Probiotics could represent an effective alternative to the use of synthetic substances in nutrition and medicine. The data concerning the efficacy of probiotics are often contradictory. This paper focuses on the enhancement of the efficacy of probiotics by their combination with synergistically acting components of natural origin. Maltodextrins can be obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and are suitable for consumption. Administration of Lactobacillus paracasei together with maltodextrin decreased the number of Escherichia coli colonising the jejunal mucosa of gnotobiotic piglets by 1 logarithm compared to the control group. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are naturally occurring oligosaccharides, mainly of plant origin. L. paracasei administered in combination with FOS significantly increased counts of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., total anaerobes and total aerobes compared to the control group as well as the L. paracasei group. It also significantly decreased Clostridium and Enterobacterium counts in the faeces of the weanling piglets compared with the control group. Dietary lipids influence the gastrointestinal microbiota and specifically the population of lactic acid bacteria. In gnotobiotic piglets the oral administration of an oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) significantly increased the number of L. paracasei adhering to jejunal mucosa compared to the control group. Our results showed that maltodextrin KMS X-70 and PUFA can be used to enhance the effect of probiotic micro-organisms in the small intestine, and similarly FOS enhance the effect of probiotic micro-organisms in the large intestine.Probiotics: Maltodextrin: Fructo-oligosaccharides: Polyunsaturated fatty acids
This first report of mild deficiency of IGF-I activity demonstrates that the integrity of IGF-I signaling is important for normal growth and brain development. Molecular defects leading to partial loss of IGF-I activity may not be uncommon in patients born small for gestational age. The characterization of this complex phenotype and identification of such molecular defects have therapeutic implications, particularly now that, in addition to GH, recombinant IGF-I is available for clinical use.
Mucous membranes of the body are in direct contact with the outside environment and they are colonised by a large number of different bacteria. Through mucous membranes, the organism is in permanent con-tact with different antigens. Mucous surfaces are protected by many defence mechanisms that ensure a permanent and effective protection. They include the production of secretory IgA, the production of mucus, cytoprotective peptides, defensins etc. Indigenous microflora markedly affects the structure of the host mucous, its function, and the development of the whole immune system. Protective microflora prevents pathogens from adhering by competi-tion for substrates and places of adhesion, and they simultaneously produce antibacterial substances and stimulate the production of specific antibodies and mucus. The early colonisation of the gut with living micro-organisms is important for the development of the gut protection barrier. The number of immune and epithelial cells increases. Probiotic micro-organisms including lactic acid bacteria (LAB) positively influence the composition of the gut microflora; they stimulate the production of secretory IgA; they affect the targeted transportation of the luminal antigens to Peyer’s patches and they increase the production of IFN-g. LAB stimulate the activity of non-specific and specific immune cells. These properties of the LAB depend on the particular species or strain of bacteria. These singularities are probably determined by differences in the cell wall composition. LAB belong to a group of benefi-cially acting bacteria and they are able to eliminate damage to the gut microenvironment; they stimulate local and systemic immune responses and they maintain the integrity of the gut wall.
Context
IGF-I is essential for fetal and postnatal development. Only three IGF1 defects leading to dramatic loss of binding to its type 1 receptor, IGF-1R, have been reported.
Patient
We describe a very lean boy who has intrauterine growth restriction and progressive postnatal growth failure associated with normal hearing, microcephaly, and mild intellectual impairment. He had markedly reduced concentrations of IGF-I, with IGFBP-3 and ALS serum levels in the upper normal range or above. IGF-I serum concentrations differed according to the immunoassay used. A higher than average GH dose was required for catch-up growth. Given the mismatch between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, we sequenced his IGF1 gene.
Result
We identified a homozygous missense IGF1 mutation. This causes the replacement of a highly conserved amino acid (arginine 36) by a glutamine (R36Q) in the C domain of the predicted peptide. We showed that the abnormal IGF-I peptide has reduced mitogenic activity and partial loss of binding to its receptor IGF-1R. The patient’s IGF-I level was undetectable in a highly specific monoclonal assay but elevated in a polyclonal assay.
Conclusion
This first report of mild deficiency of IGF-I activity demonstrates that the integrity of IGF-I signaling is important for normal growth and brain development. Molecular defects leading to partial loss of IGF-I activity may not be uncommon in patients born small for gestational age. The characterization of this complex phenotype and identification of such molecular defects have therapeutic implications, particularly now that, in addition to GH, recombinant IGF-I is available for clinical use.
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