Modulation of gut microbiota and increase in fecal water content in mice induced by administration of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens DN1

Abstract

Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens is the key probiotic bacterium in kefir. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral consumption of L. kefiranofaciens on the fecal quality and intestinal microbiota of mice. Four-week-old Balb/c mice were divided into two groups (n = 8 each) and administered 0.2 mL of saline (control group) or saline containing 2 × 10 cfu L. kefiranofaciens DN1 (LKF_DN1 group) for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, their fecal samples were collected and the fecal quality and microbiota were assessed. The LKF_DN1 group exhibited higher total fecal weight and fecal weight per stool sample than the control group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the fecal water content was significantly higher in the fecal samples of the LKF_DN1 group than in those of the control group (p < 0.05). The numbers of total bacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, and Prevotella were significantly higher in the LKF_DN1 group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the number of opportunistic pathogens, including Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, and the percentage of genus Clostridium among the total bacteria were significantly reduced in the LKF_DN1 group (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that regular L. kefiranofaciens DN1 administration could alleviate constipation and improve gut microbiota.

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

“…This supports the finding that L. kefiranofaciens supplementation ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in chronic-stressed mice by regulating gut microbiota content, which included the decreased abundance of Proteobacteria, a phylum that includes pathogens such as Salmonella (Sun et al, 2019). Other mice studies also supported the role of L. kefiranofaciens in modulating gut microbiota composition (Jeong et al, 2017b;Xing et al, 2018). Collectively, these changes in gut microbiota profile prevent gut dysbiosis that could lead to chronic inflammation, HPA axis overactivity and depression (Jeong et al, 2017b).…”

Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens DD2 against oral pathogens

“…Probiotic candidates have been routinely screened based on their ability to survive in an artificial host barrier system such as with stimulation of gastric acid or enzymatic stresses [4]. In this study, we assessed novel aspects in probiotic screening using an experimental oral environment, including resistance against ambivalent atmospheric conditions in a survival assay and enzymatic action towards utilization of sucrose and acid production, which are linked to the development of dental caries.…”

“…These effects are thought to be exerted via enhancement of intestinal functions or inhibition of metabolic diseases caused by intestinal dysbiosis [3,4]. Despite the fact that the oral cavity is the first point of contact between probiotics and the host system [5], few studies have directly investigated the effects of probiotics on the oral cavity.…”

“…Indeed, kefir contains over 50 species of LAB, yeasts, and acetic acid bacteria as well as their metabolites such as lactic acid, exopolysaccharides, and peptides that confer various beneficial health effects [2,16–18]. Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens is a typical probiotic microorganism found in kefir [4], and we previously demonstrated its antimicrobial effects against pathogenic bacteria in vitro and its ability to improve the balance of intestinal microbiota by reducing the proportion of opportunistic pathogens [4,18]. However, no study has investigated the inhibitory effect of kefir isolates against oral pathogens and the associated mechanisms.…”

Sensory Profiles of Protein-Fortified Kefir prepared Using Edible Insects (Silkworm Pupae, Bombyx mori): A Preliminary Study

“…Kefir has been associated with various health benefits through examining the mechanisms (Liu et al, 2012). According to several studies, Kefir had demonstrated ACE inhibitory activity, the ability to improve levels of serum cholesterol, and immunomodulatory characteristics, and so on (Maeda et al, 2004;Jeong et al, 2017). Additionally, among various lactic acid bacteria contained kefir, Lactobacillus kefiri, L. kefiranofaciens, and L. kefiranofaciens had shown beneficial effects for health in vivo (Chen et al, 2012).…”