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Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 supplementation reduces respiratory infection duration in a cohort of elite athletes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Get PDFA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate if Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 (Lallemand Health Solutions, Montreal, Que., Canada) supplementation during 14 weeks in winter can influence the duration, severity, and incidence of upper respiratory tract illness (URTI), as well as to monitor different immune parameters in the population of elite athletes. Before and after the treatment, cardiopulmonary testing and self-rated state of moods evaluation (by Profile of Mood States questionnaire) were performed and blood samples were collected. Thirty-nine elite athletes were randomized either to the placebo (n = 19) or the probiotic (n = 20) group. The probiotic group received L. helveticus Lafti L10, 2 x 10(10) Colony Forming Units. Lafti L10 significantly shortened the URTI episode duration (7.25 +/- 2.90 vs. 10.64 +/- 4.67 days, p = 0.047) and decreased the number of symptoms in the probiotic group (4.92 +/- 1.96 vs. 6.91 +/- 1.22, p = 0.035). Severity and incidence of URTI did not differ between the treatments. There were no significant changes in leukocyte subpopulation abundance, transforming growth factor-beta serum levels, level of interleukin-10 secreted from peptidoglican stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), interferon-gamma level secreted from concanavalin A-stimulated PBMCs or viability/proliferation of PBMCs upon antigen stimulation. Group effect for CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significant (F-[1,F-37] = 6.99, p = 0.020, eta(2) = 0.350); this difference was not significant at baseline, but was evident after 14 weeks (p = 0.02). A significant interaction effect was noted for self-rated sense of vigor (F-[1,F-37] = 11.76, p = 0.009, eta(2) = 0.595). Self-rated sense of vigor increased in the probiotic group (18.5 +/- 4.1 vs. 21.0 +/- 2.6, p = 0.012). Probiotic strain Lafti L10 can be a beneficial nutritional supplement for the reduction of URTI length in elite athletes.This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Michalickova, D.; Minić, R.; Dikić, N.; Anđelković, M.; Kostić-Vučićević, M.; Stojmenović, T.; Nikolić, I.; Đorđević, B. Lactobacillus Helveticus Lafti L10 Supplementation Reduces Respiratory Infection Duration in a Cohort of Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism 2016, 41 (7), 782–789. [https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0541]
Promene u citokinskom sekretornom profilu makrofaga starih ženki pacova usled nedostatka progesterona u postreproduktivnom periodu
No full textSmanjena imunološka funkcija kod žena u menopauzi je uglavnom posledica nedostatka
hormona ovarijuma u cirkulaciji. Supstituciona hormonska terapija najčešće podrazumeva
nadoknadu estrogena, zli ne i progesterona. U ovom radu kao eksperimentalni model
izolovane _ deficijencije _ progesterona _ korišćeni su pacovi stari 20 meseci
ovarijektomisani na kraju reproduktivnog perioda (starosti 10 meseci) kod kojih je
koncentracija estradiola (usled ekstragonadne sinteze) u nivou estradiola kod lažno
ovarijektomisanih pacova iste starosti. Ispitivana je intraćelijska ekspresija receptora za
estrogene (ER) i progesteron (PR) i sekrecija pro- i anti-inflamatornih citokina i krajnjih
produkata metabolozma arginina u slezinskim i peritonealnim makrofagama, u bazalnim
uslovima i nakon /" vitro stimulacije sa lipopolisaharidom (LPS). Pokazano je da i
peritonealne i slezinske makrofage ispoljavaju ERa i ERV, kao i da oparijsktomija ne utiče
na ekspresiju ER-a. Većina peritonealnih i slezinskih makrofaga je ispoljavala PR, a
ovarijektomija je dovela do povećanja skspresije PR samo u slezinskim makrofagama.
Ovarijektomija je smanjila sekreciju citokina iz slezinskih (IL-18) i peritonealnih
makrofaga (TNF-a, [1-18, IL-10) i povećala sekreciju ||-10 iz slezinskih i TGE-B iz
peritonealnih makrofaga u bazalnim uslovima. Nakon stimulacije LPS-om, slezinske
makrofage ovarijektomisanih pacova su sekretovale manje TME-a i više IL-10, dok su
peritoneale makrofage sekretovale manje IL-1B i TBR- nego ćelije istog porekla iz lažno.
ovarijektomisanih pacova. Ovarijsktomija je smanjila sintezu uree i u slezinskim i u
peritonealnih makrofagama stimulisanim LPS-om. Dugotrajna izolovana Doficijencija
progesterona u post"reproduktivnom periodu narušava ravnotežu u produkciji pro-/anti-
| inflamatornih citokina slezinskih i peritonsalnih makrofaga
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strains from a Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital in Serbia
Get PDFBackground Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen usually associated with healthcare-associated infections, which has recently been recognized as a globally multi-drug resistant organism. The aim of this study was genotyping and physiological characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated in a large, tertiary care pediatric hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, hosting the national reference cystic fibrosis (CF) center for pediatric and adult patients. Methods We characterized 42 strains of cystic fibrosis (CF) and 46 strains of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) origin isolated from 2013 to 2015 in order to investigate their genetic relatedness and phenotypic traits. Genotyping was performed using sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis. Sensitivity to five relevant antimicrobial agents was determined, namely trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and tetracycline. Surface characteristics, motility, biofilm formation and adhesion to mucin were tested in all strains. Statistical approach was used to determine correlations between obtained results. Results Most of the isolates were not genetically related. Six new sequence types were determined. Strains were uniformly sensitive to all tested antimicrobial agents. The majority of isolates (89.8%) were able to form biofilm with almost equal representation in both CF and non-CF strains. Swimming motility was observed in all strains, while none of them exhibited swarming motility. Among strains able to adhere to mucin, no differences between CF and non-CF isolates were observed. Conclusions High genetic diversity among isolates implies the absence of clonal spread within the hospital. Positive correlation between motility, biofilm formation and adhesion to mucin was demonstrated. Biofilm formation and motility were more pronounced among non-CF than CF isolates
Analysis of the Durability of the Beneficial Effects of Lactobacilli on Mice Fed High Fat Diet
No full textProceedings from the 8th Probiotics, Prebiotics & New Foods for Microbiota and Human Health meeting held in Rome, Italy on September 13–15, 201
The Effect of Lactobacillus Helveticus L10 Supplementation on Respiratory Infections and Mucosal Immunity in Elite Athletes
No full textProceedings from the 8th Probiotics, Prebiotics & New Foods for Microbiota and Human Health meeting held in Rome, Italy on September 13–15, 201
A Probiotic Adjuvant Lactobacillus rhamnosus Enhances Specific Immune Responses after Ocular Mucosal Immunization with Chlamydial Polymorphic Membrane Protein C
Get PDFRecent advances in the development of chlamydia vaccines, using live-attenuated or ultraviolet light-inactivated chlamydia, are paving the way for new possibilities to oppose the societal challenges posed by chlamydia-related diseases, such as blinding trachoma. An effective subunit vaccine would mitigate the risks associated with the use of a whole-cell vaccine. Our rationale for the design of an efficient subunit vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is based on the membrane proteins involved in the initial Ct-host cell contact and on the route of immunization that mimics the natural infection process (i.e., via the ocular mucosa). The first aim of our study was to characterize the specific conjunctival and vaginal immune responses following eye drop immunization in BALB/c mice, using the N-terminal portion of the Ct serovar E polymorphic membrane protein C (N-PmpC) as the subunit vaccine antigen. Second, we aimed to examine the adjuvant properties of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LB) when formulated with N-PmpC. N-PmpC applied alone stimulated the production of N-PmpC-and Ct serovar B-specific antibodies in serum, tears and vaginal washes, whereas the combination with LB significantly enhanced these responses. The N-PmpC/LB combination initiated a T cell response characterized by an elevated percentage of CD25+ T cells and CD8+ effector T cells, enhanced CD4+ T-helper 1 skewing, and increased regulatory T cell responses. Together, these results show that eye drop vaccination with combined use of N-PmpC and a live probiotic LB stimulates specific cellular and humoral immune responses, not only locally in the conjunctiva but also in the vaginal mucosa, which could be a promising approach in Ct vaccine development
Estradiol enhances capacity of TLR-matured splenic dendritic cells to polarize CD4+lymphocytes into IL-17/GM-CSF-producing cells in vitro
No full textThere are little data on modulatory effects of estrogens on rat dendritic cell (DC) responses to inflammatory stimuli, and consequently their ability to activate and polarize CD4+ T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. Splenic conventional DCs from young female Albino Oxford rats were activated in vitro with LPS (TLR4 agonist) or R848 (TLR7/8 agonist) in the presence and absence of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), and their allostimulatory and CD4+ lymphocyte polarizing ability in mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) were studied. Irrespective of the E2 presence, LPS and R848 up-regulated the expression of MHC II on DCs, so they exhibited enhanced allostimulatory capacity in co-culture with CD4+ lymphocytes. On the other hand, E2 promoted stimulatory action of both TLRs on OX62+ DC IL-23 production, augmented their stimulatory effects on IL-6 and IL-1 beta production, but diminished their enhancing effects on the expression IL-10 and IL-27 by DCs. Consequently, in MLC, OX62+ DCs activated/matured in the co-presence of E2 and either LPS or R848 increased the levels of IL-17, the signature Th17 cell cytoldne, when compared with those activated/matured in the absence of E2. GM-CSF levels were also increased in these MLC. Given that the expression of IL-7 mRNA was diminished in DCs activated/matured in the co presence of E2 and TLR, this increase most likely did not reflect enhanced differentiation of Th cells producing GM-CSF only (Th-GM). Conclusions: E2 augments capacity of LPS- and R848-activated/matured DCs from young rat spleen to induce differentiation of IL-17- and GM-CSF-producing cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Resurgence of measles in Serbia 2010-2011 highlights the need for supplementary immunization activities
No full textBetween December 2010 and August 2011 an outbreak of measles occurred in Serbia with 363 reported cases. Sera and/or nose/throat swabs were collected from 193 patients and tested for measles-specific IgM antibodies by ELISA and viral RNA by RT-PCR, respectively. Epidemiological data were obtained from the surveillance database of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia. Of the 363 cases involved in the outbreak, 113 were laboratory confirmed. More than one third of the patients were hospitalized (n = 130, 35.8%) and for 15 (4.1% of the reported outbreak cases) the infection was complicated by pneumonia. Mostly pre-school children aged lt = 4 years (37.8%) and adults aged gt = 30 years (27.3%) were affected. The majority of patients belonged to the Roma population with a preponderance of female cases (57.0%). Nearly 94% of the patients were either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. The main outbreak virus was the D4-Hamburg strain. The outbreak in Serbia occurred after several years of very low measles incidence despite a high routine immunization coverage in the general population, suggesting that special efforts to identify and vaccinate susceptible population groups are required even in countries with apparently good disease control
Kateholamini Kao Modulatori Timopoeze: Istraživanja u Kulturi Timusa Adultnih Pacova
No full textIstraživanja su sprovedena da se: 1) dokaže sinteza kateholamina u ćelijama timusa i 2) ispitaju efekti njihovog autokrinog/parakrinog delovanja. Dodavanjem inhibitora (a-metilp-tirozin, AMPT) tirozin hidroksilaze, ključnog enzima u sintezi kateholamina, u kulturu timusa adultnih pacova (ATOK) i timocita, pokazano je da ćelije timusa, uključujući i timocite, sintetišu kateholamine. Protočnom fluorocitometrijom je pokazalo da kateholamine _ sintetišu – makrofage (Sr68'"), ali i subpopulacije kortikalnih (aminopeptidaza A“) i medularnih (UEA-1') epitelnih ćelija. U ATOK-u, AMPT (10"'M), kao i blokator V-adrenergičkih receptora (AR), propranolol (10""M), je povećavao apoptozu, a smanjivao proliferaciju najzrelijih Sr3" timocita. Međutim, u kulturi timocita, delujući na istu subpopulaciju ćelija, propranolol (1075 M) je imao suprotne efekte na apoptozu i SopA stimulisanu proliferaciju ćelija. Ovo se može povezati sa povećanom gustinom |2-AR na timocitima u ATOK-u i povezivanjem ovog receptora, u zavisnosti od površinske gustine, s različitim subjedinicama 6 proteina. U kultiri timocita, slično propranololu, arterenol (1075 do 10"9M), je smanjio apoptozu, a povećao SopA stimulisanu proliferaciju ćelija. Međutim, za razliku od propranpolola, arterenol je delovao predominantno na najnezrelije S03' timocite, kojim pripada većina a1-AR' timocita. S povećanjem koncentracije arterenola, njegov efekat na SopaA stimulisanu proliferaciju i apoptozu timocita, se doznozavisno smanjivao. S obzirom na veći afinitet arterenola za a1-AR nego za 82-AR, prethodno se može pripisati većoj aktivaciji [32-AR pri većoj koncentraciji arterenola. Konzistentno, u prisustvu propranolola, efekti aterenola su se povećavali. U zaključku, ćelije timusa sintetišu kateholamine, i oni, delujući posredstvom različitih tipova AR, a moguće i istog tipa AR (u zavisnosti od njegove površinske ekspresije) mogu imati suprotne efekte na apoptozu/proliferaciju timocita
GM-CSF-Producing Th Cells in Rats Sensitive and Resistant to Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Get PDFGiven that granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is identified as the key factor to endow auto-reactive Th cells with the potential to induce neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models, the frequency and phenotype of GM-CSF-producing (GM-CSF+) Th cells in draining lymph nodes (dLNs) and spinal cord (SC) of Albino Oxford (AO) and Dark Agouti (DA) rats immunized for EAE were examined. The generation of neuroantigen-specific GM-CSF+ Th lymphocytes was impaired in dLNs of AO rats (relatively resistant to EAE induction) compared with their DA counterparts (susceptible to EAE) reflecting impaired CD4+ lymphocyte proliferation and less supportive of GM-CSF+ Th cell differentiation dLN cytokine microenvironment. Immunophenotyping of GM-CSF+ Th cells showed their phenotypic heterogeneity in both strains and revealed lower frequency of IL-17+ IFN-gamma+, IL-17+ IFN-gamma-, and IL-17-IFN-gamma+ cells accompanied by higher frequency of IL-17-IFN-gamma- cells among them in AO than in DA rats. Compared with DA, in AO rats was also found (i) slightly lower surface density of CCR2 (drives accumulation of highly pathogenic GM-CSF+ IFN-gamma+ Th17 cells in SC) on GM-CSF+ IFN-gamma+ Th17 lymphocytes from dLNs, and (ii) diminished CCL2 mRNA expression in SC tissue, suggesting their impaired migration into the SC. Moreover, dLN and SC cytokine environments in AO rats were shown to be less supportive of GM-CSF+ IFN-gamma+ Th17 cell differentiation (judging by lower expression of mRNAs for IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-23/p19). In accordance with the (i) lower frequency of GM-CSF+ Th cells in dLNs and SC of AO rats and their lower GM-CSF production, and (ii) impaired CCL2 expression in the SC tissue, the proportion of proinflammatory monocytes among peripheral blood cells and their progeny (CD45(hi) cells) among the SC CD11b+ cells were reduced in AO compared with DA rats. Collectively, the results indicate that the strain specificities in efficacy of several mechanisms controlling (auto) reactive CD4+ lymphocyte expansion/differentiation into the cells with pathogenic phenotype and migration of the latter to the SC contribute to AO rat resistance to EAE