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Microorganisms
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Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health
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Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 14452

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luis Vitetta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Interests: clinical epidemiology; the human microbiome; probiotics and prebiotics and mood disorders; cellular redox potential and pro-oxidant signaling systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research continues to interrogate the intestinal microbiome, seeking to decipher the role of bacteria in health and disease. Studies have shown that the intestinal microbiome is shaped by a variety of environmental factors whose impacts dominate over and instruct the genetics of the host. This is critical given that commensal gut bacteria play a critical role in the ontology of early life immunity and beyond. Bacteria can stimulate the immune system, break down toxic food compounds, and synthesize vitamins (e.g., B12, vitamin K) and amino acids that constitute building blocks, for example, for key enzymes that synthesize vitamins such as B12.

The microbiota is vital to human health, hence by adopting nutritional practices such as high-fiber diets, the abundance and diversity of the intestinal bacteria in the gut can be maintained, which has a positive impact on health. The consumption of functional foods such as probiotics and prebiotics in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle provides the landscape for host immune–microbiome interactions that favor the health of the host.

Prof. Dr. Luis Vitetta
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • probiotics
  • prebiotics
  • lactobacilli
  • bifidobacteria
  • intestinal microbiome
  • bacteriophages

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 6433 KiB  
Article
Intestinal Effects of Filtered Alkalinized Water in Lean and Obese Zucker Rats
by Laura Doblado, Ligia Esperanza Díaz, Esther Nova, Ascensión Marcos and María Monsalve
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020316 - 2 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1431
Abstract
This study evaluated the intestinal effects of alkalinized filtered water in lean and obese adult Zucker rats. For 3 months, 12-week-old rats consumed either tap water or filtered alkalinized tap water from Madrid city. Weight gain was monitored, changes in metabolism were evaluated [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the intestinal effects of alkalinized filtered water in lean and obese adult Zucker rats. For 3 months, 12-week-old rats consumed either tap water or filtered alkalinized tap water from Madrid city. Weight gain was monitored, changes in metabolism were evaluated by indirect calorimetry, and total antioxidant capacity and levels of inflammatory mediators were measured in plasma. Feces were collected, their microbial composition was analyzed and histological analysis of the small and large intestine was performed, assessing the general state of the mucosa (MUC2), the inflammatory state (F4/80) and the presence of oxidative modifications in protein 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) by immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results obtained showed that the consumption of alkalinized filtered water improved the composition of the intestinal microbiome and the state of the intestinal mucosa, reducing both local and systemic inflammation and the level of oxidative stress. These changes were accompanied by a better maintenance of the oxidative status in rats. No differences were observed in antioxidant capacity nor in weight gain. The incorporation of probiotics in the diet had a significant impact on the microbiome. These effects were indicative of an improvement in general metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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12 pages, 1710 KiB  
Article
Sialyllactose Enhances the Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production and Barrier Function of Gut Epithelial Cells via Nonbifidogenic Modification of the Fecal Microbiome in Human Adults
by Yohei Sato, Masaya Kanayama, Shiori Nakajima, Yukihiro Hishida and Yuta Watanabe
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020252 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1883
Abstract
Although various benefits of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have been reported, such as promoting Bifidobacterium growth in the infant gut, their effects on adults have not been fully studied. This study investigated the effects of two types of sialyllactose, 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose [...] Read more.
Although various benefits of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have been reported, such as promoting Bifidobacterium growth in the infant gut, their effects on adults have not been fully studied. This study investigated the effects of two types of sialyllactose, 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), on the adult intestinal microbiome using the simulator of human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®), which can simulate human gastrointestinal conditions. HPLC metabolite analysis showed that sialyllactose (SL) supplementation increased the short-chain fatty acid content of SHIME culture broth. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that SL promoted the growth of Phascolarctobacterium and Lachnospiraceae, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, but not the growth of Bifidobacterium. Altogether, both types of SL stimulated an increase in short-chain fatty acids, including propionate and butyrate. Additionally, SHIME culture supernatant supplemented with SL improved the intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cell monolayers. These results suggest that SL could act as a unique prebiotic among other HMOs with a nonbifidogenic effect, resulting in intestinal barrier protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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20 pages, 2798 KiB  
Article
An Immobilized Form of a Blend of Essential Oils Improves the Density of Beneficial Bacteria, in Addition to Suppressing Pathogens in the Gut and Also Improves the Performance of Chicken Breeding
by Shyam Sundar Paul, Savaram Venkata Rama Rao, Rudra Nath Chatterjee, Mantena Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Raju, Ajay Kumar Mahato, Bhukya Prakash, Satya Pal Yadav, Alagarsamy Kannan, Godumagadda Narender Reddy, Vikas Kumar and Prakki Santosh Phani Kumar
Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11081960 - 31 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) are used in chicken production to suppress pathogens in the gut and improve performance, but such products tend to suppress beneficial bacteria while favoring the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. A green alternative to AGP with the ability [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) are used in chicken production to suppress pathogens in the gut and improve performance, but such products tend to suppress beneficial bacteria while favoring the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. A green alternative to AGP with the ability to suppress pathogens, but with an additional ability to spare beneficial gut bacteria and improve breeding performance is urgently required. We investigated the effect of supplementation of a blend of select essential oils (cinnamon oil, carvacrol, and thyme oil, henceforth referred to as EO; at two doses: 200 g/t and 400 g/t feed) exhibiting an ability to spare Lactobacillus while exhibiting strong E. coli inhibition ability under in vitro tests and immobilized in a sunflower oil and calcium alginate matrix, to broiler chickens and compared the effects with those of a probiotic yeast (Y), an AGP virginiamycin (V), and a negative control (C). qPCR analysis of metagenomic DNA from the gut content of experimental chickens indicated a significantly (p < 0.05) lower density of E. coli in the EO groups as compared to other groups. Amplicon sequence data of the gut microbiome indicated that all the additives had specific significant effects (DESeq2) on the gut microbiome, such as enrichment of uncultured Clostridia in the V and Y groups and uncultured Ruminococcaceae in the EO groups, as compared to the control. LEfSe analysis of the sequence data indicated a high abundance of beneficial bacteria Ruminococcaceae in the EO groups, Faecalibacterium in the Y group, and Blautia in the V group. Supplementation of the immobilized EO at the dose rate of 400 g/ton feed improved body weight gain (by 64 g/bird), feed efficiency (by 5 points), and cellular immunity (skin thickness response to phytoheamagglutinin lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris by 58%) significantly (p < 0.05), whereas neither yeast nor virginiamycin showed a significant effect on performance parameters. Expression of genes associated with gut barrier and immunity function such as CLAUDIN1, IL6, IFNG, TLR2A, and NOD1 were significantly higher in the EO groups. This study showed that the encapsulated EO mixture can improve the density of beneficial microbes in the gut significantly, with concomitant suppression of potential pathogens such as E.coli and improved performance and immunity, and hence, has a high potential to be used as an effective alternative to AGP in poultry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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12 pages, 1194 KiB  
Article
Prebiotic and Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Radish Green Polysaccharide
by Yu Ra Lee, Hye-Bin Lee, Yoonsook Kim, Kwang-Soon Shin and Ho-Young Park
Microorganisms 2023, 11(7), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071862 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2036
Abstract
Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) greens are consumed as a source of nutrition, and their polysaccharides such as rhamnogalacturonan-I possess certain beneficial properties. This study investigated the prebiotic effects of a radish green polysaccharide (RGP) on gut health and obesity. The prebiotic activity [...] Read more.
Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) greens are consumed as a source of nutrition, and their polysaccharides such as rhamnogalacturonan-I possess certain beneficial properties. This study investigated the prebiotic effects of a radish green polysaccharide (RGP) on gut health and obesity. The prebiotic activity of RGP was evaluated based on the pH changes and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration. The results showed that 0.5% RGP had a higher prebiotic activity score than inulin and increased SCFAs production in all five prebiotic strains. Moreover, RGP inhibited fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, indicating its potential to reduce obesity. Overall, these findings suggested that the polysaccharide of radish greens has prebiotic effects and may serve as a beneficial prebiotic for gut health and obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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16 pages, 941 KiB  
Article
Characteristic Gut Bacteria in High Barley Consuming Japanese Individuals without Hypertension
by Satoko Maruyama, Tsubasa Matsuoka, Koji Hosomi, Jonguk Park, Mao Nishimura, Haruka Murakami, Kana Konishi, Motohiko Miyachi, Hitoshi Kawashima, Kenji Mizuguchi, Toshiki Kobayashi, Tadao Ooka, Zentaro Yamagata and Jun Kunisawa
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051246 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3237
Abstract
Background: Barley, a grain rich in soluble dietary fiber β-glucan, is expected to lower blood pressure. Conversely, individual differences in its effects on the host might be an issue, and gut bacterial composition may be a determinant. Methods: Using data from a cross-sectional [...] Read more.
Background: Barley, a grain rich in soluble dietary fiber β-glucan, is expected to lower blood pressure. Conversely, individual differences in its effects on the host might be an issue, and gut bacterial composition may be a determinant. Methods: Using data from a cross-sectional study, we examined whether the gut bacterial composition could explain the classification of a population with hypertension risks despite their high barley consumption. Participants with high barley intake and no occurrence of hypertension were defined as “responders” (n = 26), whereas participants with high barley intake and hypertension risks were defined as “non-responders” (n = 39). Results: 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that feces from the responders presented higher levels of Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae UCG-013, Lachnospira, and Subdoligranulum and lower levels of Lachnoclostridium and Prevotella 9 than that from non-responders. We further created a machine-learning responder classification model using random forest based on gut bacteria with an area under the curve value of 0.75 for estimating the effect of barley on the development of hypertension. Conclusions: Our findings establish a link between the gut bacteria characteristics and the predicted control of blood pressure provided by barley intake, thereby providing a framework for the future development of personalized dietary strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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Review

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19 pages, 1453 KiB  
Review
Probiotics and Commensal Bacteria Metabolites Trigger Epigenetic Changes in the Gut and Influence Beneficial Mood Dispositions
by Luis Vitetta, Matthew Bambling and Esben Strodl
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051334 - 18 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3681
Abstract
The effect of the intestinal microbiome on the gut–brain axis has received considerable attention, strengthening the evidence that intestinal bacteria influence emotions and behavior. The colonic microbiome is important to health and the pattern of composition and concentration varies extensively in complexity from [...] Read more.
The effect of the intestinal microbiome on the gut–brain axis has received considerable attention, strengthening the evidence that intestinal bacteria influence emotions and behavior. The colonic microbiome is important to health and the pattern of composition and concentration varies extensively in complexity from birth to adulthood. That is, host genetics and environmental factors are complicit in shaping the development of the intestinal microbiome to achieve immunological tolerance and metabolic homeostasis from birth. Given that the intestinal microbiome perseveres to maintain gut homeostasis throughout the life cycle, epigenetic actions may determine the effect on the gut–brain axis and the beneficial outcomes on mood. Probiotics are postulated to exhibit a range of positive health benefits including immunomodulating capabilities. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are genera of bacteria found in the intestines and so far, the benefits afforded by ingesting bacteria such as these as probiotics to people with mood disorders have varied in efficacy. Most likely, the efficacy of probiotic bacteria at improving mood has a multifactorial dependency, relying namely on several factors that include the agents used, the dose, the pattern of dosing, the pharmacotherapy used, the characteristics of the host and the underlying luminal microbial environment (e.g., gut dysbiosis). Clarifying the pathways linking probiotics with improvements in mood may help identify the factors that efficacy is dependent upon. Adjunctive therapies with probiotics for mood disorders could, through DNA methylation molecular mechanisms, augment the intestinal microbial active cohort and endow its mammalian host with important and critical co-evolutionary redox signaling metabolic interactions, that are embedded in bacterial genomes, and that in turn can enhance beneficial mood dispositions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods, Prebiotics and Probiotics Strengthening Intestinal Microbiome Health)
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