Effects of Live Combined Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium on Gut Microbiota Composition in C57BL/6 Mice and in Humans

Abstract

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics can alleviate metabolic syndrome by altering the composition of the gut microbiota. Live combined Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtilis has been indicated to promote growth and reduce inflammation in animal models. However, the modulatory effects of live combined B. subtilis R-179 and E. faecium R-026 (LCBE) on human microbiota remain unclear. The current study examined the growth of these two strains in the presence of various oligosaccharides and assessed the effects of this probiotic mixture on human and murine gut microbiota in vitro and in vivo. Oligosaccharides improved the growth of E. faecium R-026 and B. subtilis R-179 as well as increased their production of short-chain fatty acids. E. faecium R-026 or B. subtilis R-179 co-incubated with Bifidobacterium and Clostridium significantly increased the number of the anaerobic bacteria Bifidobacterium longum and Clostridium butyricum by in vitro fermentation. Moreover, LCBE significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in mouse models of hyperlipidemia. LCBE combined with galacto-oligosaccharides led to a significant decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and a significant increase in the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bifidobacteria after treating mice with LCBE (0.23 g/day) for eight weeks. Furthermore, in vitro fermentation also showed that both the single strains and the two-strain mixture modulated human gut microbiota, resulting in increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, and decreased Escherichia-Shigella. Overall, these results suggest that LCBE can improve host health by reducing the level of cholesterol in mouse models by modifying the composition of the gut microbiota.

Whole grain germinated brown rice intake modulates the gut microbiota and alleviates hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in high fat diet-fed mice

“…There is growing evidence for a positive correlation between the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia in both human and mouse models. 37 Our results showed that the F/B ratio was significantly higher in the HFD group compared to that in the Con group. The F/B ratio was significantly lower in the HFD + GBR group relative to the HFD group.…”

Evaluation of the Immunity Responses in Mice to Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Displaying Newcastle Disease Virus HN Protein Truncations

“…It contributes to enhanced digestion by providing enzymes, antimicrobial peptides, and other advantageous metabolic byproducts, which collectively improve feed efficiency, growth performance, and the integrity of the gut barrier [ 46 , 47 ]. B. subtilis also plays a pivotal role in modulating the intestinal microbiota and the immune response, thereby warding off pathogenic microorganisms and preventing diseases [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. In addition, B. subtilis is often employed as an engineering bacterium for the efficient expression of exogenous proteins.…”

Expansion of Escherichia-Shigella in Gut Is Associated with the Onset and Response to Immunosuppressive Therapy of IgA Nephropathy

“…Therefore, a balanced diet may help prevent Escherichia-Shigella proliferation and be a potential prophylactic measure for individuals with a genetic predisposition to IgAN. In addition, hyperlipidemia is one of the most common comorbidities that increases the risk of progression to ESKD 43 in patients with IgAN, whereas the reduction of cholesterol was reportedly accompanied by a marked decrease of Escherichia-Shigella 48 . Essential fatty acid deficiency was also a hallmark of patients with IgAN, 49 which may be attributed to the alteration of gut microbiota, with evidence of strengthened fatty acid degradation, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, or glycerophospholipid metabolism.…”