Lactobacillus fermentum

BACKGROUND: The current evidence on the use of probiotics in treating atopic dermatitis is inconclusive. This study determined the comparative effectiveness of the different types of probiotic strains in treating pediatric atopic dermatitis. METHODOLOGY: Systematic and manual search for all randomized controlled trials available from inception until January 31, 2020, was done. Two independent authors conducted the search, screening, appraisal, and data abstraction. Network meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies involving 28 different probiotic strains were included. The top three ranked probiotic strains in terms of efficacy are Mix1 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis CECT 8145, Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, and Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104); Lactobacillus casei DN-114001; and Mix6 (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus salivarius). Compared with placebo, Mix1 reduces atopic dermatitis symptoms with high certainty evidence (SMD -1.94, 95% CI -2.65 to -1.24; 47 participants). Mix6 compared with placebo probably reduces atopic dermatitis symptoms based on moderate certainty evidence (SMD -0.85, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.20; 40 participants). Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 compared with placebo may reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms based on low certainty evidence (SMD -1.35, 95% CI -2.04 to -0.65). In terms of safety, the highest ranked strain is Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003, while the lowest ranked strain is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. CONCLUSION: Certain probiotic preparations show benefit in reducing allergic symptoms in pediatric atopic dermatitis. © 2020 EAACI and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

We investigated the effect of probiotic supplementation on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by meta-analysis. We included 30 studies to assess the effect of probiotic administration. We estimated the effect size using standardized mean difference, and we evaluated the statistical heterogeneity of the effect size using Cochran's Q test, followed by meta-ANOVA and meta-regression analysis to explain the heterogeneity of the effect size using a mixed-effects model. We conducted Egger's linear regression test to evaluate publication bias. Among the factors evaluated, colon length and myeloperoxidase showed the greatest Q statistic and I2 index, respectively. Colon length, transforming growth factor-β, IL-10, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione showed positive effect sizes in the fixed- and random-effects models. The others (spleen weight, tumor necrosis factor α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-γ, disease activity index, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, histological score, and macroscopic inflammatory score) showed negative effect sizes in the fixed- and random-effects models. Probiotics showed a significant effect on all investigated factors, except IL-10. In meta-ANOVA and meta-regression analysis, Lactobacillus paracasei was the most effective probiotic for colon length. Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus fermentum, and a mixture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Saccharomyces boulardii (LC + SB) were effective for colon length, tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and disease activity index. Lactobacillus rhamnosus was most effective for IL-10 and IFN-γ. Dietary probiotics are effective in improving the symptoms of IBD. Although the results of this meta-analysis had some limitations due to a lack of animal experiments, they will be meaningful to people with IBD.

Objective: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent, burdensome, and psychologically important pediatric concern. Probiotics have been suggested as a treatment for AD. Some reports have explored this topic; however, the utility of probiotics for AD remains to be firmly established. Methods: To assess the effects of probiotics on AD in children, the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library Scopus, and OVID databases were searched for reports published in the English language. Results: Thirteen studies were identified. Significantly higher SCORAD values favoring probiotics over controls were observed (mean difference [MD], -3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.12 to -0.03; P < 0.001). The reported efficacy of probiotics in children < 1 year old was -1.03 (95%CI, -7.05 to 4.99) and that in children 1-18 years old was -4.50 (95%CI, -7.45 to -1.54; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that in Europe, SCORAD revealed no effect of probiotics, whereas significantly lower SCORAD values were reported in Asia (MD, -5.39; 95%CI, -8.91 to -1.87). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (MD, 3.29; 95%CI, -0.30 to 6.88; P = 0.07) and Lactobacillus plantarum (MD, -0.70; 95%CI, -2.30 to 0.90; P = 0.39) showed no significant effect on SCORAD values in children with AD. However, Lactobacillus fermentum (MD, -11.42; 95%CI, -13.81 to -9.04), Lactobacillus salivarius (MD, -7.21; 95%CI, -9.63 to -4.78), and a mixture of different strains (MD, -3.52; 95%CI, -5.61 to -1.44) showed significant effects on SCORAD values in children with AD. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicated that the research to date has not robustly shown that probiotics are beneficial for children with AD. However, caution is needed when generalizing our results, as the populations evaluated were heterogeneous. Randomized controlled trials with larger samples and greater power are necessary to identify the species, dose, and treatment duration of probiotics that are most efficacious for treating AD in children.

Probiotics have emerged as a promising intervention for the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. Assess the effect of probiotics on prevention of RTIs in children and adolescents. MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, SCIELO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Key words: "respiratory tract infections" AND probiotics. Randomized controlled trials RCT assessing the effect of probiotics on RTIs in children and adolescents were included. Two reviewers, working independently, to identify studies that met the eligibility criteria. Main and secondary outcomes were RTIs and adverse effects, respectively. Twenty-one trials with 6.603 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analysis suggested that Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus (LCA) was the only effective probiotic to the rate of RTIs compared to placebo (RR0.38; Crl 0.19-0.45). Network analysis showed that the LCA exhibited 54.7% probability of being classified in first, while the probability of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LFC) being last in the ranking was 15.3%. LCA showed no better effect compared to other probiotic strains by indirect analysis. This systematic review found a lack of evidence to support the effect of probiotic on the incidence rate of respiratory infections in children and adolescents. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:833-843. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with alteration of the gut microbiota. In order to clarify the effect of Lactobacillus-containing probiotics (LCP) on weight we performed a meta-analysis of clinical studies and experimental models. We intended to assess effects by Lactobacillus species. METHODS: A broad search with no date or language restriction was performed. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative clinical studies in humans and animals or experimental models assessing the effect of Lactobacillus-containing probiotics on weight. We primarily attempted to extract and use change from baseline values. Data were extracted independently by two authors. Results were pooled by host and by Lactobacillus species and are summarized in a meta-analysis of standardized difference in means (SMDs). RESULTS: We identified and included 17 RCTs in humans, 51 studies on farm animals and 14 experimental models. Lactobacillus acidophilus administration resulted in significant weight gain in humans and in animals (SMD 0.15; 95% confidence intervals 0.05-0.25). Results were consistent in humans and animals. Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus ingluviei were associated with weight gain in animals. Lactobacillus plantarum was associated with weight loss in animals and Lactobacillus gasseri was associated with weight loss both in obese humans and in animals. CONCLUSIONS: Different Lactobacillus species are associated different effects on weight change that are host-specific. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of Lactobacillus species in the human energy harvest and weight regulation. Attention should be drawn to the potential effects of commonly marketed lactobacillus-containing probiotics on weight gain.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is predominantly associated with metabolic disturbances representing aberrant liver function and increased uric acid (UA) levels. Growing evidences have suggested a close relationship between metabolic disturbances and the gut microbiota. A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial was therefore conducted to explore the impacts of daily supplements with various combinations of the probiotics, Lactobacillus fermentum TSF331, Lactobacillus reuteri TSR332, and Lactobacillus plantarum TSP05 with a focus on liver function and serum UA levels. Test subjects with abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and UA were recruited and randomly allocated into six groups. Eighty-two participants successfully completed the 60-day intervention without any dropouts or occurrence of adverse events. The serum AST, ALT, and UA levels were significantly reduced in all treatment groups (P < 0.05). The fecal microbiota analysis revealed the intervention led to an increase in the population of commensal bacteria and a decrease in pathobiont bacteria, especially Bilophila wadsworthia. The in vitro study indicated the probiotic treatments reduced lipid accumulation and inflammatory factor expressions in HepG2 cells, and also promoted UA excretion in Caco-2 cells. The supplementation of multi-strain probiotics (TSF331, TSR332, and TSP05) together can improve liver function and UA management and may have good potential in treating asymptomatic MAFLD. Trial registration. The trial was registered in the US Library of Medicine (clinicaltrials.gov) with the number NCT06183801 on December 28, 2023. Copyright: © 2024 Lin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

OBJECTIVES: This randomised clinical trial was designed and carried out with the aim to evaluate the capacity of fluoride-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAF) toothpaste to modulate oral microflora composition and biofilm acidogenicity in schoolchildren. METHODS: In all, 610 children (4 to 5 and 6 to 7 years) were enrolled. Four toothpastes were randomly administered during 24 months: 2 contained fluoride-substituted hydroxyapatite (HAF1000 and HAF1450; 1000 and 1450 ppmF) and magnesium-, strontium-, and carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite in a chitosan matrix, and 2 were monofluorophosphate fluoridated toothpastes (F1000 and F1450; 1000 and 1450 ppmF). Caries lesions were assessed by International Caries Detection and Assessment System scores, supragingival plaque was sampled from the approximal sites between primary molars using sterile Gracey curettes for microbiological analysis, and plaque pH curves after sucrose challenge were assessed at baseline and reevaluated after 1 year and after 2 years. The minimum and maximum pH decrease was calculated for caries-free patients and participants with a caries lesion(s) at baseline and at the end of the experimental period (24 months). Differences amongst measurements were analysed with 1-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: During the trial, the minimum pH value increased statistically significantly in all groups; in HAF1000 and HAF1450, the increase was greatest. At the end of trial, in the 2 HAF groups all primary cariogenic bacteria were statistically significantly lower with respect to F groups (P = .03 for Streptococcus mutans and sobrinus, for Lactobacillus casei, and for Lactobacillus fermentum). CONCLUSIONS: The trial provides robust but still inconclusive evidence on the efficacy of HAF toothpastes compared to traditional fluoridated toothpastes to reduce caries risk factors and to prevent caries lesions.

BACKGROUND: According to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation's Global Health Data Exchange (2023) it is estimated that 5% of all adults will experience depressive disorder. Amongst the general loss of pleasure and interest in everyday activities that are symptoms of low mood, reduced sexual desire and sexual dysfunction can be particularly overlooked. Human sexuality is complex, but finding solutions based on scientific evidence to limit the symptoms of depressive disorder and the iatrogenic impact of antidepressant treatment to improve this outcome is an important step in promoting psychological health and general wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed is to provide scientific evidence to assess the effect of oral probiotic on sexual function in women with depressive disorder treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in an Iranian population. DESIGN: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Eligible women were assigned to lactofem plus SSRIs (n = 58) or SSRIs alone (n = 54). In group A, SSRI antidepressants were prescribed together with Lactofem, and in group B, SSRI antidepressants were prescribed alone. Lactofem including Lactobacillus acidophilus 2 × 109 cfu/g, Bifidobacterium bifidus 2 × 109 cfu/g, Lactobacillus rutri 2 × 109 cfu/g, Lactobacillus fermentum 2 × 109 cfu/g; capsule weight of 500 mg bio-capsule administered orally and daily. The duration of intervention in two groups was two months. All questionnaires were completed by the patients before and after the intervention. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Larson's Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to evaluate sexual function, severity of depressive disorder and sexual satisfaction, respectively. RESULTS: Based on the results of the present study, there was a statistically significant difference in sexual satisfaction and severity of depressive disorder between the groups before and after the intervention (P < 0.05). Also, our findings showed that after eight weeks, the Lactofem plus SSRIs group showed significant improvement in FSFI domains and total scores compared to SSRIs alone group (P < 0.0

Although oral probiotics can improve breast microecology and alleviate the inflammatory response, there are no data regarding cases with existing abscesses. We aimed to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 during needle aspiration in patients with lactational breast abscesses. Patients (aged 20-41 years) with lactational single-cavity breast abscesses (diameter 3-6 cm) from 12 hospitals were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 51) and control groups (n = 50). Outcome measures included the abscess cure rate on treatment day-5, delactation rate, relieving pain rate, and number of needle aspirations until day-28. The experimental group's 5-day cure rate (43.1%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Breastfeeding continuation on day-5 did not differ significantly (experimental group: 88.2%, control group: 96.0%, p = 0.269). In the experimental and control groups, 19.6% and 14.0% of patients experienced moderate to severe pain on day-5, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.451). Four patients in each group developed diarrhea, with adverse reaction rates of 7.84% and 8.0%, respectively. No adverse reactions were reported in the infants. L. fermentum can shorten the healing time in patients with lactational breast abscesses.Trial registration This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ), registration number: ChiCTR2000032682, registration date: 6/May/ 2020; first entry date: 11/May/2020. © 2022. The Author(s).

BACKGROUND: Lactational mastitis and breast abscess cause trouble for women. It has been shown that oral probiotics can improve breast microecology, thus alleviating inflammatory responses. Our study aims to understand the long-term effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 on patients with lactational breast abscess after needle aspiration. METHODS: Data continued in a randomized controlled study of 101 subjects with lactational abscess from 12 hospitals were included. They were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. After needle aspiration treatment, the experimental group was orally administrated with L fermentum CECT5716 for 4 consecutive weeks, while the control group was treated with maltodextrin in the same way). In the third month after randomized controlled trial, the subjects were followed up by an online questionnaire investigation. The observation indexes included the relief of breast pain, recurrence of mastitis from the end of oral administration to the follow-up, and the effect on continuing breastfeeding. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were enrolled and 83 valid questionnaires were received during follow-up, including 40 in the experimental group and 43 in the control group. The rate of stop breastfeeding due to recurrence of mastitis was 2.5% (1/40) in the experimental group and 18.6% (8/43) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (odds ratio = 0.112, 95% confidence interval: 0.013-0.942, P < .05). The rate of stop breastfeeding was 10% (4/40) in the experimental group and 25.6% (11/43) in the control group, without significant difference. The pain relief rate in the experimental group was 80% (32/40), which showed no significant difference from that in the control group, that is, 72.1% (31/43). The recurrence rate of mastitis in the experimental group was 20% (8/40), which was not significantly different from that in the control group, that is, 16.3% (7/43). CONCLUSIONS: In lactating women with a history of breast abscess, oral L fermentum CECT5716 may reduce the risk of stop breastfeeding due to recurrence of mastitis.

Imidazole-chalcone compounds are recognised for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Probiotic-friendly, selective new-generation antimicrobials prove to be more efficient in combating gastrointestinal system pathogens. The aim of this study is to identify imidazole-chalcone derivatives that probiotics tolerate and evaluate their in vitro synergistic antimicrobial effects on pathogens. In this study, fifteen previously identified imidazole-chalcone derivatives were analyzed for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against gastrointestinal microorganisms. Initially, the antimicrobial activity of pathogens was measured using the agar well diffusion method, while the susceptibility of probiotics was determined by microdilution. The chosen imidazole-chalcone derivatives were assessed for synergistic effects using the checkerboard method. Four imidazole-chalcone derivatives to which probiotic bacteria were tolerant exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity against the human pathogens tested. To our knowledge, this study is the first to reveal the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of combinations of imidazole-chalcone derivatives. Indeed, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for morpholinyl- (ZDO-3f) and 4-ethylpiperazinyl- (ZDO-3 m) imidazole-chalcones were notably low when tested against E. coli and B. subtilis, with values of 31.25 μg/mL and 125 μg/mL, respectively. The combination of morpholinyl- and 4-ethylpiperazinyl derivatives demonstrated an indifferent effect against E. coli, but an additive effect was observed for B. subtilis. Additionally, it was observed that imidazole-chalcone derivatives did not exhibit any inhibitory effects on probiotic organisms like Lactobacillus fermentum (CECT-5716), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG), and Lactobacillus casei (RSSK-591). This study demonstrates that imidazole-chalcone derivatives that are well tolerated by probiotics can potentially exert a synergistic effect against gastrointestinal system pathogens. © 2024. The Author(s).

The gut microbiota is a vast community of synergistic bacterial species providing health benefits to the host. Imbalances in the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) due to diet, antibiotic use, age and stress contribute to disease development including diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammaging and neurodegeneration. Fortunately, a probiotic regime with a diet rich in prebiotics may reverse dysbiosis promoting health and wellness in age. The current study designs, optimizes and tests a novel probiotic and synbiotic formulation consisting of three metabolically active probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Bifidobacteria infantis together with a novel polyphenol-rich prebiotic, Triphala. The prebiotic action of Triphala was characterized using in vitro batch cultures, Drosophila melanogaster and a simulated model of the human gastrointestinal tract (SHIME) where in each model, Triphala supported growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting pathogenic species. Neither Triphala at 0.5% w/v nor the individual probiotics at 5.0 × 108 to 7.5 × 109 CFU/ml demonstrated toxicity in Drosophila. Interestingly, motility was combinatorially enhanced by the probiotic and synbiotic formulations reflecting the beneficial variations in the gut microbiota. Altogether, the present study shows that probiotics and synbiotics in combination are more effective at modulating the gut microbiota and eliciting biological effects than their components.

We have evaluated the herb-drug interaction potential of Ssang-hwa-tang (SHT) mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition/induction. Further, the effects of fermentation on the CYP-mediated herb-drug interaction potential were determined. SHT showed inhibitory activity toward CYP1A2, but not 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 in human liver microsomes. The results of the enzyme kinetic study suggested that the SHT-induced CYP1A2 inhibition is mixed reversible inhibition. The hepatic CYP expression and activity in rats treated with SHT were examined. The expression/activity of CYP2E1 increased as a result of SHT extract treatment (P<0.005 or P<0.001, respectively), which raises the possibility that SHT may increase the toxicity of environmental toxicants through the elevation of CYP2E1-mediated metabolic activation. SHT fermentation using Lactobacillus fermentum or Lactobacillus gasseri resulted in attenuation of the SHT-induced CYP1A2 inhibition, but not CYP2E1 induction, suggesting that changes in the chemical composition of SHT through fermentation can affect the inhibition of CYP1A2 activity.

Group B streptococci (GBS) are bacterial species that colonize the vagina in pregnant women and as such may cause serious infections in neonates that passed through the birth channel. The objective of this work was to study the inhibitory activities produced by each bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus L60 and Lactobacillus fermentum L23, and the effects of the combined BLIS-es of these lactobacilli on GBS. The interactions between the BLIS-es were assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods on agar plates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) were determined by a modification of the broth microdilution and checkerboard methods, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibilities of all S. agalactiae strains were assayed and the results of these tests were evaluated for statistical significance. A 7.5% of GBS isolates were recovered from 760 pregnant women and 91% of those strains were susceptible to each BLIS produced by L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, and also to a mixture of them. The comparisons among the BLIS-es showed statistically significant differences, with a combination of the BLIS-es from the two Lactobacillus species being better than the BLIS of each one alone (P < 0.05) as GBS growth inhibitors. Synergistic activities between the BLIS-es were found on 100% of susceptible GBS strains, MICs ranges of BLIS of L23 and L60 were 80-160 and 160-320 UA ml(-1), respectively. By the checkerboard method, the BLIS-es combination showed synergistic effect on all sensitive strains tested, with values of FICs ranging from 0.131 to 0.218. The BLIS-es produced by these lactobacilli of vaginal origin were able to inhibit S. agalactiae isolates. The results indicate that these strains may have probiotic potential for the control of GBS in women and may consequently prevent GBS infections in newborns.

The sesquiterpenoids nerolidol, farnesol, bisabolol, and apritone were investigated for their abilities to enhance bacterial permeability and susceptibility to exogenous antimicrobial compounds. Initially, it was observed by flow cytometry that these sesquiterpenoids promoted the intracellular accumulation of the membrane-impermeant nucleic acid stain ethidium bromide by live cells of Lactobacillus fermentum, suggesting that enhanced permeability resulted from disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. The ability of these sesquiterpenoids to increase bacterial susceptibility to a number of clinically important antibiotics was then investigated. In disk diffusion assays, treatment with low concentrations (0.5 to 2 mM) of nerolidol, bisabolol, or apritone enhanced the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. Nerolidol and farnesol also sensitized Escherichia coli to polymyxin B. Our results indicate the practical utility of sensitizing bacteria to antimicrobials with sesquiterpenoids that have traditionally been used as flavorants and aroma compounds in the food and perfume industries.

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) and 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT) are hazardous chemicals that have potential harmful effects. 2,6-DNT is recognized as a hepatotoxicant while 2,4,5-T, a component of Agent Orange, is also suspect. 2,6-DNT requires both oxidative and reductive metabolism to elicit genotoxic effects. To determine what effect 2,4,5-T had on 2,6-DNT metabolism, intestinal enzymes, microbial populations, and urine mutagenicity were examined during 2,4,5-T treatment. Weanling Fischer 344 male rats were treated daily with 54.4 mg/kg 2,4,5-T by gavage for 4 weeks. One, two, and four weeks after the initial 2,4,5-T dose, rats were administered (po) 2,6-DNT (75 mg/kg) and urine was collected for 24 hr in metabolism cages. Azo reductase, nitroreductase, beta-glucuronidase, dechlorinase, and dehydrochlorinase activities were examined concurrently. Treatment of rats for 1 week reduced the transformation of 2,6-DNT to mutagenic urinary metabolites. This was accompanied by a decrease in the fecal anaerobic microorganisms. The elimination of Lactobacillus fermentum from the small intestine and cecum of treated animals accompanied a significant increase in oxygen-tolerant lactobacilli and other unidentified aerobic microorganisms. However, there were no significant alterations in the intestinal enzyme activities examined. By 2 weeks of 2,4,5-T treatment, microbiota and urine genotoxicity returned to the levels observed in control animals. This trend continued for the duration of the experiment. After 2 weeks, while cecal nitroreductase and azo reductase activities increased, small intestinal beta-glucuronidase activity decreased. By 4 weeks, treated and untreated animal intestinal enzyme activities were indistinguishable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

BACKGROUND: Rising global mushroom production calls for recycling spent mushroom substrate (SMS). However, its high moisture content, susceptibility to spoilage, and low abundance of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) limit its use as silage. In this study, an effective silage inoculation strategy was developed to transform SMS derived from composted distilled grain waste (DGW) and colonized by Pleurotus ostreatus. RESULTS: Three indigenous lactic acid bacteria, including Limosilactobacillus fermentum L2, Weissella paramesenteroides W1, and Pediococcus acidilactici P1, were isolated and selected for their rapid growth and acidification capacity, and applied individually or in combination at different stages of fungal colonization. Compared with a commercial inoculant, all indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) treatments, especially a combination of L. fermentum L2 and P. acidilactici P1, significantly enhanced silage fermentation, as evidenced by lower pH (4.04-4.73), 31-fold and 1.87-fold increases in lactic acid and acetic acid production, respectively, improved crude protein retention, and preserved dry matter contents. KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that carbon metabolic flux was markedly redirected toward lactic acid fermentation, while pathways related to protein degradation and biosafety were significantly suppressed in LAB-treated SMS silage. Weighted metabolic analysis revealed that LAB contributed most to fermentative processes, thereby enriching Pediococcus, Weissella, and Lactobacillus, whereas the contributions of non-LAB and potentially harmful microorganisms were substantially reduced. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that indigenous LAB enhance the ensiling efficiency of SMS by driving functional reallocation and pathway-level dominance, thereby improving fermentation efficiency, stability, and nutritional quality, highlighting their potential for promoting SMS silage as a high-quality ruminant feed resource. © 2026. The Author(s).

Colitis is a serious gastrointestinal disorder, and drug therapy has problems of recurrence upon withdrawal as well as adverse effects from prolonged usage. Therefore, probiotics can be an effective substitute. This study aims to isolate bacterial strains having probiotic attributes and defensive traits against colitis. Initially, forty strains were isolated from Haria, a traditional rice-based fermented beverage of West Bengal, India. Eight isolates were selected based on their acid and bile salt tolerance properties. These selected isolates showed anti-amoebic activity against Entamoeba histolytica, a human protozoan parasite that causes colitis, amoebiasis and other disorders. Subsequently, the isolates were identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Their phenotypic probiotic attributes, such as GI survival rate, good adhesion, antioxidant activity, inhibitory activity against four pathogenic bacterial strains, and safety evaluation, identified two promising strains, L-31 and L-35. They were further used as a probiotic mixture and ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in experimental mice by protecting colon length and body weight loss, restoring organ indices, decreasing disease activity index score, improving blood parameters, reducing coliform count, and repairing tissues. L-31 has been identified as a promising candidate with good probiotic potential and protective effects against colitis, but further studies on its safety, efficacy, stability, formulation suitability, and clinical applicability are necessary for potential therapeutic applications. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Corn gluten meal (CGM) and wheat bran are widely recognized as two major by-products generated by the food-processing industry. The corn gluten meal-wheat bran mixture (CWM) was fermented using Aspergillus niger and Lactobacillus fermentum, and the potential of ultrasound-assisted fermentation to enhance its value was evaluated. Five fermented corn gluten meal-wheat bran mixtures (FCWMs) were prepared by applying ultrasound at 0, 130, 195, 260, and 320 W for 5 min. The results indicated that ultrasound-assisted fermentation at 195 W yielded the most favorable effects. At this power level, microbial biomass was increased, while high-molecular-weight proteins were effectively degraded, resulting in substantial increases in trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein (TCA-SP) and total free amino acid (TFAA) contents. Furthermore, the levels of beneficial metabolites, including total phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids, were elevated. Concurrently, antinutritional factor levels were reduced, and antioxidant capacity was enhanced.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative gastric pathogen resistant to the acidic stomach environment through urease-mediated neutralization, enabling colonization of the gastric mucosa. It is a major cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, and was classified as a Class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1994. Rising antibiotic resistance has limited the efficacy of conventional therapies, highlighting the need for alternative or adjunct antimicrobial strategies. METHODS: Forty lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates were screened for anti-H. pylori activity against twenty clinical H. pylori isolates previously recovered from gastric biopsies of Egyptian patients using neutralized cell-free supernatants (CFSs). The CFSs were evaluated alone and in combination with standard therapeutic antibiotics. The most potent CFS was subsequently evaluated for cytotoxic activity against colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells as a preliminary assessment of its potential anticancer-related properties. The CFS was then subjected to fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), and the active fraction was further analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to estimate its molecular weight. Following verification of its probiotic characteristics, the producer strain was identified by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Nine out of forty LAB isolates demonstrated anti-H. pylori activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values ranging from 93.7 to 750 µg/mL. Combination assays demonstrated isolate-dependent interactions, with synergistic effects observed with clarithromycin (CLR), amoxicillin (AX), metronidazole (MET), tetracycline (TE), rifampicin (RA), and levofloxacin (LEV) against certain H. pylori isolate groups. L. fermentum strain M98, identified as the most potent isolate, exhibited the highest inhibitory activity both alone and in combination with antibiotics. The protein-enriched precipitate containing a putative bacteriocin exhibited cytotoxic activity against Caco-2 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 19.73

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Multi-strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum supplementation has been reported to promote weight loss outcomes in free-living conditions, but limited evidence exists on these probiotic strains added to an energy-restricted diet and walking program in overweight adults. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm randomized trial, overweight adults (35.2 ± 13.2 years old, 167.6 ± 8.6 cm, 79.9 ± 11.8 kg, 28.4 ± 2.7 kg/m2 body mass index, 36.1 ± 6.6% body fat) completed a 12-week weight loss program that included a 500 kcal/day energy deficit and walking 10 k steps/d. Participants ingested one daily capsule containing a three-strain probiotic blend (L. fermentum K7-Lb1, L. fermentum K8-Lb1, L. fermentum K11-Lb3; 6 billion CFU/day) (PRO) or maltodextrin placebo (PLA). Assessments were performed at baseline, week 6, and week 12 and included body composition, resting energy expenditure, substrate utilization, peak oxygen uptake, dietary intake, step counts, blood biomarkers, quality of life, and side effects. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate repeated-measures general linear models (GLM), with mean changes from baseline presented alongside 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: All participants significantly reduced body weight, fat mass, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. At 12 weeks, PRO reduced fat mass more than PL (-2680.7 ± 1276.7 g; p = 0.039). In PRO, android and gynoid fat percentage decreased at 6 weeks (p < 0.001; p = 0.008) and 12 weeks (p = 0.004; p < 0.001), respectively. Visceral adipose tissue mass, volume, and area were lower at 6 weeks and trended lower at 12 weeks. In PRO, bone mineral content and bone mineral area decreased at 12 weeks, while bone mineral density paradoxically increased (0.007 ± 0.003 g/cm2; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: During a 12-week weight loss program, supplementation of a multi-strain L. fermentum probiotic significantly reduced body fat and central adiposity.

BACKGROUND: Postbiotics, including cell-free supernatants and their fractions, have emerged as a safe and effective alternative to live probiotics for managing intestinal inflammation. This study investigated the protective effects of low-molecular-weight fractions (<3 kDa) of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LMW-LF) in a murine model of experimental colitis. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were orally administered LMW-LF for 10 days prior to colitis induction with 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 5 days. Colonic damage was assessed via the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histology, and immunofluorescence (Ocln and Ki67). Immune cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry, while mucosal gene expression and gut microbiota composition were evaluated using RT-qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively. RESULTS: LMW-LF administration significantly attenuated clinical symptoms and macroscopic colonic damage. Treatment restored epithelial barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (Tjp1) and mucin genes (Muc1-3) while normalizing DSS-induced epithelial hyperproliferation. Immunologically, LMW-LF reduced pro-inflammatory monocyte infiltration; downregulated Il6, Tnfa, and Ifng; and promoted an immunoregulatory phenotype by enhancing Ampk expression and partially restoring regulatory T cell (Treg) populations. Furthermore, LMW-LF reshaped the gut microbiota by increasing alpha diversity and promoting the enrichment of beneficial taxa, specifically Akkermansia muciniphila, which correlated with improved mucus layer preservation. CONCLUSIONS: LMW-LF is an active fraction acting across the host-microbiota axis. By integrating epithelial protection, immunomodulation, and microbial reshaping, it represents a promising dietary strategy for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are high molecular weight carbohydrate polymers secreted by microorganisms. The aim of the study was to isolate Lactobacillus strains that produce EPS from dairy sources and to enhance EPS production. The dairy source milk, yogurt, and cheese were collected from the local market for isolation of EPS producing strain. The maximum EPS-producing strain was further identified based on biochemical, morphological, and 16S RNA sequencing. Whey was used as a substrate due to its low cost and nutrient- rich composition. Different organic and inorganic nitrogen sources were screened. Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of physiochemical parameters. Five various physio-chemical parameters i.e. pH, temperature, nitrogen source, substrate concentration, and incubation period, were optimised. The process was subsequently upscaled in a 1.5 L lab scale bioreactor. Among these, the isolate obtained from cheese exhibited the highest EPS yield. The isolated strain was identified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum-CP158463.1. The yeast extract was found to be the best source of nitrogen 1.7 ± 0.15 mg/ml of EPS yield. The optimal conditions for maximum EPS (2.729 mg/mL) were observed at pH 8, 40 °C, 1% nitrogen concentration, 20% substrate concentration, and a 48-h incubation time. The maximum yield (8.396 ± 1.73 mg/ml) was obtained at 200 rpm with 96 h incubation period. The study shows that Lactobacillus originating from dairy has the capacity to produce EPS, and the RSM model can be used for effective low-cost production.

The present study assessed the safety and immunostimulatory potential of phytase-producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum MS005 at doses of 7, 9 and 11 log CFU/mouse/d in male Swiss albino mice (n = 5) during a 28-day subacute toxicity study. To further delineate immunostimulatory responses, an additional group of mice received 9 log CFU/mouse/d (n = 5). MS005 administration did not induce significant alteration in body weight, organ weight, hematobiochemical end-points, or hepatic antioxidant levels, confirming its safety profile. Notably, MS005 reduced the liver lipid peroxidation by 1.6-fold and preserved the epithelial barrier integrity post-pathogenic E. coli challenge, as indicated by elevated expression of Zo-1, Claudin-4 and Muc-2, key biomarkers of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Immunomodulatory assessment revealed a significant increase in splenic lymphocyte proliferation (2.3-fold), NK cell activity (1.59-fold), and macrophage phagocytosis (1.3-fold), alongside an insignificant increase in IL-10 expression at a dose of 9 log CFU/mouse/d. Histopathological analysis showed normal architecture of liver, spleen, ileum and colon in MS005-treated mice, with increased villi length and density along with lymphocyte infiltration within Peyer's patches in the 9 log CFU/mouse/d group relative to the control mice. Overall, the findings highlight the safety and immunostimulatory efficacy of Lmb. fermentum MS005, supporting its potential use as a functional probiotic for improving the gut barrier function, host immunity and iron bioavailability. © 2026. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has improved the cancer treatment, its application remains constrained by heterogeneous response rates and immune-related adverse events. While gut microbiome modulation represents a promising avenue to optimize ICB, rationally selected probiotics with defined mechanistic actions are critically lacking. Here, we selected Lactobacillus fermentum GR-3 (L. fermentum GR-3), a food-derived strain pre-screened for exceptional gastrointestinal resilience (maintaining > 107 CFU/mL), antioxidant activity (87.4% DPPH-Scavenging efficiency), and immunomodulatory potential, as an oral combination strategy to enhance anti-PD-1 therapy. In the MC38 murine colorectal cancer model, oral L. fermentum GR-3 synergistically enhanced ICB efficacy, yielding significantly greater tumor suppression than anti-PD-1 monotherapy (51.7% volume reduction vs. untreated controls), while attenuating therapy-associated weight loss. Locally within the tumor microenvironment (TME), the combination therapy promoted dendritic cell maturation (MHC-II⁺ DCs reaching 56.0%), favored pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization (M1 increased to 20.8%, while M2 reduced to 2.57%), and suppressed regulatory T cell infiltration (Tregs decreased to 2.32%). These shifts strongly correlated with enhanced cytotoxic responses, with Granzyme B⁺ CD8⁺ T cells reaching 40.4% (doubling the effect of PD-1 monotherapy). Mechanistically, L. fermentum GR-3 colonization partially reversed tumor-associated gut dysbiosis, enriching short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing consortia (e.g., Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroides) and increasing intestinal SCFA concentrations (e.g., propionic and butyric acids recovering to 70.13 and 26.07 μM/g, respectively)). This microbial-metabolic shift was accompanied by upregulated expression of mucosal tight junction genes (ZO-1, Occludin). Furthermore, L. fermentum GR-3 facilitated a balanced immune response. Systemically, it alleviated oxidative stress and buffered peripheral inflammatory signals, contributing to immune homeostasis in non-tumor tissues (spleen and colon). Collectively, these findings position L. fermentum GR-3 as a grounded, translatable strategy

BACKGROUND: Recent research has highlighted the potential of postbiotics for addressing obesity and associated metabolic disorders. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, the efficacy of a postbiotic product in managing overweight and associated parameters was assessed. METHODS: Sixty individuals were randomized into two groups: one group (n = 30) received the Postbiotic (heat-killed L. fermentum strain K8-Lb1) and the other (n = 30) a Placebo control. Body weight, waist circumference, body composition, vital signs, blood biomarkers and questionnaires for quality of life, eating behavior, eating control and gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: After a 12-week intervention, body fat mass (primary parameter) was significantly (p = 0.016) reduced in the Postbiotic group (98.15 ± 3.32% of baseline) compared to the Placebo group (100.41 ± 3.39%). In line with this, body weight (p = 0.047) and waist circumference (p = 0.034) were significantly reduced and visceral fat tended to be reduced (p = 0.053). Accordingly, the Postbiotic group tended (p = 0.066) to feel more in control of their body weight. Despite weight loss, muscle mass tended (p = 0.062) to increase. ALT, AST and GGT tended to be reduced, which may indicate an improvement in liver steatosis. Estimated average glucose (eAG) differed significantly between the groups in individuals with normal fasting glucose levels. The ability to concentrate significantly (p = 0.014) improved. CONCLUSIONS: Under an ad libitum diet, the postbiotic L. fermentum strain K8-Lb1 reduced body fat mass, body weight, and waist circumference, improved the ability to concentrate, and showed a trend towards an increase in muscle mass. The results of this pilot trial need confirmation by a pivotal trial.

Exopolysaccharides are classified as high molecular weight polymers of carbohydrates. The aim of the present study was the isolation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing strain from fruits and vegetables indigenously and optimization of physical parameters for the hyperproduction of EPS. Yeast Industrial wastewater from AB Mauri (Associated British Foods) was used as substrate for the production of EPS. Fruits and vegetables source were used for isolation of Lactobacillus strain. The morphological examination and 16 S RNA sequence analysis were used to identify the isolated Lactobacillus strain. The screening of nitrogen (organic, inorganic) was carried out for the production of EPS. A statistical approach of optimization the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the physiochemical parameters such as nitrogen concentration, pH, temperature, and incubation period in order to maximize the production. Further the effect of various parameters were studied at lab scale bioreactor to enhance the production. Isolated strain was gram positive rods and identified as Lactobacillus fermentum-MH473306.1. It was determined that urea as the best source of nitrogen. The optimized condition for maximum production of EPS the ideal pH, temperature, nitrogen supply, and incubation period were 7, 35 °C, 1.5%, and 35 h, respectively. Almost 2 folds increase in EPS production was observed after optimization of this optimal condition by RSM. Lab scale bioreactor revealed maximum production of EPS at 200 rpm and 72 h by the isolated strain of L. fermentum MH473306. It is concluded that RSM is a better technique for optimization of EPS as compared to other technique of optimization.

Background/Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective treatments for obesity, but substantial weight regain is common after therapy is discontinued. This study investigated whether probiotic strains with anti-obesity effects could enhance GLP-1RA-induced weight loss and attenuate post-treatment weight rebound. Methods: Candidate lactic acid bacteria were screened for anti-obesity efficacy in a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model, and the selected strain was further characterized using metabolomic profiling of culture supernatants. To examine its interaction with GLP-1RA therapy, obese mice received dulaglutide for 4 weeks and were monitored for 2 weeks after treatment withdrawal, while the probiotic was orally administered for a total of 6 weeks. Body weight, glycemic parameters, and muscle strength were assessed throughout the study. Results: Limosilactobacillus fermentum GB102 reduced body weight and improved glycemic control in HFD-fed mice. These metabolic benefits were associated with alterations in circulating metabolic hormones, including adipokines, along with attenuated inflammatory responses in adipose tissue. Metabolomic profiling revealed that GB102 produced high levels of succinic acid, a metabolite previously linked to thermogenic activation. This strain increased whole-body energy expenditure in HFD-fed mice, produced glutamine, and showed enhanced conversion of arginine into ornithine and citrulline. When combined with dulaglutide, GB102 enhanced weight loss, preserved muscle strength, and attenuated both weight regain and glycemic rebound following dulaglutide withdrawal. Conclusions: These findings suggest that energy-metabolism-enhancing probiotics such as GB102 may enhance the metabolic effects of GLP-1RA therapy and help attenuate weight regain after treatment discontinuation.

El-Klila is a popular, traditional, spontaneously fermented Algerian cheese. Here, we report the identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from El-Klila. A total of 26 isolates were identified, typed, and several phenotypic traits were determined to assess their potential as putative probiotics using a combination of pheno- and genotypic methods. Using initial phenotypic characterization followed by rep-PCR-fingerprinting, as well as 16S rRNA and recA gene sequencing, the isolates were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (73% of isolates), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (23%), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (4%). All strains were resistant to vancomycin except Lb. fermentum Kb2, and some isolates like Lc. paracasei K2 were resistant to all antibiotics tested. A total of 69% of the isolates survived 30 min at pH 2, 81% excreted bile salt hydrolase enzymes, and 69% produced exopolysaccharide. All strains were found to inhibit one or more of the tested pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Listeria innocua). Further investigation of the underlying mechanism of the antimicrobial activity showed that it was due to acid production. However, Lb. fermentum Kb2 produced an unknown high-molecular-weight, heat-stable bacteriocin-like molecule that significantly inhibited Listeria innocua. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B3 exhibited better survival in simulated gastric juice and increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TER). Similarly, Lc. paracasei K2 also demonstrated a significant increase in TER relative to the other tested isolates. Importantly, the culture supernatant of Lb. fermentum Kb2 enhanced the relative TER of Caco-2 monolayer over 24 h, and it was sensitive to all antibiotics tested, indicating a desirable safety profile. Based on our findings, a considerable number of novel lactobacilli strains from Algerian cheese "El-Klila" possess properties in vitro that are desirable for putative probiotics. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for repr

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration and vaginal microbiota dysbiosis. In this study, Limosilactobacillus fermentum 50 not only exhibited the strongest growth-inhibitory activity against Candida albicans using a spot assay, but also significantly suppressed hyphal formation and decreased the expression of virulence-associated genes, including HWP1, ALS3, and ECE1. Furthermore, the effects of L. fermentum 50 on C. albicans-induced VVC were investigated in a mouse model. Oral administration of L. fermentum 50 increased body weight, reduced vaginal epithelial cell exfoliation, and decreased fungal burden. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that L. fermentum 50 significantly downregulated expression of S100A8, S100A9 and TNF-α, and upregulated IL-10 expression at the transcription level in vaginal tissue. ELISA analysis further confirmed that L. fermentum 50 increased the level of IL-10 and decreased the level of TNF-α in both vaginal tissue and serum. Histopathological analysis showed that L. fermentum 50 significantly reduced epithelial cell exfoliation and alleviated vaginal structural damage by increasing the expression of occludin. In addition, L. fermentum 50 modulated the composition of the vaginal microbiota, characterized by an increased abundance of Lactobacillus and a decreased abundance of Escherichia-Shigella. It is noteworthy that L. fermentum 50 also reshaped composition of the gut microbiota, also enriching the abundance of Lactobacillus. Correlation analyses further revealed that Lactobacillus abundance in feces was positively associated with vaginal Lactobacillus and negatively correlated with vaginal Escherichia-Shigella abundance. Collectively, these findings suggested that L. fermentum 50 may serve as a potential strategy to ameliorate VVC by modulating the gut microbiota to alleviate vaginal inflammation, enhancing mucosal barrier function, and restoring vaginal microbiota composition.

This study addresses the growing demand for natural functional foods with therapeutic potential, particularly for managing diabetes, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The aim of this research was to investigate the biofunctional attributes of camel milk fermented with Limosilactobacillus fermentum (KGL4) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (WBS2A), with a focus on its antidiabetic, antioxidative, proteolytic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective activities. Fermentation was performed for 0, 12, 36 and 48 h at 30 °C (2% inoculum rate). Fermented camel milk significantly enhanced α-amylase (81.33%) and α-glucosidase (68.37%) inhibition, demonstrating strong antidiabetic potential. Antioxidant activity, as assessed through the ABTS assay, progressively increased with incubation time, reaching a peak of 65.87% at 48 h. Proteolytic activity also rose significantly, attaining a maximum of 6.41 mg/ml (2.5% inoculum concentration at 30 °C/48 h). Chromatographic profiling via RP-HPLC revealed increased bioactivity in 3 kDa permeate (antidiabetic) and 10 kDa retentate (antioxidant) samples, suggesting the role of low-molecular-weight peptides. 2D gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE confirmed proteolytic cleavage, revealing the presence of smaller peptide fragments in the fermented samples than in the unfermented controls. Further structural analysis via FTIR and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated secondary structure modifications, including increased β-sheet formation and reduced aggregate size. Molecular docking studies revealed that the identified peptide sequence CCFSSCAMR effectively bound to the human digestive enzymes hBAL, hPAM, and hMGA via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, supporting its potential inhibitory function. Additionally, fermented CM displayed strong anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. This study highlights the potential of fermented camel milk as a value-added functional food with significant antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. The generation of low-molecular-weight bioactive peptides through targeted microbial fermentation provides a s

This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of fermented palm kernel meal (FPKM), produced using Limosilactobacillus fermentum BN21, on growth performance, jejunal histomorphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and the expression of genes related to intestinal barrier function and inflammation in broiler chickens. A total of 320-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g/kg FPKM. Each treatment consisted of eight replicate pens with eight birds per pen, and the pen was considered the experimental unit. Experimental diets were fed from day 11 to 35, covering the grower (days 11-21) and finisher (days 22-35) phases. Dietary inclusion of FPKM up to 75 g/kg did not impair growth performance, whereas 100 g/kg FPKM significantly reduced weight gain and increased feed conversion ratio (P< 0.05). The villus height-to-crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio was significantly higher in the 25 and 50 g/kg FPKM groups, although villus height and crypt depth were unchanged. Cecal concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFAs increased linearly with FPKM levels (P< 0.05). Supplementation with FPKM also downregulated claudin-1 (CLDN-1) and upregulated zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) (P< 0.05). Expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) decreased, whereas interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were upregulated (P< 0.001). These findings indicate that dietary inclusion of 50 g/kg FPKM fermented by L. fermentum BN21 improves intestinal health by enhancing SCFA production, intestinal morphology, and immune-related gene expression without compromising growth performance in broilers.

AIM: This study aims to explore the mechanism of action of three Lactobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp), Lactobacillus fermentum (Lf), and Lactobacillus brevis (Lb), in alleviating hyperlipidemia and fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. MATERIALS & METHODS: Wistar rats were fed an HFD to induce hyperlipidemia and fatty liver. The effects of the three probiotic strains were assessed by analyzing blood lipids, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, key signaling pathways, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Their anti-lipidemic effect was further verified in C. elegans. RESULTS: The probiotics suppressed weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and liver injury. They modulated lipid metabolism, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress by deactivating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, and inhibited hepatic ferroptosis via the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway. They also increased fecal lipid excretion and SCFA production. SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate) alone alleviated lipid deposition in C. elegans. CONCLUSION: The three Lactobacillus strains effectively protected against HFD-induced liver injury by modulating multiple pathways related to inflammation, lipid metabolism, and ferroptosis, with SCFAs being a potential contributing factor.

Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death worldwide, is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques within the artery wall. Accumulating evidence indicates that intestinal microbiota plays an important regulatory role in atherosclerosis at all stages of the disease. Through numerous metabolites, the intestinal microbiota can regulate immune and inflammatory cells and their mediators, as well as lipid metabolism, thereby contributing to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. With these assumptions in mind, we investigated the possibility of using Limosilactobacillus fermentum MC1 (L. fermentum MC1) and its exopolysaccharides (EPSs) in the reduction of lipid and atherogenic parameters as a preventive strategy in preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We investigated the effect of L. fermentum MC1 and its EPSs on the health status of mice by monitoring the following parameters: body weight, colon length and weight, relative weight of organs, hematological (Hgb, WBC, number of erythrocytes, MCHC, MCV, MCH), and biochemical blood parameters including glucose, serum enzymes (ALT, ALP, amylase), urea, creatinine and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL), different atherogenic parameters, blood biomarkers such as lymphocyte-to-monocyte (LMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratios, molecular inflammatory markers (IL1β, IL6, MCP1, IL1α, TLR4, TNFα, CD68, TGFβ), apoptosis markers (BCL2, AIFM1, IGF-1R), and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (CHOP and GRP94) as well as oxidative stress (NOX2) markers in the colon. Furthermore, the level of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and glutathione concentrations in the liver, kidneys and spleen were measured. L. fermentum MC1 and its EPSs may prevent the development of atherosclerosis and the progression of CVD through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory activities, and regulation of the gut microbiome and lipid metabolism. The observed reduction in lipid and atherogenic determinants suggests that L. fermentum MC1 and its EPSs may contribute to atheroprotection and confer multiple health benefits.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is associated with depressive-like behaviours and influences the gut-brain axis through vagal nerve-dependent mechanisms. Studies indicate that depression can be reversed with GABA administration, but the neuroprotective potential of GABA-producing bacteria remains underexplored. Subtractive screening identified five potential GABA-producing strains out of 95 distinct isolates, which were subsequently confirmed using thin-layer chromatography, NMR, and mass spectrometry. All five strains survived in acidic conditions, with survivability rates of 72-84%, and in 0.3% bile, with survivability rates of 93-96%. The selected strains showed higher hydrophobicity to chloroform, possessed free radical scavenging activities, and were capable of forming stronger biofilms. This study identifies Limosilactobacillus fermentum PB02 and Levilactobacillus brevis MM as potential GABA-producing probiotics. The neuroprotective effects of GABA-containing cell-free supernatant (CFS) were tested in stress-challenged Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines. The CFS supplementation increased cell viability after exposure to high glucose and lipopolysaccharide, and improved viability in a glutamate-induced excitotoxicity assay, indicating the multifactorial in vitro neuroprotective potential. This study enhanced the viability of cells by 20-25% viability in cells challenged with 250mM glucose and 1 µg/mL LPS, and in the glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity assay. Additionally, L. fermentum PB02 and L. brevis MM emerged as promising psychobiotic candidates with neuroprotective effects, as indicated by Principal Component Analysis and weighted scoring matrix analysis. By integrating clustering analysis, we demonstrate that isolated strains can be promising candidates showing neuroprotective potential using in vitro methods. Further in vivo validation will be required to confirm these effects. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Concentrated supplementary feeding is an effective strategy for addressing nutritional deficiencies in yaks during the cold-season grazing period. However, limited research has investigated whether long-term implementation may alter the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles of yaks, potentially posing health risks to the host. This study investigated the regulatory role of Lactobacillus fermentum in host metabolism through the gut microbiota, employing a “nutrition-gut-metabolism” perspective. Eighty healthy male Pamir yaks with similar body conditions were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20 per group), including Control (Con), Medium Energy (ME), High Energy (HE), and Medium Energy plus Lactobacillus fermentum (MEJ). Body weight was recorded every 30 days during the 150-day trial. Jejunal tissues and contents from nine yaks per group were collected for subsequent analyses. Key findings revealed that the HE group showed significantly increased crypt depth and elevated relative abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (P < 0.05). In contrast, the MEJ group reversed the decline in villus height and width observed in the ME group, while significantly enhancing muscularis thickness. Notably, MEJ yaks exhibited higher abundance of Paeniclostridium, Romboutsia and Treponema (P < 0.05) and markedly increased short-chain fatty acids concentrations (P < 0.001). Metabolomic analysis identified upregulated pathways, including D-amino acid metabolism and Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Furthermore, comparative analyses pinpointed five critical microbial taxa (e.g., vadinBE97, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-008) and 18 key metabolites (e.g., 15-Deoxyprostaglandin J2, Lasalocid A) associated with these effects. In conclusion, Lactobacillus fermentum supplementation improved yak growth performance and mitigates metabolic risks linked to excessive energy intake. These findings provided a theoretical foundation for optimizing yak feeding strategies and advancing precision nutrition in ruminant production.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an effective microorganism (EM)-based microbial inoculum on the growth and expression of related genes in 1-year-old healthy Megalobrama amblycephala. The bacterial strains included Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus velezensis, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Lactococcus sp. The fish were randomly divided into five groups: one group was fed a basal diet (control group), and the other groups were provided feed containing EMs at levels of 5, 10, 20 or 40 g/kg. The growth performance, gastrointestinal digestive enzyme activity and expression of the growth hormone (GH), GH receptor A (GHRA), GH receptor B (GHRB) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) genes in the liver of M. amblycephala after 60 days of outdoor cage culture were analysed. The weight gain rate for M. amblycephala significantly increased when EM was added to the feed, and the 10 g/kg EM group had the greatest weight gain, which was 7.34% higher than that of the control group; this group also presented the highest intestinal protease and lipase activities. Regarding hormone levels, GH, GHRA, GHRB and IGF-1 expression levels were highest in the 10 g/kg EM group. Additionally, EM addition significantly improved lipoprotein metabolism in the liver, resulting in a decrease in low-density lipoprotein levels and an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels. The results of this study suggest that EM supplementation in feed improves the growth performance of M. amblycephala, reduces the risk of fatty liver and affects the expression of growth genes.

In this study, we prepared edible films using chitosan/gelatin/phlorotannins (CGPs) embedded with probiotics and evaluated their preservation effects on strawberries. Edible films encapsulating Limosilactobacillus fermentum FUA033 (CGPFUA033) were prepared using the casting method. The intermolecular interactions, crystal structure, thermal stability, and morphology of the films, both prior to and following the incorporation of L. fermentum FUA033, were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TG, and SEM analyses. The preservation efficacy of the edible films, with and without encapsulated L. fermentum FUA033, was assessed by monitoring the physical, chemical, and microbial properties, as well as the visual quality, of strawberries during a eight-day storage period. The results showed that encapsulation of L. fermentum FUA033 enhanced intermolecular interactions and thermal stability within the film matrix but did not significantly affect the crystalline structure of the edible film. At 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, the CGPFUA033 treatment had preservation effects: the weight loss was 30.70 ± 1.53%, the total soluble solid content was 8.83 ± 0.28%, the decay index was 45.33 ± 1.53%, the malondialdehyde content was 7.44 ± 0.13 μmol/g, firmness was 21.49 ± 0.83 N, and the ascorbic acid content was 43.51 ± 0.79 mg/100 g. The shelf life of strawberries was extended by six days in the CGPFUA033 treatment group. Therefore, the chitosan/gelatin/phlorotannin edible film embedded with L. fermentum FUA033 has high preservation effects on strawberries, highlighting that L. fermentum FUA033 can be used as a probiotic for enhancing food preservation.

The GH70 family 4,3/6-α-glucanotransferase efficiently converted readily digestible (α1→4) glycosidic bonds into (α1→3) or (α1→6) glycosidic bonds, thus serving as an effective enzymatic tool for preparing starch-based dietary fiber. Amino acid residues, including V1409, Q1397, T1366, K1362, H1369, and N1418 of Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCC 2970 GtfB 4,3-α-glucanotransferase (Lf2970 GtfB), were found via sequence conservation analysis and tunnel engineering for further analysis. Mutants from K1362, T1366, H1369, and N1418 at the tunnel entrance showed increased enzyme activity and catalytic efficiency but reduced molecular weight of products. The mutant Q1397P within the tunnel increased the proportion of (α1→6) bonds in the products to 7.9% and (α1→3) bonds to 26.3%, from the wild-type of 1.2% and 21.9%, respectively. These results indicated that amino acid residues located at the tunnel entrance regulated the enzyme activity and product size of Lf2970GtfB, while the Q1397 site within the tunnel regulated the type and proportion of glycosidic bonds.

Obesity is a global health challenge, but current pharmacological interventions (e.g., orlistat) often cause adverse effects. Although probiotics show potential in alleviating obesity, the mechanisms by which microencapsulated compound probiotics exert anti-obesity effects via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) remain unclear. Our previous study demonstrated that pectin beads encapsulating compound probiotics (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Bifidobacterium breve) exhibited superior anti-obesity effects to single strain in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. Here, we systematically investigated the alleviating effects of these microencapsulated compound probiotics (1 × 10⁸ CFU/day, oral gavage) against HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice (8-wk intervention) via PPARs-mediated regulatory mechanisms, with orlistat (24 mg·kg- 1·day- 1, oral gavage) as the positive control. Results showed that the microencapsulated compound probiotics significantly reduced weight gain rate (35.68% vs. 58.51% in HFD group, P < 0.05) without affecting food intake, improved hepatic steatosis (reduced hepatocyte vacuolation), and maintained glucose homeostasis (oral glucose tolerance test AUC: 14205 vs. 2150 mg·min/dL in HFD group, P < 0.05). Compared to HFD controls, the probiotics significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (2.90 vs. 6.31 mM, P < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (IL-6: 10.04 vs. 17.66 pg/mL, P < 0.05). Mechanistically, the probiotics downregulated PPAR-γ (0.65-fold vs. HFD, P < 0.05) to inhibit adipogenesis. 16 S rRNA sequencing revealed that the probiotics preserved gut microbial diversity (Shannon index: 5.2 vs. 4.1 in HFD group, P < 0.05), whereas orlistat caused gut dysbiosis (Shannon index: 3.8, P < 0.05 vs. ND group). Together, these findings clarified that microencapsulated compound probiotics alleviate obesity via PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism regulation, while protecting gut ecology-offering a safe and effective microecological strategy for obesity prevention. © 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of two doses of probiotics isolated from human milk on the incidences of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and mortality in preterm infants. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study involved 583 very low birth weight preterm neonates (≤32 6/7 weeks, <1500 g) who started enteral nutrition within 72 h of birth (>5 ml/kg/day) and received either a high-dose (HD, 1 × 109 CFU/day per strain) or a low-dose (LD, 1 × 106 CFU/day per strain) of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LC40) and Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263 (BfM26) until 36 6/7 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge. RESULTS: The probiotic combination was well tolerated with no adverse effects. The NEC (2.5% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.156) and mortality (3.9% vs. 3.6%; p = 0.685) rates were not significantly different between the groups (HD vs. LD). These rates were lower than those reported in a co-temporal cohort in the region (SEN1500 cohort). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between the HD and the LD of the LC40 and BfM26 combination in the incidence of NEC and all-cause mortality. The incidence rates of death and NEC were lower in this study than in the SEN1500 cohort, suggesting that the low dose may suffice for preterm infants. This study supports the safety and tolerability of these probiotics in preterm infants. IMPACT: The study responds to scientific societies' request for more clinical trials to strengthen the currently low level of evidence on probiotics' safety and benefits for preterm infants. The study presents evidence supporting the safety and the effect of two different doses of a combination of two human milk-derived probiotic strains in preterm infants. The study indicates that a low dose of probiotics may be sufficient to achieve beneficial effects in preterm infants. These findings will inform future research on optimizing probiotic dosing in this population. © 2025. The Author(s).