The anticancer potential of silymarin is well known, including its anti-inflammatory as well as antiproliferative effect mediated by influencing the cell cycle, suppression of apoptosis, and inhibition of cell-survival kinases. However, less is known about silybin, the main component of the silymarin complex, where studies indicate its dual effect on the proliferation and immune response of various cell types in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, there is a lack of studies comparing the effect of silybin on the same type of healthy and tumor cells, especially intestinal ones. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the concentration-dependent effect of silybin on the normal intestinal porcine epithelial cell line-1 (IPEC-1) and the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (CaCo-2). The metabolic viability, cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and the relative gene expression for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were monitored in cells treated with silybin. Silybin stimulates metabolic viability as well as proliferation in IPEC-1 cells, protects the mitochondrial membrane, and thus exerts a cytoprotective effect, and has only a minimal effect on the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines but significantly increases the expression of anti-inflammatory TGF-β. In contrast, it inhibits metabolic viability in tumor intestinal CaCo-2 cells, has an antiproliferative effect accompanied by increased apoptosis, and significantly reduces the expression of genes for pro-inflammatory interleukins as well as TGF-β. The antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effect of silybin on tumor intestinal cells without a negative effect on healthy cells is a prerequisite for its potential use in the adjuvant therapy of colon cancer; however, further studies are necessary.

Intensive fish farming is associated with a high level of stress, causing immunosuppression. Immunomodulators of natural origin, such as probiotics or phytoadditives, represent a promising alternative for increasing the immune function of fish. In this study, we tested the autochthonous trout probiotic strain L. plantarum R2 in a newly developed, low-cost application form ensuring the rapid revitalization of bacteria. We tested continuous and cyclic feeding regimes with regard to their effect on the intestinal immune response and microbiota of rainbow trout. We found that during the continuous application of probiotic feed, the immune system adapts to the immunomodulator and there is no substantial stimulation of the intestinal immune response. During the cyclic treatment, after a 3-week break in probiotic feeding and the reintroduction of probiotics, there was a significant stimulation of the gene expression of molecules associated with both cellular and humoral immunity (CD8, TGF-β, IL8, TLR9), without affecting the gene expression for IL1 and TNF-α. We can conclude that, in aquaculture, this probiotic feed can be used with a continuous application, which does not cause excessive immunostimulation, or with a cyclic application, which provides the opportunity to stimulate the immunity of trout, for example, in periods of stress.

This study examined the impact of a newly developed probiotic feed using the autochthonous probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum R2 Biocenol™ on the immune response of healthy rainbow trout, particularly after infection with Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida. A probiotic feed was tested using different application strategies—continuous and cyclic feeding—to assess its influence on immune function. In the first phase, a non-infectious experiment was conducted to compare these feeding approaches and their effects on immune-related gene expression over time. The second phase involved an infection trial in which fish previously supplemented with probiotics were exposed to a bacterial pathogen to evaluate potential protective effects. Results indicated that while continuous probiotic feeding did not significantly alter immune function, cyclic feeding was associated with a temporary boost in immune response, as evidenced by changes in the expression of key immune-related genes (cd8, igm, il-8, tnf-α). Furthermore, the body length and weight improved in fish fed with probiotics increased over the study period. One week post-infection, pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions (il-1, il-8, tnf-α) were reduced in the probiotic group, with a similar trend observed for other pro-inflammatory molecules. The second infectious sampling indicated increased expression of cd4 and cd8 genes, suggesting heightened acquired immunity in the probiotic group. These findings suggest that probiotics can influence immune function and may contribute to improved disease resistance in aquaculture.

The widespread use of antibiotics in the poultry industry as growth promoters has led to the emergence of bacterial resistance, which poses a significant health risk to humans and animals. Substances of natural origin, such as probiotic bacteria and humic substances, can be a promising solution. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of the administration of a probiotic strain of Limosilactobacillus fermentum 2i3 and/or a new formula of humic substances specifically designed for detoxification on the production parameters, including gene expression of myogenic growth factors and selected parameters of the immune response. We found that production parameters such as feed conversion ratio and weekly weight gain, as well as gene expression of mucin-2 and immunoglobulin A, were positively influenced mainly by the administration of L. fermentum 2i3. Similarly, the percentage of active phagocytes and their absorption capacity as well as the proportions of CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations were significantly increased. The addition of humic substances, either alone or in combination with probiotics, significantly reduced the aforementioned parameters compared to the control. On the other hand, the relative gene expression for all myogenic growth factors was the highest in the humic group alone. Based on the results obtained, we can confirm the immunostimulating effect of L. fermentum 2i3 administered in drinking water, which also had an impact on important production parameters of broiler meat. On the other hand, in the combined group there was no expected potentiation of the positive effects on the observed parameters.

The production of?food of?plant origin is?critically dependent on?the pollination ability of?honey bees, whose health has been deteriorating for a?long time, and whose population is?declining. In?our in?vivo experiment on?a?honey bee brood at?...

Humic substances (HS) are increasingly investigated as natural additives to support health in humans and animals, yet their effects on honey bees remain insufficiently characterised. This study evaluated the impact of a commercial HS-based product on immunity and oxidative status of Apis mellifera . Newly emerged worker bees were kept under laboratory conditions and fed sugar syrup supplemented with 0.5% HS for seven days, while the control group received unsupplemented syrup. Effects of HS were evaluated by analysing the expression of selected immune-related genes, quantifying antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes, evaluating lipid peroxidation, and characterising hemocyte populations. HS supplementation significantly increased relative gene expression of superoxide dismutase 1 and prophenoloxidase , while expression of genes for apidaecin and defensin 1 decreased. HS supplementation significantly increased relative gene expression of superoxide dismutase 1 and prophenoloxidase , while expression of genes for apidaecin and defensin 1 decreased. Similarly, catalase enzymatic activity was significantly decreased in the HS group. No significant changes were detected in gene expression for other AMPs and relative abundance of AMPs, or other antioxidant parameters. HS supplementation significantly increased the proportion of medium granular hemocytes ( p < 0.05) at the expense of high granular cells ( p < 0.01). In conclusion, the 7-day administration of HS at 0.5% did not adversely affect bee health and modulated selected immune parameters. The biological significance of these immunomodulatory effects requires confirmation through challenge studies and field trials under natural conditions.