Safety evaluation of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 as assessed in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Aims: To assess the safety of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 in BALB/c mice that involves examination of bacterial translocation, changes in the internal organs and histology of the intestinal lining. Methods and Results: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 8). Three groups were orally fed with 50 μl of three different concentrations of B. pseudocatenulatum G4 (2 × 104, 1 × 108 and 1 × 1011 CFU day−1) for 4 weeks. One group was orally administered with 50 μl of 1 × 108 CFU B. longum BB536 per day for 4 weeks and last group was used as a nonbifidobacterial treatment control, which received 50 μl of skim milk. The administered strains did not affect the general health of mice and incapable of carrying out translocation to blood or liver. There were no significant differences in the internal organ (liver, heart, kidney and spleen) indices, serum enzymes of liver (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate, alanine aminotransferase) and kidney (urea and creatinine) and histology (villi height, crypts height, mucosa thickness and epithelial cell height) of caecum, ileum and colon. Conclusion: Administration of high dose of up to 1 × 1011 CFU B. pseudocatenulatum G4 per day to mice did not show any health threatening symptoms. Significance and Impact of the Study: Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 is none pathogenic to BALB/c mice and could be safe probiotic for human consumption.

Safety and Regulation of Probiotic Foods and Supplements

“…These investigations have been used to demonstrate probiotic safety. Kabeir et al (2008) confirmed no translocation ability of B, pseudocatenulatum into liver and blood of mice after oral administration. In another translocation analysis after administration of B. longum BB536 for 7 days, no bacteria and no bifidobacteria were observed in all organs and tissues including blood, liver, kidney, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes ).…”

Identification and safety assessment of Enterococcus thailandicus TC1 isolated from healthy pigs

“…All samples were individually homogenized with a tissue grinder. The tissue suspensions were plated separately on MRS agar plates and subsequently incubated at 37˚C for 24 h under aerobic conditions [17]. Acquired internal organs including liver, heart, kidney, and spleen were weighed immediately.…”

Hypocholesterolaemic effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 or Bifidobacterium longum BB536

“…This bacterium has high tolerance of bile acids and the ability to deconjugate different types of bile acids (Mariam et al, 2004). The ingestion of up to 1 Â 10 11 CFU B. pseudocatenulatum G4 per day in mice does not cause any health-threatening symptoms (Kabeir et al, 2008). However, no study has examined the effect of B. pseudocatenulatum G4 on cardiovascular disease risk factors in animal model systems.…”