Enhanced Probiotic Potential of Lactobacillus reuteri When Delivered as a Biofilm on Dextranomer Microspheres That Contain Beneficial Cargo

Abstract

As with all orally consumed probiotics, the Gram-positive bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri encounters numerous challenges as it transits through the gastrointestinal tract of the host, including low pH, effectors of the host immune system, as well as competition with commensal and pathogenic bacteria, all of which can greatly reduce the availability of live bacteria for therapeutic purposes. Recently we showed that L. reuteri, when adhered in the form of a biofilm to a semi-permeable biocompatible dextranomer microsphere, reduces the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis by 50% in a well-defined animal model following delivery of a single prophylactic dose. Herein, using the same semi-permeable microspheres, we showed that providing compounds beneficial to L. reuteri as diffusible cargo within the microsphere lumen resulted in further advantageous effects including glucosyltransferase-dependent bacterial adherence to the microsphere surface, resistance of bound bacteria against acidic conditions, enhanced adherence of L. reuteri to human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, and facilitated production of the antimicrobial compound reuterin and the anti-inflammatory molecule histamine. These data support continued development of this novel probiotic formulation as an adaptable and effective means for targeted delivery of cargo beneficial to the probiotic bacterium.

Arabinoxylan from Argentinian whole wheat flour promote the growth of Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium breve

“…Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC23272 produces reuterin, an antimicrobial that protects from pathogens, and histamine with anti-inflammatory effect (Cadieux et al 2008). Moreover, it has shown the ability to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis by 50% in a welldefined animal model (Navarro et al 2017). The AX extracts evaluated in this work demonstrate that they can support the growth of this probiotic.…”

“…Moreover, it has shown the ability to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis by 50% in a well‐defined animal model (Navarro et al . ). The AX extracts evaluated in this work demonstrate that they can support the growth of this probiotic.…”

The effects of cell-free extracts derived from probiotic strains Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus reuteri on the proliferation and biofilm formation by Lactobacillus reuteri in vitro

“…There is much evidence of the effectiveness of L. reuteri DSM 17938 for the treatment and prevention of diseases in infants, children and adults: infantile colic and regurgitation, necrotizing enterocolitis, functional constipation or functional abdominal pain, diarrhea [1,3,4,6]. However, most studies show that the beneficial effect of L. reuteri is temporary and disappears after discontinuation of the probiotic taking [7][8][9]. Orally taken bacteria do not survive due to the damaging effects of physicochemical factors in the gastrointestinal tract, the effects of the host's immune system, competition with commensal and pathogenic bacteria [8].…”

“…However, most studies show that the beneficial effect of L. reuteri is temporary and disappears after discontinuation of the probiotic taking [7][8][9]. Orally taken bacteria do not survive due to the damaging effects of physicochemical factors in the gastrointestinal tract, the effects of the host's immune system, competition with commensal and pathogenic bacteria [8]. Probably one of the serious reasons why L. reuteri leaves the gastrointestinal tract is the lack of important dietary substrates.…”

“…Taking into account the importance of L. reuteri for human health and significant benefits for functioning of the hosts' immune system, the development of methods aimed at improving survival and facilitating the inoculation of lactobacilli in the gastrointestinal tract has a significant therapeutic value. One way to increase the survival of bacteria is to protect them by encapsulation or adhesion to a semi-permeable biocompatible dextranomer microsphere in the form of a biofilm [8]. The second way is to use growth promoting prebiotic ingredients: β-galacto-oligosaccharides, lactulose, fructo-oligosaccharides, inulin, isomaltose [10].…”