Bifidobacterium bifidum has been used in foreign to treat antibiotics induced diarrhoea with many advantages compared to Bacillus subtilis. But in Vietnam, there are not like this. We have researched a basis to use this bacterium in a pharmaceutical product. We isolated, screened the optimal conditions to culture B. bifidum and built up the growth curve of it. An in vitro trial had been developed on rat and showed that B. bifidum had a good effect on treatment antibiotics induced diarrhoea.
Bifidobacterium ; Anti-Bacterial Agents

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of pectin, a kind of soluble dietary fiber, in diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).

METHODSA total of 87 patients with IBS-D were selected in the Jinling Hospital between July 2011 and December 2013. Using a randomized, controlled trial, the efficacy of pectin for IBS-D was prospectively evaluated. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 24 g pectin powder/d (n=46) or a placebo (n=41). Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, colonic microflora was examined by real-time PCR and compared between groups. Changes in stool frequency and form (Bristol stool scale), composite score of symptoms (Likert scale) and QOL scores (IBS-QOL questionnaire) were also monitored. Peripheral blood sample from patients with IBS-D was obtained to estimate the cytokines level, which was compared with that obtained from a group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (n=20).

RESULTSThose patients randomized to pectin experienced a greater reduction in composite symptom scores and Bristol stool scale scores, as well as significant improvement in QOL scores (P<0.05). The pectin acted as prebiotics and significantly enhanced faecal bifidobacteria and decreased total Clostridium sp (P<0.05). At baseline, patients with IBS-D demonstrated an abnormal IL-10/IL-12 ratio, which was normalized by pectin feeding alone (P<0.01). Placebo did not exert these effects on the aforementioned parameters after treatment. No significant adverse effects were reported during the study.

CONCLUSIONSPectin acts as a prebiotic in specifically stimulating gut bifidobacteria in IBS-D patients and is effective in alleviating clinical symptoms, balancing colonic microflora and relieving systemic inflammation. In view of its ability to re-establish a healthy gut ecosystem, pectin has the potential of being a therapeutic agent in IBS-D.

Bifidobacterium ; Diarrhea ; Feces ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Pectins ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Feeding in infancy is the most significant determinant of the intestinal microbiota in early life. The aim of this study was to determine the gut microbiota of Korean infants and compare the microbiota obtained between breast-fed and formula-fed Korean infants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed the microbial communities in fecal samples collected from twenty 4-week old Korean (ten samples in each breast-fed or formula-fed) infants using pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The fecal microbiota of the 4-week-old Korean infants consisted of the three phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In addition, five species, including Bifidocbacterium longum, Streptococcus salivarius, Strepotococcus lactarius, Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, and Lactobacillus gasseri were common commensal intestinal microbiota in all infants. The predominant intestinal microbiota in the breast-fed infants (BFI) included the phylum Actinobacteria (average 70.55%), family Bifidobacteriacea (70.12%), genus Bifidobacterium (70.03%) and species Bifidobacterium longum (69.96%). In the microbiota from the formula-fed infants (FFI), the proportion of the phylum Actinobacteria (40.68%) was less, whereas the proportions of Firmicutes (45.38%) and Proteobacteria (13.85%) as well as the diversity of each taxonomic level were greater, compared to those of the BFI. The probiotic species found in the 4-week-old Korean infants were Bifidobacterium longum, Streptococcus salivarius, and Lactobacillus gasseri. These probiotic species accounted for 93.81% of the microbiota from the BFI, while only 63.80% of the microbiota from the FFI. In particular, B. longum was more abundant in BFI (69.96%) than in FFI (34.17%). CONCLUSIONS: Breast milk supports the growth of B. longum and inhibits others. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first attempt to analyze the gut microbiota of healthy Korean infants according to the feeding type using pyrosequencing. Our data can be used as a basis for further studies to investigate the development of intestinal microbiota with aging and disease status.
Actinobacteria ; Aging ; Bifidobacterium ; Humans ; Infant* ; Lactobacillus ; Microbiota* ; Milk, Human ; Probiotics ; Proteobacteria ; Streptococcus ; Sulfalene

The improvement of intestinal microflora is the main function of intestine-related healthy functional foods. In this context, probiotics, which have a beneficial effect on human health when ingested as live microorganisms, are an important component of functional food. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the as agents commonly used as probiotic bacteria. In reflection of the increasing recognition of the importance of the probiotics, new regulations and guidelines are being established to cover the functionality and safety of the probiotics. This article introduces some of the evaluations and guidelines being developed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, the Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate, and the Korean FDA. The beneficial effects of probiotics are known to be strain-specific. Therefore efforts to improve strain-specific characteristics are needed.
Bacteria ; Bifidobacterium ; Functional Food* ; Humans ; Joints ; Lactobacillus ; Probiotics ; Social Control, Formal*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated gut flora characteristics in patients with functional constipation (FC) and influences of short-term treatment with VSL#3 probiotic on flora and symptom improvement. METHODS: Thirty patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for FC and 30 controls were enrolled. Fecal samples were obtained before and after VSL#3 intake (one sachet twice daily for 2 weeks) and flora were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Symptom changes were also investigated. RESULTS: The fold differences in Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species were significantly lower in feces from FC, compared to in controls (P = 0.030 and P = 0.021). After taking VSL#3, the fold differences in Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species increased in controls (P = 0.022, P = 0.018, and P = 0.076), but not in FC. Mean Bristol scores and complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs)/week increased significantly in FC after ingesting VSL#3 (both P < 0.001). Relief of subjective CSBM frequency, stool consistency and abdominal bloating were reported in 70%, 60%, and 47% of patients. After VSL#3 cessation, 44.4% of patients with symptom improvement experienced constipation recurrence mostly within one month. CONCLUSIONS: Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species might be quantitatively altered in FC. A short-term VSL#3 treatment can improve clinical symptoms of FC. Further studies are needed to investigate VSL#3's additional effects beyond altering gut flora to allevate constipation.
Bacteroides ; Bifidobacterium ; Constipation* ; Feces ; Humans ; Lactobacillus ; Microbiota ; Probiotics* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the colonization of 8 species of bifidobacteria by systematically profiling fecal bifidobacterial community in the early life of infants.

METHODSFresh fecal samples including meconium samples were collected for culture and isolation of fecal bifidobacteria from 16 cases of full-term newborn infants born between March and April 2013 at their life of 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 28, and 90 days. The isolated fecal bifidobacteria were taxonomically identified to genus and 8 species with PCR analysis.

RESULTSOne hundred and fifty-two predominant bifidobacteria strains were detected in the fecal samples, the detection rate of B. breve (22.4%) were the highest. Bifidobacteria were found in the feces of 8% infants 4 days after birth. The colonization rates increased to 54% and 60% at 28 days and 3 months respectively, significantly exceeding the colonization rate at 4 days after birth (P<0.05). Adult-type bifidobacteria B. catenulatum were found in the infants 10 days after birth, and infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were found at 14 days after birth, but infant-type bifidobacteria B. infantis were detected at a high level until 3 months after birth. The most tested infants had 2 species or less of bifidobacteria.

CONCLUSIONSIntestinal bifidobacteria in infants might have less diversity in early infancy. Infant-type bifidobacteria appear late, while adult-type bifidobacteria colonize earlier.

Bifidobacterium ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Breast Feeding ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Male

To demonstrate the fructose metabolism pathway in Bifidobacterium Longum NCC2705 and to construct its fermentation model, we explored the comparative proteome cultivating the strain on glucose or fructose, based on a proteomic reference map of B. longum NCC2705 constructed earlier. Then, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and electro-spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) for differently expressed proteins identification. Furthermore, with semi-quantitative RT-PCR we determined the distinctively expressed proteins at the level of transcription. Proteomic comparison of glucose- and fructose-grown cells demonstrated much similarity. On the page of fructose there were all the enzymes and proteins that exist during the process of glucose degradation. We observed a greater variation of more than three-fold for the identified 9 spots representing 5 protein entries by MALDI-TOF MS. The sugar-binding protein specific to fructose (BL0033) and an ABC transporter ATP binding protein (BL0034) showed higher expression level from cells grown on fructose. It was also determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR subsequently. BL0033 time course and concentration experiments showed that the induction time correlated to higher fructose concentration, and increased expression of BL0033. Fructose was catabolized via the same degradation pathway as glucose at the level of proteomics. BL0033 was induced by fructose. All results suggest that the uptake of fructose into the cell may be conducted by a specific ABC transport system, in which BL0033 and BL0034 as components might have played an important role.
Bifidobacterium ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; Fermentation ; Fructose ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Proteome ; analysis ; genetics ; Proteomics ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy in preventing atopic dermatitis in children. METHODS: RevMan5.3 was used to perform a Meta analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy in preventing atopic dermatitis in children published between January 2008 and May 2018 across the world. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to the type of probiotics for intervention, follow-up time, time of probiotic supplementation, and study areas. RESULTS: A total of 22 articles were selected, with 3 280 cases in the intervention group and 3 281 cases in the control group. The results of pooled effect size showed that probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and/or infancy significantly reduced the incidence rate of atopic dermatitis (RR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.70-0.93, P<0.05). According to the subgroup analysis, the intervention with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium had a significant effect (RR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.52-0.90, P<0.05); probiotic supplementation during both pregnancy and infancy also had a significant effect (RR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.66-0.90, P<0.05); probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and/or infancy had a better effect in preventing atopic dermatitis in children aged ≤2 years than in those aged >2 years (RR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.61-0.90, P<0.05); probiotic supplementation had a significant effect in Australia (RR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.73-0.96, P<0.05) and Europe/the United States (RR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.61-0.91, P<0.05). Heterogeneity was mainly due to follow-up time (I=62.7%) and time of probiotic supplementation (I=53.5%). CONCLUSIONS Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy helps to prevent atopic dermatitis in children, and mixed Lactobacillus-Bifidobacterium intervention has a better effect.
Bifidobacterium ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lactobacillus ; Pregnancy ; Probiotics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, a number of studies have reported that the gut microbiota could contribute to human conditions, including obesity, inflammation, cancer development, and behavior. We hypothesized that the composition and distribution of gut microbiota are different according to stool frequency, and attempted to identify the association between gut microbiota and stool frequency. METHODS: We collected fecal samples from healthy individuals divided into 3 groups according to stool frequency: group 1, a small number of defecation (≤2 times/wk); group 2, normal defecation (1 time/day or 1 time/2 day); and group 3, a large number of defecation (≥2–3 times/day). We evaluated the composition and distribution of the gut microbiota in each group via 16S rRNA-based taxonomic profiling of the fecal samples. RESULTS: Fecal samples were collected from a total of 60 individuals (31 men and 29 women, aged 34.1±5.88 years), and each group comprised 20 individuals. The microbial richness of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 3 and tended to decrease with increasing number of defecation (P<0.05). The biological community composition was fairly different according to the number of defecation, and Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio was higher in group 1 than in the other groups. Moreover, we found specific strains at the family and genus levels in groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio and the abundance of Bifidobacterium were different according to the stool frequency, and specific bacteria were identified in the subjects with large and small numbers of defecation, respectively. These findings suggest that stool frequency might be associated with the richness and community composition of the gut microbiota.
Bacteria ; Bacteroidetes ; Bifidobacterium ; Biota ; Defecation ; Feces ; Female ; Firmicutes ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Obesity

OBJECTIVES: To examine the changes of intestinal flora in children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the influence of chemotherapy on intestinal flora. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from 40 children newly diagnosed with ALL before chemotherapy and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after chemotherapy. Ten healthy children served as the control group. 16S rDNA sequencing and analysis were performed to compare the differences in intestinal flora between the ALL and control groups and children with ALL before and after chemotherapy. RESULTS: The ALL group had a significant reduction in the abundance of intestinal flora at 1 and 2 months after chemotherapy, with a significant reduction compared with the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the ALL group had a significant reduction in the diversity of intestinal flora before and after chemotherapy (P<0.05). At the phylum level, compared with the control group, the ALL group had a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after chemotherapy (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria at 1 and 2 months after chemotherapy (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with the control group, the ALL group had a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after chemotherapy (P<0.05); the relative abundance of Klebsiella in the ALL group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 1 and 2 months after chemotherapy and showed a significant increase at 1 month after chemotherapy (P<0.05); the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the ALL group was significantly lower than that in the control group before and after chemotherapy and showed a significant reduction at 2 weeks and 1 month after chemotherapy (P<0.05). The relative abundance of Enterococcus increased significantly at 1 and 2 months after chemotherapy in the ALL group (P<0.05), and was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The diversity of intestinal flora in children with ALL is significantly lower than that in healthy children. Chemotherapy significantly reduces the abundance of intestinal flora and can reduce the abundance of some probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium) and increase the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella and Enterococcus) in children with ALL.
Bacteria/genetics* ; Bifidobacterium ; Child ; Feces/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy*