Lactic Acid Bacteria in Pharmaceutical Formulations: Presence and Viability of “Healthy Microorganisms”
Pages 66-75
Mariantonietta Succi, Elena Sorrentino, Tiziana Di Renzo, Patrizio Tremonte, Anna Reale, Luca Tipaldi, Gianfranco Pannella, Antonio Russo and Raffaele Coppola

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.01.10
Published: 18 February 2014

Abstract: Many probiotic formulations are available in the market and are advertised for several preventive or curative roles. The aim of this study was the identification of microorganisms composing different lactic acid bacteria based pharmaceutical formulations and the ascertainment of their ability to survive gastro-intestinal (GI) stresses, the main requisite to produce beneficial effects. For this purpose, viable bacteria were enumerated by plate counts in different media. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR-DGGE) analysis was applied on pure isolates and on crude formulations to confirm the composition in species. Also, crude formulations were subjected to stresses characteristic of the GI tract (GIT) to assess cell survival. Results highlighted concentrations lower than those reported in the labels in almost all the formulations. Moreover, some discrepancies were observed between reported species and those ascertained through the identification, and the use of an erroneous nomenclature was highlighted. The GI stress test revealed that bacteria are strongly injured, and this fact was evidenced by a marked reduction in viable counts after the stress. In conclusion, a widespread number of lactic acid bacteria based formulations are sold as probiotics, but their probiotic requisites are not adequately observed.

Association between Visceral Fat and Body Mass Index in Patients with Cirrhosis
Pages 1-5
Kenichiro Yasutake, Motoyuki Kohjima, Yusuke Murata, Manabu Nakashima, Makoto Nakamuta and Munechika Enjoji
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5951.2014.04.01.1
Published: 31 January 2014

Abstract: Obesity has recently become a critical problem in patients with cirrhosis in Japan; however, its true prevalence and prognosis remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated abdominal fat areas, including subcutaneous and visceral fat areas (VFA), in 49 cirrhotic patients and analyzed the association between VFA and body mass index (BMI). Fat areas were examined by computed tomography. Patients were classified as somatometric obesity and visceral obesity based on their BMI (cut-off value: 25 kg/m²) and VFA (cut-off value: 100 cm²), respectively. The mean BMI was 23.5±3.3 kg/m² (<25 kg/m², 35 cases; ≥25 kg/m², 14 cases) and mean VFA was 108.5±118.8 cm² (<100 cm², 25 cases; ≥100 cm², 24 cases). Thirteen out of 14 patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m² had a VFA ≥100 cm², and 11 of 35 patients with BMI <25 kg/m² had a VFA ≥100 cm². Thus, almost half of the cirrhotic patients in this study had visceral obesity, including a high proportion of patients with BMI <25 kg/m². These results suggest that visceral obesity, as well as BMI, should be considered in patients with cirrhosis, and individual nutritive management regimes should be designed according to the results.