Dheeraj Mohania

Cancer-preventing attributes of probiotics: an update

Cancer is a serious global public health problem. Cancer incidence and mortality have been steadily rising throughout the past century in most places of the world. There are several epidemiological evidences that support a protective role of probiotics against cancer. Lactic acid bacteria and their probioactive cellular substances exert many beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract, and also release various enzymes into the intestinal lumen and exert potential synergistic (LAB) effects on digestion and alleviate symptoms of intestinal malabsorption. Consumption of fermented dairy products with LAB may elicit anti-tumor effects. These effects are attributed to the inhibition of mutagenic activity, the decrease in several enzymes implicated in the generation of carcinogens, mutagens, or tumor-promoting agents, suppression of tumors, and epidemiology correlating dietary regimes and cancer. Specific cellular components in lactic acid bacteria seem to induce strong adjuvant effects including modulation of cell-mediated immune responses, activation of the reticulo-endothelial system, augmentation of cytokine pathways, and regulation of interleukins and tumor necrosis factors. Studies on the effect of probiotic consumption on cancer appear promising, since recent in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that probiotic bacteria might reduce the risk, incidence and number of tumors of the colon, liver and bladder. The protective effect against cancer development may be ascribed to binding of mutagens by intestinal bacteria, may suppress the growth of bacteria that convert procarcinogens into carcinogens, thereby reducing the amount of carcinogens in the intestine, reduction of the enzymes β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase and deconjugation of bile acids, or merely by enhancing the immune system of the host. There are isolated reports citing that administration of LAB results in increased activity of anti-oxidative enzymes or by modulating circulatory oxidative stress that protects cells against carcinogen-induced damage. These include glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. However, there is no direct experimental evidence for cancer suppression in human subjects as a result of the consumption of probiotic cultures in fermented or unfermented dairy products, but there is a wealth of indirect evidence based largely on laboratory studies.

Molecular approaches for identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria

The last few years have produced a revolution in the development of very sensitive, rapid, automated, molecular detection methods for a variety of various species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with food and dairy products. Nowadays many such strains of LAB are considered probiotics. The genome‐based methods are useful in identifying bacteria as a complementary or alternative tool to phenotypical methods. Over the years, identification methodologies using primers that target different sequences, such as the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)‐encoding gene, the 16S‐23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, the 23S rRNA‐encoding, recA and ldhD genes; randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, restriction fragment length polymorphism, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, amplification rDNA restriction analysis, restriction enzyme analysis, rRNA, pulse field gel electrophoresis and amplification fragment length polymorphism have played a significant role in probiotic bacteriology. Hence, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of some rapid and reliable polymerase chain reaction‐based molecular methods used for identifying and differentiating closely related species and strains of LAB associated with food and industry.

Milk, Milk Products, and Disease Free Health: An Updated Overview

The cow and its milk have been held sacred in the world since the dawn of human civilization. Indian ancient Vedic texts describe the virtues of milk and dairy products, as is authenticated by modern scientific principles and proofs. Therefore, milk has been considered as one of the most natural and highly nutritive part of a daily balanced diet. Currently, the integration of advanced scientific knowledge with traditional information is gaining incredible momentum toward developing the concept of potential therapeutic foods. Furthermore, new advances toward understanding the therapeutic roles of milk and milk products have also given a new impetus for unraveling the age old secrets of milk. At present, the best-known examples of therapeutic foods are fermented milk products containing health promoting probiotic bacteria. In the present article, we have tried to review the various aspects of the therapeutic nature of milk and fermented dairy products in a highly up-dated manner, and offer an in-depth insight into the development of targeted therapeutic future foods as per the requirements of consumers.

Therapeutic Effect of Probiotic Dahi on Plasma, Aortic, and Hepatic Lipid Profile of Hypercholesterolemic Rats

This study examined the effects of probiotic dahi prepared by Lactobacillus plantarum Lp9 and dahi culture in buffalo milk on lowering cholesterol in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic basal diet. Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups and fed with probiotic dahi, dahi, or buffalo milk for 120 days. Following the consumption of supplements (probiotic dahi, dahi or buffalo milk), the animals were fed a basal hypercholesterolemic diet. Plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides (TAGs) were decreased by 35% and 72% in rats fed with probiotic dahi group, while cholesterol levels increased by 70% and TAGs increased by 97% in buffalo milk and 59% in dahi fed groups. Supplementation of probiotic dahi further lowered plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) + very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)- cholesterol by 59%, while it elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol by 116%. As a result, atherogenic index, the ratio of HDL to LDL + VLDL was markedly improved. Deposition of cholesterol and TAGs in liver and aorta were significantly reduced in rats fed with probiotic dahi. These observations suggest that probiotic dahi may have therapeutic potential to decrease plasma, hepatic and aortic lipid profile, and attenuate diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Effect of exopolysaccharide-producing strains of Streptococcus thermophilus on technological attributes of fat-free lassi

Sixty-four exopolysaccharide-producing thermophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from traditionally made Indian fermented milk products. On the basis of morphological and biochemical tests, these isolates were identified as the species of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus genera. Initial screening for technological attributes revealed that Streptococcus thermophilus IG16 was a promising isolate, and produced both capsular and ropy polysaccharides at the concentration of 211 mg/L. Exopolysaccharide produced by IG16 was a heteropolysaccharide containing rhamnose and galactose in a ratio of 5.3:1 and had a molecular weight of 3.3 x 10(4) Da. Use of IG16 as a starter culture controlled whey separation and improved viscosity, flavor, consistency, and color and appearance of lassi. Use of IG16 resulted in lassi having optimal acidity, less syneresis, high viscosity, and better scores for flavor, consistency, and color and appearance.

Beneficial effect of refined red palm oil on lipid peroxidation and monocyte tissue factor in HCV-related liver disease: A randomizer controller study

BACKGROUND A large amount of endotoxin can be detected in the peripheral venous blood of patients with liver cirrhosis, contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity because of its role in oxidative stress. The present study aimed to test the effect of the supplementation with red palm oil (RPO), which is a natural oil obtained from oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis) rich in natural fat-soluble tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids, on lipid peroxidation and endotoxemia with plasma endotoxin-inactivating capacity, proinflammatory cytokines profile, and monocyte tissue factor in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS The study group consisted of sixty patients (34 males and 26 females; mean age 62 years, range 54-75) with Child A/B, genotype 1 HCV-related cirrhosis without a history of ethanol consumption, randomly enrolled into an 8-week oral daily treatment with either vitamin E or RPO. All patients had undergone an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy 8 months before, and 13 out of them showed esophageal varices. RESULTS Both treatments significantly decreased erythrocyte malondialdehyde and urinary isoprostane output, only RPO significantly affected macrophage-colony stimulating factor and monocyte tissue factor. Liver ultrasound imaging did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS RPO beneficially modulates oxidative stress and, not least, downregulates macrophage/monocyte inflammatory parameters. RPO can be safely advised as a valuable nutritional implementation tool in the management of chronic liver diseases.

Probiotic LaVK2 Dahi Improves Lipid Profiles in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Background: There is a growing interest concerning the role of probiotics as natural hypocholesterolemic agents in etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular and related heart diseases. Based on the growing evidence of the importance of probiotics with potential cardiovascular benefits, the efforts to improve the lipid profile using lactic acid bacteria in an optimal direction are gathering momentum. Methods: The effects of probiotic Dahi containing L. acidophilus LaVK2 and Dahi culture on lipid profiles in rats with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia were studied. Three treatment groups of rats (n=7) were fed experimental diets: LaVK2 Dahi, Dahi or buffalo milk (BM) for 120 days. After the consumption of experimental diets, animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet ad libitum. Results: Supplementation with LaVK2 Dahi decreased plasma total cholesterol by 22.6%; however, in BM and Dahi fed groups, the increase was over 70%. The decrease in triacylglycerol level in rats fed LaVK2 Dahi was 64.2%. Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by 72.6% in LaVK2 Dahi fed group, whereas low density lipoprotein (LDL) + very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol decreased by 89%, respectively. As a result, the atherogenic index (AI), the ratio of HDL to LDL+VLDL was decreased by 91.2% on LaVK2 Dahi when compared to only 13.1% decline on BM. Futhermore, the accumulations of total cholesterol and triacylglycerols in liver and aortic tissues were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in rats fed with LaVK2 Dahi. Conclusion: These observations suggest that oral administration of probiotic LaVK2 Dahi attenuated dietinduced hypercholesterolemia leading to cardiac protection by decreasing VLDL+LDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TAGs and increasing HDL-cholesterol. Probiotic LaVK2 Dahi may have a therapeutic potential to improve the lipid profile and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Probiotics in Female Reproductive Health: Paradigms, Prospects and Challenges

Feminine reproductive health is crucial for her well-being as well as reproduction, and health of neonates. Certain microbes not only impede conception and birth of healthy baby, but can also affect maternal-fetal health, and may severely perturb the feminine reproductive health. Among the alternative strategies to prevent microbial pathogenesis, the probiotics and their metabolites have emerged as potent biotherapeutics. The probiotics have potential for preventing various genitourinary infections and consequently reduce the fetal and neonatal infections. Efforts are now underway to better understand the elemental role of human microbial communities in health and disease. While the population structure and mechanisms of human symbionts are only now being unveiled, potential health attributes are suggested by manipulating and modulating microbial functional ecology with the use of probiotics. This article reviews promising paradigms and prospects of probiotics and probiotic-metabolites in reproductive health of women. The purpose is to provide impetus to facilitate the applications of research outcomes in this important area of research into medical practice.

Effect of VBC‑1814/7J, a poly‑phytocompound, on a non‑infectious model of pharyngitis

Pharyngitis presents as an inflammation of the oropharynx, and clinical examination often shows evidence of nasopharyngitis. In numerous cases the condition occurs as a self-limiting illness of non-infectious aetiology, whose clinical management remains a matter for debate given the inappropriateness of antibiotics, the reported worsening following steroid use and the recent discouragement of the use of Chinese herbal medicine. The aim of the present study was thus to test VBC-1814/7J, a poly-phytocompound with known anti-inflammatory and immune-response enhancing properties, in an experimental model of non-infectious pharyngitis. Experimental non-infectious pharyngitis was induced by applying a pyridine solution to the surface of the pharyngeal mucosa in rats that were either normally fed (group A) or fed VBC-1814/7J three days prior to and three days subsequent to the induction of pharyngitis (group B). Healthy rats treated with topical saline were used as a control (group C). At time-points of 0, one hour, one day and three days sacrifices were carried out and microscopic examination, Evans blue (EB) dye extravasation and tissue concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and mRNA of α- and β-defensins were studied. As compared with group C, group A showed significant microscopic damage, EB extravasation, and increases in the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as in the mRNA of three defensins (P<0.001) on the third day of observation. VBC-1814/7J significantly mitigated these microscopic and inflammatory markers while allowing a prompter and wider defensin reaction (P<0.05 vs. group A). These data suggest that VBC-1814/7J, as demonstrated in earlier studies, has the potential to address non-infectious pharyngitis in clinical practice.

Immunomodulatory Potential of Conjugated Linolenic Acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), isomers of linoleic acid (C18:2) have many biological effects, including potential immunomodulatory potential. CLA is an unrecognized nutrient that significantly protects lymphoidal and nonlymphoidal tissues from lymphoid events during immune stimulation. This protection is through the regulation of lipid eicosanoid mediators while nonlymphoidal tissues prevent their negative feedback on the immune response. With lipid mediator modulation there is enhanced immunity, improved efficiency of feed use, changes in body composition, and decrease in diseases with immune response. With regard to the immune system, it is not clear whether individual isomers of CLA could act similarly or differently. In this chapter, we are trying to uncover most of the fundamental findings to explore the effects of CLA in relation to immunomodulation.