Oral probiotics potential for the management of dermatological diseases is vast. However, results of available studies in skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), are inconsistent, partly because probiotic effects are strain specific. Careful selection of probiotic strains is therefore indispensable to ensure efficacy of treatment. In this study, Lactobacillus salivarius LA307, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LA305 and Bifidobacterium bifidum PI22, three strains that were previously identified for their interesting immunomodulatory properties in allergy and/or colitis models, were assessed in the prevention of chronic skin inflammation induced by repeated applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in hairless SKH-1 mice. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of skin lesions was performed together with measurements of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-17, IL-22, IL-10 and IL-4. Daily oral treatment with the three strains at the dose of 1×10 cfu/day for 3 weeks limited the development of chronic skin inflammation, the effects being strain dependent. Indeed the two Lactobacillus strains significantly limited the intensity of skin inflammation both at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Macroscopic observations were correlated to the histological observations and the resulting microscopic score. This limitation of the development of AD-like skin lesions involved the modulation of cytokine production. Treatment with the two Lactobacillus strains induced a decrease in the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-22 and at the opposite an increase in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and also of IL-4. Globally, B. bifidum PI22 had lower benefits. These results obtained in mice suggest that L. salivarius LA307 and L. rhamnosus LA305 could be good candidates for preserving skin integrity and homeostasis via the modulation of the gut microbiota and that their use could be beneficial in dermatological conditions such as AD.
Melissa officinalis
L. (lemon balm) has been used for decades with symptomatic benefits in patients with digestive disorders. However, very little is known on the effects of
M. officinalis
on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study, the basal and spasmolytic properties of a hydroethanolic leaf extract (HLE) of
M. officinalis
were assessed
ex vivo
on different segments of the GI tract of mice after phytochemical characterization of the extract.
M. officinalis
HLE had site- and dose-dependent effects on the contractile activity of the GI tract, the motility response being impacted in the jejunum and ileum but not in the antrum and colon. The observed effects could be caused by the phenolic compounds (mainly rosmarinic acid) detected in the extract.
Background: The kidney development involves a wide variety of developmental processes requiring a lot of genes expressed in a sequential manner. The aim of the present study is to identify new genes involved in these processes. Methods: To obtain a view of the mouse embryonic kidney transcriptome we used the SADE method, which allows large-scale quantitative gene expression measurements. Results: 7,689 tags were sequenced from our library. Among the 4,507 unique transcripts yielded, 64% correspond to known genes, 22% ESTs, 12% unidentified genes. 472 genes were differentially expressed as compared to published adult kidney library. Among these, we identified several candidate genes and focused on a particular one: thymosin β4 (Tβ4), an actin-sequestering protein more highly expressed in fetal kidney. First we studied the in vivo expression patterns of Tβ4 transcript during kidney development. Tβ4 increases throughout the kidney development and remains high during active nephrogenesis. Moreover, the spatial distribution of Tβ4 mRNA was analysed and reveals that during active nephrogenesis (i.e., 18 dpc) Tβ4 is localised in differentiating glomeruli. In adult kidney, Tβ4 remains expressed in podocytes and collecting ducts. Conclusion: Our results provide the first demonstration of Tβ4 production in vivo by embryonic kidney and further show that Tβ4 is implicated in kidney organogenesis.
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