Beneficial effects on host energy metabolism of short-chain fatty acids and vitamins produced by commensal and probiotic bacteria.

The aim of this review is to summarize the effect in host energy metabolism of the production of B group vitamins and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) by commensal, food-grade and probiotic bacteria, which are also actors of the mammalian nutrition. The mechanisms of how these microbial end products, produced by these bacterial strains, act on energy metabolism will be discussed. We will show that these vitamins and SCFA producing bacteria could be used as tools to recover energy intakes by either optimizing ATP production from foods or by the fermentation of certain fibers in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Original data are also presented in this work where SCFA (acetate, butyrate and propionate) and B group vitamins (riboflavin, folate and thiamine) production was determined for selected probiotic bacteria.

Effect of magnesium, probiotic, and vitamin food supplementation in healthy subjects with psychological stress and evaluation of a persistent effect after discontinuing intake.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to describe the changes in subjects' psychological stress intensity under the effect of dietary supplements of magnesium, probiotics, and vitamins after one month of intake. METHODS: Observational cohort study of subject complaining of psychological stress defined by a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) score of more than 21. RESULTS: The study covered 242 healthy volunteers, 38.6±13.6-year-old, among whom 79.8% were women. Under the effect of the supplementation of magnesium, probiotics, and vitamins, the psychological stress of the subjects decreased significantly from 34.1±4.5 to 26.2±6.1 (P<0.0001), which corresponds to an average reduction of 22.7±16.0%. Fatigue decreased even more significantly from 16.8±6.4 to 8.7±6.2 (P<0.0001), which corresponds to an average reduction of 45.0%±38.1%. Analysis showed that the psychological stress level was strictly similar one month after the treatment was discontinued and therefore clearly demonstrated that the psychological benefit was maintained over time. CONCLUSIONS: Stress and fatigue are significantly reduced by the intake of a food supplement with probiotics, magnesium, vitamins, and minerals and this effect is fully maintained one month after discontinuing the food supplement intake.

Preconception care in France.

OBJECTIVE: Preconception care is advocated throughout the world as a tool for improving perinatal outcomes. However, the proportion of women in France who attend a dedicated medical preconception visit is unknown. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study among 401 women who delivered at a maternity clinic or hospital in France to determine how many of them had attended a preconception visit. We also collected information on various preconception care behaviors such as folate supplementation and alcohol or tobacco cessation. RESULTS: In total, 21.6% of the women took a folate prescription, and 91.3% and 68.6% of women stopped alcohol and tobacco consumption, respectively. Of the 80.2% of women who visited a doctor within the 6 months before conception, only 13.8% discussed their planned pregnancy at this visit. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of vitamin supplementation remains low, there has been an increase in adequate preconception care behavior. This indicates that improvement is possible and should be implemented.

Identification of one novel candidate probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain active against influenza virus infection in mice by a large-scale screening.

In this study, we developed a large-scale screening of bacterial strains in order to identify novel candidate probiotics with immunomodulatory properties. For this, 158 strains, including a majority of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), were screened by two different cellular models: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-activated HT-29 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Different strains responsive to both models (pro- and anti-inflammatory strains) were selected, and their protective effects were tested in vivo in a murine model of influenza virus infection. Daily intragastric administrations during 10 days before and 10 days after viral challenge (100 PFU of influenza virus H1N1 strain A Puerto Rico/8/1934 [A/PR8/34]/mouse) of Lactobacillus plantarum CNRZ1997, one potentially proinflammatory probiotic strain, led to a significant improvement in mouse health by reducing weight loss, alleviating clinical symptoms, and inhibiting significantly virus proliferation in lungs. In conclusion, in this study, we have combined two cellular models to allow the screening of a large number of LAB for their immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, we identified a novel candidate probiotic strain, L. plantarum CNRZ1997, active against influenza virus infection in mice.

Assessment of spray application of Saint GERVAIS water effects on skin wettability by contact angle measurement comparison with bidistilled water.

BACKGROUND: The skin is responsible for protecting the body from physical, chemical and microbial injuries. The stratum corneum is the top layer of the epidermis and it plays a key role in helping to contain moisture. When the skin becomes damaged, its ability to perform these functions is compromised. Dry skin is a common form of skin damage. Contact angle 0 between a surface and water is a good indicator of hydrophobic or hydrophilic tendency of surfaces. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the influence of spray application of an isotonic mineral water (Saint GERVAIS water) on the hydrophobic tendency of dry skin and to compare spreading of both types of water on the skin through 0 measurement of each water drop on the skin before and after mineral spray application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contact angles theta between skin surface and the two types of water (bidistilled and mineral water) were measured before and after application of mineral water by a system allowing the measurement of theta in vivo and in vitro. The cutaneous hydration, the temperature and pH were also measured before and after mineral water application. RESULTS: As for the application of mineral water, the cutaneous pH significantly increased so the strong skin acidity decreased. The cutaneous temperature was modified (a decrease of 2 degrees C was noted) and the cutaneous hydration was also increased (+47AU). The hydro-phobic tendency of the dry skin tested in this study was strongly decreased after mineral water application. This parameter was illustrated by a decrease of contact angle theta value. CONCLUSION: Saint GERVAIS water application allowed a regulation of skin pH, a fresh sensation on the skin and an increase in the cutaneous hydration. Moreover, the contact angle measurement with bidistilled water illustrated the increased wettability of the skin.