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Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. They are used to promote gut health and alleviate various disorders. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the potential effects of probiotics on human physiology. In the presented study, the effects of probiotic treatment on the metabolic profiles of human urine and serum using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomic approach were investigated. Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study, and they received two different dosages of probiotics for 8 weeks. During the study, urine and serum samples were collected from volunteers before and during probiotic supplementation. The results showed that probiotics had a significant impact on the urinary and serum metabolic profiles without altering their phenotypes. This study demonstrated the effects of probiotics in terms of variations of metabolite levels resulting also from the different probiotic posology. Overall, the results suggest that probiotic administration may affect both urine and serum metabolomes, although more research is needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of these effects. NMR-based metabonomic analysis of biofluids is a powerful tool for monitoring host-gut microflora dynamic interaction as well as for assessing the individual response to probiotic treatment.

Gut microbiota is considered as a complex organ of human body. The interaction between the host and microbiota is dynamic and controlled by a huge number of factors, such as lifestyle, geography, pharmaceuticals, diet, and stress. The breakdown of this relationship could change microbiota composition favoring the onset of several diseases, including cancer. Metabolites released by microbiota bacterial strains have been reported to elicit protective effects on the mucosa that could contrast cancer development and progression. Here, we tested the ability of specific probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarumOC01-derived metabolites (NCIMB 30624) to contrast the malignant features of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

Oxalate is the salt-forming ion of oxalic acid and can generate oxalate salts combining with various cations, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Approximately 75 of all kidney stones are composed primarily of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and hyperoxaluria, a condition involving high urinary oxalate concentration, is considered a primary risk factor for kidney stone formation, known as nephrolithiasis.

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, is the phenomenon of the gut wall exhibiting increased absorbency. It is pretty well recognised that an altered or damaged bowel lining or gut wall may result from unbalanced diet, parasites, infection, or medications and that this allows substances such as toxins, microbes, undigested food, or waste to leak through. As a natural consequence, this prompts the body to initiate an immune reaction leading to potentially severe health conditions. Different strategies may be used to improve, at least temporarily, the physiological intestinal barrier. The use of specific beneficial microorganisms, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, has been suggested as an innovative tool to counteract an improper level of intestinal permeability. The association of bacteria with specific gelling agents, such as gums, may represent an improvement since these molecules are able to form hydrophilic gels that distribute uniformly over the inner intestinal surface. This pilot study was undertaken to evaluate intestinal permeability in subjects treated with a gelling complex, an association of tara gum and the microorganism Streptococcus thermophilusST10 (DSM 25246), which has a well-demonstrated in vitro ability to synthesise and secrete exopolysaccharides (EPSs).

The inhibition of physiological gastric acid secretion induced by proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the most widely used drugs in the world, may cause a significant bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract as a side effect. This study was undertaken firstly to correlate PPI intake with concentration of specific bacterial groups in the stomach as well as possible Helicobacter pyloriinfection, and secondly to assess the efficacy of the 4 lactobacilli L. rhamnosusLR06 (DSM 21981), L. pentosusLPS01 (DSM 21980), L. plantarumLP01 (LMG P-21021), and L. delbrueckiisubsp. delbrueckiiLDD01 (DSM 22106) in the restoration of a physiological gastric barrier.

Minerals, often referred to as micronutrients, are one of the 5 fundamental groups of nutrients needed to sustain life. Micronutrient malnutrition affects >50 of the worldwide population. In particular, zinc (Zn) deficiency is considered an emerging public health problem in India and in other developing countries. Selenium (Se) is another trace mineral essential for humans and animals. Dietary Se exists primarily as selenomethionine and selenocysteine. In addition, Se may be present in its inorganic form (selenite) in some vegetables. To increase the daily intake of these minerals, numerous food supplements containing different inorganic and organic forms of Zn or Se are commercially available. At any rate, it is quite well known that inorganic salts have a very low bioavailability. Organic salts, commonly based on gluconate, orotate, citrate, or other molecules, are characterized by a higher systemic effect. The innovative opportunity of using certain species of probiotics enriched with the 2 minerals could represent an interesting alternative to these preparations. Diet integration with bacteria able to internalize Zn and Se may embody a new application of probiotics.

Aim:Acinetobacter baumanniiis a pathogen of serious concern, often exhibiting multiple antibiotic resistance, frequently associated with hospital outbreaks in intensive care units. A prompt detection and tracking of these isolates is crucial. Reference methods for typing (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, whole-genome sequencing) are accurate, but expensive and time-consuming, therefore limited to retrospective analysis. Materials & methods:In this study, the application of the FTIR-based IR Biotyper®(IRBT) to track and monitor in real time the spread of a multidrug-resistant A. baumanniioutbreak was investigated. The index case and the multidrug-resistant A. baumanniiisolates collected in the following 3 weeks were investigated. Results:IR Biotyper®clustering results were fully confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results. Conclusions:IR Biotyper represent a promising tool for real-time hospital hygiene, enabling a prompt and reliable typing.