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Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by erythematous plaques. It is rather common, affecting 2-4% of the population in western countries. Psoriasis' etiology encompasses both genetic and environmental factors. Evidence suggests that the latter reflect the importance of changes in the microbiome for developing the disease. Thus, it is hypothesized that gut microbiome manipulation may arise as a way of treating psoriasis. However, few trials assessed the use of probiotics in psoriasis, although promising results were detected in small studies. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of adjuvant probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) in treating plaque psoriasis patients. This was a randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with two arms: experimental (n = 50) and control (n = 53). Inclusion of subjects and data gathering lasted from November 2020 to August 2021. Subjects were consecutive plaque psoriasis patients under regular follow-up in the Dermatology unit of a university-affiliated, tertiary-referral hospital in São Paulo (Brazil). Eligibility criteria included being over 18 years old, having plaque psoriasis and not having other skin diseases, neoplasms nor systemic inflammatory diseases. Subjects received standard-of-care plus probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus formula). Controls received standard-of-care plus placebo. Primary outcome was skin lesion improvement as assessed by psoriasis area of severity index (PASI) at six months. Secondary outcome was quality-of-life as assessed by dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at six months. Regarding within-group analyses, changes in both PASI and DLQI were non-significant for the experimental group (mean PASI decreased by 1.58, p = 0.105, and mean DLQI increased by 0.05, p = 0.873) and significant for controls (mean PASI decreased by 1.90, p = 0.019, and mean DLQI decreased by 3.33, p = 0.031). Between-group analyses returned non-significant results (p = 0.620). Our findings do not support the hypothesis that gut microbiome modulation via ingestion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus produces clinical improvement in psoriasis patients. Further research is encouraged.Trial registration: Retrospectively registered at the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-8js7t83) on 08/02/2022., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Based on screening for potential beneficial lactic acid bacteria from Coalho cheese produced in the North-East region of Brazil, eight strains belonging to Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum were selected. All investigated strains presented low levels of hydrophobicity. Different levels of coaggregation were observed for tested Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. plantarum with Listeria monocytogenes. All strains were able to grow in presence of 0.5% of the sodium salts of taurocholic acid (TC), taurodeoxycholic acid (TDC), and glycocholic acid (GC) and showed the ability to deconjugate only TC, TDC, and GC. Investigated Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. plantarum strains showed good survival when exposed to the conditions simulating the GIT conditions. Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. plantarum strains were tested for presence of virulence, antibiotic resistance, and biogenic amine production genes. In addition, minimum inhibititory concentration (MIC) of selected antibiotics was determined. Production of antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins) was investigated. However, only Lb. rhamnosus EM253 produced bacteriocin at level 800 arbitrary unit (AU) mL against L. monocytogenes 211. The bacteriocin remained stable at pH from 2.0 to 10.0 and after exposure at 100 °C for 120 min and in presence of surfactants and salts. Studied Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. plantarum strains showed good potential to be applied as a functional coculture/s with beneficial properties in the production of Coalho cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from goat milk were selected to produce fermented goat's milk (FGM) with licuri fruit from the biome of Brazil. The performance of commercial cultures (CC), including Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12) cultures, was compared with that of autochthonous cultures (AC). The AC, including cultures of 10 LAB isolates identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus , were selected for their acidification properties and evaluated against the CC for their techno-functional properties. The AC showed techno-functional properties similar to or better than those of the CC. For FGM production, two culture mixture were used to give FGM1 (from CC) and FGM2 (from AC). FGM2 showed higher populations, greater acidification and proteolytic activity and less degradation of total phenolic contents over time than FGM1. FGM2 obtained higher scores for sensory attributes and consumer preference. Thus, AC are functional cultures that promote greater sensorial acceptance than CC. The use of AC and the licuri fruit for the FGM production offers the additional benefit of being a local food product. Image 1 • Autochthonous cultures (AC) showed antioxidant activity similar to or better than commercial cultures (CC). • AC showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity better than CC. • Fermented goat milk (FGM) with licuri was elaborated with CC (FGM1) and AC (FGM2). • FGM2 received higher scores than FGM1 for sensory attributes. • FGM2 is a biofunctional product with a guaranteed close link to the territory of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]