• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host. Duolac-Gold is a mixture of seven probiotic bacteria containing three species of Bifidobacteria, two species of Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus thermophilus. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Duolac-Gold in an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model. IBD was induced by administering 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 10 days. After induction of DSS-induced colitis, Duolac-Gold was orally administered at three different concentrations. Interestingly, Duolac-Gold treatment accelerated IBD healing, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by weight loss, length of the colon, and a microscopic damage score by histology. The expression of inflammatory related cytokines was measured in colon tissues and serum. Of these cytokines, the expression of interleukin-6 decreased remarkably after Duolac-Gold treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that Duolac-Gold treatment is effective in IBD healing by regulating IL-6.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex etiology that encompasses immunologic responses. AD is frequently associated with elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, and common environmental factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Several recent studies have documented the role of specific lactic acid bacteria in the treatment and prevention of AD in humans and mice. In this study, the efficacy of Duolac ATP, a probiotic preparation, was determined in a mouse model with AD-like skin lesions. Alterations in the cytokine levels and histological staining suggested the alleviation of AD. The in vivo test showed that T helper (Th)2 cytokines, IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5, were significantly downregulated, whereas Th1 cytokines, IL-12p40 and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, were upregulated in all groups of mice treated with Duolac ATP compared to that observed in the group of mice treated with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) alone. Moreover, the scratch score decreased in all mice treated with Duolac ATP. Staining of the dorsal area of the mice in each group with hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue further confirmed the alleviation of AD in mice orally treated with Duolac ATP. These results suggest that Duolac ATP inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing the Th2 cell response and increasing the Th1 cell response. Thus, Duolac ATP is beneficial and effective for the treatment of AD-like skin lesions.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-139
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• 2014

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2013

Probiotics have been reported to benefit human health by modulating immunity, lowering cholesterol, improving lactose tolerance, and preventing some cancer. Once ingested, probiotic microorganisms have to survive harsh conditions such as low pH, protease-rich condition, and bile salts during their passage through the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract colonize and proliferate to exert their probiotic effects. The dual coating technology, by which the bacteria are doubly coated with peptides and polysaccharides in consecutive order, was developed to protect the ingested bacteria from the harsh conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the viable stability of a doubly coated blend of four species of Bifidobacterium by comparing its bile/acid resistance and heat viability in vitro with that of the non-coated blend. After challenges with acid, bile salts, heat, and viable cell counts (VVCs) of the dual coated and non-coated blend were determined by cultivation on agar plates or flow cytometric measurement after being stain with the BacLigtht kit$^{TM}$. The results showed that the dual coated blend was much higher resistant to the acidic or bile salt condition than the non-coated blend and heat viability was also higher, indicating that the dual coating can improve the survival of probiotic bacteria during their transit through the GI tract after consumption.