Development and validation of a new in vitro assay for selection of probiotic bacteria that express immune-stimulating properties in chickens in vivo

Oral administration of immunoprobiotic bacteria may support animal health. Species specificity of such microorganisms requires appropriate selection. An in vitro assay for the selection of immunoprobiotic lactic acid bacteria was developed in chicken. The assay allowed testing of large numbers of individual strains. Immune stimulation in vitro correlated well with the in vivo situation in two experiments and no false negative results occurred. Therefore this assay is an appropriate selection tool for immunomodulating properties of lactic acid bacteria in chicken.     

The influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on probiotic growth and adhesion

The establishment of the intestinal microflora, and probiotic bacteria, may control the inflammatory conditions in the gut. As polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) possess antimicrobial activities, they may deter the action of probiotics. We assessed whether free linoleic, gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, alpha-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids at physiological concentrations in the growth media would influence the growth and adhesion of Lactobacillus GG (probiotic), Lactobacillus casei Shirota (probiotic) and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (dairy strain). Higher concentrations of PUFA (10-40 microg PUFA ml(-1)) inhibited growth and mucus adhesion of all tested bacterial strains, whilst growth and mucus adhesion of L. casei Shirota was promoted by low concentrations of gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid (at 5 microg ml(-1)), respectively. PUFA also altered bacterial adhesion sites on Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells grown in the presence of arachidonic acid were less adhered to by all three bacterial strains. Yet, L. casei Shirota adhered better on Caco-2 cells grown in the presence of alpha-linolenic acid. As the adhesion to mucosal surfaces is pivotal in health promoting effects by probiotics, our results indicate that the action of probiotics in the gut may be modulated by dietary PUFA.     

植物乳杆菌发酵、冻干工艺及其益生特性的研究

目的 以Lactobacillus plantarum SQ-2506为目标,研究该菌株的发酵、冻干工艺及其益生特性。方法 通过对培养基中C源、N源和刺激因子的浓度改变考察对活菌数的影响,从而确定培养基的最佳配方;在确定最佳培养基后做出该菌的生长曲线以确定最佳发酵时间点;同时考察冻干保护剂的配方和预冷时间对菌粉活菌数的影响;此外,对植物乳杆菌进行产酸、产H2O2、生物膜形成能力、抑菌特性以及抗氧化能力的检测。结果 最佳MRS培养基中葡萄糖浓度为0.8%、酪蛋白胨为0.4%、牛肉粉为0.6%、吐温为0.06%;植物乳杆菌的生长曲线在5 h时达到稳定期,此时发酵液活菌数为3.16×109 CFU/mL,发酵液的pH为4.45。最佳冻干保护剂的配方：脱脂乳100 g/L,蔗糖120 g/L,抗坏血酸20 g/L,谷氨酸钠30 g/L;冻干前对上机液预冻时间为2 h,此时菌粉冻干存活率为70.21%。该菌株具有产酸、产H2O 2能力,并对大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和白色假丝酵母均有一定的抑制作用,形成膜能力较强,且具有一定的抗氧化能力。结论 通过培养基成分、发酵条件和冻干工艺的优化以及对其益生特性的研究,为下一步新药开发和规模化生产奠定基础。     

Two new alkaloids from Brachystemma calycinum and their inhibitory effects on lymphocyte proliferation

Two new alkaloids, brachystemidines F (1) and G (2), were isolated from the roots of Brachystemma calycinum. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, including extensive NMR and HR-MS techniques. Compound 2, which exhibits an unusual N-hydroxydiazenyl (HO-N=N) moiety, is a potent immunosuppressive agent, as demonstrated by inhibition of mouse T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation, with IC50 values of 6.33 and 5.60 microg/ml, resp.     

Transferrin synthesis by macrophages: up-regulation by γ-interferon and effect on lymphocyte proliferation

Abstract We have investigated transferrin synthesis by human and mouse lymphoid and myeloid cells. It was found that transferrin synthesis is a property of mouse but not human macrophages, whereas in man T lymphocytes synthesised transferrin. Synthesis by mouse macrophages showed a dose-dependent increase in response to γ-interferon (γ-IFN), but iron added as ferric nitrilotriacetate had no effect. Macrophage-derived transferrin was found to contain iron already bound to it and was able to support Con A-stimulated mouse lymphocyte proliferation.     

The adhesion of putative probiotic lactobacilli to cultured epithelial cells and porcine intestinal mucus

Aims: To investigate the adhesion of lactobacilli and their subsequent competitive exclusion ability against pathogens. Methods and Results: Four species of putative probiotic lactobacilli were studied for their adhesion abilities. First, the adhesion to Caco‐2 cells was examined by light and electron microscopy. The four species were then labelled by [methyl‐³H] thymidine and their adhesion to porcine intestinal mucus was determined by radioactivity. The tested lactobacilli showed best adhesion on ileal mucus compared with duodenal and jujenal mucus. Oxidative compound pre‐treatment (NaIO₃ and NaIO₄) dramatically decreased the adhesion of the lactobacilli to mucus. Pre‐treating mucus with proteolytic enzymes (proteinase K and trypsin) resulted in the increase of adhesion in Lactobacillus serotype Reuteri I2021, but the results in the other species were variable. Lactobacillus serotype Fermentum I5007 showed greatest adhesion potential and exerted the best competitive exclusion against Salmonella and Escherichia. Conclusions: Adhesion ability in lactobacilli is species‐specific. Lactobacilli with higher adhesion index have better competitive exclusion ability. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study suggests that there is a positive correlation between adhesion and competitive exclusion ability of lactobacilli. Additionally, the in vitro adhesion assay is a feasible way to screen unknown lactobacilli, potentially for future industrial applications.     

微生物发酵前后的四君子汤制剂对体外小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖的影响

目的微生物发酵对四君子汤制剂免疫作用的影响。方法采用MTT法检测发酵前后的四君子汤制剂对体外脾淋巴细胞增殖功能的差异,评价微生物发酵对四君子汤制剂功能的影响。结果对体外淋巴细胞增殖的作用,四君子汤制剂在浓度为1600μg/mL、四君子汤发酵液在800Ixg／mL时表现最明显。结论发酵后的制剂作用明显优于未发酵制剂。     

Role of iron-ATP complex in lymphocyte proliferation and infiltration

The roles of sodium-ATP (NaATP) and ferric-ATP complex (FeATP) on the proliferation and infiltration of lymphocytes have been studied by evaluation of the hypertrophy and histopathologic examination of spleen and liver, as well of the modifications in the elemental balance of iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. The results showed that in the implicated biochemical processes, calcium and magnesium have a principal role. An in vitro study on a cell model has permited one to evaluate the effects of deferoxamine, a known iron chelator and inhibitor of human lymphocyte proliferation, on FeATP-modified cellular calcium fluxes. These findings showing a reduced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake in the presence of deferoxamine appear to indicate that in vivo the chelation of blood-borne iron by ATP might play a key role in proliferation and infiltration of lymphocytes, leading to lymphoma development.     

Effect of culture medium and cryoprotectants on the growth and survival of probiotic lactobacilli during freeze drying

Aims:  To investigate the effects of the medium and cryoprotective agents used on the growth and survival of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG during freeze drying.
Methods and Results:  A complex medium was developed consisting primarily of glucose, yeast extract and vegetable-derived peptone. Trehalose, sucrose and sorbitol were examined for their ability to protect the cells during freeze drying. Using standardized amount of cells and the optimized freeze drying media, the effect of the growth medium on cell survival during freeze drying was investigated. The results showed that glucose and yeast extract were the most important growth factors, while sucrose offered better protection than trehalose and sorbitol during freeze drying. When the cells were grown under carbon limiting conditions, their survival during freeze drying was significantly decreased.
Conclusions:  A clear relationship was observed between cell growth and the ability of the cells to survive during the freeze drying process.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The survival of probiotic strains during freeze drying was shown to be dependent on the cryoprotectant used and the growth medium.     

The effect of probiotic bacteria on the adhesion of pathogens to human intestinal mucus

Human intestinal glycoproteins extracted from faeces were used as a model for intestinal mucus to investigate adhesion of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains, and the effect of probiotics on this adhesion. S-fimbriated E. coli expressed relatively high adhesion in the mucus model, but the other tested pathogens adhered less effectively. Probiotic strains Lactobacillus GG and L. rhamnosus LC-705 as well as a L. rhamnosus isolated from human faeces were able to slightly reduce S-fimbria-mediated adhesion. Adhesion of S. typhimurium was significantly inhibited by probiotic L. johnsonii LJ1 and L. casei Shirota. Lactobacillus GG and L. rhamnosus (human isolate) increased the adhesion of S. typhimurium suggesting that the pathogen interacts with the probiotic.     

The impact of bacteriophages on probiotic bacteria and gut microbiota diversity

The human body is colonized by a vast array of bacteria whose diversity is largely affected by predation of bacteriophages. Here, we discussed the impact of bacteriophages on the composition of human intestinal microbiota as well as on the survival and thus efficacy of probiotic bacteria in the human gut.     

Modulation of anti-inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide stimulated human THP-1 cell line and mouse model at gene expression level with indigenous putative probiotic lactobacilli

The anti-inflammatory potential of eight indigenous probiotic Lactobacillus isolates was evaluated in vitro in terms of modulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells under inflammatory conditions. Amongst these, Lactobacillus plantarum Lp91 was the most potent anti-inflammatory strain as it evoked a significant (P < 0.001) down-regulation of TNF-α by −1.45-fold relative to the control in THP-1 cells. However, in terms of IL-6 expression, all the strains could up-regulate its expression considerably at different levels. Hence, based on in vitro expression of TNF-α, Lp91 was selected for in vivo study in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model to look at the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and E-selectin in mouse aorta. In LPS challenged (2 h) mice group fed with Lp91 for 10 days, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin expressions were significantly down-regulated by 3.10-, 10.02-, 4.22-, −3.14-, 2.28- and 5.71-fold relative to control conditions. In conclusion, Lp91 could serve as a candidate probiotic strain to explore it as a possible biotherapeutic anti-inflammatory agent against inflammatory diseases including cardiovascular disease.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12263-013-0347-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Transglutaminase and polyamine dependence of effector functions of human immunocompetent cells: The effect of specific inhibitors on lymphocyte proliferation and granulocyte chemiluminescence

The effects of the transglutaminase inhibitor dansyl cadaverine (DC) and the polyamine antagonist methyl glyoxal-bis-(guanylhydrazone) (MeGbG) on the response of lymphocytes towards allogeneic and lectin stimulation and on the zymosan-induced chemiluminescence of neutrophilic granulocytes was studied. Application of DC resulted in dose-dependent suppression of chemiluminiscence and lymphocyte proliferation; no difference of inhibitory potential occurred with variation of incubation time in the latter system. MeGbG was inactive in granulocytes, but inhibited lymphocyte proliferation; its effect increased with time. The experiments provide further evidence for the importance of transglutaminases and polyamines for the function of immunocompetent cells.     

4种市售抗生素对发酵床垫料中益生微生物生长的影响

目的研究不同剂量土霉素、盐酸环丙沙星、克拉霉素、乙酰甲喹对垫料中益生微生物生长的影响。方法以饲料中抗生素添加量、抗生素在动物体内转化率为依据,观察0.1×国标、1×国标和10×国标对应的抗生素残留对垫料中主要益生微生物生长的影响。结果与空白组相比,0.1×国标的土霉素和克拉霉素残留对3种益生微生物影响小,盐酸环丙沙星和乙酰甲喹残留使枯草芽胞杆菌和酵母菌数量不可检测;1×国标量的土霉素残留对3种益生微生物影响较小,而盐酸环丙沙星、克拉霉素、乙酰甲喹残留造成了益生微生物的不可检测;除植物乳杆菌在10×国标的土霉素残留中生长变化小外,所有检测菌在该浓度其他抗生素残留中均不可检测。结论土霉素、盐酸环丙沙星、克拉霉素、乙酰甲喹残留对垫料中主要益生微生物生长均有不同程度的影响。     

The effect of mouse euthanasia technique on subsequent lymphocyte proliferation and cell mediated lympholysis assays

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects that specific euthanasia methods have on mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation (LP) and the induction of alloantigen specific cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL). Mice were euthanatized by cervical dislocation (CD), or anesthesia with methoxyflurane or pentobarbital followed by CD (M-CD or P-CD respectively), CO2 overexposure (CO2-OD) or halothane overexposure (H-OD). Mitogenic lymphoproliferation was increased in cells derived from mice euthanatized by M-CD and P-CD. In contrast, the cytolytic profile of CTL derived from mice euthanatized by P-CD, CO2-OD and H-OD was decreased. The results of this study show that euthanasia techniques involving the use of methoxyflurane, pentobarbital, CO2 and halothane affect in vitro lymphoproliferation and CTL function. We conclude that the method of euthanasia influences certain immunologic parameters and selection of a particular technique should be given careful consideration.     

三肽囊素对鸡脾脏淋巴细胞增殖转化、IL-2和IL-6分泌及其基因表达的影响

为探讨人工合成的三肽囊素（BS）作为新型免疫增强剂的作用机制,本研究采用MTT比色法、放射免疫测定法（RIA）和相对半定量RT—PCR法,分别研究了BS对体外培养的鸡脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖、对白细胞介素2（IL-2）和白细胞介素6（IL-6）分泌及其mRNA表达水平的影响。试验结果表明,0．5μg／ml、5μg／ml和50μg／mlBs处理36h,均可显著提高ConA诱导的脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖反应性;5μg／mlBs处理能显著促进脾脏淋巴细胞分泌IL-6,显著升高IL-6mRNA表达水平,但对IL-2的分泌及其mRNA表达水平无显著影响。本研究结果进一步提示,Bs可能主要通过激活IL-6基因的表达和促进脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖反应,从而发挥其体液免疫增强作用[动物学报52（1）：170—174,2006]。     

基于耐酸性与抑菌性效果的益生菌候选菌株体外筛选研究

目的 基于筛选耐酸性强和抑菌效果好的菌株为靶点,为益生菌研发提供优良的候选菌株。考察菌株耐酸性与抑菌性的相关性,为益生菌快速筛选探索新方法。方法 选取62株不同乳杆菌、魏斯菌、粪肠球菌,在酸性程度不同的培养基中采用接种培养的方式研究受试菌株耐酸能力。用大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌作为指示菌,采用牛津杯法研究受试菌株的抑菌能力。分析同种细菌的耐酸能力和抑菌能力的相关关系。结果 在酸性环境下,受试菌株存活率超过50%的有22株,耐酸性较强的菌株有DMLA16017、DMLA16116、DMLA16117、DMLA16118和DMLA16131。受试菌株对病原菌的抑菌力较强的有DMLA16017、DMLA16009、DMLA16118、DMLA16002和DMLA15015。结论 鼠李糖乳杆菌DMLA16017和发酵乳杆菌DMLA16118在耐酸性和抑菌性上表现出优良性状。可以通过受试菌株对酸性耐受能力指示受试菌株对病原菌抑制能力,实现对受试菌株的快速筛选。     

精氨酸加压素对大鼠抗体产生和淋巴细胞增殖的上调作用

大鼠侧脑室注射１００ｎｇ精氨酸加压素（ＡＶＰ）,用ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测血中对鸡卵白 白抗原产生的ＩｇＧ抗体水平。结果显示,ＩｇＧ水平高于对照,而ＡＶＰ的Ｖ１受体阻断剂ＤＰＡＶＰ则可阻断此作用;ｉｃｖ８００ｎｇＡＶＰ,大鼠的ＳＲＢＣ溶血素 水平高于对照;ｉｃｖ１００ｎｇ、８００ｎｇＡＶＰ２ｈ后,脾淋巴细胞对ＭＴＴ产生的颜色反应均比对照增加,而ＤＰＡＶＰ可阻断之;ｉｃｖ８００ＡＶＰ２ｈ后,脾淋巴细胞对ＭＴ     

Effects of caloric restriction on age-related oxidative modifications of macromolecules and lymphocyte proliferation in rats

Decreased immune function associated with aging has been demonstrated in both humans and animals. We hypothesize that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated damage to biological macromolecules may contribute to compromised immune response during aging. In this study, we compared the levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidatively modified proteins in plasma and splenocytes, and the mitogen-induced T lymphocyte proliferation in ad lib-fed (AL) and caloric restricted (CR) Fischer 344 × BNF₁ male rats at the ages of 5, 18, and 31 months. The results show that AL rats exhibit an age-related decrease in proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A). This functional decline in T-lymphocytes during aging is inversely correlated to the levels of both lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl in the plasma and splenic lymphocytes. Caloric restriction, however, can partially reverse the age-dependent decrease in T lymphocyte proliferation and significantly reduce lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl contents in plasma and splenocytes. The above observations support the hypothesis that the age-associated declines in immune function are related to the oxidative modification of biological macromolecules, which in turn may lead to enzyme inactivation, membrane disruption, and cell senescence. One of the mechanisms by which caloric restriction reverses declined immune function in aged rats is hypothesized to be through reduction in ROS production and thereby protection of cellular macromolecules against oxidative damage.