Ming Li

Effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 on metabolic characteristics and immunity of rats with the metabolic syndrome

The present study investigated the potential health-promoting effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 (TMC0356) on the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the probable mechanisms underlying these effects using an MS rat model. For the purpose of the study, sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group fed a conventional diet, an MS model group fed a high-fat and high-salt (HFS) diet and three TMC0356 test groups (low-, medium- and high-dose groups) fed an HFS diet supplemented with TMC0356 at 41.8, 83.5 and 167.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) per d, respectively. Food intake and BW were measured weekly. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP) were measured at 0, 5, 10 and 15 weeks. Organ coefficients, immune cell counts and serum insulin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, TNF-α, IgG and secretory IgA levels were measured at the 15th week after diet intervention. The HFS diet increased the BW, liver or fat:BW ratio, FBG, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, adiponectin, serum LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and BP (P< 0.01). Average food and energy intakes in the three TMC0356 groups were significantly lower than those of the MS model group. All the metabolic indices, except BP, were markedly improved (P< 0.05) by oral administration of low and medium doses of TMC0356. The thymus index in the medium-dose group and lymphocyte, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and IgG levels in all the three TMC0356 groups were significantly increased (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01) compared with those in the MS model group. These results suggest that TMC0356 can improve the metabolic characteristics of MS rats by suppressing appetite. Additionally, the enhancement of inflammatory immune response may be, at least in part, the mechanism underlying the health-promoting effects of TMC0356 on the MS.

Basal energy expenditure in southern Chinese healthy adults: measurement and development of a new equation.

The objective of the present study is to measure basal energy expenditure (BEE) using the Cosmed K₄b² portable metabolic system (Rome, Italy) and to develop a new predictive equation for BEE in southern Chinese adults. A total of 165 healthy Chinese adults aged 18-45 years with normal body weight were involved in the present study. BEE was measured by Cosmed K₄b². Body composition was determined by body composition analysers (ImpediMed DF50, QLD, Australia). Multiple linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were applied to develop a new optimal equation for predicting BEE of southern healthy Chinese adults. Measured BEE (mBEE) of southern Chinese healthy adults was 5513 (sem 96) kJ/d, which was similar to the results predicted by the equation developed by of Liu 5579 (sem 57) kJ/d (P = 0·37) and significantly lower than those from equations developed by Henry (5763 (sem 54) kJ/d), Schofield (5898 (sem 58) kJ/d) and Harris-Benedict (HB; 5863 (sem 51) kJ/d) (all P = 0·001). The optimal equation developed by our data was BEE (kJ/d) = 277+89 weight (kg)+600 sex (male = 1 and female = 0) (r² = 0·48, n 165). For males, BEE (kJ/d) = 105 weight (kg) - 58 (r² = 0·27, n 79); for females, BEE (kJ/d) = 69 weight (kg)+1335 (r² = 0·24, n 86). In conclusion, the mBEE of southern Chinese healthy adults was 5513 (sem 96) kJ/d. The BMR of Chinese adults of normal weight is overestimated by widely used prediction equations developed by Henry, Schofield and HB. The equation developed in the present study (equation 7) can be used in predicting BEE for Chinese adults aged 18-45 years with normal body weight.

Yogurt supplemented with probiotics can protect the healthy elderly from respiratory infections: A randomized controlled open-label trial

Purpose To evaluate whether yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain could protect middle-aged and elderly people from acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) using a randomized, blank-controlled, parallel-group design. Patients and methods Two hundred and five volunteers aged ≥45 years were randomly divided into two groups. The subjects in the intervention group were orally administered 300 mL/d of yogurt supplemented with a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 (N1115), 3.6×107 CFU/mL for 12 weeks, while those in the control group retained their normal diet without any probiotic supplementation. The primary outcome was the incidence of URTI, and changes in serum protein, immunoglobulins, and the profiles of the T-lymphocyte subsets (total T-cells [CD3+], T-helper cells [CD4+], and T-cytotoxic-suppressor cells [CD8+]) during the intervention were the secondary outcomes. Results Compared to the control group, the number of persons diagnosed with an acute URTI and the number of URTI events significantly decreased in the intervention group (P=0.038, P=0.030, respectively). The risk of URTI in the intervention group was evaluated as 55% of that in the control group (relative risk =0.55, 95% CI: 0.307–0.969). The change in the percentage of CD3+ cells in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.038). However, no significant differences were observed in the total protein, albumin, globulin, and prealbumin levels in both groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The study suggested that yogurt with selected probiotic strains such as N1115 may reduce the risk of acute upper tract infections in the elderly. The enhancement of the T-cell-mediated natural immune defense might be one of the important underlying mechanisms for probiotics to express their anti-infective effects.

Development and validation of a new model of desirable dietary pattern (N-DDP) score for Chinese diets.

OBJECTIVEnTo develop a new model of desirable dietary pattern (N-DDP) score for Chinese diets and to validate it against the nutrient-rich foods (NRF) index.nnnDESIGNnThe N-DDP score model followed the principles of the traditional DDP (T-DDP) score model (DDP-China for 2000) proposed in 1991 and of food grouping in the dietary pagoda for Chinese residents in 2007, and made detailed ratings by expressing the food weight coefficient, reasonable maximum limit of the score and an algorithm of the deserved score for each group of foods after considering current nutritional problems of Chinese residents. The N-DDP score model was validated against the NRF9·3 index with linear regression analysis and compared with the T-DDP score model. Settings One set of dietary data was extracted from the diet recommended by the dietary pagoda for Chinese residents in 2007 and the literature on dietary surveys in China. The other two sets of dietary data were from a dietary survey in 2011. DDP scores for all three dietary data sets were calculated with the N-DDP score model and the T-DDP score model.nnnSUBJECTSnAll items of dietary records in the three dietary data sets were included in the present study.nnnRESULTSnAll DDP scores obtained with the N-DDP score model were positively correlated (P = 0·000) with the NRF9·3 index. DDP scores obtained with the N-DDP score model had higher R 2 with the NRF9·3 index than those of the T-DDP score model, as well as higher β values.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIt can be considered that the N-DDP score is a more accurate and convenient tool to evaluate current individual and group diet for Chinese residents.

Possible correlation between gut microbiota and immunity among healthy middle-aged and elderly people in southwest China

BackgroundThe present study was conducted to investigate the possible association between gut microbes and immunity among healthy middle-aged and elderly individuals in southwest China. A total of 148 healthy adults agedxa0≥xa050xa0years were divided into two age groups: middle-aged group (50–59xa0years; nxa0=xa067, 54.13xa0±xa03.32) and elderly group (≥xa060xa0years; nxa0=xa081, 64.70xa0±xa03.93). Blood samples were collected to measure serum immune and biochemical indices. Gut microbiota compositions of the groups were characterized on the basis of faecal DNA using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsAmong the detected gut microbes, the presence of Alistipes was negatively correlated with age in both groups. In the middle-aged group, age was negatively correlated with the presence of Desulfovibrio and Faecalibacterium. In the elderly group, Coprococcus was present at significantly higher levels; age was negatively correlated with the presence of Lachnobacterium, Oxalobacter and the Chao index, whereas positively correlated with the presence of Sutterella. In the middle-aged group, the presence of Bacteroidetes was positively correlated with serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and the percent of CD8+ T cells and negatively correlated with the CD4+/CD8+ ratio; the presence of Firmicutes was negatively correlated with IgM levels; Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio was positively correlated with IgG and IgM levels and Simpson index was negatively correlated with the percent of CD8+ T cells and positively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ ratio. In the elderly group, the presence of Verrucomicrobia (identified as genus Akkermansia) was positively correlated with IgA levels and the percent of CD8+ T cells and negatively correlated with the percent of CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio; the Chao index and observed species were positively correlated with IgA levels.ConclusionsThese results indicated that ageing could significantly correlate with the composition of gut microbiota in terms of quantity and quality. Changes in gut microbiota caused by ageing, characterized by decreased Bacteroidetes levels, might be associated with immunosenescence among healthy middle-aged and elderly people in southwest China.

Vancomycin and ceftriaxone can damage intestinal microbiota and affect the development of the intestinal tract and immune system to different degrees in neonatal mice

This study aimed to determine how antibiotic-driven intestinal dysbiosis impairs the development and differentiation of the digestive tract and immune organs of host animals. BALB/C neonatal mice were orally administered ceftriaxone or vancomycin from postnatal day 1 to day 21 and sacrificed on day 21. The diversity and abundance of the intestinal bacteria, morphological changes and barrier function of intestinal tract, and the splenic CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells were investigated. The gut microbiota and intestinal tissue were damaged, and the numbers of Ki67-, Muc2- and ZO-1-positive cells were significantly decreased in the antibiotic treatment groups. Furthermore, the administration of ceftriaxone, but not vancomycin, led to a significant reduction in the abundance of splenic CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells. Each antibiotic caused intestinal dysbiosis and characteristically influenced the regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells, formation of the intestinal mucus layer and tight junctions, and differentiation of splenic Foxp3+ Treg cells of the neonatal mice before any clinical side effects were observed. The potent ability of each antibiotic to affect the makeup of intestinal commensal microbiota may be a key determinant of the spectrum of antibiotics and influence the health of the host animal, at leastxa0partly.

Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 Can Characteristically Influence Glucose and Lipid Profile and Intestinal Microbiota in the Middle-Aged and Elderly

Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 strain (TMC3115) was orally administrated to 47 subjects with mild hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia aged 45 to 75xa0years for 3xa0weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after intervention for profiling plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, as well as fasting blood glucose. Before and 3 and 4xa0weeks after intervention, the faecal samples were collected to analyse faecal microbiota using the sequencing of 16S rRNA genes with a next-generation sequencer. TMC3115 significantly decreased plasma TC and LDL-C levels of the tested subjects after intervention (Pu2009<u20090.05). The frequencies of defaecation and faecal odour after the intervention and 1xa0week later were significantly better than at pre-intervention, respectively. TMC3115 administration increased Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Actinobacteria and decreases in Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. There were significant increases in the proportions of Dorea and Lachnospira after the intervention (Pu2009<u20090.05). TMC3115 also increased the level of Firmicutes and decreased that of Bacteroidetes 1xa0week after the intervention (Pu2009<u20090.05). Serum triglycerides correlated negatively with the proportions of Bacteroidetes (Ru2009=u2009−u20090.21, Pu2009=u20090.047) and Bacteroides (Ru2009=u2009−u20090.23, Pu2009=u20090.029), while the relative abundance of Dialister of Firmicutes correlated negatively and significantly with the serum LDL-C (Ru2009=u2009−u20090.24, Pu2009=u20090.022) and TC levels (Ru2009=u2009−u20090.22, Pu2009=u20090.030). These results indicate that TMC3115 might exhibit beneficial effects on the serum cholesterol metabolism of subjects with dyslipidaemia through modulation of their intestinal microbiota. Trial registration: ChiCTR-OOC-16010271

Oral administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 to neonatal mice may alleviate IgE-mediated allergic risk in adulthood

This study aimed to demonstrate whether exposure to bifidobacteria during early life influences immunity and alleviates the risk of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies in adulthood. BALB/c neonatal mice (n=54) were administered with a lyophilised cell preparation of Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 (TMC3115) for 3 weeks. Following the intervention, the mice were immunised with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA). The morphology and function of the intestinal epithelium were determined using histopathological examinations. Intestinal microbiota was detected using quantitative PCR and characterised using next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from faecal DNA. Caecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the percentage of splenic CD4+ T cells were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively. TMC3115 did not significantly affect body weight, and cause any severe systemic inflammation or other clinical symptoms among the neonatal or adult mice, although the crypt depths and Muc2-positive cells in some intestinal segments of neonatal mice were significantly lower than control. Oral TMC3115 administration significantly increased faecal microbial diversity, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and caecal SCFAs production in neonatal mice. Following the intervention, neonatal mice treated with TMC3115 exhibited less increase in serum IgE levels induced by OVA in adults and significantly higher TNF-α and IL-10 levels than in control. Our findings indicate that the oral administration of bifidobacteria, particularly certain strains, such as TMC3115, during early life could alleviate the risk of IgE-mediated allergies in adult host animals. Modifications of intestinal microbiota, SCFAs metabolism and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production by bifidobacteria may at least in part be a key mechanism underlying the effect of bifidobacteria on the IgE-mediated immune sensitivity of hosts to attacks by allergens at both neonatal and adult stages.