大橋 雄二

The effects of lactate and probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on intestinal fermentation were analyzed using a fecal batch culture. Lactate was efficiently metabolized to butyrate and propionate by butyrate-utilizing bacteria in fecal fermentation. Probiotic LAB could stimulate butyrate and propionate production through their lactate production in fecal fermentation. It was considered that 109 cfu/g or more of probiotic LAB would be required to stimulate butyrate and propionate production in the large intestine. Due to the low production of lactate, a larger number of heterofermentative LAB than homofermentative LAB would be required for this stimulation.

<p>Antibiotic resistance genes in the feces of healthy young adult Japanese were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. Antibiotic resistance genes against macrolides (ermB, ermF, ermX, and mefA/E), tetracyclines (tetW, tetQ, tetO, and tetX), β-lactam antibiotics (bla_TEM), and streptomycin (aadE) were detected in more than 50% of subjects. These antibiotic resistance genes are likely widespread in the large intestinal bacteria of young adult Japanese.</p>

The transition of intestinal microbiota with age has been well described in humans. However, the age-related changes in intestinal microbiota of cats have not been well studied. In the present study, we investigated the composition of intestinal microbiota of cats in 5 different age groups (pre-weanling, weanling, young, aged, senile) with a culture-based method. For lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, we also quantified with molecular-based method, real-time PCR. The results suggested that the composition of the feline intestinal microbiota changes with age, while the changes were different from those of humans and dogs. Bifido-bacteria which are predominant in human intestine or lactobacilli which are predominant in dog intestine, did not appear to be important in cat intestines. Enterococci, instead, seem to be major lactic acid producing bacteria in cats. We also identified lactobacilli and bifidobacteria at the species level based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and found that the species composition of Lactobacillus also changed with age.

<p>The influence of soymilk on the fecal microbiota, particularly Bifidobacterium species, and metabolic activities were investigated in eight healthy adult humans. During the soymilk intake period, the number of bifidobacteria in feces was significantly higher (p<0.05) on day 14 of the soymilk intake period than before the intake period, whereas that of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly lower (p<0.05) on days 7 and 14 of the soymilk intake period than before the intake period. In an investigation of Bifidobacterium at the species or group level, the numbers of all species and groups studied slightly increased during the soymilk intake period. These results show that the intake of soymilk may contribute to improving the intestinal environment.</p>

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG), a water-soluble dietary fibre produced by the controlled partial enzymatic hydrolysis of guar gum beans, has various physiological roles. This study aimed to elucidate the beneficial effects of PHGG on colonic mucosal damage in a murine 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model. Acute colitis was induced in male C57BL/6 mice with TNBS after 2 weeks of pre-feeding with PHGG (5 %). The colonic mucosal inflammation was evaluated using macroscopic damage scores, and neutrophil infiltration was assessed by measuring tissue-associated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the colonic mucosa. TNF-alpha expression in the colonic mucosa was measured by ELISA and real-time PCR. Moreover, the intestinal microbiota and production of SCFA were assessed by real-time PCR and HPLC, respectively. Colonic damage due to TNBS administration was significantly ameliorated by PHGG treatment. Furthermore, PHGG significantly inhibited increases in MPO activity and TNF-a protein and mRNA expression in the colonic mucosa in TNBS-induced colitis. On analysis of intestinal microbiota, we found that the concentration of the Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), the Clostridium leptum subgroup (Clostridium cluster IV) and the Bacteroides fragilis group had significantly increased in PHGG-fed mice. On analysis of SCFA, we found that the caecal content of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid had significantly increased in PHGG-fed mice. Together, these results suggest that chronic ingestion of PHGG prevents the development of TNBS-induced colitis in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota and SCFA, which may be significant in the development of therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease.

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble dietary fibre that is non-digestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that PHGG benefits the health of hosts by altering the colonic microbiota and stimulating short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. However, it remains unclear which bacteria ferment PHGG in the human large intestine. In this study, the effect of PHGG on faecal bacteria was analysed to specify the bacteria that contribute to the fermentation of PHGG in the human large intestine. Ten healthy volunteers consumed PHGG (6 g/day) for 2 weeks. Faeces were collected at 2 weeks prior to consumption, at the end of 2 weeks of consumption, and 2 weeks after consumption of PHGG. Bacterial DNA was extracted from these collected faeces and subjected to real-time PCR using bacterial group-or species-specific primers. The copy number of the butyryl-CoA CoA-transferase gene and the 16S rRNA gene copy numbers of Bifidobacterium, the Clostridium coccoides group, the Roseburia/Eubacterium rectale group, Eubacterium hallii, and butyrate-producing bacterium strain SS2/1 were significantly increased by the intake of PHGG. Other bacteria and bacterial groups were not significantly influenced by the intake of PHGG. It was believed that the Roseburia/E. rectale group bacteria, Bifidobacterium, the lactate-utilising, butyrate-producing bacteria, E. hallii and bacterium strain SS2/1, would contribute to the fermentation of PHGG in the human large intestine. PHGG may benefit health by stimulating Bifidobacterium and butyrate-producing bacteria in the human large intestine.

豆乳の発酵産物が宿主に及ぼす影響を検討した報告は少ない。今回、我々は豆乳の乳酸菌発酵産物(SFP:Soybean milk-Fermented Product)がヒト腸内細菌叢に及ぼす影響を検討し、さらに大腸の発がん予防とその作用機序についても合わせて検討した。SFPは豆乳を複数の乳酸菌と酵母で混合培養後殺菌し、凍結乾燥して調製した。一般的な日本食を食べているボランティアにSFPを摂取させ(450mg/day/head for 14 days)、腸内細菌叢の変化を比較したところ、SFP群はプラセボ群よりBifidobacteriumの古有率が25%以上増加した人数が多かった(P&lt;0.05)。さらに、昼食のみを一般的な日本食から肉食中心の欧米食(肉摂取量約300g、900kcal)に3日間変えると、Clostridiumの占有率は増加したが(P&lt;0.05)、SFPを摂取(900mg/day/head)すると減少した(P&lt;0.05)。また、SFPの摂取でBifidobacteriumの占有率が増加した(P&lt;0.05)。このボランティアの糞便中β-glucuronidase活性は、昼食を肉食中心の欧米食にすると一般的な日本食摂時より5倍以上増加したが(P&lt;0.01)、SFP摂取で一般的な日本食時のレベルにまで減少した(P&lt;0.05)。以上の結果は、SFPが多くプロバイオティクスなどで示されている大腸がんの発がんリスクを軽減する可能性を示唆していると考え、以下の検討を試みた。即ち、SFPが大腸がんの発がんに及ぼす影響は大腸がん誘起剤1,2-dimethylhydrazine(DMH)をCF#1マウスに投与する化学発がんモデルを用いて検討した。SFPはDMH投与開始時から飼料中に3%(W/W)混和して与え、大腸に発がんした腫瘤数を検討した結果、有意な抑制が認められた(P&lt;0.05)。一方、SFPの抗腫瘍作用機序は、Meth-A腫瘍移植モデルで検討した。SFP(10mg/0.2ml/day/head)は化学発がんモデルと同様にMeth-A腫瘍移植前から実験期間中投与し、抗腫瘍効果が得られた脾細胞を用いたWinn assayでその作用機序を検討した。その結果、SFP群のみは移植6日目以降でMeth-A単独移植群に比べ有意な腫瘍増殖抑制が認められ(P&lt;0.05)、担癌マウスの脾細胞中に抗腫瘍作用を示す免疫細胞群が誘導された可能性が考えられた。Bifidobacteriumを定着させたノトバイオートマウスは無菌マウスより脾細胞数が増加したが、無菌マウスにFSPや豆乳(10mg/0.2ml/day/head)を4週間連日経口投与しても、脾細胞数は生理食塩液を投与した無菌マウスと差が認められなかった。このことからSFPの抗腫瘍効果には腸内細菌が宿主免疫に関与した可能性が示唆されたが、その詳しい機序については今後の検討が必要である。(著者抄録)

The effects of non-fermented soybean milk (NFSM) and fermented soybean milk (FSM) intake on the faecal microbiota and metabolic activities in 10 healthy volunteers were investigated. Soybean oligosaccharides, raffinose and stachyose were utilized by bifidobacteria except for Bifidobacterium bifidum, but most strains of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens could not use them. During the dietary administration of FSM, the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the faeces increased (p &lt; 0.05), and clostridia decreased (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of faecal sulphide were decreased (p &lt; 0.01) in the intake of FSM. During the dietary administration of NFSM, the number of bifidobacteria tended to increase. These results indicate that the consumption of soybean milk, especially FSM, is related to improvement of the intestinal environment.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) remains undigested in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but is fermented by bacteria in the large intestine to stimulate short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyric acid. In this study, the bacterial composition in the in vitro faecal fermentation of PHGG was analyzed by real-time PCR to identify the bacteria contributing to the stimulation of butyric acid production. The production of short-chain fatty acids in a PHGG culture was compared with that in inulin and blank (no substrate) cultures. After the fermentation of the substrates by fresh human faeces, PHGG clearly promoted the production of butyric acid. The butyryl-CoA CoA-transferase gene copy number and the 16S rRNA gene copy number of the Roseburia/Eubacterium rectale group in the PHGG culture were significantly higher than those in the blank culture. These results indicated that Roseburia/E. rectale group bacteria would play an important role in the butyric acid production in vitro fermentation of PHGG. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study investigated the influence of dried okara-tempeh, the insoluble portion of soybeans fermented with ragi-tempeh, on fecal microbiota and metabolites in dogs. Three dried okara-tempehs (individual weight: approximately 5 g) were given daily to each of 6 beagle dogs for a period of 2 weeks. The concentrations of fecal short-chain fatty acids, pH, and microbiota were determined. During the intake of the dried okara-tempeh, the level of Bifidobacterium expressed as log(10) number (CFU)/g wet feces was increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) from 6.4 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SD) to 8.8 +/- 0.8, and the level of Bacillus was also increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) from 4.1 +/- 1.8 to 7.3 +/- 0.6. Moreover, fecal concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid and propionic acid also increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) from 146.7 +/- 15.9 mu mol/g wet feces to 198.8 +/- 24.6 mu mol/g wet feces, from 90.3 +/- 8.6 mu mol/g wet feces to 116.3 +/- 17.91 mu mol/g wet feces, and from 39.3 +/- 3.7 mu mol/g wet feces to 60.0 +/- 9.1 mu mol/g wet feces respectively on day 7 of dried okara-tempeh intake compared to pre-intake. Fecal pH decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) from 6.2 +/- 0.3 to 5.6 +/- 0.2 during intake. The findings obtained by this study demonstrate that the intake of dried okara-tempeh was effective for improving the fecal environment in dogs and that okara, which is currently discarded, can be effectively utilized in dog feed.

Background/Aim: In previous studies, we described the beneficial effects of bifidobacteria-fermented milk in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we examined the effects of a live Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult, a probiotic contained in bifidobacteria-fermented milk, and galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) as synbiotics in UC patients. Methods: Forty-one patients with mild to moderate UC were assigned to two groups; one group was treated with the synbiotics and the other was not (control). The treatment group ingested 1 g of the probiotic powder (10(9) CFU/g) three times a day, and 5.5 g of GOS once a day for one year. At the start and the end of this study, colonoscopic index and the amount of myeloperoxidase in a lavage solution were used as disease activity indices. Bacterial counts in the feces at the start and the end of this study were also examined. Results: After a one-year treatment with the synbiotics, the clinical status of the UC patients as assessed by colonoscopy, significantly improved. Furthermore, the amount of myeloperoxidase in the lavage also decreased in these patients after the synbiotic treatment. The synbiotics significantly reduced the fecal counts of Bacteroidaceae and fecal pH. Conclusion: Administration of live B. breve strain Yakult and GOS can improve the clinical condition of patients with UC. These results encouraged us to perform a large-scale randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

The effects of apple intake on the fecal flora, water content, pH, and metabolic activities in eight healthy volunteers and the utilization of apple pectin in vitro were investigated. Although several isolates of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and the Bacteroides fragilis group utilized apple pectin, most isolates of Escherichia coli, Collinsela aerofaciense, Eubacterium limosum, and Clostridium perfringens could not. When fecal samples from healthy adults were incubated in liquid broth with apple pectin present or absent, the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the former were higher than those in the later. After the intake of apples (2 apples a day for 2 weeks) by eight healthy adult humans, the number of bifidobacteria in feces increased (p &lt; 0.05 on day 7 and p &lt; 0.01 on day 14 of the intake period), and the numbers of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus including Enterococcus tended to increase. However, lecithinase-positive clostridia, including C perfringens, decreased (p &lt; 0.05), and Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas tended to decrease. Moreover, the concentrations of fecal acetic acid tended to increase on apple intake. The fecal ammonia concentration showed a tendency to reduce and fecal sulfide decreased (p &lt; 0.05) on apple intake. These findings indicate that apple consumption is related to an improved intestinal environment, and apple pectin is one of the effective apple components improving the fecal environment. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) colonize in the ileum. They promote the development of intraepithelial lymphocytes and immunoglobulin A (IgA)-producing cells in the small intestine. In SFB-monoassociated mice, changes in SFB colonization of the small intestine were related to the level of IgA derived from maternal milk during the suckling period and self-produced in the small intestine after weaning. In this study, we investigated whether or not maternal and neonatal IgA influence the colonization of SFB in conventional mice from 18 to 105 days old. The pups were forcedly weaned at 20 days old. SFB could be detected in the distal small intestine after day 22, and their number rapidly reached a maximum on day 28. Thereafter, they gradually declined to one-fourth of the maximum level. The lowest concentrations of IgA in the small intestinal and cecal contents were detected on day 22. Thereafter, they increased as the age of the mice increased. The expression of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor gene in the distal small intestine increased after weaning. These results suggested that the colonization of SFB in the pre-weaning and post-weaning periods might be prevented with IgA derived from maternal milk and self-produced IgA, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Although probiotic-containing nutrient formulas for infants and toddlers have become very popular, some adverse effects related to translocation of probiotic strains have been reported. We assessed the safety of probiotic bifidobacteria that have been used in clinical investigations and proven to have beneficial effects, by analyzing mucin degradation activity and translocation ability. Mucin degradation activities of three probiotic bifidobacteria strains; Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and Bifidobacterium infantis M-63, were evaluated by three in vitro tests comprising growth in liquid medium, SDS-PAGE analysis of degraded mucin residues, and degradation assay in Petri dish. All test strains and control type strains failed to grow in the liquid medium containing mucin as the only carbon source, although good growth was obtained from fecal sample. In the SDS-PAGE analyses of mucin residues and observation of mucinolytic zone in agar plate, the three test strains also showed no mucin degradation activity as the type strains, although fecal sample yielded positive results. In another study, a high dose of B. longum B8536 was administered orally to conventional mice to examine the translocation ability. No translocation into blood, liver, spleen, kidney and mesenteric lymph nodes was observed and no disturbance of epithelial cells and mucosal layer in the ileum, cecum and colon was detected, indicating that the test strain had no translocation ability and induced no damage to intestinal surface. These results resolve the concern about bacterial translocation when using bifidobacteria strains as probiotics, which have been tested in various clinical trials, supporting the continuous use of these probiotic strains without anxiety. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of Prebio Support^TM (PS), which is a mixture of fermented products of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET-3, on the fecal microbiota and fecal metabolites in calves were investigated. During the intake of PS, the number of bifidobacteria was significantly higher (p<0.05), and the fecal water content (p<0.05) and fecal ammonia (p<0.05) were significantly lower in the PS intake group than in the control group. Furthermore, fecal concentrations of sulfide tended to decrease and short-chain fatty acids (acetic, butyric, and propionic acids) tended to increase through the intake of PS. The numbers of other fecal bacteria and the fecal pH of the PS intake group did not differ from those of the control group. The fecal condition, such as hardness, in calves given PS was better than that of the control group. These findings indicate that PS intake effectively improves the fecal environment, and there is a possibility of it alleviating clinical symptoms.<br>

The influence of Nisaplin, which contains 2.5% nisin, on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in Karashi-mentaiko (red-pepper seasoned cod roe) was investigated. The MICs of Nisaplin for L. monocytogenes (10(8) CFU/mL) were measured; seven isolates showed a value of 1,600 mu g/mL and one isolate showed a value of 800 mu g/mL. All L. monocytogenes isolates had a MIC of 800 mu g/mL at 10(6) CFU/mL. The number of L. monocytogenes in Karashi-mentaiko stored at 4 degrees C was decreased by Nisaplin added at 60 and 600 mu g/g. These results indicated that Nisaplin effectively inhibits the growth of L. monocytogenes in Karashi-mentaiko.

Hydrogen-utilizing bacteria in the feces of Japanese individuals were analyzed with the specific polymerase chain reaction targeting the functional genes. The formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase gene derived from acetogenic bacteria was predominantly detected in all subjects. We consider that reductive acetogenesis might be an important H₂ disposal pathway in healthy Japanese.<br>

It is now widely recognized that probiotics have health-beneficial effects on humans and animals. Probiotics should survive in the intestinal tract to exert beneficial effects on the host's health. To keep a sufficient level of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, a shorter interval between doses may be required. Although adherence to the intestinal epithelial cell and mucus is not a universal property of probiotics, high ability to adhere to the intestinal surface might strongly interfere with infection of pathogenic bacteria and regulate the immune system. The administration of probiotic Lactobacillus stimulated indigenous Lactobacilli and the production of short-chain fatty acids. This alteration of the intestinal environment should contribute to maintain the host's health. The immunomodulatory effects of probiotics are related to important parts of their beneficial effects. Probiotics may modulate the intestinal immune response through the stimulation of certain cytokine and IgA secretion in intestinal mucosa. The health-beneficial effects, in particular the immunomodulation effect, of probiotics depend on the strain used. Differences in indigenous intestinal microflora significantly alter the magnitude of the effects of a probiotic. Specific probiotic strains suitable for each animal species and their life stage as well as each individual should be found.

Influences of viable or sterilized Lactobacillus and cellobiose on the fecal microbiota and fecal metabolites in dogs given boiled chicken head and cow milk were investigated. During the intake of boiled chicken head and cow milk, the number of Enterobacteriaceae (p<0.05) and the fecal pH (p<0.05) increased significantly, and the frequency of occurrence of lecithinase-negative and lecithinase-positive clostridia tended to increase in all test groups. Furthermore, fecal concentrations of sulfide increased significantly (p<0.05) or tended to increase in all test groups. Although the numbers of lactobacilli did not decrease during the intake of boiled chicken head and cow milk in the viable Lactobacillus and cellobiose intake group and sterilized Lactobacillus and cellobiose intake group, they decreased significantly (p<0.05) and bifidobacteria were not detected during the intake of boiled chicken head and cow milk in the skim milk intake group. The fecal concentrations of short chain fatty acids (acetic, butyric and propionic acids) were not changed throughout the test period in any test group. Although clinical symptoms such as fecal hardness in dogs given Lactobacillus and cellobiose were not markedly different from those of the skim milk intake group, there were no dogs which excreted only abnormal (soft, muddy to diarrhea) feces in the viable Lactobacillus administration group on day 21. These findings indicate that administration of Lactobacillus and cellobiose offered more protection against fecal microbiota disorders during the intake of boiled chicken head and cow milk than the administration of skim milk, and there is a possibility of alleviating clinical symptoms by the administration of Lactobacillus and cellobiose.<br>

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding yoghurt, prepared with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain 2038, on indigenous lactobacilli in the pig cecum. Three female pigs fistulated at the cecum were,fed 2 50 g of this yoghurt that contained over 10(11) colony-forming units of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain 2038 with their daily meal for 2 wk. The relative abundance and the composition of cecal lactobacilli was monitored by analysis of bacterial 16S rDNA with real time PCR and amplified bacterial rDNA restriction analysis using Lactobacillus-group specific primers, respectively, for 2 wk prior to, at the end of 2 wk of and 2 wk after the administration of this yoghurt. The relative abundance of lactobacilli was significantly increased by feeding yoghurt (p < 0.01.), although the bacterial J6S rDNA matching L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain 2038 was not detected by amplified bacterial rDNA restriction analysis during this study. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected was increased with feeding of the yoghurt in all pigs. At the same time, the estimated cell number of each OTU was increased with feeding of the yoghurt. It is demonstrated that continuous consumption of the probiotic lactobacilli will stimulate the growth of some indigenous lactobacilli and alter the composition of the lactobacilli.

The diversity of acetogens in human feces was analyzed with partial formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) gene sequences. FTHFS sequences affiliated with Ruminococcus productus were predominantly recovered. Several sequences of acetogens that have not previously been identified were also recovered. Analysis of FTHFS sequences is available for the study of acetogenic ecology in the human intestinal tract.<br>

An essential role of several specific intestinal bacteria in the intestinal IgA level is suggested. Fecal IgA concentration in mice from one breeder was significantly higher than that in mice from two other breeders. The level of segmented filamentous bacteria and four particular clostridia in mice from the former breeder are of particular importance in developing the IgA production and secretion system.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from dried yak cheese from the Bhutan Himalayas were examined for their ability to stimulate the expression of cytokine mRNA on the murine macrophage. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL) 6 or IL-12 p40 gene was stimulated by several strains. The dried yak cheese, Chugo, contains LAB that possess immuno-modulating activity.<br>

Probiotic bacteria improve fermentation in the large intestine through interaction with indigenous bacteria. The microflora in the large intestine differ from one individual to another. The objective of this study was to determine whether the different cecal microflora induce different probiotic effects on cecal fermentation in three pigs (pig A, B and C). Pigs were administered fermented milk prepared with the Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LCS) as a probiotic for 2 wk. The average number of LCS was higher than 5.0 (log cfu/ g cecal digesta) in all pigs. The hierarchical clustering of the temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) profile of cecal bacteria showed that the cecal microflora was slightly altered by the LCS dose in all pigs. However, the molar ratios of cecal butyrate in pigs A and C were significantly increased by LCS. Inversely, the molar ratio of propionate in pigs A and C was significantly decreased by LCS. However, the molar ratio of individual short-chain fatty acid in pig B was not significantly affected by LCS. The hierarchical clustering of the TGGE profiles indicated that the cecal microflora of pig A resembled that of pig C and that of pig B was dissimilar to those of pigs A and C. These results indicated that the effect of LCS on fermentation in the large intestine was possibly dependent on the composition of indigenous microflora.

The transition of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus in the gastrointestinal tract was investigated in pigs that received commercially available fermented milk prepared with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LCS). Three female pigs fistulated at the cecum were fed 130 ml of fermented milk that contained over 10(10) (cfu) LCS with their daily meal for 8 days. Cecal contents were sampled through a fistula every 2 h for 24 h after marker dosing. The viable cell number (log cfu/g) of LCS and the concentrations of transit markers in each sample were determined. The viable number of LCS cells ranged from 3.56 to 6.58. The number of LCS in the cecum was not stable in pigs and varied with the flow of the cecal content. The viable number of LCS cells was significantly correlated with the relative concentration of the marker. These results indicated that most LCS moved with the liquid component. The level of LCS reached the maximum (6.38)6 It after dosing. Four doses every 6 h may be required to maintain the maximum level of LCS at the cecum. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a probiotic, i.e. fermented milk prepared with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, on indigenous Lactobacilli in the pig large intestine. This fermented milk was given as a probiotic to experimental pigs for 2 weeks. The fecal organic acid concentration increased with the fermented milk acetate and propionate increased significantly (p&lt 0.05). At the same time, lactate and butyrate tende0d to increase. The fecal pH was significantly reduced by the fermented milk (p&lt 0.05). Although the number of bacteria of strain Shirota in the intestinal contents was much smaller than those of indigenous Lactobacilli, 104 vs 108 (cfu/g), the numbers of indigenous Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the pig intestine appeared to increase with the fermented milk. In addition, the phenotypic diversity (phenotypic group numbers) of indigenous Lactobacilli increased from 3 to 8 with the fermented milk supplementation. Thus the fermented milk affected the indigenous Lactobacillus population and constitution.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotic, i.e., fermented milk prepared with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, on colonic motility by the strain gauge force transducer (SCFT) in a pig model. The contractions of the circular muscle layer of the cecum, upper colon, lower colon, and terminal colon in pigs were directly measured in conscious status by this method. This method was useful for quantitatively evaluating the effects of stimuli on colonic motility. Feeding significantly stimulated the motilities of the upper and lower colon. Defecation significantly stimulated the motilities of the upper and terminal colon. Two weeks' feeding of the fermented milk significantly activated the response to feeding in four portions of the large intestine. It increased motility of the terminal colon that did not promote defecation. The frequency of defecation from 9:00 to 10:00 (the period just after the morning meal) increased significantly, but from 0:00 to 1:00 (the midnight period) it decreased as a result of the ingestion of fermented milk. Such effects of the fermented milk on motility of the terminal colon are discussed in relation to the movement of digesta. The effects may relate to the stimulation of colonic fermentation as shown by a decrease in fecal pH.

成人男子の被験者10名を用いて,飲用前,未発酵乳飲用中,ビフィズス菌発酵乳飲用中及び飲用後に加熱挽肉を摂取し,尿中変異原活性をエイムズSalmonellaテストで測定した.ビフィズス菌発酵乳飲用中の尿中変異原活性は,飲用前,飲用後に比較して有意な低下が認められた.一方,未発酵乳飲用中の尿中変異原活性は,飲用後との間にのみ有意な低下を認めた.被験者の大便フローラを測定したところ,投与ビフィズス菌であるBifidobacterium breveヤクルト株及びB.bifidumヤクルト株が,それぞれ7.65±0.41及び8.41±0.36(log10CFU,平均値±SD/大便1g湿重量)回収された.また,ビフィズス菌発酵乳飲用時には,飲用前及び飲用後に比較してLactobacillusが有意に増加した.一方,Enterobacteriaceaeはビフィズス菌発酵乳飲用中及び未発酵乳飲用中に菌数の減少を認めた

A series of experiments was conducted to study the relationship between methanogenesis and sulphate reduction in ovine rumen and porcine caecum. Effect of 2-bromoethane sulphonate on hydrogen production by digesta suggested that the most important H-2-disposal system in the rumen is methanogenesis and that methanogenesis is not predominant H-2-disposal system in the porcine caecum. This inference was supported by the difference in predominant H-2-utilizers in these two microbial ecosystems; Methanogenic bacteria (MB) were predominant in the rumen and sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) were predominant in porcine caecum. Free sulphate levels in digesta appear to affect the relationship between MB and SRB. Sulphate levels in the rumen were likely to be insufficient for SRB to outcompete MB.