Comparative genomic analysis revealed that dietary habits affected the adaptation of Bifidobacterium bifidum to the intestinal tract in different geographic populations

Recent research on the genome of Bifidobacterium bifidum has mainly focused on the isolation sources(intestinal tract niche)recently,but reports on the isolation region are limited.This study analyzed the differences in the genome of B.bifidum isolated from different geographical populations by comparative genomic analysis.Results at the genome level indicated that the GC content of American isolates was significantly higher than that of Chinese and Russian isolates.The phylogenetic tree,based on 919 core genes showed that B.bifidum might be related to the geographical characteristics of isolation region.Furthermore,functional annotation analysis demonstrated that copy numbers of carbohydrate-active enzymes(CAZys)involved in the degradation of polysaccharide from plant and host sources in B.bifidum were high,and 18 CAZys showed significant differences across different geographical populations,indicating that B.bifidum had adapted to the human intestinal environment,especially in the groups with diets rich in fiber.Dietary habits were one of the main reasons for the differences of B.bifidum across different geographical populations.Additionally,B.bifidum exhibited high diversity,evident in glycoside hydrolases,the CRISPR-Cas system,and prophages.This study provides a genetic basis for further research and development of B.bifidum.

Metabolite acetyl-L-carnitine participates in Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 to ameliorate atherosclerotic inflammation by downregulating theTLR4/NF-κB pathway

This study aimed to explore the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis F1-7 on the improvement of atherosclerotic inflammation.Arteriosclerosis model ApoE^(-/-)mice were orally administered with B.animalis F1-7 for 12 weeks.The probiotic intervention reduced the plaque areas in aorta and the accumulation of macrophages,and downregulated the expression of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)pathway to reduce the levels of inflammatory factors.The widely-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that acetyl-L-carnitine(ALC)in the intestine of atherosclerotic mice was significantly increased after B.animalis F1-7 intervention.Correlation analysis proved that ALC was associated with atherosclerotic inflammatory response.By using oxidized low density lipoprotein induced macrophage foam cells,we further verified that ALC could reduce lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in foam cells by downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.Finally,our results revealed that B.animalis F1-7 upregulated the metabolite ALC to downregulate the inflammatory responses,leading to the reduction of plaque accumulation of atherosclerosis.

Environmental enrichment in combination with Bifidobacterium breve HNXY26M4 intervention amplifies neuroprotective benefits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by modulating glutamine metabolism of the gut microbiome

The gut microbiota-brain axis has emerged as a novel target for Alzheimer's disease(AD),a neurodegenerative disease characterised by behavioural and cognitive impairment.However,most previous microbiome-based intervention studies have focused on single factors and yielded only modest cognitive improvements.Here,we proposed a multidomain intervention strategy that combined Bifidobacterium breve treatment with environmental enrichment(EE)training.In this study,we found that compared with EE or B.breve treatment alone,B.breve intervention combined with EE amplified its neuroprotective effects on AD mice,as reflected by improved cognition,inhibited neuroinflammation and enhanced synaptic function.Moreover,using microbiome and metabolome profiling,we found that the combination of B.breve and EE treatment restored AD-related gut microbiota dysbiosis and reversed microbial metabolite changes.Finally,by integrating behavioural and neurological data with metabolomic profiles,we revealed that the underlying mechanism may involve the modulation of microbiota-derived glutamine metabolism via gut-brain interactions.Collectively,combined B.breve intervention with EE treatment can alleviate AD-related cognitive impairment and improve brain function by regulating glutamine metabolism of the gut microbiome.Our findings provide a promising multidomain intervention strategy,with a combination of dietary microbiome-based and lifestyle-targeted interventions,to promote brain function and delay the progression of AD.

Preventive effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 on ovalbumin-induced food allergy in mice

Food allergy is a significant public health concern globally.Certain probiotics have been found to enhance food allergy by regulating immune-microbe interactions in animal models and patients.However,the effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 on food allergy have not been thoroughly investigated.The present study examined the anti-allergic properties of Probio-M8,particularly in relation to immune response and gut microbiota composition.Results demonstrate that oral administration of Probio-M8 effectively mitigated the allergy symptoms triggered by ovalbumin(OVA)by ameliorating the morphological damage in the jejunum,reducing OVA-specific IgE and histamine levels in the serum,and suppressing Th2 cytokines(interleukin(IL)4 and IL-13)while increasing Th1 cytokines(interferon(IFN)γ)and regulatory T(Treg)cytokines(IL-10 and transforming growth factor(TGF)β1)in the culture supernatants of splenic cells.Furthermore,Probio-M8 effectively altered the diversity and composition of gut microbiota,particularly the relative abundances of Akkermansia_muciniphila in OVA-induced mice.Compared to the OVA group,the Probio-M8 group showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Akkermansia_muciniphila.In conclusion,Probio-M8 demonstrates the potential to alleviate food allergy by regulating the Th1/Th2 response and modulating gut microbiota,thereby offering a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with food allergy.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus和Streptococcus thermophilus接种比例对Bifidobacterium lactis益生菌发酵乳品质的影响

将Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus ND02(LB-ND02)和Streptococcus thermophilus ND03(ST-ND03)按1∶1、1∶10、1∶100、1∶1000接种于脱脂乳中,同时接入益生菌Bifidobacterium lactis V9(B.lactis V9,接种量为2.0×107g-1),于42℃进行发酵。通过对发酵及贮藏过程中发酵乳指标的测定,评价LB-ND02和ST-ND03的接种比例对发酵乳品质的影响。结果表明,随着LB-ND02接种比例减小,凝乳时间显著延长,B.lactis V9活菌数显著提高。4℃贮藏28 d后,随LB-ND02接种比例减小,B.lactis V9存活率差异显著,后酸化也显著减弱。研究发现,LB-ND02和ST-ND03的接种比例,显著影响发酵乳的发酵时间、B.lactis V9活菌数、后酸化及黏度。

响应曲面法优化短双歧杆菌Bifidobacterium breve A04培养基

本文通过响应曲面法(RSM)达到优化双歧杆菌培养基组分的目的。以TPYG培养基为基础培养基,采用FFD(factionalfactorialdesign)实验设计法,筛选出三种最佳生长强化因子葡萄糖、酵母粉和初始pH值;通过快速登高法摸索出生长强化因子的最佳浓度范围为:葡萄糖5.0g/L,酵母膏3.01g/L以及初始pH6.0;利用旋转中心组分设计法(RCD)和响应曲面法(RSM)确定关键组分的最佳浓度并进行了验证。最终优化培养基组分为葡萄糖5.194g/L,酵母膏2.829g/L,低聚果糖2g/L,西红柿汁50ml,肝浸液5g/L,Tween801ml,半胱氨酸盐酸盐0.3g/L,pH6.463。最终优化出的培养基获得的菌体干重达到4.462g/L,比优化前3.16g/L提高了1.43倍。

Construction of Bifidobacterium Infantis/CD Targeting Gene Therapy System

Objective： To construct Bifidobacterium Infantis/CD targeting gene therapy system. Methods： CD gene was amplified from E. Coli K12λ using PCR method, pGEX-1LamdaT plasmid and CD gene were digested with dual restriction endonucleas of EcoR Ⅰ and BamH Ⅰ and two segments of 4.9 kb and 1.3 kb were obtained. T4 DNA ligase was added to these two segments to make a recombinant CD/pGEX-1LamdaT plasmid. Then the recombinant plasmid was transfected into Bifidobacterium Infantis by electroporation. The recombinant plasmid was extracted from the positively transfected Bifidobacterium Infantis and digested with dual restriction endonucleases. Then the size of digested fragments was detected and sequencing of the gene segment inserted in extracted recombinant plasmid was performed according to the method of Sanger dideoxynucleotide triphosphate chain termination. Results： 6.2 kb recombinant plasmid was obtained from the positively transfected bacterial colony of Bifidobacterium Infantis. After being digested with dual restriction endonucleases, two segments of approximate 4.9 kb and 1.3 kb were gained from the extracted recombinant plasmid, which were equal to the size of pGEX-1LamdaT plasmid and CD gene, respectively. The full length and sequence of nucleotide acid of the inserted gene in extracted recombinant plasmid was completely identical to the CD gene. Conclusion： The foreign gene, CD gene was correctly inserted into pGEX-1LambdaT plasmid and transferred into Bifidobacterium Infantis. Bifidobacterium Infantis/CD targeting gene therapy system was successfully constructed.

婴儿肠道源长双歧杆菌B2-01的益生特性及其高密度培养

以广州市3月龄健康婴儿粪便中分离出的乳酸杆菌为研究对象,经分子生物学鉴定确认为长双歧杆菌(Bifidobacterium longum),命名为B2-01。对B2-01进行包括体外抗氧化活性和肝损伤保护活性在内的益生特性和高密度培养研究,结果表明:B2-01具有较强的1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基、羟自由基、超氧阴离子自由基、2,2′-联氮-双-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)阳离子自由基清除能力和抗脂质过氧化能力;在最高作用水平(DMEM完全培养基中发酵上清液体积分数10%)下,过氧化氢损伤和乙醇损伤L02细胞存活率可分别提高至89.10%和91.38%,同时能显著降低肝细胞中转氨酶的活力;高密度培养研究优化后的最佳培养条件确定为酵母浸提粉添加量3.45%、葡萄糖2.48%、乳糖2.79%、细菌学蛋白胨3.00%、低聚半乳糖2.50%。在此优化条件下,发酵液的活菌数最高可达4.20×10^(9) CFU/m L,比优化前(7.71×10^(8) CFU/mL)提高5.45倍。

益生菌Lactobacillus casei Zhang和Bifidobacterium lactis V9接种比例及乳固形物含量对其活菌数的影响

将益生菌Lactobacillus casei Zhang和Bifidobacterium lactis V9按1∶3、1∶1、3∶1(总接种量为2×106cfu/g)接种于总固形物含量为10%、12%、14%、16%的脱脂牛乳中,37℃恒温发酵至pH 4.5,于4℃贮藏28 d。测定发酵及贮藏结束2株益生菌活菌数。试验结果表明,发酵结束,当研究固形物质量分数相同,接种比例为3∶1时,L.casei Zhang和B.lactis V9的活菌数最高。贮藏结束,当接种比例相同,所含乳固形物质量分数为14%时,两株益生菌存活率显著高于其他固形物含量组(P<0.05)。本研究显示,L.casei Zhang和B.lactis接种比例为3∶1,乳固形物质量分数为14%时,两株益生菌生长良好且存活率高,适宜生产应用。

Bifidobacterium lactis V9在脱脂乳粉中贮藏稳定性的研究

研究Bifidobacterium lactis V9(B.lactis V9)与双歧杆菌B在脱脂乳粉中不同温度条件下存活稳定性,并以Arrhenius方程反映温度与菌体损失率之间关系,预测B.lactis V9与双歧杆菌B相关乳粉产品货架期内菌体损失情况。结果表明,B.lactis V9与双歧杆菌B随温度升高,菌体损失率增大。两菌株在37℃贮藏28 d后,活菌数下降最明显,约两个数量级,且在不同贮藏温度下活菌数随时间变化情况无显著性差异。通过Arrhenius方程和菌体递减模型,建立了B.lactis V9和双歧杆菌B在不同温度下货架期预测模型,该模型可以较好的预测含B.lactis V9和双歧杆菌B乳粉产品在某一温度下菌体损失率和货架期寿命。

Lactobacillus casei Zhang和Bifidobacterium lactis V9在益生菌酸乳中的应用

益生菌在酸乳中的应用已非常普遍,将Lactobacillus casei Zhang单独(样品A)以及与Bifidobacterium lactis V9复合(样品B),同酸乳发酵剂(G027)共同发酵益生菌酸乳,于4℃贮藏21 d。结果表明,整个贮藏期间2组样品间的黏度和持水性差异不显著;贮藏期间2组样品间L.casei Zhang的活菌数没有差异,且L.casei Zhang和B.lactis V9的活菌数不随贮藏时间而降低;L.casei Zhang和B.lactis V9复合益生菌酸奶感官评价优于单独添加L.casei Zhang酸乳。L.casei Zhang和B.lactis V9复合添加,更适合于益生菌酸乳的生产。

一株Bifidobacterium longum CCFM760的生理特性、安全性评价和基因分析

长双歧杆菌(Bifidobacterium longum CCFM760)是一株从江苏省无锡市滨湖区两岁健康幼女粪便分离筛选得到的具有良好缓解便秘功效的益生菌。作者对其生长产酸能力、人工模拟肠胃液耐受性、抑菌能力、低聚糖利用能力、抗生素耐受能力和总超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性进行了检测。该菌具有良好的生长产酸能力和人工模拟肠胃液耐受性,对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌有明显的抑制作用,能显著利用7种低聚糖,对14种抗生素敏感,培养液中总SOD活性达到(99.14±9.91)U/mL。此外,对该菌进行基因组草图测序,并从基因组角度解析了其低聚糖代谢能力、抗生素敏感性以及抗氧化能力。以上结果表明,B.longum CCFM760是一株安全的、具有实际应用潜力的益生菌。

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on the healthy gut microbiota composition at phyla and species level: A preliminary study

AIMTo evaluate the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 to colonize the intestinal environment of healthy subjects and modify the gut microbiota composition.METHODSTwenty healthy Italian volunteers, eight males and twelve females, participated in the study. Ten subjects took a sachet containing 4 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU) of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and 109 CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, 30 min before breakfast (pre-prandial administration), while ten subjects took a sachet of probiotic product 30 min after breakfast (post-prandial administration). The ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 to colonize human gut microbiota was assessed by means of quantitative real-time PCR, while changes in gut microbiota composition were detected by using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine.RESULTSImmediately after 1-mo of probiotic administration, B. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 load was increased in the majority of subjects in both pre-prandial and post-prandial groups. This increase was found also 1 mo after the end of probiotic oral intake in both groups, if compared to samples collected before probiotic consumption. At phyla level a significant decrease in Firmicutes abundance was detected immediately after 1-mo of B. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 oral intake. This reduction persisted up to 1 mo after the end of probiotic oral intake together with a significant decrease of Proteobacteria abundance if compared to samples collected before probiotic administration. Whereas, at species level, a higher abundance of Blautia producta, Blautia wexlerae and Haemophilus ducrey was observed, together with a reduction of Holdemania filiformis, Escherichia vulneris, Gemmiger formicilis and Streptococcus sinensis abundance. In addition, during follow-up period we observed a further reduction in Escherichia vulneris and Gemmiger formicilis, together with a decrease in Roseburia faecis and Ruminococcus gnavus abundance. Conversely, the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila was increased if compared to samples collected at the beginning of the experimental time courseCONCLUSIONB. longum BB536 and L. rhamnosus HN001 showed the ability to modulate the gut microbiota composition, leading to a significant reduction of potentially harmful bacteria and an increase of beneficial ones. Further studies are needed to better understand the specific mechanisms involved in gut microbiota modulation.

Protective effect of Bifidobacterium infantis CGMCC313-2 on ovalbumin-induced airway asthma and b-lactoglobulininduced intestinal food allergy mouse models

AIM To determine whether oral administration of Bifidobacterium infantis CGMCC313-2(B. infantis CGMCC313-2) inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation and food allergies in a mouse model.METHODS Ovalbumin(OVA)-induced allergic asthma and b-lactoglobulin-induced food allergy mouse models were used in this study. Following oral administration of B. infantis CGMCC313-2 during or after allergen sensitization, histopathologic changes in the lung and intestine were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. In the allergic asthma mouse model, we evaluated the proportion of lung-infiltrating inflammatory cells. OVAspecific IgE and IgG1 levels in serum and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were also assessed. In the food allergy mouse model, the levels of total Ig E and cytokines in serum were measured.RESULTS Oral administration of B. infantis CGMCC313-2 during or after allergen sensitization suppressed allergic inflammation in lung and intestinal tissues, while the proportion of infiltrating inflammatory cells was significantly decreased in the BALF of allergic asthma mice. Moreover, B. infantis CGMCC313-2 decreased the serum levels of total Ig E in food allergy mice, and reductions in IgE and IgG1 were also observed in OVA-induced allergic asthma mice. The expression of interleukin-4(IL-4) and IL-13 in both serum and BALF was suppressed following the administration of B. infantis CGMCC313-2, while an effect on serum IL-10 levels was not observed.CONCLUSION B. infantis CGMCC313-2 inhibits the secretion of allergen-induced IgE, IL-4 and IL-13, and attenuates allergic inflammation.

Modulatory effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on defecation in elderly patients receiving enteral feeding

AIM:To investigate the effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on the health management of elderly patients receiving enteral feeding.METHODS:Two double-blind,placebo-controlled trials were performed with long-term inpatients receiving enteral tube feeding at Kitakyushu Hospital Group,Fukuoka,Japan.BB536 was administered as BB536-L and BB536-H powders that contained approximately 2.5 × 10 10 and 5 × 10 10 cfu of BB536,respectively.In the first trial,83 patients(age range:67-101 years) were randomized into 2 groups that received placebo(placebo group) or BB536-H(BB536 group) powders.In the second trial,123 patients(age range:65-102years) were randomized into 3 groups,and each group received placebo(placebo group),BB536-L(BB536-L group),or BB536-H(BB536-H group) powders.Each patient received the study medication for 16 wk after 1 wk of pre-observation.Fecal samples were collected from each patient prior to and after the intervention during Trial 2.Clinical observations included body temperature,occurrence of infection,frequency of defecation,and fecal microbiota.RESULTS:No significant changes were observed in the frequency of defecation for either treatment in Trial 1.However,a significant change was noted in the BB536-L group(P = 0.0439) in Trial 2 but not in the placebo or BB536-H groups.Subgroup analyses based on the frequency of defecation for each patient during the pre-observation period for both trials revealed significant increases in bowel movements in patients with a low frequency of defecation and significant decreases in the bowel movements of patients with a high frequency of defecation during the intervention period in the BB536 groups.The combination of Trials 1 and 2 data revealed a modulatory effect of BB536 ingestion on the changes in bowel movements.Significantly increased bowel movements were observed in patients in the low frequency subgroup with significant intergroup differences(P < 0.01).Significantly decreased bowel movements were observed in patients in the high subgroup,but no significant intergroup differences were observed compared with the placebo group.BB536 ingestion increased the prevalence of normally formed stools.BB536 intake also significantly(P < 0.01) increased the cell numbers of bifidobacteria in fecal microbiota,and significant intergroup differences were observed at week 16.No adverse events were reported in any group.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that BB536 ingestion modulated the intestinal environment and may have improved the health care of elderly patients receiving enteral feeding.

Effects of Bifidobacterium infantis on cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant and insulin-like growth factor-1 in the ileum of rats with endotoxin injury

BACKGROUND The digestive tract is the maximal immunizing tissue in the body, and mucosal integrity and functional status of the gut is very important to maintain a healthy organism. Severe infection is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal dysfunction, and the pathogenesis is closely related to endotoxemia and intestinal barrier injury. Bifidobacterium is one of the main probiotics in the human body that is involved in digestion, absorption, metabolism, nutrition, and immunity.Bifidobacterium plays an important role in maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier integrity. This study investigated the protective mechanism of Bifidobacterium during ileal injury in rats.AIM To investigate the effects of Bifidobacterium on cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant(CINC) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) in the ileum of rats with endotoxin injury.METHODS Preweaning rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control(group C),model(group E) and treatment(group T). Group E was intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to create an animal model of intestinal injury.Group T was intragastrically administered Bifidobacterium suspension 7 d before LPS. Group C was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. The rats were killed at 2, 6 or 12 h after LPS or physiological saline injection to collect ilealtissue samples. The expression of ileal CINC mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and expression of ileal IGF-1 protein and mRNA was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR,respectively.RESULTS The ileum of rats in Group C did not express CINC mRNA, ileums from Group E expressed high levels, which was then significantly decreased in Group T(F =23.947, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CINC mRNA expression at different times(F = 0.665, P > 0.05). There was a high level of IGF-1 brown granules in ileal crypts and epithelial cells in Group C, sparse staining in Group E, and dark, dense brown staining in Group T. There was a significant difference between Groups C and E and Groups E and T(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IGF-1 protein expression at different times(F = 1.269, P > 0.05). IGF-1 mRNA expression was significantly different among the three groups(P < 0.05),though not at different times(F = 0.086, P > 0.05).CONCLUSION Expression of CINC mRNA increased in the ileum of preweaning rats with endotoxin injury, and exogenous administration of Bifidobacterium reduced CINC m RNA expression. IGF-1 protein and mRNA expression decreased in the ileum of preweaning rats with endotoxin injury, and exogenous administration of Bifidobacterium prevented the decrease in IGF-1 expression. Bifidobacterium may increase IGF-1 expression and enhance intestinal immune barrier function in rats with endotoxin injury.

Bifidobacterium infantis attenuates colitis by regulating T cell subset responses

AIM: to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) on the T cell subsets and in attenuating the severity of experimental colitis in mice.

Influence of whole peptidoglycan of bifidobacterium on cytotoxic effectors produced by mouse peritoneal macrophages

INTRODUCTIONBifidobacteria are physiologically beneficial bacteria which are perdominant in human intestine ,and possess the most important functions .They play an important role in maintaining microbial balance of the intestine .Furthermore , their presence is thought to be an important indication of health of the body [1-4].Whole peptidoglycan ( WPG) is the major component in the cell wall of bifidobacterium ,which is also a biological responsemodifier with nontoxic side dffcets.

THE APOPTOSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL COLORECTAL CARCINOMA CELLS INDUCED BY PEPTIDOGLYCAN OF BIFIDOBACTERIUM AND THE EXPRESSION OF APOPTOTIC REGULATING GENES

Objective: To explore the antitumor mechanisms of whole peptidoglycan of bifidobacterium. Methods: The apoptotic cells and the positive expression of bcl-2 and bax oncoprotein were studied nude mice transplantation tumors of colorectal carcinoma by employing in situ end labeling technique and immunohistochemical staining. Results: The apoptotic cell density, the positive rate and the staining intensity of bax oncoprotein of the transplantation tumor of colorectal carcinoma in the whole peptidoglycan injection group were significantly higher when compared with the tumor control group. The positive rate of bcl-2 oncoportein in the whole peptidoglycan injection group was obviously lower than that in the tumor control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Whole peptidoglycan of Bifidobacterium bifidum could induce cell apoptosis of nude mice transplantation tumors of colorectal carcinoma by down-regulating the expression of the bcl-2 gene and upregulating the expression of the bax gene.

Anti-inflammatory activity of probiotic Bifidobacterium: Enhancement of IL-10 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from ulcerative colitis patients and inhibition of IL-8 secretion in HT-29 cells

AIM: To determine the anti-inflammatory activity of probiotic Bifidobacteria in Bifidobacteria-fermented milk (BFM) which is effective against active ulcerative colitis (UC) and exacerbations of UC, and to explore the immunoregulatory mechanisms. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from UC patients or HT-29 cells were co-cultured with heat-killed probiotic bacteria or culture supernatant of Bifidobacterium breve strain Yakult (BbrY) or Bifidobacterium bifidum strain Yakult (BbiY) to estimate the amount of IL-10 or IL-8 secreted. RESULTS: Both strains of probiotic Bifidobacteria contained in the BFM induced IL-10 production in PBMNC from UC patients, though BbrY was more effective than BbiY. Conditioned medium (CM) and DNA of both strains inhibited IL-8 secretion in HT-29 cells stimulated with TNF-α, whereas no such effect was observed with heat- killed bacteria. The inhibitory effect of CM derived from BbiY was greater than that of CM derived from BbrY. DNAs of the two strains had a comparable inhibitory activity against the secretion of IL-8. CM of BbiY induced a repression of IL-8 gene expression with a higher expression of IκB-ζ mRNA 4 h after culture of HT-29 cells compared to that in the absence of CM.CONCLUSION: Probiotic Bifidobacterium strains in BFM enhance IL-10 production in PBMNC and inhibit IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that BFM has anti-inflammatory effects against ulcerative colitis.