Lachnospiraceae is a bacterial family usually isolated from human and mammalian intestinal microbiota. However, its presence and role in the infant microbiota is not fully elucidated. This may due to the strictly anaerobic behavior of its members that hampers the possibility of culture-dependent enumeration. Here, we report on the presence of this bacterial group, using biomolecular techniques, in stool samples from 25 babies aged between one and 24 months. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used as a first detection step and data were confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The DGGE showed the presence of Lachnospiraceae in infant fecal specimens and indicated the prevalence of Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus). The qPCR confirmed the presence of the Clostridium XVIa group, Blautia genus, and R. gnavus, which are the main members of this family. We detected R. gnavus in 22 of 25 (88%) samples with a qPCR probe assay. Despite the difficulties associated with their detection and enumeration, Lachnospiraceae, and in particular R. gnavus, should be included in future studies on the infant microbiota composition.

Goals: The aims of this study were to isolate, to identify, and to characterize new potential probiotic strains from the feces of Chinese neonates. Background: Probiotic strains approved in China for use in infants were declared to originate from the human gut of Western subjects. Diet is listed among the main factors affecting the composition of the human gut along with other factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and health status. On the basis of this, the lifestyle of mothers, including dietary habits, could have an impact on the bacterial strains that colonize the gut of their babies. Study: Starting from fecal samples, plated onto selective media, of 26 babies, a total of 38 Lactobacillus and 45 Bifidobacterium colonies were isolated and subcultured, identified at the specie level with the partial sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, and assessed for safety according to international guidelines for probiotics and European guidance. Only 6 Lactobacillus and 5 Bifidobacterium spp. were included for further analysis for the evaluation of survival rate within the gastrointestinal tract and for adhesive properties on the Caco-2 cell line. Some tests for prebiotic metabolism and growth on reconstituted skimmed milk were also performed. Results: Three Lactobacillus strains and 1 Bifidobacterium strain showing interesting adhesive abilities were included in the in vitro immune-stimulatory test with dendritic cells. Among these isolates, the Bifidobacterium breve 2TA showed the most interesting probiotic properties. Conclusions: The results obtained led to the identification of 4 new potential probiotic strains from Chinese babies to be submitted to further investigations about their metabolic and functional features.

Background/Objectives: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a clinical condition characterized by neurological impairments, including brain inflammation, arising from the accumulation of toxic metabolites associated with liver dysfunction and leaky gut. This study investigated the pharmacological activity of a new phytocomplex extracted from red orange by-products (AL0042) using hydrodynamic cavitation and consisting of a mixture of pectin, polyphenols, and essential oils. Methods: Preliminary in vitro studies evaluated the impact on the epithelial integrity (TEER) of enterocytes challenged by a pro-inflammatory cocktail. The effect of AL0042 was then evaluated in a model of thioacetamide (TAA)-treated mice that mimics MHE. A group of 8–10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice was intraperitoneally injected with TAA to establish the MHE model. The intervention group received TAA along with AL0042 (20 mg/kg, administered orally once daily for 7 days). At the end of the treatment, the rotarod test was conducted to evaluate motor ability, along with the evaluation of blood biochemical, liver, and brain parameters. Results: In vitro, AL0042 (250 μg/mL) partially recovered the TEER values, although anti-inflammatory mechanisms played a negligible role. In vivo, compared with the control group, the test group showed significant behavioral differences, together with alterations in plasma ammonia, serum TNF-α, ALT, AST, corticosterone levels, and SOD activity. Moreover, histological data confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect at liver and brain level. Conclusions: AL0042 treatment revealed a significant therapeutic effect on the TAA-induced MHE mouse model, curbing oxidative stress and peripheral and central inflammation, thus suggesting that its pharmacological activity deserves to be further investigated in clinical studies.

Recent investigations have highlighted, both experimentally and clinically, that probiotic strains equipped with arabinofuranosidase, in particular abfA and abfB, favor regular intestinal motility, thus counteracting constipation. By analyzing the gene expression and the proliferative response in the presence of arabinan of the probiotic B. longum W11, a strain previously validated as an anti-constipation probiotic, we have speculated that its response mechanism to arabinan can effectively explain its clinical action. Our approach could be used in the future to select probiotics endowed with arabinofuranosidase-related anti-constipation effects.