitro colonic fermentation using a pooled human fecal inoculum. CJF stimulated the microbial metabolic activity, with decreased pH, sugar consumption, lactic and short-chain fatty acid production, alterations in overall metabolic profiling and phenolic compound contents, and maintenance of high antioxidant capacity during colonic fermentation. These results show that CJF stimulated the growth and metabolic activity of distinct potential probiotics, increased the relative abundance of beneficial intestinal bacterial groups, and stimulated microbial metabolism during in vitro colonic fermentation. Further studies using advanced molecular technologies and in vivo experimental models could forward the investigation of the potential prebiotic properties of CJF.

An In Vitro Study of the Impacts of Sweet Potato Chips with Potentially Probiotic Levilactobacillus brevis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on Human Intestinal Microbiota : Impacts of potato chips with probiotics on intestinal microbiota.

This study formulated sweet potato chips with powdered potentially probiotic Levilactobacillus brevis (SPLB) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (SPLP) and evaluated their impacts on human intestinal microbiota during 48 h of in vitro colonic fermentation. L. brevis and L. plantarum kept high viable cell counts (> 6 log CFU/g) on sweet potato chips after freeze-drying and during 60 days of storage. SPLB and SPLP had satisfactory quality parameters during 60 days of storage. SPLB and SPLP increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus ssp./Enterococcus spp. (3.84-10.22%) and Bifidobacterium spp. (3.25-12.45%) and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroides spp./Prevotella spp. (8.56-2.16%), Clostridium histolyticum (8.23-2.33%), and Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides (8.07-1.33%) during 48 h of in vitro colonic fermentation. SPLB and SPLP achieved high positive prebiotic indexes (> 8.24), decreased pH values and sugar contents, and increased lactic acid and short-chain fatty acid production, proving selective stimulatory effects on beneficial bacterial groups forming the intestinal microbiota. The results showed that SPLB and SPLP have good stability and high viable cell counts of L. brevis and L. plantarum when stored under room temperature and caused positive impacts on human intestinal microbiota, making them potentially probiotic non-dairy snack options.

Revealing the beneficial effects of a dairy infant formula on the gut microbiota of early childhood children with autistic spectrum disorder using static and SHIME® fermentation models.

This study evaluated the impact of the Milnutri Profutura® (MNP) dairy infant formula on the gut microbiota of early childhood children (three to five years) with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using static fermentation (time zero, 24, and 48 h) and the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbiol Ecosystem (SHIME®) (time zero, 72 h, and 7 days). The relative abundance of selected intestinal bacterial groups, pH values, organic acids, and sugars were verified at time zero, 24, and 48 h using flow cytometry and measurements. In addition, the diversity and changes in the gut microbiota, and the amounts of acetic, butyric, and propionic acids and ammonium ions (NH4+) in fermentation using the SHIME® were measured at time zero, 72 h, and 7 days. MNP increased Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium populations and decreased Bacteroides/Prevotella, Clostridium histolyticum and Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides populations (p < 0.05) at 24 and 48 h of static fermentation, showing a positive prebiotic activity score (65.18 ± 0.07). The pH, fructose and glucose decreased, while lactic, butyric, and propionic acids increased (p < 0.05) at 48 h of static fermentation. MNP increased (p < 0.05) the Firmicutes phylum during the fermentation in SHIME®. MNP decreased the diversity at 72 h of fermentation, mostly by the increase (p < 0.05) in the Lactobacillus genus. Microbial groups considered harmful such as Lachnospiraceae, Negativicoccus, and Lachnoclostridium were inhibited after administration with MNP. Propionic and butyric acids increased at 72 h and NH4+ decreased (p < 0.05) at the end of fermentation with MNP. The results indicate MNP as an infant formula which may benefit the gut microbiota of children with ASD.

Evidence for the Beneficial Effects of Brazilian Native Fruits and Their By-Products on Human Intestinal Microbiota and Repercussions on Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases-A Review.

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are the most widespread cause of mortality worldwide. Intestinal microbiota balance can be altered by changes in the abundance and/or diversity of intestinal microbiota, indicating a role of intestinal microbiota in NCD development. This review discusses the findings of in vitro studies, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials on the effects of Brazilian native fruits, their by-products, as well as their bioactive compounds on human intestinal microbiota and NCD. The major bioactive compounds in Brazilian native fruits and their by-products, and the impacts of their administration on outcomes linked to intestinal microbiota modulation are discussed. Mechanisms of intestinal microbiota affecting NCD could be linked to the modulation of absorption and energy balance, immune and endocrine systems, and inflammatory response. Brazilian native fruits, such as acerola, açaí, baru, buriti, guava, jabuticaba, juçara, and passion fruit, have several bioactive compounds, soluble and insoluble fibers, and a variety of phenolic compounds, which are capable of changing these key mechanisms. Brazilian native fruits and their by-products can help to promote positive intestinal and systemic health benefits by driving alterations in the composition of the human intestinal microbiota, and increasing the production of distinct short-chain fatty acids and phenolic metabolites, thereby enhancing intestinal integrity and homeostasis. Evidence from available literature shows that the modulatory impacts of Brazilian native fruits and their by-products on the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota could improve several clinical repercussions associated with NCD, reinforcing the influence of intestinal microbiota in extra-intestinal outcomes.

Spontaneous fermentation improves the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruit processing by-products.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of spontaneous fermentation on physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of acerola and guava fruit industrial by-products. Viable cell counts of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) in acerola and guava by-products were ≥ 5.0 log CFU/mL from 24 h up to 120 h of fermentation. Fermented acerola and guava by-products had increased luminosity and decreased contrast. Contents of total soluble solids and pH decreased, and titrable acidity increased in acerola and guava by-products during fermentation. Ascorbic acid contents decreased in acerola by-product and increased in guava by-product during fermentation. Different phenolic compounds were found in acerola and guava by-products during fermentation. Fermented acerola and guava by-products had increased contents of total flavonoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. The contents of total flavonoids and total phenolics positively correlated with antioxidant activity in fermented acerola and guava by-products. These results indicate that spontaneous fermentation could be a strategy to improve the contents of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of acerola and guava by-products, adding value and functionalities to these agro-industrial residues.

Revealing the Potential Impacts of Nutraceuticals Formulated with Freeze-Dried Jabuticaba Peel and Limosilactobacillus fermentum Strains Candidates for Probiotic Use on Human Intestinal Microbiota.

This study evaluated the impacts of novel nutraceuticals formulated with freeze-dried jabuticaba peel (FJP) and three potentially probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains on the abundance of bacterial groups forming the human intestinal microbiota, metabolite production, and antioxidant capacity during in vitro colonic fermentation. The nutraceuticals had high viable counts of L. fermentum after freeze-drying (≥ 9.57 ± 0.09 log CFU/g). The nutraceuticals increased the abundance of Lactobacillus ssp./Enterococcus spp. (2.46-3.94%), Bifidobacterium spp. (2.28-3.02%), and Ruminococcus albus/R. flavefaciens (0.63-4.03%), while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroides spp./Prevotella spp. (3.91-2.02%), Clostridium histolyticum (1.69-0.40%), and Eubacterium rectale/C. coccoides (3.32-1.08%), which were linked to positive prebiotic indices (> 1.75). The nutraceuticals reduced the pH and increased the sugar consumption, short-chain fatty acid production, phenolic acid content, and antioxidant capacity, besides altering the metabolic profile during colonic fermentation. The combination of FJP and probiotic L. fermentum is a promising strategy to produce nutraceuticals targeting intestinal microbiota.

Investigating the effects of conventional and unconventional edible parts of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) on target bacterial groups and metabolic activity of human colonic microbiota to produce novel and sustainable prebiotic ingredients.

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried red beet root (FDBR) and freeze-dried red beet stem and leaves (FDBSL) on target bacterial groups and metabolic activity of human colonic microbiota in vitro. The capability of FDBR and FDBSL to cause alterations in the relative abundance of different selected bacterial groups found as part of human intestinal microbiota, as well as in pH values, sugar, short-chain fatty acid, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated during 48 h of in vitro colonic fermentation. FDBR and FDBSL were submitted to simulated gastrointestinal digestion and freeze-dried prior to use in colonic fermentation. FDBR and FDBSL overall increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp./Enterococcus spp. (3.64-7.60%) and Bifidobacterium spp. (2.76-5.78%) and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroides spp./Prevotella spp. (9.56-4.18%), Clostridium histolyticum (1.62-1.15%), and Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides (2.33-1.49%) during 48 h of colonic fermentation. FDBR and FDBSL had high positive prebiotic indexes (>3.61) during colonic fermentation, indicating selective stimulatory effects on beneficial intestinal bacterial groups. FDBR and FDBSL increased the metabolic activity of human colonic microbiota, evidenced by decreased pH, sugar consumption, short-chain fatty acid production, alterations in phenolic compound contents, and maintenance of high antioxidant capacity during colonic fermentation. The results indicate that FDBR and FDBSL could induce beneficial alterations in the composition and metabolic activity of human intestinal microbiota, as well as that conventional and unconventional red beet edible parts are candidates to use as novel and sustainable prebiotic ingredients.

Extra virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) intake shows neurobehavioural and intestinal health effects in obesity-induced rats.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of E-VCO on the neurobehaviour and intestinal health parameters of obesity-induced rats, focusing on food consumption, body composition, bacterial and faecal organic acids and histological analyses in the hippocampus and colon. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were randomized into healthy (HG, n = 16) and obese groups (OG, n = 16), which consumed a control or cafeteria diet for eight weeks, respectively. After this period, they were subdivided into four groups: healthy (HG, n = 8); healthy treated with E-VCO (HGCO, n = 8); obese (OG, n = 8); obese treated with E-VCO (OGCO, n = 8), continuing for another eight weeks with their respective diets. The treated groups received 3000 mg kg-1 of E-VCO and control groups received water via gavage. Food preference, body weight gain, body composition, anxiety- and depression-like behaviour were evaluated. Bacteria and organic acids were evaluated in faeces, and histological analyses of the hippocampus and M1 and M2 macrophages in the colon were performed. E-VCO reduced energy intake (16.68%) and body weight gain (16%), although it did not reduce the fat mass of obese rats. E-VCO showed an antidepressant effect, increased lactic acid bacteria counts and modulated organic acids in obese rats. Furthermore, E-VCO protected the hippocampus from neuronal degeneration caused by the obesogenic diet, decreased the M1 macrophage and increased the M2 macrophage population in the gut. The results suggest neurobehavioural modulation and improved gut health by E-VCO, with promising effects against obesity-related comorbidities.

New Insights on Dietary Polyphenols for the Management of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a neurodegenerative and vascular pathology that is considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, resulting from complications of advanced diabetes mellitus (DM). Current therapies consist of protocols aiming to alleviate the existing clinical signs associated with microvascular alterations limited to the advanced disease stages. In response to the low resolution and limitations of the DR treatment, there is an urgent need to develop more effective alternative therapies to optimize glycemic, vascular, and neuronal parameters, including the reduction in the cellular damage promoted by inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent evidence has shown that dietary polyphenols reduce oxidative and inflammatory parameters of various diseases by modulating multiple cell signaling pathways and gene expression, contributing to the improvement of several chronic diseases, including metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite the growing evidence for the bioactivities of phenolic compounds, there is still a lack of data, especially from human studies, on the therapeutic potential of these substances. This review aims to comprehensively describe and clarify the effects of dietary phenolic compounds on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in DR, especially those of oxidative and inflammatory nature, through evidence from experimental studies. Finally, the review highlights the potential of dietary phenolic compounds as a prophylactic and therapeutic strategy and the need for further clinical studies approaching the efficacy of these substances in DR management.

Development of an Educational Gamification Strategy to Enhance the Food Safety Practices of Family Farmers in Public Food Markets of Northeast Brazil: A Case Study.

This study aimed to develop an educational gamification strategy to enhance the food safety practices of family farmers in public food markets in a city in Northeastern Brazil (João Pessoa, PB, Brazil). A good manufacturing practices (GMP) checklist was used to verify hygienic-sanitary conditions in the food markets. Educational game tools addressing foodborne diseases and GMP with information about the prevention of foodborne diseases, good food handling practices, and safe food storage were developed. Pre- and post-training assessments were done to evaluate food handlers' knowledge and food safety practices. Microbiological parameters of food samples were analyzed before and two months after the training. Results indicated unsatisfactory hygiene conditions in the examined food markets. There was a very strong positive correlation between "implementation of GMP" and "production and process controls" (R = 0.95; p ≤ 0.05) and between "production and process controls" and "hygiene habits of handlers" (R = 0.92; p ≤0.05). There was no homogeneity between answers before and after the training for the knowledge of family farmers regarding "prevention of foodborne diseases" and "safe food handling". There were improvements in the measured microbiological parameters of foods sold by family farmers after the application of the developed educational gamification training. These results showed the developed educational game-based strategy as being effective in raising awareness of hygienic sanitary practices, helping to promote food safety, and reducing risks for the consumers of street foods at family farmers' markets.

Safety Evaluation of a Novel Potentially Probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum in Rats.

Limosilactobacillus (L) fermentum (strains 139, 263, 296) is a novel probiotic mixture isolated from fruit processing by-products. The use of this formulation has been associated with improvements in cardiometabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters. The present study evaluated the safety of a potential multi-strain probiotic by genotoxicity (micronucleus assay) and subchronic toxicity study (13-week repeated dose). In the genotoxicity evaluation, L. fermentum 139, 263, 296 did not increase the frequency of micronuclei in erythrocytes of rats of both sexes at doses up to 1010 CFU/mL. In the subchronic toxicity study, the administration of L. fermentum did not promote adverse health effects, such as behavioral changes, appearance of tumors, changes in hematological and biochemical parameters. In addition, higher doses of L. fermentum 139, 263, 296 have been shown to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Administration of potentially probiotic L. fermentum did not promote adverse health effects in rats and could be evaluated as a potential probiotic for humans.

Special Issue "Beneficial and Detrimental Microorganisms Occurring in Fermented Foods": Editorial.

Numerous and heterogeneous populations of beneficial microorganisms originating from raw materials, equipment, and production and processing environments can affect the fermentation process by their metabolic activities, allowing for the enhancement of the nutritional value, sensory characteristics, overall quality, safety, and shelf-life of final food products [...].