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Aims: To evaluate a mixture of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (a riboflavin‐producer, a folate‐producer and an immunomodulatory strain) as co‐adjuvant for 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) chemotherapy in cell culture and using a 4T1 cell animal model of breast cancer. Methods and results: The viability of Caco‐2 cells exposed to 5‐FU and/or LAB was analysed. Mice bearing breast tumour were treated with 5‐FU and/or LAB. Tumour growth was measured. Intestinal mucositis (IM) was evaluated in small intestine; haematological parameters and plasma cytokines were determined. The bacterial mixture did not negatively affect the cytotoxic activity of 5‐FU on Caco‐2 cells. The LAB mixture attenuated the IM and prevented blood cell decreases associated with 5‐FU treatment. Mice that received 5‐FU and LAB mixture decreased tumour growth and showed modulation of systemic cytokines modified by both tumour growth and 5‐FU treatment. The LAB mixture by itself delayed tumour growth. Conclusions: The mixture of selected LAB was able to reduce the side‐effects associated with chemotherapy without affecting its primary anti‐tumour activity. Significance and Impact of the Study: This bacterial mixture could prevent the interruption of conventional oncologic therapies by reducing undesirable side‐effects. In addition, this blend would provide essential nutrients (vitamins) to oncology patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the competitive sorption of heavy metals onto sediments by means of a planned multifactorial experiment yielded equations describing the mutual influence of the zinc(II), cadmium(II), lead(II), and copper(II) cations in the sorption process, with the coefficients in the equations indicating the degrees of this influence. The competition between the metal ions significantly increases their mobility. Lead(II) and copper(II) cations prevent the binding of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) cations to sediments and promote their mobilization. Cadmium is a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems because of its mobility and high toxicity. After refinement under natural conditions the resulting mathematical models can be used for assessing and predicting the environmental risks of water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Fe concentrations in sediments, bottom waters, and benthic macroinvertebrates (Amphipoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Hirudinea, and Oligochaeta) collected at six coastal stations in the Eastern Gulf of Finland were determined with the aim to reveal the features of heavy metals bioaccumulation in the macrozoobenthos. It was shown that benthic macroinvertebrates accumulate Mn, Fe, and Zn more actively than Pb, Cu, and Cd, while Hirudinea and Oligochaeta worms have enhanced accumulative capacities as compared to amphipods and mollusks. A close relationship was found between the Zn and Pb concentrations in the sediments and amphipods, but for the other elements no reliable relationship was observed. It was recommended to use organisms of other trophic levels along with zoobenthos and data on heavy metal concentrations in sediments for chemical monitoring of coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate two folate‐producing strains, Streptococcus (Strep.) thermophilus CRL 808 and Strep. thermophilus CRL 415, against chemically induced mucositis in mice. Methods and Results: In vitro assays with Caco‐2 cells were performed to evaluate the effect of the bacteria in the presence of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). For in vivo studies, mice were daily injected with 5‐FU to induce intestinal mucositis (IM) and orally administered with folate‐producing strains during 6 days. Clinical symptoms, histological parameters and cytokine profiles were assessed. The results showed that Strep. thermophilus CRL 808 increased the cytotoxicity of 5‐FU against Caco‐2 cells. Administration of this strain in mice with chemically induced IM resulted in a reduction in diarrhoea score and restoration of the intestinal architecture. Cytokine analysis showed that the anti‐inflammatory effect by the bacterium is not associated with an immune mechanism. Regarding Strep. thermophilus CRL 415, no improvements were observed in any of the parameters evaluated. Conclusion: The administration of the folate‐producing Strep. thermophilus CRL 808 has the potential to prevent IM induced by 5‐FU in mice. Significance and Impact of the Study: Folate‐producing LAB could be used in chemotherapy patients to reduce the symptoms of IM, improve their nutritional status and increase the effectiveness of 5‐FU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the anti-inflammatory effect associated with individual probiotic suspensions of riboflavin-producing lactic acid bacteria ( LAB) in a colitis murine model. Methods and Results Mice intrarectally inoculated with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid ( TNBS) were orally administered with individual suspensions of riboflavin-producing strains: Lactobacillus (Lact.) plantarum CRL2130, Lact. paracasei CRL76, Lact. bulgaricus CRL871 and Streptococcus thermophilus CRL803; and a nonriboflavin-producing strain or commercial riboflavin. The extent of colonic damage and inflammation and microbial translocation to liver were evaluated. iNOs enzyme was analysed in the intestinal tissues and cytokine concentrations in the intestinal fluids. Animals given either one of the four riboflavin-producing strains showed lower macroscopic and histologic damage scores, lower microbial translocation to liver, significant decreases of iNOs+ cells in their large intestines and decreased proinflammatory cytokines, compared with mice without treatment. The administration of pure riboflavin showed similar benefits. Lact. paracasei CRL76 accompanied its anti-inflammatory effect with increased IL-10 levels demonstrating other beneficial properties in addition to the vitamin production. Conclusion Administration of riboflavin-producing strains prevented the intestinal damage induced by TNBS in mice. Significance and Impact of the Study Riboflavin-producing phenotype in LAB represents a potent tool to select them for preventing/treating IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine if CD31 is a novel marker of a circulating angio-vasculogenic cell population and to establish the cells' therapeutic effects on experimental ischemia.Background: Emerging evidence suggested that therapeutic mechanisms underlying various bone marrow-derived cells are due to paracrine effects. Furthermore, the vasculogenic potential of these cells is under debate. CD31 is a well-known marker for endothelial cells but is also expressed in a fraction of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells.Methods: CD31(+) cells were isolated from human PB by magnetic-activated cell sorting. The gene expression profile was examined by deoxyribonucleic acid microarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Various in vitro endothelial differentiation or vasculogenic assays were conducted. Finally, cells were directly implanted into a mouse hind limb ischemia model to test angiogenic-vasculogenic and therapeutic effects.Results: Fluorescent-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that PB-CD31(+) cells exhibited endothelial and hematopoietic stem/progenitor markers. CD31(+) cells had higher levels of expression of proangiogenic genes on microarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and generated higher numbers of endothelial progenitor cells than CD31(-) cells did. CD31(+) cells spontaneously formed vascular tubelike structures and exhibited an endothelial cell phenotype in vitro. In a hind limb ischemia model, CD31(+) cell transplantation augmented blood perfusion and prevented limb loss. Both angiogenic cytokines and capillary density were increased, suggesting CD31(+) cells augmented neovascularization.Conclusions: CD31 is a novel marker that designates circulating angiogenic and vasculogenic cells. These cells are easily isolated from human PB and thus are a novel candidate for treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]