Articles
Bifidobacteria and Intestinal Flora
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Title 【JSBBA Award for Women Corporate Researchers】Research on gut bacteria, with a focus on Human-Residential Bifidobacteria. From infants to the elderly: contributing to health through gut microbiota research Author A.Horigome Journal KAGAKU TO SEIBUTSU 62(5): 240-245 (2024) Summary Bifidobacteria are crucial for a healthy gut in infants. Changes in the gut microbiota, such as reduced bifidobacteria, are associated with age-related diseases. This article introduces the characteristics of Human-Residential Bifidobacteria and the prebiotic substances for the appropriate regulation of the gut microbiota in the elderly. -
Title 【JSBBA Award for Achievement in Technological Research】Extending healthy life expectancy through the study of brain-gut-microbiota axis -Gut microbiota involved in psychiatric disorder and potential for prevention by Bifidobacterium- Author K.Ohno Journal KAGAKU TO SEIBUTSU 62(5): 226-232 (2024) Summary The gut including gut microbiota and the brain influence each other through various pathways. It has recently become clear that gut microbiota are closely involved in the development and prevention of psychiatric disorders, and we have found that continuous intake of bifidobacterium may maintain and improve cognitive function. -
Title Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and its impact on subjective symptoms of physical conditions associated with common cold-like symptoms in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Author C.Xu, A.Hiraku, S.Arai, N.Iwabuchi, M.Tanaka, and M.Nakamura*
*Department of Neurosurgery, Matsumoto City HospitalJournal Journal of Functional Foods 115: 106113 (2024) Summary A randomised controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (10 billion/day) on subjective symptoms of physical condition in healthy adults. The results showed that subjects taking BB536 had a significantly lower incidence of the feverishness, a systemic symptom, than the placebo group, suggesting that BB536 supplementation may contribute to the maintenance of physical condition in healthy adults. -
Title Immunomodulatory activity of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849 based on the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the peripheral blood of healthy adults Author Y.Li, T.Aoki, S.Iwabuchi*1, S.Arai, N.Iwabuchi, H.Motobayashi*2, M.Tanaka, and S.Hashimoto*1
*1Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Wakayama Medical University, *2Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical UniversityJournal Food Science & Nutrition 12: 3452–3460（2024） Summary The phagocytosis of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849 (LAC-Shield) by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) was observed by co-culture with enriched DCs derived from healthy adults, and significant increases in the surface marker CD86 and HLA-DR were detected in pDCs. The results suggest that LAC-Shield has an immunomodulatory effect through the activation of peripheral pDCs. -
Title Effects of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849 on immune parameters in healthy adults; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study Author K.Kato, S.Arai, S.Sato, N.Iwabuchi, T.Takara*, and M.Tanaka
*Medical Corporation Seishinkai, Takara ClinicJournal Nutrients 16(2): 216 (2024) Summary Participants ingested test powder with 50 billion cells of MCC1849 (LAC-Shield™) or placebo powder for 4 weeks. The expression level of activation marker on pDCs was significantly higher in the MCC1849 group compared to placebo at 4 weeks. This finding indicated that the ingestion of MCC1849 had positive effects of MCC1849 on pDCs. -
Title Bifidobacterium breve M-16V regulates the autonomic nervous system via the intestinal environment: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study Author N.Mutoh, M.Moriya*1, C.Xu, K.Kato, S.Arai, N.Iwabuchi, M.Tanaka, Y.Jinghua*2, R.Itamura*1, K.Sakatani*1, and S.Warisawa*1
*1Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, *2Mishuku HospitalJournal Behavioural Brain Research 460: 114820 (2024) Summary A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effects of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on subjective and objective measures related to mood. Results suggest that B. breve M-16V may affect the metabolites of the intestinal microbiota, modulate the autonomic nervous system, and improve mood and sleep status. -
Title The Potential Immunomodulatory Effect of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536 on healthy adults through plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation in the peripheral blood Author Y.Li, S.Arai, K.Kato, S.Iwabuchi*1, N.Iwabuchi, N.Muto, H.Motobayashi*2, S.Ebihara*3, M.Tanaka, and S.Hashimoto*1
*1Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Wakayama Medical University, *2Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, *3Chiyoda Paramedical Care ClinicJournal Nutrients 16(1): 42 (2024) Summary The immunomodulatory effect of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 was evaluated in a double-blind RCT clinical study using healthy adults as subjects. Each subject received an oral administration of 10 billion CFU per day for 4 weeks. The results showed that BB536 intake significantly increased the expression level of the peripheral plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) surface marker, CD86, compared with the placebo group. BB536 also induced pDC activation by significantly upregulating the expressions of surface markers, CD86 and HLA-DR, in vitro. -
Title Preferential sugar utilization by bifidobacterial species Author R.Murakami, K.Yoshida, M.Sakanaka*1, T.Urashima*2, JZ.Xiao, T.Katayama*1, and T.Odamaki
*1Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, *2Department of Food and Life Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary MedicineJournal Microbiome Research Reports 2(4):31 (2023) Summary We evaluated which of glucose and lactose is preferentially utilized when both are present in the culture medium for 40 species and 45 strains of Bifidobacterium. Our result showed that the preference for sugar utilization varies depending on the strain, and all of the Human-Residential Bifidobacteria preferentially utilize lactose. -
Title Effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 on body composition in normal and overweight adults in randomized placebo-controlled study Author S.Sato, Satoshi Arai, Kumiko Kato, Keisuke Yoshida, Noriyuki Iwabuchi, Toru Sagami* and Miyuki Tanaka
*Shinagawa Season Terrace Health Care ClinicJournal Nutrients 16(6): 815 (2024) Summary One hundred healthy adults with a high BMI were administrated probiotics capsules (BB536 1×1010 CFU and MCC1274 5×109 CFU/day) or placebo for 16 weeks. The probiotics group significantly reduced abdominal visceral fat and total fat area compared to the placebo group. -
Title Comprehensive analysis of metabolites produced by co-cultivation of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 with human iPS-derived intestinal epithelial cells Author A.Sen, T.Nishimura, S.Yoshimoto, K.Yoshida, A.Gotoh*1, T.Katoh*1, Y.Yoneda*2, T.Hashimoto*2, JZ.Xiao, T.Katayama*1, and T.Odamaki
*1Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, *2Technology Research Laboratory, Shimadzu Corp.Journal Frontiers in microbiology 14:1155438 (2023) Summary We evaluated the metabolic interaction betwenn Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 and iPS-derived intestinal epithelial cells using a novel coculture device. We observed a significant increase in the amount of the immunomodulatory metabolites indole-3-lactic acid and phenyllactic acid in the co-culture. -
Title Early probiotic supplementation of healthy term infants with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Infantis M-63 is safe and leads to the development of Bifidobacterium-predominant gut microbiota: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Author A.Hiraku, S.Nakata*1, M.Murata, C.Xu, N.Mutoh, S.Arai, T.Odamaki, N.Iwabuchi, M.Tanaka, T.Tsuno*1, and M.Nakamura*2
*1Department of Pediatrics, Matsumoto City Hospital, *2Department of neurosurgery, Matsumoto City HospitalJournal Nutrients 15(6):1402(2023) Summary In this study, healthy term infants were given Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) M-63 (1 × 10^9 CFU/day) or placebo from postnatal age ≤ 7 days to 3 months. Supplementation with B. infantis M-63 significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiota and the amount of acetic acid and IgA in the stool, compared with the placebo group. No adverse events related to test foods were observed. -
Title Effects of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849 on the maintenance of physical condition in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study Author S.Sato, S.Arai, N.Iwabuchi, M.Tanaka, R.Hase*1, and N.Sakane*2
*1Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, *2Division of Preventive Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical CenterJournal Nutrients 15(15):3450 (2023) Summary In a clinical study of healthy adults, the intake of 50 billion cells of heat-killed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849 (LAC-Shield™) significantly reduced the number of days and durations of ”nasal congestion" and ”cold-like symptoms”, and the duration of ”sore throat". These results suggest that MCC1849 may help maintain physical condition in healthy adults -
Title Heat-killed L. helveticus enhances positive mood states: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Author N.Mutoh, I.Kakiuchi*1, K.Kato, C.Xu, N.Iwabuchi, M.Ayukawa*1, K.Kiyosawa*2, K.Igarashi*1, M.Tanaka, M.Nakamura*3, and M.Miyasaka*2
*1Faculty of Nursing, Matsumoto College of Nursing, *2Department of Nursing, Matsumoto Junior College, *3Matsumoto City HospitalJournal Brain Sciences 13(6): 973 (2023) Summary Healthy nursing students were administered heat-killed Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848 at 5 billion/day for 4 weeks to investigate the efficacy on positive and negative mood. In the MCC1848 group, there was a significant improvement in positive mood on the questionnaire items, suggesting that heat-killed MCC1848 is effective in enhancing positive mood. -
Title Heat-killed Lactobacillus helveticus improves mood states: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Author N.Mutoh, I.Kakiuchi*1, A.Hiraku, N.Iwabuchi, K.Kiyosawa*1, K.Igarashi*1, M.Tanaka, M.Nakamura*2, and M.Miyasaka*1
*1Department of Nursing, Matsumoto Junior College, *2Matsumoto City HospitalJournal Beneficial Microbes 14(2): 109-117 (2023) Summary Healthy young adults were administrated heat-killed Lactobacillus helveticus MCC1848 at 5 billion/day for 4 weeks to investigate the effects on daily mood state. Two measures of positive mood state, the "friendliness" score and the "relaxed" score, were significantly improved in the MCC1848 group, suggesting that heat-killed MCC1848 may improve positive mood state. -
Title Studies on the Physiological Functions of Bifidobacteria and Lactic Acid bacteria as well as Their Industrial Applications(Award Review) Author K. Shimizu (Jz. Xiao) Journal Japanese Journal of Lactic Acid Bacteria 33(3): 155-168 (2022) Summary In this review, we will discuss (1) results obtained by addressing the proposition of "why bifidobacteria live in the human abdomen and what they do there," (2) the development of a mixed fermentation method with Lactococcus lactis, which enabled the production of fermented milk containing high bacteria count and high survival rate of bifidobacteria, and (3) the studies on the effect of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 on cognitive function and its mechanism of action, focusing on the "gut-brain axis". The author reviewed the contents related to the basic, functional, and applied research on bifidobacteria, tracing the path of research and development he has been involved. -
Title Synbiotics of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 and lactulose enhances production of tryptophan metabolites in fermented human fecal communities. Author N.Hashikura, R.Murakami, T.Sakurai, A.Horigome, K.Toda, JZ.Xiao, and T.Odamaki Journal Food Research International 163: 112308 (2023) Summary We evaluated the effects of Bifidobacterium MCC1274 and lactulose on the gut environment using an artificial gut model. The combination of these two components, known as synbiotics, markedly increased the production of tryptophan metabolites, which serve as signaling molecules. -
Title Fermentation supernatant of elderly feces with inulin and partially hydrolyzed guar gum maintains the barrier of inflammation-induced Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12 co-cultured cells Author G.Kono, K.Yoshida, E.Kokubo, M.Ikeda, T.Matsubara, T.Koyama*, H.Iwamoto, and K.Miyaji Journal Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 71(3): 1510-1517 (2023) Summary We evaluated the effect of dietary fibers and indigestible oligosaccharides on intestinal barrier function by altering the microbiota of the elderly. The results indicated inulin and partially hydrolyzed guar gum can change the intestinal environment of the elderly and maintain the intestinal barrier by accelerating the production of short-chain fatty acids and modifying the expression levels of barrier function-related genes. -
Title Cross-feeding among bifidobacteria on glycomacropeptide Author M.Morozumi, Y.Wada, M.Tsuda, F.Tabata, T.Ehara, H.Nakamura, and K.Miyaji Journal Journal of Functional Foods 103: 105463 (2023) Summary Bifidobacteria are considered beneficial for infant health, however, they are less prevalent in gut microbiota of formula-fed than in breast-fed infants. This study investigated the bifidogenic effects of cow’s glycomacropeptide (GMP) and metabolic enzymes that Bifidobacterium bifidum JCM1254 uses when grown in the GMP-containing medium. GMP glycans are “cross-fed” among bifidobacteria, and carbohydrate metabolism-related proteins, expressed by Bifidobacterium bifidum, is involved in the cross-feeding. -
Title Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 protects against oxidative stress and neuronal lipid droplet formation via PLIN4 gene regulation Author F.Bernier, T.Kuhara, and Jz.Xiao Journal Microorganisms 11(3), 791 (2023) Summary Consumption of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 has been shown to improve memory and prevent brain atrophy in populations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this study, we found that B. breve MCC1274 cell extracts significantly decreased the expression of perilipin 4 (PLIN4), which encodes a lipid droplet docking protein whose expression is known to be increased during inflammation in SH-SY5Y cells. Niacin, an MCC1274 cell extract component, increased PLIN4 expression by itself. Moreover, MCC1274 cell extracts and niacin blocked the PLIN4 induction caused by oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells, reduced lipid droplet formation, and prevented IL-6 cytokine production. These results offer a possible explanation for the effect of this strain on brain inflammation. -
Title 2'-fucosyllactose increases the abundance of Blautia in the presence of extracellular fucosidase-possessing bacteria Author A.Horigome, N.Hashikura, K.Yoshida, JZ.Xiao, and T.Odamaki Journal Frontiers in Microbiology 13:913624 (2022) Summary We have previously shown that 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), a major component of human milk oligosaccharides, increases the relative abundance of Blautia sp., which is one of the bacterial taxa that declines with age, in the cultured fecal microbiota of healthy adults. In this study, we revealed that the presence of extracellular fucosidase-possessing gut bacteria is key for the increase of Blautia sp. by 2'-FL.