Bacterial Translocation Assay Service
Background Services Mechanisms Published Data FAQs
Background
Bacterial translocation (BT) is defined as live and non-live microorganisms and microbial products, such as endotoxins, that travel from the intestinal lumen through the epithelial mucosa to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and possibly other organs. The translocation of microorganisms and their toxic metabolites outside the gastrointestinal tract is one of the consequences of leaky gut syndrome. Increased intestinal permeability can lead to the translocation of intestinal bacteria or bacterial components into external tissues. The study also found that direct translocation of the microbiome is related to interactions between the lung and gut microbiome. The translocation of the microbiota also depends on the effectiveness of the host metabolism and immune system in influencing tumor immunity. In addition, finding ways to regulate the microbiome and its derived metabolite translocation may be a research direction for future studies of microbiota or microbiota relationships within tumors, which may be an important mechanism for the role of gut microbiota in cancer therapy. The bacteria that seem to transfer most easily are those that are generally classified as facultative intracellular pathogens. It has been reported that a variety of probiotics have inhibitory effects on pathogen adhesion, invasion, and translocation.
Probiotic Translocation Assay Services
Translocation is one of the safety assessments that must be evaluated for probiotic strains since translocation is an important prerequisite in developing new probiotics. The levels of intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation are determined based on blood and tissue radioactivity measurements.
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In vivo: Bacterial translocation was determined by culture of mesenteric lymph nodes. The endpoint most commonly used to prove and quantify BT involves the enumeration of culturable organisms in the MLNs. Microbial DNA in the blood can also be detected by PCR.
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In vitro: Caco-2 cell monolayer is one of the in vitro models that could be used in assessing the translocation of probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus since this cell can differentiate into enterocyte-like cells, therefore, can be used for performing permeability studies.
In vitro study is one of the methods that can be used for the detection of the translocation capacity of the probiotic strains since it is simpler than in vivo study.
Mechanisms of Bacterial Translocation
The mechanisms of BT and bacterial molecular translocation can be distinguished into two types: the paracellular pathway and the extracellular pathway, which can occur alone or in combination. The translocation process of the entire bacterium or its molecules is highly dependent on the integrity of the gut wall, which is primarily maintained by the TJ protein. The principal mechanisms involved in promoting BT are:
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An alteration in the normal gastrointestinal microflora, results in bacterial overgrowth.
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Physical disruption of the gut mucosal barrier.
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An impaired host defence.
Published Data
Probiotic reduces bacterial translocation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomised controlled study1
Translocation of gut bacteria into the bloodstream may have an important impact on the development of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The study investigated whether probiotics could alter the gut microbiota and reduce bacterial translocations. The results showed that in patients with type 2 diabetes, administration of probiotics reduced bacterial translocation and altered the gut microbiota.
Fig.2 Total counts of bacteria in blood of the control and probiotic groups during the study period.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is probiotic translocation assay necessary during probiotic development?
Yes, a probiotic translocation assay can be quite important during probiotic development. Here are a few reasons why:
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Safety Evaluation: It helps in assessing whether the probiotic strain can potentially translocate across the gut barrier, which is crucial for ensuring safety.
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Mechanism of Action: Understanding how probiotics interact with gut cells and their potential to inhibit harmful pathogens can provide insights into their mechanisms of action.
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Strain Selection: It aids in selecting the most effective strains that can provide health benefits without causing adverse effects.
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Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory bodies often require comprehensive preclinical testing, including translocation assays, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of probiotic strains.
Which probiotics have undergone translocation assay?
Several probiotic strains have undergone translocation assays to evaluate their safety and potential health benefits. Some of the commonly studied probiotics include strains from the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, and Pediococcus. For example, Lactobacillus plantarum has been studied in clinical settings for its potential role in reducing bacterial translocation in patients undergoing liver transplantation or upper gastrointestinal surgery.
At what stage of probiotic development are translocation assays usually performed?
Translocation assays are typically performed during the preclinical testing stage of probiotic development. This stage involves evaluating the safety and efficacy of probiotic strains before they proceed to clinical trials. Specifically, translocation assays help assess whether probiotic strains can cross the gut barrier and potentially cause infections, which is crucial for ensuring the safety of the probiotic.
Creative Biolabs' probiotic technology platform has served many global clients' research projects and accumulated rich project experience. Our experts are happy to help you clarify the development process. Please feel free to contact us for more details.
Reference
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Sato, Junko, et al. "Probiotic reduces bacterial translocation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomised controlled study." Scientific reports 7.1 (2017): 12115. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
For Research Use Only. Not intended for use in food manufacturing or medical procedures (diagnostics or therapeutics). Do Not Use in Humans.
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