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We aimed at isolating and characterising microorganisms present in human breast milk with probiotic potential. In an 8-week postpartum sampling period, two strains of bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium longum LM7a and Bifidobacterium dentium LM8a') and four strains of lactobacilli were isolated, all during the first 4-week postpartum. B. longum LM7a and B. dentium LM8a', together with four strains previously isolated from breast milk (Bifidobacterium lactis INL1, INL2, INL4 and INL5), were considered for further studies. Susceptibility of the strains to tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, streptomycin, vancomycin and chloramphenicol was evaluated and the isolates exhibited, in general, the same properties as previously reported for bifidobacteria. All isolates showed low hydrophobicity and B. lactis and B. longum strains had satisfactory resistance to gastric digestion and bile shock, but not to pancreatin. B. lactis INL1, B. longum LM7a and B. dentium LM8a' were selected for some comparative technological studies. In particular, B. lactis INL1 displayed technological potential, with satisfactory growth in cheese whey-based media in biofermentor and resistance to freeze-drying, accelerated storage conditions and simulated gastric digestion.

The aim of this study was to screen intestinal lactobacilli strains for their advantageous properties to select those that could be used for the development of novel gastrointestinal probiotics. Ninety-three isolates were subjected to screening procedures. Fifty-nine percent of the examined lactobacilli showed the ability to auto-aggregate, 97% tolerated a high concentration of bile (2% w/v), 50% survived for 4 h at pH 3.0, and all strains were unaffected by a high concentration of pancreatin (0.5% w/v). One Lactobacillus buchneri strain was resistant to tetracycline. None of the tested strains caused lysis of human erythrocytes. Six potential probiotic strains were selected for safety evaluation in a mouse model. Five of 6 strains caused no translocation, and were considered safe. In conclusion, several strains belonging to different species and fermentation groups were found that have properties required for a potential probiotic strain. This study was the first phase of a multi-phase study aimed to develop a novel, safe and efficient prophylactic and therapeutic treatment system against gastrointestinal infections using genetically modified probiotic lactobacilli.

Background: High-dose ibuprofen therapy limits the progression of lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. However, ibuprofen increases intestinal permeability, which potentiates intestinal damage caused by high-dose pancreatic enzyme treatment, as was shown in a previous study by this group. In the present study, the combined effects of ibuprofen and pancreatic enzyme treatment on the intestine and liver were examined., Methods: Using a chronically catheterized rat model, high-dose ibuprofen (60 mg/kg x day in two doses), with or without pancreatic enzyme treatment was infused into gastric and duodenal catheters, respectively, for 20 days. Six groups were studied: control group; ibuprofen treatment alone; pancreatic enzyme treatment alone (two groups: normal dose, 10,000 U lipase/kg x day and high dose, 40,000 U lipase/kg x day); and ibuprofen combined with pancreatic enzyme (two groups: ibuprofen with high-dose pancreatic enzyme and ibuprofen and low-dose pancreatic enzyme). After treatment, rats were autopsied, and complete histologic analyses of the entire intestine and liver were performed., Results: Ibuprofen caused mild ulceration of the small intestine in 50% of rats. Pancreatic enzyme treatment alone did not induce ulceration of the intestine. The combination of pancreatic enzyme and ibuprofen treatment increased the severity of the ulcers in the small intestine but not the number of ulcers or the percentage of rats affected. Ibuprofen treatment alone did not cause ulcers in the large intestine, but with the addition of pancreatic enzymes, ulceration and fibrosis were present., Conclusions: Ibuprofen at doses used to limit progression of cystic fibrosis lung disease caused enteropathy in 50% of rats. There was synergism between ibuprofen and pancreatic enzyme treatment in the production of severe ulcers. Ulcers in the cecum and colon were increased with combined ibuprofen and pancreatic enzyme treatment compared with incidence in control animals.