Probiotics

Study of the effects of the supernatant of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei in the face of inflammatory stimuli in a model of liver cells – Cristina Rojas Arenas

15 May, 2023 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease. This disease is based on an accumulation of triglycerides in the liver (steatosis), which can progress to chronic liver inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is also associated with an increased risk of developing liver cancer. NAFLD is related to many metabolic factors such as obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In addition, the aforementioned diseases are related to an imbalance in the composition of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). We can therefore assume that the restoration of the composition of the intestinal microbiota could contribute to the treatment of this disease.

The objective of the study is to assess the effects of the supernatant of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei, which is the medium in which these bacteria have grown and left products of their metabolism, on a hepatic cell model in a proinflammatory environment. A positive effect (e.g. anti-inflammatory) of this probiotic would contribute to improving treatment expectations, not only for early stages of this disease but also for possible anti-cancer or protective treatments.

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, probiotics, liver, liver disease, in vitro model

Directed by: Ana I. Álvarez Mercado

Study of the effects of probiotics in breast cancer – Juan Carlos Villegas Ruíz

15 May, 2023 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Probiotics are living microorganisms found in certain foods or supplements that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. The term “microbiota” refers to the collection of microbes, including beneficial bacteria, that naturally inhabit the human body and help keep us healthy.

The many other benefits of probiotics include maintaining proper immune system function. Because of this, they have been proposed in the treatment of certain diseases, including breast cancer.

Research on the effects of probiotics on breast cancer is still in its early stages, however, some preliminary studies suggest that certain strains of probiotics could have beneficial effects.

One way to approach these studies is through cell lines. Cell lines are cells, usually cancerous, grown in a laboratory.

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to analyse the possible effects on cancer of a probiotic strain using a breast cancer cell line. For this purpose, we add the probiotic supernatant to the cells in different concentrations and observe the effects it produces.

Keywords: Probiotics, breast cancer, microbiota, cell line, cell culture.

Directed by: Ana I. Álvarez Mercado

Could probiotics be used for cervical cancer prevention and treatment? – Mariam Khemlani El Mghari

15 May, 2023 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women worldwide. The development of this cancer is closely related to an alteration in the balance of the microorganisms that inhabit the vagina, known as the vaginal microbiota. This alteration makes the vagina vulnerable to infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is also a major risk factor for developing cervical cancer.

One possible therapeutic strategy would be to use probiotics to restore the balance of vaginal microbiota. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed, confer health benefits and have been shown to play an important role in regulating the immune system. Thus, this Master’s thesis aims to evaluate the effect of the metabolic products generated by the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in a cervical cancer cell model in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli. The objective is to determine its potential as an effective, safe therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer prevention and treatment.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, vaginal microbiota, probiotics, human papillomavirus

Directed by: Ana I. Álvarez Mercado

Facial serum with probiotics – Florina Iulia Bura

1 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

The human body is in continuous contact with the environment through the skin, an organ that is exposed to physical, chemical and mechanical attacks. For skin to remain healthy, it must receive all the necessary nutrients and hydration. If skin becomes dehydrated, it can suffer serious injury. These problems can be avoided by applying skin-care products such as creams, serums and gels, among others. Given that a large part of the population suffers from xerosis due to the aforementioned attacks, we have developed a new moisturizing serum with natural active ingredients. A strain of the probiotic species Lactobacillus fermentum will later be added to the serum. This will be characterized by means of pH, conductivity and viscosity measurements and it will be subjected to probiotic viability and efficacy studies. Despite the fact that this serum with probiotics has been designed for application in cases of xerosis, a review will be carried out of other skin pathologies in which it could also be used.

Keywords: skin; xerosis; probiotics; Lactobacillus fermentum; moisturizing serum

Directed by: Mª Encarnación Morales Hernández

Evaluation of the effect of the ingestion of 3 probiotic strains and of a mixture of the three on liver damage and Akt expression in a model of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis – Ana Isabel Álvarez Mercado

30 April, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

The incidence of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NASH) is increasing. This disease is characterised by the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver and can present complications ranging from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocarcinoma. In addition, it is associated with diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. NAFLD has also been linked to disorders of the gut microbiota. However, research has shown that probiotics can regenerate and regulate human gut microbiota.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different probiotic strains – and of a mixture of the three – on several parameters of liver damage and in terms of changes in the expression of Akt, a protein involved in cell survival pathways in an animal model of NAFLD. Neutrophil accumulation was determined by assessing myeloperoxidase enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation and estimation of liver oedema. Changes in Akt protein expression were assessed after probiotic ingestion for 30 days. Probiotic intervention produced improvements in all the markers of liver damage and an increase in Akt expression.
In conclusion, the intervention with the 3 probiotic strains and with a mixture of the three tended to improve NAFLD-associated liver damage.

Keywords: non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis; probiotic; liver damage; Akt.

Directed by: Ana Isabel Álvarez Mercado