ProB) Plus 1

AN OPINION BY DANIEL WEBER

The following was written by Donald D. Kasarda who is a research chemist in the Crop Improvement and Utilization Research Unit of the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Most sprouted wheat still has some small gluten or gluten peptides remaining.  The sprouting begins enzymatic action that starts to break down the gluten (a storage protein for the plant) into peptides and even amino acids. Generally this is not a complete process for sprouts used in foods so some active peptides (active in coeliac disease) may remain. It is contraindicated for severe CD.

My opinion as well as my clinical experience demonstrates that gluten sensitivity is a result of dysbiosis not a genetic disorder. Dysbiosis (also called dysbacteriosis) refers to a condition with microbial imbalances on or within the body. Dysbiosis is most prominent in the digestive tract or on the skin, but can also occur on any exposed surface or mucous membrane such as the vagina, lungs, mouth, nose, sinuses, ears, nails, or eyes. It has been associated with different illnesses, like inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. ProB Plus repairs the gut and reduces the inflammation that causes the gluten sensitivity. Most patients with severe CD should avoid Pro B but those with gluten sensitivity are helped.

1. Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS)
Astragalus contains a wide array of constituents including flavonoids, sapponins, polysaccharides, free form amino acids, essential fatty acids and trace minerals. The triterpenoid sapponins known as astragalosides support the integrity of mucous membranes and epithelial cells in the respiratory tract through an antioxidant mechanism. The polysaccharides are of particular interest for their immune supporting properties. Astragalus is shown to effect non-specific defences such as promoting macrophage and monocyte function as well as interferon activity. It also supports deep immune function by promoting natural killer cell and t-cell function. It appears especially effective when immune function is stressed by environmental or endogenous challenges.

Astragalus is an herb that has been used for centuries as a natural way to support the body's immunity defence system.  Known since ancient times as the "superior tonic," Astragalus Root is also used as a natural aid for healthy digestion and metabolism.

Promoting growth action for Probiotics of Radix Astragali
To study the promoting growth action of Radix Astragali on intestinal Probiotics, the extract of Rix Astragali was adopted to Lactobacillus Bulgaria, L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and three kinds of mixed Lactic bacterium (Lactobacillus Bulgaria, L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and S.thermophilus) and the absorbance (OD value) of bacterium in different concentration extract of Radix Astragali was measured. The result indicated that OD value of Lactobacillus Bulgaria, L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and three kind of mixed Lactic bacterium (Lactobacillus Bulgaria,L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and S.thermophilus) increased with the concentration of extract of Radix Astragali increased, and OD value did not change basically after 8 μg/mL. The study showed that Radix Astragali had promoting growth action to probiotics.

LIU Yang, QI Hang,YAN Xiao-mei. Journal of Dalian Institute of Light Industry 2005-03. DOI CNKI:SUN:DLQG.0.2005-03-010

Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Probiotics
Astragalus polysaccharide had promoting growth action to probiotics (Liu et al, 2005) and all the tonic traditional Chinese medicines has a certain modulation in dysbacteria (Shi et al, 2005).
Chinese herbal medicines may replace the using of antibiotic to play an important role on intestinal microecology balance (Li et al, 2003).
Probiotics and Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) can modulate systemic immunity and intestinal microbiota. Results showed that probiotics combined with APS administration displayed synergistic modulation effects on immunity and intestinal microbiota (Li et al, 2008).

Screening the traditional Chinese medicine with modulating function in rat intestinal flora
Objective: To screen a group of traditional Chinese medicines with modulating function in rat intestinal flora. 
Method: This experiment used Lincomycin Hydrochloride to prepare the rat intestinal flora dysbacteriosis model, and selected tonic traditional Chinese medicine SanBu, Herba Cistanches, Xiang Sha, Liu Jun Zi Tang and San Xie to modulate the rat intestinal flora. 
Results: All the tonic traditional Chinese medicine has a certain modulation in dysbacteria, with the best curative effect of SanBu among them, and San Bu was obviously superior to Li Zhu Chang Le of positive contrast group in the rat intestinal flora modulating function. 
Conclusion: Tonic traditional Chinese medicine SanBu, has supporting the healthy energy effect, played prebiotics function.

SHI Quan, XUE Yan-hua , ZHAO Guang - yuan, YANG Jing-yun, MA Shu-xia, LI Jian, LI Li-qiu, NIE Qing, LIU Jun-xing , SHI Zhong - kai, SONG Shu-xian. Heilongjiang Medicine and Pharmacy 2005-01. DOIcnki:ISSN:1008-0104.0.2005-01-017

The in vitro growth effect of three kinds Chinese traditional medicines on helpful microbe of intestines
To investigate the in vitro growth effect of 9 common CTMs on Bifidobacterium bifidum and lactobacillus acidophilus. These CTMs include Radix isatidis, Radix bupleuri, Radix rhei, Mirabilitum depuratum, Cortex magnoliae, Fructus forsythiae, Fructus lycii, Fructus schizandrao, Rhizoma rehmanniae. Using the Hungate-anaerobic technology to enumerate these two strains of bacteria which grew in media composed of CTMs extraction. The effect of the first three CTMs to Bifidobacterium bifidum is not obvious, but the effect on L. acidophilus is inhibitory (P 0.05), and the inhibition is not in accordance with different concentrations. The other three of the forth to sixth CTMs strongly inhibited the growth of two bacteria in according to the concentration (P0.01 or P0.05). The last three CTMs obviously improved the growth in line with concentration (especially to Bifidobacterium bifidum P0.05). CTMs not only can play the role of curing and guarding against disease, but also can improve the immunity of body. To some extent, CTMs may replace the using of antibiotic to play an important role on intestinal microecology balance.

Li Pinglan1, Shi Xiangdong, Lü Yanni, Jiang Zhijie, Shen Qingwu, Ma Changwei. Journal of China Agricultural University 2003-05.

Effects of Lipo-PGE 1 on intestinal microcirculation during acute intestinal venous congestion reperfusion in rats
Objective: To investigate the effects of Lipo-PGE1 on the microcirculation changes of intestine during acute intestinal venous congestion reperfusion in rats. 
Methods: 30 SD rats were divided into three groups, the acute intestinal venous congestion reperfusion group (CR group), the Lipo-PGE1 treatment group (Lipo-PGE1 group) and the sham operation group (SO group). To induce intestinal venous congestion model, portal vein was clamped for 45 min, then unclamped for 60 min. In Lipo-PGE1 group, 0.2 μg Lipo-PGE1 was infused via veins 10 min before, just at clamping portal vein and 10 min after reperfusion respectively, while in CR group normal saline was used instead of Lipo-PGE1. The small intestinal mesenteric area was selected for observation of microcirculation. The numbers of capillary vessels with or without blood flow were recorded as reperfusion rate. Hemorrhagic spots around the capillary were also recorded. Intestinal species were obtained for histological examination after reperfusion for 60 min. The intestine injury was studied with Chiu's Grade classification. 
Results: In CR group, the microcirculation reperfusion rates were much lower and the numbers of hemorrhagic spots around the capillary were much more than those in SO group. In Lipo-PGE1 group, however, the microcirculation reperfusion rates were much higher than in CR group, while no significant difference was found in hemorrhagic spots between the two groups. In CR group, optical microscopy showed that the intestine mucosa lesion was worse than that in SO group by Chiu's Grade standard. But compared with CR group, it showed that intestine mucosa injury lesion was attenuated in Lipo-PGE1 group. 
Conclusion: Lipo-PGE1 could effectively protect microcirculation and attenuate the injury of intestine caused by acute intestinal venous congestion.

2. Probiotics
Clinical use of Probiotics
Randomized double-blind studies have provided evidence of probiotic effectiveness for the treatment and prevention of acute diarrhoea and antibiotic-induced diarrhoea, as well as for the prevention of cow milk-induced food allergy in infants and young children.
Research studies have also provided evidence of effectiveness for the prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea, relapsing Clostridium difficile-induced colitis, and urinary tract infections. There are also studies indicating that probiotics may be useful for prevention of respiratory infections in children, dental caries, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. Areas of future interest for the application of probiotics include colon and bladder cancers, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. (Goldin BR, Gorbach SL., Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Feb 1;46 Suppl 2:S96-100; discussion S144-51.)

WANG Ke-jun, CHEN Xiao-pin, QI Mei-fen, ZHANG Jing-ping, XU Hao, JI Jun-biao, ZHU Chun-fu. Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Nanjing, Natural Science 2007-11. DOICNKI:SUN:NJYK.0.2007-11-013

L. salivarius
Based on findings by Aiba et al (1998), L. salivarius was found to be a potentially effective probiotic against H. pylori.
L. plantarum
L. plantarum produces antimicrobial substances. These antimicrobial substances have shown significant effect on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Kleerebezem et al, 1995).
L. paracasei
Intestinal colonisation by TNFα inhibitory L. paracasei reduced intestinal inflammation in H. hepaticus-challenged IL-10-deficient mice and had a direct modulation of mucosal inflammatory responses (Peña et al, 2005).

Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behaviour and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve

There is increasing, but largely indirect, evidence pointing to an effect of commensal gut microbiota on the central nervous system (CNS). However, it is unknown whether lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus could have a direct effect on neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS in normal, healthy animals. GABA is the main CNS inhibitory neurotransmitter and is significantly involved in regulating many physiological and psychological processes. Alterations in central GABA receptor expression are implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression, which are highly comorbid with functional bowel disorders. In this work, we show that chronic treatment with L. rhamnosus (JB-1) induced region-dependent alterations in GABAB1b mRNA in the brain with increases in cortical regions (cingulate and prelimbic) and concomitant reductions in expression in the hippocampus, amygdala, and locus coeruleus, in comparison with control-fed mice. In addition, L. rhamnosus (JB-1) reduced GABAAα2 mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, but increased GABAAα2 in the hippocampus. Importantly, L. rhamnosus (JB-1) reduced stress-induced corticosterone and anxiety- and depression-related behavior. Moreover, the neurochemical and behavioral effects were not found in vagotomized mice, identifying the vagus as a major modulatory constitutive communication pathway between the bacteria exposed to the gut and the brain. Together, these findings highlight the important role of bacteria in the bidirectional communication of the gut–brain axis and suggest that certain organisms may prove to be useful therapeutic adjuncts in stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, et al. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behaviour and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. PNAS September 20, 2011 vol. 108 no. 38 16050-55, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1102999108

Promoting growth action for Probiotics of Astragalus Polysaccharides

The result indicated that OD value of Lactobacillus Bulgaria, L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and three kind of mixed Lactic bacterium (Lactobacillus Bulgaria,L.B.Lactic Streptococulls and S.thermophilus) increased with the concentration of extract of Radix Astragali increased, and OD value did not change basically after 8 μg/mL. The study showed that Radix Astragali had promoting growth action to probiotics. LIU Yang, QI Hang,YAN Xiao-mei. Journal of Dalian Institute of Light Industry 2005-03. DOI CNKI:SUN:DLQG.0.2005-03-010

AN OPINION BY DANIEL WEBER

The following was written by Donald D. Kasarda who is a research chemist in the Crop Improvement and Utilization Research Unit of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. If you have any questions or comments regarding the piece, you can address them to Don at: kasarda@pw.usda.gov. Most sprouted wheat still has some small gluten or gluten peptides remaining. The sprouting begins enzymatic action that starts to break down the gluten (a storage protein for the plant) into peptides and even amino acids. Generally this is not a complete process for sprouts used in foods so some active peptides (active in coeliac disease) may remain. It is contraindicated for severe CD.

My opinion as well as my clinical experience demonstrates that gluten sensitivity is a result of dysbiosis not a genetic disorder. Dysbiosis (also called dysbacterio- sis) refers to a condition with microbial imbalances on or within the body. Dysbiosis is most prominent in the digestive tract or on the skin, but can also occur on any exposed surface or mucous membrane such as the vagina, lungs, mouth, nose, sinuses, ears, nails, or eyes. It has been associated with different illnesses, like inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. ProB Plus repairs the gut and reduces the inflammation that causes the gluten sensitivity. Most patients with severe CD should avoid Pro B but those with gluten sensitivity are helped.

GBF significantly elevated faecal acetic acid and n-butyric acid levels. GBF tended to increase the number of eubacteria and that of bifidobacteria (Araki et al, 2000).
GBF has been shown to attenuate intestinal injury in animal models, largely by increasing luminal short-chain fatty acid production (Mitsuyama et al, 1998).

Prebiotic treatment in experimental colitis reduces the risk of colitic cancer
Background and Aim:  The risk of contracting colorectal cancer is higher in patients with UC than in that of the general population. The aim of this study is to apply this prebiotic approach to control chronic colitis and to reduce the incidence of colitic cancer.
Methods:  Repeated and intermitted dextran sulfate sodium administration to male Sprague–Dawley rats was used for the chronic and subacute colitis models. GBF was added as the diet (10% w/v). The incidence of adenomatous high-grade dysplasia, and pathophysiological observations, including the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index, and clinical score, cecal organic acid profile, and the accompanying β-glucosidase activity were determined.
Results:  In the chronic phase, the incidence of adenomatous dysplasia was only confirmed in the control group, and the GBF group had no dysplasia in the entire colon; the stratified squamous epithelium area of GBF was significantly lower than that of the controls. GBF treatment significantly lowered the cecal succinate content and significantly increased β-glucosidase activity compared to the controls. In addition, colonic mucosal inflammatory damage was comparable between the two groups, while the PCNA labeling index of the colonic mucosa in the GBF group was significantly lower than that of the control group. However, in the subacute phase, the mucosal damage score of GBF was significantly attenuated, and the PCNA labeling index of the colonic mucosa in the GBF group was significantly higher than that of the control group.
Conclusion:  This preliminary study demonstrated that GBF effectively prevents colitis-related dysplasia and inflammatory change in chronic and subacute colitis models by modulating the intestinal environment as a prebiotic. This prebiotic might contribute to the prevention of mucosal damage, to show different proliferative effects on the epithelium in the regeneration and steady states.

Komiyama Y et al. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Volume 26, Issue 8, pages 1298–1308, August 2011