Lactobacillus probiotics contained in dietary supplements or functional foods are well-known for their beneficial properties exerted on host health and diverse pathological situations. Their capacity to improve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and regulate the immune system is especially remarkable. Although bacteria–host interactions have been thought to occur directly, the key role that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from probiotics play on this point is being unveiled. EVs are lipid bilayer-enclosed particles that carry a wide range of cargo compounds and act in different signalling pathways. Notably, these EVs have been recently proposed as a safe alternative to the utilisation of live bacteria since they can avoid the possible risks that probiotics may entail in vulnerable cases such as immunocompromised patients. Therefore, this review aims to give an updated overview of the existing knowledge about EVs from different Lactobacillus strains, their mechanisms and effects in host health and different pathological conditions. All of the information collected suggests that EVs could be considered as potential tools for the development of future novel therapeutic approaches.

Obesity is a global health issue associated with insulin resistance and altered lipid homeostasis. It has been described that reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) activity are involved in the development of these pathologies. The present study describes the role of endothelial NOX5 expression over adipose tissue by using two experimental systems: NOX5 conditional knock-in mice fed with a high-fat diet and 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured with conditioned media of NOX5-expressing endothelial cells previously treated with glucose and palmitic acid. Animals expressing NOX5 presented lower body weight gain and less mesenteric and epididymal adipose mass compared to control mice fed with the same diet. NOX5-expressing mice also showed significantly lower glycaemia and improved insulin-induced glucose uptake. In addition, Glut4 and Caveolin 1 (Cav1) expression were significantly increased in the adipose tissue of these animals. Likewise, 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with conditioned media from NOX5-expressing endothelial cells, incubated with high glucose and palmitic acid, presented a reduction in lipid accumulation and an increase in glucose uptake. Moreover, a significant increase in the expression of Glut4 and Cav1 was also detected in these cells. Taken together, all these data support that, in response to a highly caloric diet, NOX5 endothelial activity may regulate glucose sensitivity and lipid homeostasis in the adipose tissue.

Hypercholesterolemia plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevention seems to be a crucial healthcare strategy to ameliorate these conditions. Subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia are frequently advised against using cholesterol-lowering drugs due to potential side effects, with an emphasis instead on prioritizing dietary adjustments and lifestyle modifications as the primary strategy. In this context, the use of dietary supplements based on medicinal plants may be recommended as a complementary approach to managing elevated cholesterol levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and potential therapeutic effectiveness of a standardized formulation containing extracts from garlic and onions in addressing the health concerns of individuals with slightly elevated cholesterol levels. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, two parallel-group study was conducted over 8 weeks, with clinical visits scheduled at baseline, weeks 2 and 4, as well as at the end of the study. The results revealed significant reductions in both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels among participants who received the extract. Additionally, improvements in blood pressure, as well as in oxidative and inflammatory markers were observed, thus suggesting its potential as a valuable therapeutic intervention for managing mild hypercholesterolemia.

Aging is a biological process with high susceptibility to several infections. This risk increases in older patients in residential care facilities (RCF). Thus, there is a clear demand for developing preventive interventions with new therapeutic compounds that combine efficacy and safety. This could be the case of compounds derived from plants of the genus Allium spp. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a combination of a garlic and onion extract concentrate standardized in organosulfur compounds derived from propiin on the incidence of respiratory tract infections in elderly patients of RCF. Sixty-five volunteers were selected at random to receive a placebo or a single daily dose of the extract for thirty-six weeks. Different clinical visits were performed to evaluate the main respiratory diseases with an infectious origin, as well as the associated symptoms and their duration. The extract showed a clinical safety profile and significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory infections. Moreover, the treatment decreased the number and duration of the associated symptoms compared with the placebo group. For the first time, we demonstrated the protective effect of Alliaceae extract in respiratory infectious diseases in elderly healthy volunteers, which could be used prophylactically against the most common infectious respiratory diseases.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, a probiotic strain isolated from human milk, has reported beneficial effects on different gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, it has shown its ability to restore altered immune responses, in association with microbiome modulation in different pathological conditions. Therefore, our aim was to assess the effects of a Limosilacbacillus fermentum CECT5716 in a rat experimental model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that resembles human IBS. The experimental IBS was induced by deoxycholic acid (DCA) in rats and then, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (10⁹ CFU/day/rat) was administered. Behavioral studies, hyperalgesia and intestinal hypersensitivity determinations were performed and the impact of the probiotic on the inflammatory and intestinal barrier integrity was evaluated. Additionally, the gut microbiota composition was analyzed. Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 attenuated the anxiety-like behavior as well as the visceral hypersensitivity and referred pain. Moreover, this probiotic ameliorated the gut inflammatory status, re-establishing the altered intestinal permeability, reducing the mast cell degranulation and re-establishing the gut dysbiosis in experimental IBS. Therefore, our results suggest a potential use of Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 in clinical practice for the management of IBS patients.

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has increased the number of patients entering Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities and antibiotic treatments. Concurrently, the multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) colonization index has risen. Considering that most of these bacteria are derived from gut microbiota, the study of its composition is essential. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 infection may promote gut dysbiosis, suggesting an effect on microbiota composition. This pilot study aims to determine bacteria biomarkers to predict MDRB colonization risk in SARS-CoV-2 patients in ICUs. Seventeen adult patients with an ICU stay >48 h and who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this study. Patients were assigned to two groups according to routine MDRB colonization surveillance: non-colonized and colonized. Stool samples were collected when entering ICUs, and microbiota composition was determined through Next Generation Sequencing techniques. Gut microbiota from colonized patients presented significantly lower bacterial diversity compared with non-colonized patients (p < 0.05). Microbiota in colonized subjects showed higher abundance of Anaerococcus, Dialister and Peptoniphilus, while higher levels of Enterococcus, Ochrobactrum and Staphylococcus were found in non-colonized ones. Moreover, LEfSe analysis suggests an initial detection of Dialister propionicifaciens as a biomarker of MDRB colonization risk. This pilot study shows that gut microbiota profile can become a predictor biomarker for MDRB colonization in SARS-CoV-2 patients.