Search Results (197)

Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota significantly influence female reproductive health by affecting hormonal, immune and metabolic processes. This research explored how a probiotic blend comprising Lactobacillus crispatus novaLCR6, Limosilactobacillus fermentum novaLF58 and Bifidobacterium bifidum novaBBF9 affects the gut–myometrium and gut–ovary axes. Intestinal epithelial cells were exposed to individual probiotics or their combination using a Transwell^® setup; their effects on barrier integrity, probiotic activity and short-chain fatty acid production were measured. Subsequently, basolateral metabolites were applied to myometrial and ovarian cells to assess viability, proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation, signalling pathways and hormone production. All probiotics enhanced intestinal cell viability and barrier function. The combined probiotic showed synergistic effects, enhancing butyrate production by ~23–51%, improving myometrial proliferation by up to ~78%, decreasing ROS and TNF-α levels by ~49% and ~74% and modulating oxytocin signalling. In ovarian cells, the probiotic mixture activated ERK/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways, normalised PAK1, ERβ and PAX8 expressions and significantly increased LH and FSH secretion compared to single strains. These findings suggest that a multi-strain probiotic may modulate pathways involved in reproductive tissue homeostasis through gut–reproductive axis interactions, providing mechanistic insight from an in vitro study. Full article

This study evaluated the probiotic, technological, and safety properties of 124 lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Beyaz cheese, and the in situ survival of selected strains in fermented milk. Eighteen isolates showing over 80% tolerance in simulated gastric juice (pH 3.0) were subjected to further characterization. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, most isolates belong to Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, while Lactobacillus helveticus, Lentilactobacillus kefiri, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum were also identified. L. plantarum EH140 showed the greatest resistance to the simulated gastric environment (pH 2.0), whereas L. paracasei EH131 exhibited the highest bile salt tolerance. L. plantarum EH106 demonstrated strong auto-aggregation, and L. fermentum EH132 displayed notable hydrophobicity. Nine isolates exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity, but none showed γ-hemolysis, gelatinase, or DNase activity. All the isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and chloramphenicol. Organic acid analysis revealed lactic acid as the major metabolite, followed by acetic acid. Virulence gene screening identified the efaAfs gene only in L. paracasei strains, and no biogenic amine genes were detected. The selected isolates maintained viability above 6 log CFU/mL in milk during storage. Overall, L. plantarum EH106, EH109, EH140, and EH141 were identified as the most promising candidates because of their safety and superior probiotic potential. Full article

Maintaining intestinal health is fundamental to immune competence and disease resistance in broiler chickens; however, effective nutritional strategies that enhance gut barrier integrity and systemic health remain under investigation. This study evaluated the effects of a multi-strain probiotic composed of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, meat quality, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in broilers. The research included 144 Ross 308 broilers aged one day, distributed randomly into two diet groups, each containing 6 replicates of 12 birds. During the 42 d trial, the control group (CON) was fed a basal diet composed of corn and soybean meal, with the compound probiotics (CP) diet additionally containing 0.3% compound microbial preparation. Growth performance, meat quality, serum immune and antioxidant indices, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier-related genes and cecal microbiota were analyzed. Compared with the CON, CP supplementation significantly increased average daily gain, reduced feed conversion ratio, and improved eviscerated and breast muscle yields (p < 0.05). Meat quality was enhanced, as indicated by higher pH_45min, increased redness (a*), and reduced shear force and drip loss in breast muscle (p < 0.05). In addition, CP broilers exhibited improved amino acid and fatty acid profiles in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Serum analysis revealed elevated immunoglobulin G and interleukin-10 levels, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced antioxidant capacity in the CP group (p < 0.05). Probiotic supplementation significantly improved intestinal morphology and upregulated barrier-related genes such as mucin-1 (MUC-1), claudin-1(CLDN-1), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin (OCLN) (p < 0.05). Moreover, cecal microbiota analysis demonstrated increased abundance of Bacteroidota and enrichment of beneficial genera, including Megamonas, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.3% compound probiotics effectively enhanced growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in broilers. Full article

Background: The human gut microbiome is highly complex, and its composition is strongly influenced by dietary patterns. Alterations in microbiome structure have been associated with a range of diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the underlying mechanisms for this remain poorly understood. In this study, a novel in vitro approach was utilized to investigate the interplay between gut bacteria, dietary metabolites, and metabolic dysfunction. Methods: Two representative gut bacterial species—Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Lactobacillus fermentum—were isolated from human faecal samples and subjected to controlled dietary manipulation to mimic eubiotic and dysbiotic conditions. Metabolites produced under these conditions were extracted, characterized, and quantified. To assess the functional impact of these metabolites, we utilized the INS-1 832/3 insulinoma cell line, evaluating insulin sensitivity through glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and ERK1/2 activation. Results: Our findings demonstrate that metabolites derived from high-carbohydrate/high-fat diets exacerbate metabolic dysfunction, whereas those generated under high-fibre conditions significantly enhance insulin secretion and glucose-dependent ERK1/2 activation in co-culture compared to monocultures. Conclusions: This work systematically disentangles the complex interactions between gut microbiota, diet, and disease, providing mechanistic insights into how microbial metabolites contribute to the onset of metabolic disorders. Full article

The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining host health by preserving a balanced microenvironment. Nevertheless, the definition of a “normal” vaginal microbiome remains controversial, as its composition varies depending on factors such as ethnicity and geographical origin. In most cases, members of the genus Lactobacillus predominate in healthy vaginal microbiomes, protecting against potential pathogens through specific mechanisms such as the secretion of lactic acid and bacteriocins, among others. A reduction in Lactobacillus abundance, accompanied by an increase in anaerobic organisms, predisposes the host to the development of various pathologies. Among these pathologies is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the subsequent development of cervical cancer. A progressive decline in Lactobacillus has been observed as the lesion advances in different populations worldwide. In the case of the Mexican population, several Lactobacillus have been reported in healthy microbiomes: L. gasseri, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, L. jensenii, L. crispatus, L. delbrueckii, L. acidophilus, and L. brevis. In contrast, genera reported in dysbiosis include Sneathia, while Brevibacterium aureum and Brachybacterium conglomeratum have been associated with HPV16 infection and/or SIL. The mere presence of some bacteria is not sufficient to modulate the cellular activity of host cells; therefore, the expression, production and activity of different proteins could be affected by the vaginal microbiome. The impact of the microbiome on host cell function is the result of different metabolites produced by the bacteria, which suppress or activate different signaling and metabolic pathways. The molecular interactions between the host and microbiome, as well as their role in cervical carcinogenesis, are still unknown. In this review, we focus on the vaginal microbiome, HPV, and the impact that the interaction of the microbiome with HPV has in cervical cancer development. Full article

The immunoregulatory effects of probiotics have been widely studied, particularly in maintaining immune balance. Conventional in vitro functional screening of probiotics relies on fresh donor-derived primary immune cells, which often exhibit significant inter-individual and temporal variability, limiting reproducibility and interpretation. As an alternative, human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived dendritic cells were co-cultured with five probiotic strains in the current study to evaluate their immunomodulatory interactions. To assess whether cytokines produced by probiotic-stimulated dendritic cells can influence T cell differentiation, human CD4⁺ T cells were exposed to the conditioned medium derived from co-cultures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results demonstrated that iPSC-derived dendritic cells secreted cytokines at distinct concentrations in response to different probiotic strains, suggesting that these cells can distinguish between different microbial stimuli, and supporting their use in functional probiotic screening. Among the five strains tested, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPA-56, Limosilactobacillus reuteri RU-23, and Lactobacillus fermentum Fem-99 induced cytokine production levels that promoted the differentiation of the human CD4⁺ T cells into regulatory T cells. These findings demonstrate that iPSC-derived dendritic cells have immunomodulatory potential, are reliable for in vitro screening of probiotics, and offer a promising strategy for selecting potent immunoregulatory probiotic candidates. Full article

Natural whey starter (NWS) cultures are microbial consortia characterized by high microbial diversity in terms of genus and species, as well as strains, accounting for the variety of different characteristics and quality of the artisanal fermented food. By means of a combined approach, using plate counts, bacterial isolation, molecular identification, and genotyping, we analyzed 41 colonies isolated from NWS of cow milk used in the production of caciocavallo, a typical pasta filata Italian cheese. Results revealed that 27 of them were lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Lactococcus lactis as the dominant species, followed by Streptococcus thermophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. The remaining isolates were taxonomically identified as non-LAB, probably due to environmental contamination. These results were mostly confirmed by metagenomic analysis, with the exception of only three species. Finally, small-scale fermentation experiments were performed in both standard media and skimmed milk to further characterize the newly isolated LAB strains. Overall, our results show that, except for four of the Lactococcus isolates and one Streptococcus, which show multi-drug resistance, the isolated strains under study exhibit levels of acidifying, metabolic properties, and safety parameters, suggesting their potential as starter cultures in cheese production. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit increasing comorbidity, yet the shared contribution of gut microbiota remains unclear. To investigate parallel microbial and functional alterations underlying PD, T2DM, and PD with diabetes (PDDM), we performed fecal metagenomic sequencing in 156 PD, 41 T2DM, and 44 PD with diabetes (PDDM) patients and 83 healthy controls (HC). PD and T2DM showed highly concordant microbial shifts, with 22 genera and 91 species consistently altered across disease groups compared with HC. Functional enrichment highlighted common perturbations in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, retinol metabolism, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway, and xenobiotic degradation, implicating disrupted oxidative stress responses, neuro-metabolic regulation, and detoxification. Key taxa, including Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus porci, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, were increased and showed moderate positive correlations (|ρ| ≥ 0.3) with antioxidant/retinol–HIF-1, taurine–hypotaurine, and xenobiotic degradation pathways. Bifidobacterium breve (unadjusted analysis) was increased in PD and further enriched in PDDM, correlating with multiple beneficial pathways. Bifidobacterium simiarum (covariate-adjusted analyses) showed the broadest positive pathway associations, while selected Bacteroides species (e.g., B. acidifaciens) exhibited negative correlations with insulin-resistance pathways and positive correlations with steroid hormone biosynthesis. By contrast, Butyricimonas vaginalis showed negative correlations with HIF-1 and insulin signaling and with cytochrome P450-related drug metabolism. These findings provide the first systematic evidence of parallel taxonomic and functional dysbiosis in PD and T2DM, supporting gut microbiota as a shared mediator and potential therapeutic target in comorbidity. Full article

This study investigated the combined effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation and different milling methods (wet, semi-dry, and dry) on the physicochemical properties of glutinous rice flour (GRF) and the texture of the final product. A systematic analysis of rice samples treated with three LAB strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CGMCC 1.12974, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CICC 22704, and Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 22162) revealed that fermentation pretreatment created favorable conditions for subsequent physical milling by degrading the protein network and modifying the starch structure. The results demonstrated that fermentation combined with dry or semi-dry milling significantly improved the whiteness of GRF and the contents of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), total phenols, and total flavonoids, while reducing the contents of damaged starch (except in samples fermented with Lb. acidophilus) and protein by 2.91–12.43% and 17.80–32.09%, respectively. The functional properties of the GRF were also optimized: fermented flour exhibited higher peak viscosity, lower gelatinization temperature, and higher gelatinization enthalpy. Texture profile analysis revealed that glutinous dumplings prepared from fermented dry/semi-dry milled GRF, particularly those fermented with Lp. plantarum, showed significantly reduced hardness and chewiness, along with significantly improved cohesiveness and resilience. Consequently, their texture approximated that of high-standard wet-milled products. Correlation analysis based on the top ten discriminative features selected by random forest identified peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity as the most important positive factors associated with superior texture (high resilience, high cohesiveness, and low hardness), whereas damaged starch content and protein content were key negative correlates. In summary, this study confirms that the combination of fermentation and milling exerts a beneficial influence on the functional quality of GRF. Full article

Background: Blue light-induced retinal photodamage represents a growing public health concern globally. Lactic acid bacteria and their bioactive metabolites represent a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating such damage. Methods: This study evaluated the protective efficacy of Limosilactobacillus fermentum IOB802 and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum IOB602 against blue light-induced retinal injury using both in vitro and in vivo models. Results: In ARPE-19 cells exposed to blue light, treatment with postbiotics from IOB802 and IOB602 significantly restored cell viability (p < 0.05), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT, p < 0.05), and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and VEGF, p < 0.05). Subsequent validation in a murine blue light-induced retinal damage model demonstrated that IOB802 notably preserved retinal architecture, upregulated antioxidant defenses, and promoted the expression of tight junction proteins. Mechanistically, IOB802 suppressed inflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the IκBα/NF-κB pathway. Through 16S rDNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiling, IOB802 was further shown to restore gut microbial diversity, increase beneficial bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae, Rikenellaceae, and Bacteroidaceae (p < 0.05), and elevate concentrations of key SCFAs (butyrate, acetate, and propionate; p < 0.05), underscoring the role of the gut–retina axis in mediating retinal protection. Conclusions: In summary, IOB802 and its postbiotics alleviate blue light-induced retinopathy through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and microbiota-modulating mechanisms, offering novel insights into microbiome-based interventions for retinal diseases. Full article

Sour pomegranate, a distinctive product of Xinjiang, China, is characterized by its sour and astringent taste, which contributes to a low processing rate. This study utilized single-factor experiments to screen three strains: Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Through uniform design experiments, the mixed-strain ratio of L. fermentum:L. plantarum:L. acidophilus = 45%:31%:28% was determined. In addition, the amount of mixed inoculum was 2%, and the fermentation time was 11 h. Additionally, a mixed inoculation amount of 2% and a fermentation duration of 11 h were established. Utilizing electronic nose, electronic tongue, gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry, and non-targeted metabolomics, comparative analyses were conducted on the flavors and metabolites pre- and post-fermentation. The findings indicated that post-fermentation, umami increased by 32%, richness was enhanced by 6%, and the positive aftertaste was significantly extended. Mixed-strain fermentation facilitated the enrichment of alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and terpene volatile compounds; notably, the content of hexanal (fresh fruity aroma) and limonene (citrus aroma) increased by 1.95 times and 1.45 times, respectively, thereby augmenting the complexity of the aroma. Furthermore, mixed-strain fermentation significantly upregulated terpenes, amino acids and their derivatives, steroids and their derivatives, and alkaloid metabolites. These results offer potential technical support for the high-value utilization of agricultural products. Full article

Limited access to electricity and high levels of CO₂ emissions—over 35 billion metric tons in recent years—highlight the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, particularly in rural areas dependent on polluting fuels. To address this challenge, three single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with carbon anodes and zinc cathodes were designed and operated for 35 days in a closed circuit. Voltage, current, pH, conductivity, ORP, and COD were monitored. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy (range 4000–400 cm⁻¹) was applied to identify structural changes, and polarization curves were constructed to estimate internal resistance. The main FTIR peaks were observed at 1027, 1636, 3237, and 3374 cm⁻¹, indicating the degradation of polysaccharides and hydroxyl groups. The maximum voltage reached was 0.961 ± 0.025 V, and the peak current was 3.052 ± 0.084 mA on day 16, coinciding with an optimal pH of 4.977 ± 0.058, a conductivity of 194.851 ± 2.847 mS/cm, and an ORP of 126.707 ± 6.958 mV. Connecting the three MFCs in series yielded a total voltage of 2.34 V. Taxonomic analysis of the anodic biofilm revealed a community dominated by Firmicutes (genus Lactobacillus: L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. casei, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum, L. helveticus, and L. plantarum), along with Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria (electrogenic bacteria). This microbial synergy enhances electron transfer and validates the use of carrot waste as a renewable source of bioelectricity for low-power applications. Full article

This study examined the cosmetic potential of extracts from the peel and pulp of fermented pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.). Fermentation was carried out using Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum, and L. paracasei) and kombucha (SCOBY). Fermentation was carried out for 3 days (for lactic acid bacteria) and 10 and 20 days (for kombucha). The obtained products were analyzed by LC-MS for phytochemical composition and assessed for their antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays) and ROS reduction in keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (HDF). The obtained ferments demonstrated cytoprotective effects (using Alamar Blue and Neutral Red assays). Both kombucha ferments and certain strains of Lactobacillus ferments demonstrated anti-aging effects (by inhibiting collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase) and anti-inflammatory effects (by significantly affecting IL-6 and IL-1β cytokine levels). A moisturizing skin toner containing the extracts and ferments was developed and tested for cytoprotective effects on HaCaT keratinocytes. The results confirm that fermented pumpkin peel and pulp extracts can be used as multifunctional cosmetic ingredients with the potential to provide antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and skin regeneration. Full article

In dogs, gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with several health conditions, including gastrointestinal disease. Probiotic supplementation can support a balanced gut microbiome. This study assessed the impact of a probiotic containing a mixture of Lacticaseibacillus casei, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Enterococcus faecium on the gut microbiota of six dogs using short-term colonic simulations. Two groups were included, i.e., blank versus supplementation with the test product, and incubated for 48 h. Probiotic-supplemented reactors had significantly greater fermentative activity compared with the blank, as shown by lower pH levels and higher gas pressure after 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h of incubation (p < 0.05 for all). Saccharolytic fermentation also increased, with a significantly higher level of acetate at 24 h and propionate at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h with the test product versus blank (p < 0.05 for all). There was no significant effect of the test product on alpha-diversity, but beta-diversity analysis revealed a clear separation in the microbial community composition between the test product and blank. Eight bacterial taxa were enriched with test product supplementation, including the probiotic test strains as well as Megamonas and Bacteroides species. This study, using in vitro short-term colon simulations with six canine donors, provides insights into the probiotic characteristics of the test product. Full article

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder difficult to cure with current treatments. Therefore, preventive interventions for UC are crucial. This research investigated the intervention potential of Lactobacillus (L.) fermentum S1 derived from a cat in reducing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-triggered UC. Through a combination of physiological, microbiological, and metabolomic analyses, we demonstrated that preventive supplementation with L. fermentum S1 significantly mitigated DSS-triggered body weight loss, colon shortening, intestinal barrier (IB) dysfunction, and inflammatory reaction. L. fermentum S1 modulated gut microbiota (GM) components and elevated short-chain fatty acids generation. Beneficial genera were abundant (Akkermansia, Ligilactobacillus, Turicibacter, and Prevotella_9) while suppressing pathogenic taxa (Parabacteroides and Acinetobacter). Furthermore, L. fermentum S1 increased the amount of the anti-inflammatory metabolite hecogenin within the intestines. Spearman’s correlation analysis exhibited significant associations between microbial shifts and metabolite profiles, suggesting that microbiota-derived metabolites can mediate their therapeutic effects. These outcomes indicate the potential of L. fermentum S1 as a new dietary supplement and provide a theoretical basis for UC prevention. Full article