Probiotic bacteria can potentially have beneficial effects on the clinical course of several intestinal disorders, but our understanding of probiotic action is limited. We have identified a probiotic bacteria-derived soluble protein, p40, from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), which prevents cytokine-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. In the current study, we analyzed the mechanisms by which p40 regulates cellular responses in intestinal epithelial cells and p40's effects on experimental colitis using mouse models. We show that the recombinant p40 protein activated EGFR, leading to Akt activation. Activation of EGFR by p40 was required for inhibition of cytokine-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, we developed a pectin/zein hydrogel bead system to specifically deliver p40 to the mouse colon, which activated EGFR in colon epithelial cells. Administration of p40-containing beads reduced intestinal epithelial apoptosis and disruption of barrier function in the colon epithelium in an EGFR-dependent manner, thereby preventing and treating DSS-induced intestinal injury and acute colitis. Furthermore, p40 activation of EGFR was required for ameliorating colon epithelial cell apoptosis and chronic inflammation in oxazolone-induced colitis. These data define what we believe to be a previously unrecognized mechanism of probiotic-derived soluble proteins in protecting the intestine from injury and inflammation.

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Apigenin is a flavonoid of low toxicity and multiple beneficial bioactivities. Published reviews all focused on the findings using eukaryotic cells, animal models, or epidemiological studies covering the pharmacokinetics, cancer chemoprevention, and drug interactions of apigenin; however, no review is available on the antimicrobial effects of apigenin. Research proves that dietary apigenin passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract and reaches the colon after consumption. For that reason, it is worthwhile to study the potential interactions between apigenin and human gut microbiota. This review summarizes studies on antimicrobial effects of apigenin as well as what has been reported on apigenin and human gut microbiota. Various levels of effectiveness have been reported on apigenin's antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic capability. It has been shown that apigenin or its glycosides are degraded into smaller metabolites by certain gut bacteria which can regulate the human body after absorption. How apigenin contributes to the structural and functional changes in human gut microbiota as well as the bioactivities of apigenin bacterial metabolites are worth further investigation.

Development of packaging materials from renewable resources has for a long time been desirable for sustainability reasons, but with recent explosions in prices of petroleum products, this now becomes also more economically viable. This paper shows how fundamental chemistry underlying three forms of hydrogelsphysical hydrogels, chemical hydrogels, and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN)can be integrated to produce a new family of food packaging materials from biopolymers, illustrated here using gelatin and low-methoxyl pectin as examples. Application of this technique to create hydrogels from bio-based materials offers the potential for developing novel, biodegradable packaging applications, particularly for foods, that meet the ever-increasing demands for natural and environmentally compatible materials.

Background: p40 is a Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-derived protein.Results: p40 stimulates ADAM17 activation and HB-EGF release, which is required for EGF receptor transactivation, prevention of apoptosis, and preservation of barrier function in intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusion: p40 transactivates the EGF receptor through ADAM17-mediated HB-EGF release in intestinal epithelial cells. Significance: These results define a mechanism of p40 in modulating intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis.