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The Infant-Derived Bifidobacterium bifidum Strain CNCM I-4319 Strengthens Gut Functionality
Rebeca Martín1, Francesca Bottacini2, Muireann Egan2
1Commensal and Probiotics-Host Interactions Laboratory, Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Insights
Bifidobacterium bifidum strain CNCM I-4319 effectively consumes human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and mucin. This probiotic strain demonstrates potential in preserving gut integrity and function against damage, supporting gut health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Probiotics
Background:
- Bifidobacteria are early gut colonizers in newborns, metabolizing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
- They promote infant gut health, homeostasis, and barrier function.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum uniquely degrades both host mucins and dietary HMOs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the beneficial properties and probiotic potential of B. bifidum strain CNCM I-4319.
- To confirm its ability to metabolize HMOs and mucin.
- To assess its efficacy in protecting the gut from stress and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- In silico genome analysis.
- In vitro growth experiments.
- Animal models to assess gut integrity and function.
Main Results:
- Genome analysis and growth experiments confirmed B. bifidum CNCM I-4319's capacity to consume HMOs and mucin.
- Animal models showed the strain's ability to preserve gut integrity and functionality.
- The strain protected against stress-induced and inflammatory damage.
Conclusions:
- B. bifidum strain CNCM I-4319 possesses the ability to degrade host and dietary glycans.
- This strain shows significant potential as a probiotic for maintaining gut health and integrity.
- Its capacity to protect against gut damage supports its use as an effective probiotic.
Abstract:
Bifidobacteria are among the first colonisers of the gastrointestinal tract of breast-fed newborns due to, among other things, their ability to metabolise oligosaccharides naturally occurring in human milk. The presence of bifidobacteria in the infant gut has been shown to promote intestinal health and homeostasis as well as to preserve a functional gut barrier, thus positively influencing host health and well-being. Among human-associated gut commensals, Bifidobacterium bifidum has been described as the only species capable of the extracellular degradation of both mucin-type glycans and HMOs, thereby giving this species a special role as a commensal gut forager of both host and diet-derived glycans. In the present study, we assess the possible beneficial properties and probiotic potential of B. bifidum strain CNCM I-4319. In silico genome analysis and growth experiments confirmed the expected ability of this strain to consume HMOs and mucin. By employing various animal models, we were also able to assess the ability of B. bifidum CNCM I-4319 to preserve gut integrity and functionality from stress-induced and inflammatory damage, thereby enforcing its potential as an effective probiotic strain.
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