Min Kyeong Cha

Antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. in high fat diet-induced obese rats

BackgroundRecent studies have reported the preventive effects of probiotics on obesity. Among commensal bacteria, bifidobacteria is one of the most numerous probiotics in the mammalian gut and are a type of lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy Korean on high fat diet-induced obese rats.MethodsThirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups as follows: (1) SD group, fed standard diet; (2) HFD group, fed high fat diet; and (3) HFD-LAB group, fed high fat diet supplemented with LAB supplement (B. pseudocatenulatum SPM 1204, B. longum SPM 1205, and B. longum SPM 1207; 108 ~ 109 CFU). After 7 weeks, the body, organ, and fat weights, food intake, blood serum levels, fecal LAB counts, and harmful enzyme activities were measured.ResultsAdministration of LAB reduced body and fat weights, blood serum levels (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, glucose, leptin, AST, ALT, and lipase levels), and harmful enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, and tryptophanase), and significantly increased fecal LAB counts.ConclusionThese data suggest that Bifidobacterium spp. used in this study may have beneficial antiobesity effects.

Antimicrobial activity of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy adult Koreans against cariogenic microflora

OBJECTIVE Dental caries is the main common infectious disease in the human oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were reported to be the most important etiological factors in human dental caries. Thus, we examined the inhibitory effects of Bifidobacterium spp. cells and culture supernatants against S. mutans and S. sobrinus, including Streptococcus gordonii, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, which is associated with periodontal disease. METHODS Mutans streptococci or A. actinomycetemcomitans and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were mixed in 1:1 ratio and then incubated for 90 min at 37°C. After the incubation, the viability of mutans streptococci or A. actinomycetemcomitans was determined by plate count technique. We also investigated the morphological changes of S. mutans treated with LAB using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS In vitro viability of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. gordonii, and A. actinomycetemcomitans was affected by human intestinal LAB identified as Bifidobacterium adolescentis SPM1005 and Bifidobacterium longum SPM1207. Especially, B. adolescentis SPM1005 cells at 1.0 × 10(8) CFU had a strong growth-inhibiting effect against S. mutans and induced a 64% loss of its viability (p<0.05). In addition, swollen and disrupted S. mutans were observed after incubation with B. adolescentis SPM1005. However, the culture supernatant of this strain did not show such inhibitory activity. CONCLUSION B. adolescentis SPM1005 cells decreased the growth of S. mutans, which is a risk factor for dental caries. Therefore, we suggest that this Bifidobacterium strain may be a useful probiotic microorganism for prevention of dental caries that does not have adverse effects.

Comparison of Dual Coated (Duolac™) and Uncoated Lactic Acid Bacteria from Potential Probiotics

ABSTRACT Probiotics do not naturally have a high stability and shelf life because they are living microorganisms. In an effort to maximise their survival, we have developed new dual coating LAB, trademarked as Duolac. This study aims to compare the probiotic effects of dual coated LAB and uncoated LAB, through in vivo and in vitro testing. Groups of SD rats were orally administered saline (as a control group), Duolac or uncoated LAB meal of 1x109 CFU per day for four weeks. We collected fecal samples to investigate the inhibition of harmful enzyme activity. At the end of the observation period, samples of organs were collected to determine hematological parameters and histological analysis in vivo. In order to assay the impact of Duolac on immunological function, we assessed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production in the murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line in vitro. In the safety study, blood biochemistry measurements and organ weight were similar and there was no observed difference in morbidity between the Duolac and uncoated LAB groups. The activities of hazardous enzymes were dramatically decreased in the Duolac group compared to the uncoated LAB group. Duolac efficiently produced TNF-α and NO in the murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line with LPS as standard. Thus, the results suggest that dual coated LAB can be used as functional probiotic for improving microbial balance in the intestinal tract and systemic immunity in humans.

Antiviral activity of Bifidobacterium adolescentis SPM 0214 against herpes simplex virus type 1

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) antibodies are found in up to 90 percent of the general population. About 30% of patients who have been exposed to HSV-1 develop recurrent infections, and this degree is continually increasing. In addition, resistance to all major anti-herpetic drugs such as acyclovir (ACV) has been increasingly reported. These observations underscore the importance of discovering new therapeutic tools for the treatment of HSV-1 infections. Bifidobacterium spp. has been studied in various fields including antibacterial and anticancer effect, but the antiviral activity was studied very little. The aim of this study was to test the antiviral activity of Bifidobacterium spp. against HSV-1. The Bifidobacterium adolescentis SPM 0214 used in this study through the screening of 23 Bifidobacterium spp. by plaque assay was assessed the cell viability assay in Vero cells. We also measured the plaque reduction assay and yield reduction assay after B. adolescentis SPM 0214 treatment at concentrations ranging between 10 and 104 μg/mL. The B. adolescentis SPM 0214 was not toxic to Vero cells, and the inhibition of plaque and yield formation was obviously increased compared to those of the control (no additive). Therefore, these results indicate that antiviral activity of B. adolescentis SPM 0214 against HSV-1.

Antimicrobial Activity of Commonly Used Antibiotics and DNA Fingerprint Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Obtained from Clinical Isolates and Unchlorinated Drinking Water in Korea, 2010

Pseudomonas aeruginosa exists in various environments, and can cause mild or serious infections resulting in a wide range of symptoms. In this study, we collected bacterial isolates from hospitalized patients and unchlorinated drinking water, in Korea, 2010. The water-borne and clinical isolates were compared using colony morphology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis. We first compared morphological features of the water-borne and clinical isolates. The clearest difference in colony morphology was colony shape; five water-borne isolate colonies (83%) had a smooth, circular morphology, while nine (75%) clinical isolate colonies had a rough, irregular morphology. Minimum inhibitory concentrations analyses were performed to determine antimicrobial resistant patterns; using ceftazidime, gentamicin, tigecycline, chloramphenicol, meropenem, and tobramycin according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI, 2009) methodology. All waterborne isolates were not resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, and meropenem. The clinical isolates were resistant to every antibiotic except chloramphenicol. Genotyping was performed using the repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase-chain-reaction. The DNA fingerprinting patterns did not reveal genetic similarity between the water-borne and clinical P. aeruginosa isolates. On the contrary, they showed that genetically distinct populations have been established in each of these environments. We have revealed significant morphological, clinical and genetic differences between water-borne and clinical isolates of the same bacterial species.

Producing Functional Soy-Based Yogurt Incubated with Bifidobacterium Longum SPM1205 Isolated from Healthy Adult Koreans

ABSTRACT In the present study Lactobacillus plantarum CBT1209, Pediococcus pentosaceus CBT SL4, and Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205 showed curd formation in soy milk for 8 hours of incubation time in a single-culture experiment. Among these strains, B. longum SPM1205 as a new isolated strain, inhibited the activity of fecal harmful enzymes of rat. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of using a mixed culture containing B. longum SPM1205for obtaining a curd-type soy-based yogurt with respect to curd formation, proximate composition and sensory attributes. Then we examined the changes in pH, lactic acid, and lactic acid bacteria during cold storage. B. longum SPM1205 was capable of producing moderate sour taste and good overall acceptability in curd-type plain soy-based yogurt for 8 hours of fermentation. Most sensory qualities were not significantly different in the strawberry soy-based yogurt compared to those of commercial milk-based yogurt. The pH of the strawberry soy-based yogurt decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during the days of storage (day 0, 5.18; day 1, 4.80), but the decrease slowed down after 3 days of storage. The lactic acid content and lactic acid bacteria population of plain and strawberry soy-based yogurt were not significantly changed over 10 days of storage. The products contained over 8 log of viable lactic acid bacteria. The results provide feasibility that a curd-type soy-based yogurt can be manufactured using B. longum SPM1205. However, more experiments are needed to improve the sensory qualities such as beany or astringent flavor and color.

Enteropathogenic bacteria contamination of unchlorinated drinking water in Korea, 2010.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of unchlorinated drinking water in Korea, 2010. One hundred and eighty unchlorinated drinking water samples were collected from various sites in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Methods To investigate bacterial presence, the pour plate method was used with cultures grown on selective media for total bacteria, total coliforms, and Staphylococcus spp., respectively. Results In the 180 total bacteria investigation, 72 samples from Seoul and 33 samples from Gyeonggi province were of an unacceptable quality (>102 CFU/mL). Of all the samples tested, total coliforms were detected in 28 samples (15.6%) and Staphylococcus spp. in 12 samples (6.7%). Most of the coliform isolates exhibited high-level resistance to cefazolin (88.2%), cefonicid (64.7%) and ceftazidime (20.6%). In addition, Staphylococcus spp. isolates exhibited high-level resistance to mupirocin (42%). Species of Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cupriavidus, Hafnia, Rahnella, Serratia, and Yersinia were isolated from the water samples. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that consumption of unchlorinated drinking water could represent a notable risk to the health of consumers. As such, there is need for continuous monitoring of these water sources and to establish standards.

Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria (Lab) Supplement on The Growth Rate and Elimination of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in Calves

ABSTRACT Diarrhea-producing enteropathogenic bacteria infections in calves continue to be a major world-wide problem. In particular, neonatal calf diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in young calves. Traditionally, formulated antibiotics have been used as preventive treatment. However, consumer concern about antibiotic resistance has increased and interest in alternative supplements has grown. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) supplement, which includes Lactobacillus acidophilus CBT, SAFELAC, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum SPM1204, on the growth rate and elimination of enteropathogenic bacteria in calves. First, 12 calves were assigned to one of three groups for 5 months: control (no additive), treatment 1 (4 g LAB), and treatment 2 (8 g LAB). We recorded body weight once a month, and collected and measured fecal samples from calves after LAB treatment to measure enteropathogenic bacteria counts. We also measured fecal samples from 2 calves before and after 1-week LAB treatment. LAB treatment increased body weight, particularly for treatment 2 compared to control (P = 0.048). The fecal enteropathogenic bacteria counts were decreased by LAB treatment, but did not affect LAB treatment volume. In vitro, LAB also inhibited enteropathogenic bacterial strains growth in co-culture experiment. Therefore, these results indicate that LAB treatment can improve the health of calves.