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Hyaluronic acid (HA) represents a pivotal component of the extracellular matrix, particularly within the context of the skin. The absorption and metabolism of orally ingested HA have been extensively investigated due to the prevalence of HA-based supplements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a combination of non-animal HA and Bifidobacterium longum novaBLG1 on dermal health following intestinal transit. The bioavailability of the compound was evaluated using a model that reproduced the human intestinal barrier in vitro, and its biological effects were investigated on skin cells via the gut–skin axis. The results demonstrated that probiotics augmented the absorption of non-animal HA by approximately 30% in comparison to non-animal HA alone and by 82% in comparison to sodium hyaluronate. Furthermore, the combination demonstrated a notable enhancement in skin cell proliferation, with increases of 16%, 8%, and 29.7% over 144 h in comparison to non-animal hyaluronan, Bifidobacterium longum novaBLG1, and sodium hyaluronate, respectively. The combination was observed to positively affect all markers of skin health and well-being, achieving its goals without any adverse effects on the gut. This approach offers a novel method for enhancing skin health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between the gut environment and the prostate has recently been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Therefore, this study examined the advantages of a novel oral probiotic supplement to improve intestinal health and treat BPH. A 3D intestinal barrier model that simulated oral intake was used to analyse the combined regulative abilities of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium psychaerophilum. Then, a co-culture prostatic model was used to investigate the biological consequences of the combination under conditions mimicking BPH. The results show the connection between the gut microbiome and prostate disease since the probiotics successfully modulate the primary mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of BPH. Indeed, after the intestinal passage, the mediators released from B. longum and B. psychaerophilum induced a substantial decrease in reactive oxidative species of about 6 times and inflammation (about 5 times regarding interleukine-6 and 10) and a sharp increase in testosterone and serotonin levels (about 95%). Further, proliferation and BPH principal mediators (such as androgen and dihydrotestosterone) were highly affected and nearly restored to physiological levels. Thus, BPH can be directly affected by probiotic supplementation; specifically, B. longum and B. psychaerophilum, in combination, seem able to promote the mitigation of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a highly lipophilic molecule with low solubility, making absorption difficult. Recent techniques like micronisation, ultra-micronisation and combining PEA with solvents have improved their bioavailability and stability. Our study analysed particle size differences and absorption kinetics using specific solvents (PEAΩ and PEA DynoΩ) over time (0.5 h–6 h) in a dose-dependent manner (200 mg–1800 mg). The results showed that PEAΩ and PEA DynoΩ achieved 82–63% absorption at 3 h, compared to 30–60% for micronised, ultra-micronised PEA and a commercial product, highlighting the optimal dose range of 300 mg–600 mg. In addition, a 3D model of the peripheral nerve was utilised to explain the efficacy after gut passage and support the most effective dose (300 mg or 600 mg) achieved at the gut level. PEAΩ and PEA DynoΩ, which are associated with better intestinal bioavailability compared to PEA-micronised, PEA ultra-micronised and a commercial product, have allowed not only a reduction in the inflammatory context but also an improvement of peripheral nerve well-being by increasing specific markers like MPZ (26–36% vs. 8–15%), p75 (25–32% vs. 13–16%) and NRG1 (22–29.5% vs. 11–14%). These results highlight the potential of advanced PEA formulations to overcome solubility challenges and maintain in vitro efficacy, modulating peripheral nerve well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathy affects 7–10% of the general population and is caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system. The limitations of current therapies highlight the necessity of a new innovative approach to treating neuropathic pain (NP) based on the close correlation between oxidative stress, inflammatory process, and antioxidant action. The advantageous outcomes of a novel combination composed of Hop extract, Propolis, Ginkgo Biloba, Vitamin B, and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) used as a treatment was evaluated in this study. To assess the absorption and biodistribution of the combination, its bioavailability was first examined in a 3D intestinal barrier model that replicated intestinal absorption. Further, a 3D nerve tissue model was developed to study the biological impacts of the combination during the essential pathways involved in NP. Our findings show that the combination could cross the intestinal barrier and reach the peripheral nervous system, where it modulates the oxidative stress, inflammation levels, and myelination mechanism (increased NRG, MPZ, ERB, and p75 levels) under Schwann cells damaging. This study proves the effectiveness of Ginkgo Biloba, Propolis, Hop extract, Vitamin B, and PEA in avoiding nerve damage and suggests a potential alternative nutraceutical treatment for NP and neuropathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional relationship between the microbiota and the brain; genes related to the brain and gut synaptic formation are similar. Research on the causal effects of gut microbiota on human behavior, brain development, and function, as well as the underlying molecular processes, has emerged in recent decades. Probiotics have been shown in several trials to help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Because of this, probiotic combinations have been tested in in vitro models to see whether they might modulate the gut and alleviate depression and anxiety. Therefore, we sought to determine whether a novel formulation might affect the pathways controlling anxiety and depression states and alter gut barrier activities in a 3D model without having harmful side effects. Our findings indicate that B. bifidum novaBBF7 10 mg/mL, B. longum novaBLG2 5 mg/mL, and L. paracasei TJB8 10 mg/mL may influence the intestinal barrier and enhance the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the probiotics studied did not cause neuronal damage and, in combination, exert a protective effect against the condition of anxiety and depression triggered by L-Glutamate. All these findings show that probiotics can affect gut function to alter the pathways underlying anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D3 (VitD3) plays a crucial role in various cellular functions through its receptor interaction. The biological activity of Vitamin D3 can vary based on its solubility and stability. Thus, the challenge lies in maximizing its biological effects through its complexation within cyclodextrin (βNS-CDI 1:4) nanosponges (NS) (defined as VitD3NS). Therefore, its activity has been evaluated on two different gut–brain axes (healthy gut/degenerative brain and inflammatory bowel syndrome gut/degenerative brain axis). At the gut level, VitD3-NS mitigated liposaccharide-induced damage (100 ng/mL; for 48 h), restoring viability, integrity, and activity of tight junctions and reducing ROS production, lipid peroxidation, and cytokines levels. Following intestinal transit, VitD3-NS improved the neurodegenerative condition in the healthy axis and the IBS model, suggesting the ability of VitD3-NS to preserve efficacy and beneficial effects even in IBS conditions. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the ability of this novel form of VitD3, named VitD3-NS, to act on the gut–brain axis in healthy and damaged conditions, emphasizing enhanced biological activity through VitD3 complexation, as such complexation increases the beneficial effect of vitamin D3 in both the gut and brain by about 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]