Probiotics such as Lactobacillus spp. could modulate the intestinal microbiota composition, supporting gastrointestinal tract barrier function and benefiting human health. To evaluate the anticancer and probiotic properties of potentially active autochthonous Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains on proliferating and differentiated enterocytes, human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 was used as a model. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from new ecological niches—mountain anthills populated by redwood ants (Formica rufa L.). Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT29, ATCC, HTB-38™) were treated for twenty-four hours with supernatants (SNs) derived from four strains of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei: P4, C8, C15 and M2.1. An MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, IAP, Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were evaluated. The MTT assay revealed that the observed effects varied among groups. However, 10% neutralized supernatants from P4, C8, C15 and M2.1 strains did not show cytotoxic effects. In contrast to non-differentiated cells, a significant (p < 0.001) rise in ALP activity in all treatments, with an average of 18%, was established in differentiated cells. The IAP expression was remarkably downregulated in the differentiated M2.1 group (p < 0.05) and upregulated in the non-differentiated P4 (p < 0.05) and M2.1 (p < 0.05) groups. The Bax/Bcl-2 quantity expression ratio in P4 was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in proliferating cancer cells, but in P4- and M2.1-differentiated cells these values were downregulated (p < 0.05). The obtained results indicate that the isolated L. paracasei strains possess anticancer and probiotic properties and could be used as additives for functional dairy foods and thus benefit human health.

Adipose tissue is recognized as the major endocrine organ, potentially acting as a source of mesenchymal stem cells for various applications in regenerative medicine. Athletic horses are often exposed to traumatic injuries, resulting in severe financial losses. The development of adipose-derived stem cells’ regenerative potential depends on many factors. The extraction of stem cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue is non-invasive, non-traumatic, cheaper, and safer than other sources. Since there is a lack of unique standards for identification, the isolated cells and applied differentiation protocols are often not species-specific; therefore, the cells cannot reveal their multipotent properties, so their stemness features remain questionable. The current review discusses some aspects of the specificity of equine adipose stem cells concerning their features, immunophenotyping, secretome profile, differentiation abilities, culturing conditions, and consequent possibilities for clinical application in concrete disorders. The presented new approaches elucidate the possibility of the transition from cell-based to cell-free therapy with regenerative purposes in horses as an alternative treatment to cellular therapy. In conclusion, their clinical benefits should not be underestimated due to the higher yield and the physiological properties of adipose-derived stem cells that facilitate the healing and tissue regeneration process and the ability to amplify the effects of traditional treatments. More profound studies are necessary to apply these innovative approaches when treating traumatic disorders in racing horses.

This study investigates the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential of newly isolated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains in mature adipocytes. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells are treated with 10% cell-free supernatants (CFSs) from four autochthonous (wild) strains (M2.1, C8, C15, and P4) of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. Glucose consumption, intracellular lipid deposition, lipolysis rates, and some gene expressions related to adipocyte insulin sensitivity are evaluated. The results show that all CFS-treated groups experienced a substantial increase in glucose uptake, indicating a promising potential for countering glucotoxicity and insulin resistance. The different strains had notable differences in metabolic pathway modulation. Generally, the P4 CFS supplementation seems to enhance insulin-dependent glucose inflow, while M2.1, C8, and C15 supernatants stimulate insulin-independent glucose consumption by mature adipocytes. M2.1 CFSs ameliorate the mature adipocyte buffer capacity by enhancing intracellular lipid accumulation and reducing the lipolysis rate—an advantageous therapeutic effect in overweight individuals subjected to substantial obesity-predisposing factors. Notably, C8 and C15 CFSs suppressed the gene expression of crucial adipocyte insulin sensitivity markers, indicating an unfavorable outcome risk with prolonged treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that M2.1 and P4 Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains may be implemented as nutraceuticals to counteract glucotoxicity and insulin resistance, potentially easing the health status of obese individuals.