Bifidobacteria—Insight into clinical outcomes and mechanisms of its probiotic action

Abstract

The invasion of pathogens causes a disruption of the gut homeostasis. Innate immune responses and those triggered by endogenous microbiota form the first line of defence in our body. Pathogens often successfully overcome the resistances offered, calling for therapeutic intervention. Conventional strategy involving antibiotics might eradicate pathogens, but often leave the gut uncolonised and susceptible to recurrences. Probiotic supplements are useful alternatives. Bifidobacterium is one of widely studied probiotic genus, effective in restoring gut homeostasis. Mechanisms of probiotic action of bifidobacteria are several, often with strain-specificity. Analysis of streamlined literature reports reveal that although most studies report the probiotic aspect of bifidobacteria, sporadic documented contradictory results exist, challenging its therapeutic application and prompting studies to unambiguously establish the strain-associated probiotic activity and negate adverse effects prior to its clinical administration. Multi-strain/combinatorial therapy possibly relies on a combination of underlying operating mechanisms, each contributing towards enhanced probiotic efficacy, understanding which could help in developing customised formulations against targeted pathogens. Bifidogenic activity is also mediated by surface-associated structural components such as exopolysaccharides, lipoteichoic acids along with metabolites and bifidocins. This highlights scope for developing advanced structural therapeutic strategy which might be pivotal in replacing intact cell probiotics therapy.

In vivo screening of multiple bacterial strains identifies Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lb102 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bf141 as probiotics that improve metabolic disorders in a mouse model of obesity

“…Indeed, the beneficial effects of a single probiotic strain (Lb102 or Bfl41) on intestinal health may also be related to direct modulation of epithelial cell function, as suggested by our findings of increased expression of key colonic markers involved in the gut‐permeability and mucus‐layer integrity. Indeed, previous experiments demonstrated that both B. animalis and L. rhamnosus species are able to produce metabolites that exhibit cytoprotective roles in intestinal epithelial cells (57, 58). More profound changes in the gut microbiota composition may occur after administration of multiple probiotic strains, combined or not with prebi‐otics, as previously shown for the VSL#3 cocktail that contains 8 different strains (15).…”

Quality Characteristics of Functional Fermented Sausages Added with Encapsulated Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum KACC 91563

“…This study for the first time, the bifidobacteria were encapsulated and added as a functional starter culture in the meat products, and the results confirmed that a certain number (approximately 50%) of encapsulated probiotic B. longum could survive in the final products. The intake of probiotic bifidobacteria or foods containing these probiotic bacteria has been associated with a variety of health-promoting benefits (Sarkar and Mandal, 2016). Moreover, fermented sausage is the most popular and widely consumed meat product in many countries (Oliveira et al, 2018).…”

The Effects of Synbiotic “Bifidobacterium lactisB94 plus Inulin” Addition on Standard Triple Therapy ofHelicobacter pyloriEradication in Children

“…(2) Some strains may reduce antibiotic-associated side effects and improve compliance to therapy. Moreover, pre- and probiotic supplementation may have immunomodulatory effects on the hosts as experimental studies demonstrated their anti-inflammatory effects in chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma, topical allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease [33, 34]. …”