Effect of Probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on Gut-Derived Lipopolysaccharides and Inflammatory Cytokines: An In Vitro Study Using a Human Colonic Microbiota Model

Abstract

Gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are critical to the development and progression of chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic diseases. In this study, the effects of probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on gut-derived lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were evaluated using a human colonic microbiota model. Lactobacillus reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, Bifidobacterium animalis, B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. longum subsp. infantis were identified from the literature for their anti-inflammatory potential. Each bacterial culture was administered daily to a human colonic microbiota model during 14 days. Colonic lipopolysaccharides, and Gram-positive and negative bacteria were quantified. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were stimulated with supernatant from the human colonic microbiota model. Concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-4 cytokines were measured. Lipopolysaccharide concentrations were significantly reduced with the administration of B. bifidum (-46.45 +/- 5.65%), L. rhamnosus (-30.40 +/- 5.08%), B. longum (-42.50 +/- 1.28%), and B. longum subsp. infantis (-68.85 +/- 5.32%) (p < 0.05). Cell counts of Gram-negative and positive bacteria were distinctly affected by the probiotic administered. There was a probiotic strain-specific effect on immunomodulatory responses of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. B. longum subsp. infantis demonstrated higher capacities to reduce TNF-alpha concentrations (-69.41 +/- 2.78%; p < 0.05) and to increase IL-4 concentrations (+16.50 +/- 0.59%; p < 0.05). Colonic lipopolysaccharides were significantly correlated with TNF-alpha and IL-1beta concentrations (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that specific probiotic bacteria, such as B. longum subsp. infantis, might decrease colonic lipopolysaccharide concentrations, which might reduce the proinflammatory tone. This study has noteworthy applications in the field of biotherapeutics for the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases.

Bifidobacterium—friend or foe? A case of urinary tract infection withBifidobacteriumspecies

“…The exact mechanism by which probiotics work has also been investigated extensively. An in-vitro study showed that bifidobacterium reduces the colonic lipopolysaccharide and hence decreases the proinflammatory state 6 . Bifidobacterium has been reported to significantly decrease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and reduce the frequency of acute infectious diarrhoea 7 8…”

The bidirectional gut-brain-microbiota axis as a potential nexus between traumatic brain injury, inflammation, and disease

“…In fact, existing preclinical data provides direct evidence in support of this in a model where probiotic supplementation after the neurotrauma significantly lowered the intestinal permeability that was otherwise increased by the damage to the intestinal mucosa following TBI 118 . These findings suggest that probiotics can fortify the intestinal barrier to mitigate neurotrauma induced endotoxemia and inhibit systemic dysregulation of the immune system that may otherwise peripherally hyper-activate the brain's microglia [187][188][189] . This is supported by emerging evidence from multiple experimental models further suggests that probiotic supplementation may have protective role against LPS induced neurodegeneration 178,179 .…”

MicroencapsulatedBifidobacterium longumsubsp.infantisATCC 15697 Favorably Modulates Gut Microbiota and Reduces Circulating Endotoxins in F344 Rats

“…Previous research has established the efficacy of APA microencapsulation as an effective delivery system to maintain the cell viability of B. infantis ATCC 15697 in the colon [21]. In addition, in vitro studies have demonstrated that B. infantis administration to the gut microbiota modulated gut bacterial populations towards reduced colonic endotoxins concentrations [19]. Endotoxins are potent immunomodulatory components derived from the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria that can enter the blood circulation and cause metabolic endotoxemia [5–7].…”

“…Previous in vitro studies performed by our group have already demonstrated the potential of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ( B. infantis ) ATCC 15697 to modulate simulated human gut microbiota towards reduced colonic endotoxins concentrations [19]. The present study investigates the use of orally delivered alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulated B. infantis ATCC 15697 to modulate the gut microbiota composition and reduce endotoxemia in F344 conventional rats.…”