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Lopez-Tello J, Kiu R, Schofield Z, Zhang CXW, van Sinderen D, Le Gall G, Hall LJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Maternal gut Bifidobacterium breve modifies fetal brain metabolism in germ-free mice. Mol Metab 2024; 88:102004. [PMID: 39127167 PMCID: PMC11401360 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.102004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances have significantly expanded our understanding of the gut microbiome's influence on host physiology and metabolism. However, the specific role of certain microorganisms in gestational health and fetal development remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the impact of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 on fetal brain metabolism when colonized in the maternal gut during pregnancy. METHODS Germ-free pregnant mice were colonized with or without B. breve UCC2003 during pregnancy. The metabolic profiles of fetal brains were analyzed, focusing on the presence of key metabolites and the expression of critical metabolic and cellular pathways. RESULTS Maternal colonization with B. breve resulted in significant metabolic changes in the fetal brain. Specifically, ten metabolites, including citrate, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, and carnitine, were reduced in the fetal brain. These alterations were accompanied by increased abundance of transporters involved in glucose and branched-chain amino acid uptake. Furthermore, supplementation with this bacterium was associated with elevated expression of critical metabolic pathways such as PI3K-AKT, AMPK, STAT5, and Wnt-β-catenin signaling, including its receptor Frizzled-7. Additionally, there was stabilization of HIF-2 protein and modifications in genes and proteins related to cellular growth, axogenesis, and mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS The presence of maternal B. breve during pregnancy plays a crucial role in modulating fetal brain metabolism and growth. These findings suggest that Bifidobacterium could modify fetal brain development, potentially offering new avenues for enhancing gestational health and fetal development through microbiota-targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine. Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raymond Kiu
- Food, Microbiome & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK; Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Microbes, Infection & Microbiomes, School of Infection, Inflammation & Immunology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zoe Schofield
- Food, Microbiome & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Cindy X W Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Gwénaëlle Le Gall
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Bob Champion Research and Education Building, James Watson Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Lindsay J Hall
- Food, Microbiome & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK; Institute of Microbiology & Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Microbes, Infection & Microbiomes, School of Infection, Inflammation & Immunology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Perna A, Venditti N, Merolla F, Fusco S, Guerra G, Zoroddu S, De Luca A, Bagella L. Nutraceuticals in Pregnancy: A Special Focus on Probiotics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9688. [PMID: 39273635 PMCID: PMC11395456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is crucial to fetal development and performs vital functions such as nutrient exchange, waste removal and hormone regulation. Abnormal placental development can lead to conditions such as fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth, affecting both immediate and long-term fetal health. Placental development is a highly complex process involving interactions between maternal and fetal components, imprinted genes, signaling pathways, mitochondria, fetal sexomes and environmental factors such as diet, supplementation and exercise. Probiotics have been shown to make a significant contribution to prenatal health, placental health and fetal development, with associations with reduced risk of preterm birth and pre-eclampsia, as well as improvements in maternal health through effects on gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, vaginal infections, gestational diabetes, allergic diseases and inflammation. This review summarizes key studies on the influence of dietary supplementation on placental development, with a focus on the role of probiotics in prenatal health and fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Perna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Noemi Venditti
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
- UO Laboratory Analysis, Responsible Research Hospital, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Francesco Merolla
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Sabato Fusco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Germano Guerra
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Stefano Zoroddu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio De Luca
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Bagella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Centre for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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Lonstein JS, Meinhardt TA, Pavlidi P, Kokras N, Dalla C, Charlier TD, Pawluski JL. Maternal probiotic Lactocaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 treatment alters postpartum anxiety, cortical monoamines, and the gut microbiome. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107033. [PMID: 38569396 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Peripartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect 15-20% of peripartum women and are well known to disrupt infant caregiving. A recent study in humans reported that anxiety and depressive symptoms were alleviated by peripartum treatment with the probiotic, Lactocaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001. The current study determined the effects of chronic Lactocaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) treatment on postpartum affective and caregiving behaviors in a laboratory rodent model. Female rats were given probiotic overnight in their drinking water, or untreated water, from the first day of pregnancy through postpartum day 10. To determine whether the HN001 effects were influenced by a background of stress, half the females underwent chronic variable pregnancy stress and the other half remained undisturbed. The results revealed that, even without pregnancy stress, HN001 reduced postpartum anxiety-related behavior, increased variability in behavioral fragmentation when dams interacted with pups, increased time away from pups, and decreased prefrontal cortex norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT). Probiotic plus stress consistently reduced the latency to float in the forced swim test, increased DA and 5-HT turnovers in the prefrontal cortex, increased hippocampal NE, and reduced hypothalamic DA. Fecal microbe alpha and beta diversities were lower postpartum than prepartum, which was prevented by the probiotic treatment and/or stress. Across the entire sample lower postpartum anxiety behavior was associated with lower fecal Bacteroides dorei. This study reveals novel information about how L. rhamnosus HN001 influences postpartum behavior and microbiota-gut-brain physiology in female laboratory rats, with implications for probiotic supplement use by pregnant and postpartum women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Lonstein
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Taryn A Meinhardt
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Pavlina Pavlidi
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, Goudi 11527, Greece
| | - Nikos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, Goudi 11527, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Thierry D Charlier
- Universite de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Jodi L Pawluski
- Universite de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), Rennes F-35000, France
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McDougall A, Nguyen R, Nguyen PY, Allen C, Cheang S, Makama M, Mills K, Hastie R, Ammerdorffer A, Gulmezoglu AM, Vogel JP. The effects of probiotics administration during pregnancy on preeclampsia and associated maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6:101322. [PMID: 38447676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on probiotic administration during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia and its effects on related maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes. DATA SOURCES Six databases were systematically searched for eligible studies, namely Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Global Index Medicus, and the Maternity and Infant Care Database, from inception to August 2, 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of probiotic administration on women during any stage of pregnancy were eligible for inclusion. METHODS The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under identifier CRD42023421613. Evaluating study eligibility, extracting data, assessing risk of bias (ROB-2 tool), and rating certainty (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) were conducted independently by 2 authors. The primary outcomes were incidence of preeclampsia, eclampsia, and maternal mortality. A meta-analysis was performed, and the results were reported as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS A total of 29 trials (7735 pregnant women) met the eligibility criteria. There was heterogeneity across the trials in the population of enrolled women and the type of probiotic tested (20 different strains), although most used oral administration. Probiotics may make no difference to the risk of preeclampsia (risk ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.53; 11 trials; 2401 women; low certainty evidence), preterm birth at <37 weeks' gestation (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.30; 18 trials, 4016 women; low certainty evidence), or gestational age at delivery (mean difference, -0.03 weeks [≈0.2 days]; 95% confidence interval, -0.16 to 0.10 weeks [≈ -1.1 to 0.7 days]; 13 trials, 2194 women; low certainty evidence). It is difficult to assess the effects of probiotics on other secondary outcomes because the evidence was of very low certainty, however, no benefits or harms were observed. CONCLUSION Limited evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation does not affect the risk for preeclampsia. Further high-quality trials are needed to definitively assess the benefits and possible harms of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy. There is also a lack of data from trials that included women who were undernourished or who experienced microbial dysbiosis and for whom probiotic supplementation might be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie McDougall
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia (Dr McDougall).
| | - Renae Nguyen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Phi-Yen Nguyen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Connor Allen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Sarah Cheang
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Maureen Makama
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Makama and Prof Vogel)
| | - Kate Mills
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia (Dr Hastie)
| | - Anne Ammerdorffer
- Concept Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland (Dr Ammerdorffer and Dr Gulmezoglu)
| | - A Metin Gulmezoglu
- Concept Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland (Dr Ammerdorffer and Dr Gulmezoglu)
| | - Joshua P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Makama and Prof Vogel)
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Duan X, Ma G, Lin Y, Xu J, Yang P, Xiao X. Effect of a High-Fat Diet and Probiotic Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota of Maternal Mice at Term Pregnancy and Offspring at Three-Week Postpartum. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:358. [PMID: 37787786 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03465-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota in maternal mice-fed high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy and offspring are still unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effect of high-fat diet and probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota of maternal mice at term pregnancy and offspring at three-week postpartum. Female pregnant Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups: mice on a control diet (MC), mice on HFD (MHF), mice on a control diet and probiotics (MCP), and mice on HFD and probiotics (MHFP). The result showed that MHF had significantly reduced Bacteroidetes and Muribaculaceae (P < 0.05) and increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio vs. MC. Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Alistipes reduced (P < 0.05), and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio significantly increased in MCP vs. MC. There was no significant difference between MHF and MHFP. Higher levels of Prevotella, Prevotellaceae, and Streptococcaceae were found in mice offspring on HFD (OHF) vs. mice offspring on a control diet (OC) (P < 0.05, respectively). Bacteroidia, Bacteroidota, Bacteroidales, and Muribaculaceae decreased markedly in mice offspring on a control diet and probiotics (OCP) vs. OC (P < 0.05, respectively), while Firmicutes, Lactobacillales, Lactobacillaceae, and Lactobacillus significantly increased in OCP (P < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference between the OHF and mice offspring on HFD and probiotics (OHFP). The findings suggest that the gut microbial composition of pregnant mice and offspring were altered to some extent due to HFD or probiotic intervention. Further, maternal mice on HFD and offspring were less affected by probiotic supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Guangyu Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yongchuang Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Dongguan, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhuhai Women and Children's Hospital, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaomin Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, 613 Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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Seif El Dahan K, Bejjani J, Nasrallah AA, Youssef L, Mladenovic A, Dosch L, Leone A, Jurjus A. Probiotics Properties: A Focus on Pregnancy Outcomes. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 272:16-23. [PMID: 35278924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A healthy microbiome plays an important role in the prevention of illness and maintenance of overall health, including reproductive health. Although the therapeutic advantages of probiotics have been shown to run across multiple organ systems, their role in pregnancy is not well explored. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential advantages and adverse effects of probiotics in pregnancy. Data were collected from the literature over the past decade using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus, and Science Direct. A total of 40 articles were utilized in this review. Collected data indicated that prenatal and post-natal supplementation with lactobacilli alone or lactobacilli with Bifidobacterium spp. seems to be protective. Probiotics may improve insulin resistance and consequently reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Probiotics may also reduce anxiety and depression by influencing brain activity. Additionally, they interfere with vaginal flora to make it friendlier to beneficial bacteria, and enhance anti-inflammatory or reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. They may also decrease eczema in breastfed infants and prevent allergic reactions by downregulating Th2 responses to specific allergens from mid to late gestation. Leveraging the cervicovaginal microbiota could promote a number of positive pregnancy-related health outcomes. Caution should be exercised in the selection, dosing, and monitoring of probiotics administration. More comprehensive randomized clinical trials are needed to reach a more meaningful evidence-based clinical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Bejjani
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Ali A Nasrallah
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Lara Youssef
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon.
| | | | - Laura Dosch
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Angelo Leone
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Palermo, Italy.
| | - Abdo Jurjus
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
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Tunay RT, Kök Taş T. Verticle transmission of unique bacterial strains from mother to infant via consuming natural kefir. Int Dairy J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2021.105251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Zhou L, Ding C, Wu J, Chen X, Ng DM, Wang H, Zhang Y, Shi N. Probiotics and synbiotics show clinical efficacy in treating gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Prim Care Diabetes 2021; 15:937-947. [PMID: 34417122 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study performed a systematic and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to explore the efficacy of probiotic- and symbiotic-based supplements in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics/synbiotics in GDM treatment, following a systematic search in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EBSCO databases for articles published up to July 2020. RESULTS In total, 12 RCTs comprising 894 participants, were analyzed. Compared to the placebo, patients administered with probiotic and synbiotic supplements benefited more with regards to glucose and lipid metabolism as well as anti-inflammation and antioxidant capacity including insulin of change (WMD: 3.57, 95%CI: -5.26, -1.88), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (WMD: -5.03, 95%CI: -8.26, -1.79), nitric oxide (NO) at the end of trial (WMD: 2.31, 95%CI: 0.91, 3.70), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) at the end of trial (SMD: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.21, 1.27), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at the end of trial (SMD: -1.23, 95%CI: -1.97, -0.49). Besides, probiotic and synbiotic supplements improved outcomes on fetal hyperbilirubinemia risk (RR: 0.26, 95%CI: 0.12, 0.55), fetal macrosomia risk (RR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.27, 0.83) and newborn weight (SMD: -0.29, 95%CI: -0.50, -0.09). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this work demonstrate that probiotic/symbiotic-based interventions improve glucose and lipid metabolism, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability in diet-controlled GDM patients, and exert beneficial outcomes on fetal hyperbilirubinemia, fetal macrosomia, and newborn weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lushan Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Caifei Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Wu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- The College of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Derry Minyao Ng
- Medical College of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hezhenrong Wang
- Surgery Department, Fenghua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nanjing Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Liang X, Li Z, Tye KD, Chen Y, Luo H, Xiao X. The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on the interaction network of vaginal microbiome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2020; 47:103-113. [PMID: 32885568 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the vaginal microbiome and provide the effective evidences for clinical management of pregnant women. METHODS A total of 28 healthy pregnant women at 32 weeks of gestation were enrolled. The women were divided randomly to the probiotic group where they were prescribed with 2 g combined probiotics daily (13 cases) during the third trimester of pregnancy or to the control group (15 cases) on a voluntary basis. Their vaginal samples were taken for analyzing microbiome with the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing of V4 region. RESULTS There was no significant difference on the clinical characteristics between the probiotic and control groups. The complexity of vaginal microbial network increased from 32 weeks of gestation to antepartum. Lactobacillus was the dominant microbiota. The probiotic supplementation had no obvious influence on the structure of the vaginal microbiome, whereas the relationships of some pivotal vaginal microbiota at the genus level changed in the probiotic group. CONCLUSION The vaginal microbiome varied during the third trimester of pregnancy. The features of the vaginal microbiota after probiotic supplementation had shifted and the interaction network had the tendency to be loose. The probiotic supplementation may be useful in regulating the interaction network of vaginal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kian Deng Tye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuyi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijuan Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Effects of an orally supplemented probiotic on the autophagy protein LC3 and Beclin1 in placentas undergoing spontaneous delivery during normal pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:216. [PMID: 32295534 PMCID: PMC7161261 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-02905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotic supplementation has been shown to be beneficial and is now widely promoted as an auxiliary medicine for maternal health, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effects of probiotic supplementation on the placental autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin1. METHOD A population-based cohort of specimens was collected under sterile conditions from 37 healthy nulliparous pregnant women who underwent systemic examination and delivered at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Guangzhou, China). At 32 weeks of gestation, the pregnant women in the probiotic group were orally supplemented with golden bifid, and the pregnant women in the control group received no probiotic. Pregnant women with pregnancy-associated complications were excluded in the follow-up period, and 25 pregnant women undergoing spontaneous delivery were enrolled. The placental tissue specimens were collected at term. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of the placental autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin1. RESULTS ①There was no significant difference in the expression levels of either LC3 or Beclin1 protein between the two groups (P > 0.05). ②Probiotic supplementation induced a modest but not significant decrease in the content of LC3-mRNA with a significant decrease in the content of Beclin1-mRNA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our study indicates that probiotic supplementation may reduce Beclin1-mRNA levels.
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Chen Y, Li Z, Tye KD, Luo H, Tang X, Liao Y, Wang D, Zhou J, Yang P, Li Y, Su Y, Xiao X. Probiotic Supplementation During Human Pregnancy Affects the Gut Microbiota and Immune Status. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:254. [PMID: 31380297 PMCID: PMC6646513 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of probiotics and fermented foods has been very popular in recent decades. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the changes in inflammatory cytokines after an average of 6.7 weeks of probiotic administration among normal pregnant women. Thirty-two healthy pregnant women at 32 weeks of gestation were recruited and divided into two groups. The probiotic group ingested combined probiotics until after birth. The base characteristics of the probiotics and control groups showed no significant differences. The structure of the fecal microbiota at the genus level varied during the third trimester, and administration of probiotics had no influence on the composition of the fecal microbiota however, many highly abundant taxa and core microbiota at the genus level changed in the probiotic group when compared to the control group. The analysis of cytokines showed that IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, and GM-CSF had equal levels between the baseline and control groups but were significantly increased after probiotic administration (baseline = control < probiotics). Additionally, levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ significantly increased among the three groups (baseline < control < probiotics). This result demonstrated that probiotics helped to shift the anti-inflammatory state to a pro-inflammatory state. The correlation analysis outcome suggested that the relationship between the microbiota and the cytokines was not strain-dependent. The gut microbiota varied during the third trimester. The probiotics demonstrated immunomodulation effects that helped to switch over to a pro-inflammatory immune state in the third trimester, which was important for labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kian Deng Tye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijuan Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Liao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongju Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yimi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingbing Su
- Department of Clinical Medicine, International School of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Liška J, Siala K, Čuláková B, Holeček V, Sobotová Š, Sýkora J, Šefrna F. 10-year experience with umbilical cord blood IgE and microbiome therapy. Ital J Pediatr 2019; 45:35. [PMID: 30857564 PMCID: PMC6413446 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-019-0620-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefit of probiotics in newborn children in relation to allergy and general morbidity later in life appears to be controversial. Allergic diseases represent an increasingly important health problem worldwide in recent years. This is evident in all age groups. The occurrence of allergic illnesses also continues to rise exponentially, and thus the use of preventive and prognostic methods, particularly in children with an inherently higher risk of allergy, is gaining increased importance. Since the advent of probiotics the effect of probiosis on immunity through alterations of composition and function of the human gut microbiome has been increasingly studied. The exact mechanisms have not yet been clearly defined. The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (The Czech Academy of Sciences has suggested that the expression of TH1 and TH2 cytokines in umbilical blood is associated with an increased risk of allergies. The counter -balance of Th1 and Th2 affect Immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract epithelium. CASE PRESENTATION We examined IgE levels in 3000 samples of umbilical blood taken from children born into families with a positive history of allergy in one or both parents from 2007 to 2017. At the age of ten days, those with high IgE were given Colinfant Newborn (a lyophilized non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia.coli) for one month, three times weekly. At 15 months and three years we investigated the levels of Immunoglobulins E,A and G, and the incidence of illness and allergy. The results revealed that allergy and high umbilical IgE is strongly linked with family history (p ≤ 0.001). We also detected differences in seasonality, especially with regards to pollen allergies. Eighty percent of children treated with Colinfant Newborn had significantly reduced IgE and morbidity at 13-15 months and 3 years, and furthermore without any clinical signs of allergy. Normalization of Immunoglobulins A and G was seen in 90% of treated subjects (p ≤ 0.001). These levels significantly correlated with an almost negligible morbidity up to 4 years of life. Colinfant Newborn, a lyophilized strain of Esherichia coli (E. coli), and a normal component of intestinal flora, readily colonizes the intestinal tract. It's long term presence significantly stimulates the production of specific and non-specific intestinal antibodies. and optimalizes immune development through tolerance. In our study Colinfant Newborn reduced the incidence of infections later in life by safely and effectively normalizing immunoglobulin levels in the majority of treated patients. CONCLUSION Our study strongly suggests as positive effect of physiological Escherichia coli on the microbiome of newborn children as evidenced by a significantly reduced incidence of allergy and morbidity when applied early in life. These benefits appear to be strongly strain specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Liška
- Mulac Hospital, Newborn Department, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Konrad Siala
- Mulac Hospital, Newborn Department, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | | | - Václav Holeček
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Mulac Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Štěpánka Sobotová
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Mulac Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Sýkora
- Department of Pediatrics, Charles University, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty Hospital, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - František Šefrna
- Department of Health Accounting and Statistics, University Hospital Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic
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13
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Buggio L, Somigliana E, Borghi A, Vercellini P. Probiotics and vaginal microecology: fact or fancy? BMC Womens Health 2019; 19:25. [PMID: 30704451 PMCID: PMC6357464 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-019-0723-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, should confer a health benefit to the host. Media sources tend to present probiotics as an appealing health promotion method able to prevent or treat a wide variety of clinical conditions. In obstetrics and gynaecology, Lactobacilli species are mainly used to restore the physiologic vaginal microbiota in order to treat bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and prevent preterm birth. DISCUSSION Several RCTs investigated the potential benefits of probiotics in gynaecological and obstetrics conditions. For all potential indications, recent specific meta-analyses have been published. Considering vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women, probiotics slightly improved the short-term clinical and mycological cure, and reduced the 1-month relapse. However, no important impact of probiotic use was observed on long-term clinical or mycological cure. Similarly, the addition of probiotics to metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis was not shown to provide any additional benefit. In obstetrics, using probiotics during pregnancy neither decreased nor increased the risk of preterm birth before 34 weeks or before 37 weeks. Similarly, no benefits emerged for gestational diabetes, preterm premature rupture of membrane, and small and large for gestational age infants. CONCLUSION Despite increasing marketing of probiotics for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis and prevention of preterm birth robust evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect is scarce. Moreover, there was considerable heterogeneity among the different studies in terms of route of administration, strain/s of probiotic adopted, and length of probiotic use. Before recommending the systematic use of probiotics to treat bacterial vaginosis and VVC and prevent preterm birth, high-quality research is needed. Professional medical associations should issue recommendations defining if, when, and how probiotics should be used for gynaecological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Buggio
- Gynaecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda, 12 - 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Edgardo Somigliana
- Deparment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, Milan, Italy
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Borghi
- Deparment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vercellini
- Gynaecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Commenda, 12 - 20122 Milan, Italy
- Deparment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, Milan, Italy
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Laursen RP, Hojsak I. Probiotics for respiratory tract infections in children attending day care centers-a systematic review. Eur J Pediatr 2018; 177:979-994. [PMID: 29752587 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-018-3167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Probiotics have been suggested to have a preventive effect on respiratory tract infections (RTIs), but limited evidence exist on strain-specific effects. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate strain-specific probiotic effects on RTIs in children attending day care. We included 15 RCTs with 5121 children in day care settings (aged 3 months to 7 years), but due to high diversity in reported outcomes, different number of RCTs were available for evaluated outcomes. Twelve RCTs (n = 4527) reported results which could be compared in at least one outcome of the meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) significantly reduced duration of RTIs (three RCTs, n = 1295, mean difference - 0.78 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.46; - 0.09), whereas no effect was found on other evaluated outcomes. Based on the results from two studies (n = 343), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 showed no effect on duration of RTIs or on absence from day care. Meta-analyses on other strains or their combination were not possible due to limited data and different outcome measures.Conclusion: LGG is modestly effective in decreasing the duration of RTIs. More RCTs investigating specific probiotic strains or their combinations in prevention of RTIs are needed. What is known: • Previously published systematic reviews have suggested that probiotics may have a preventive effect on respiratory infections, but limited data exist on strain specific effects. What is new: • This systematic review showed that use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modestly reduces the duration of respiratory tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Pilmann Laursen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Iva Hojsak
- Children's Hospital Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. .,School of Medicine, University J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia. .,Referral Center for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Klaićeva 16, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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15
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Jarde A, Lewis-Mikhael AM, Moayyedi P, Stearns JC, Collins SM, Beyene J, McDonald SD. Pregnancy outcomes in women taking probiotics or prebiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018; 18:14. [PMID: 29310610 PMCID: PMC5759212 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-017-1629-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit. It has been speculated that probiotics might help prevent preterm birth, but in two previous systematic reviews possible major increases in this risk have been suggested. Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk of preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women taking probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics. Methods We searched six electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science’s Core collection and BIOSIS Preview) up to September 2016 and contacted authors for additional data. We included randomized controlled trials in which women with a singleton pregnancy received a probiotic, prebiotic or synbiotic intervention. Two independent reviewers extracted data using a piloted form and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We used random-effects meta-analyses to pool the results. Results We identified 2574 publications, screened 1449 non-duplicate titles and abstracts and read 160 full text articles. The 49 publications that met our inclusion criteria represented 27 studies. No study used synbiotics, one used prebiotics and the rest used probiotics. Being randomized to take probiotics during pregnancy neither increased nor decreased the risk of preterm birth < 34 weeks (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.29–3.64, I2 0%, 1017 women in 5 studies), preterm birth < 37 weeks (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.71–1.63, I2 0%, 2484 women in 11 studies), or most of our secondary outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusions We found no evidence that taking probiotics or prebiotics during pregnancy either increases or decreases the risk of preterm birth or other infant and maternal adverse pregnancy outcomes. Trial registration We prospectively published the protocol for this study in the PROSPERO database (CRD42016048129). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-017-1629-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jarde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Anne-Mary Lewis-Mikhael
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Paul Moayyedi
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer C Stearns
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen M Collins
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph Beyene
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah D McDonald
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
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Slattery J, MacFabe DF, Frye RE. The Significance of the Enteric Microbiome on the Development of Childhood Disease: A Review of Prebiotic and Probiotic Therapies in Disorders of Childhood. Clin Med Insights Pediatr 2016; 10:91-107. [PMID: 27774001 PMCID: PMC5063840 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s38338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the fact that the enteric microbiome, the trillions of microbes that inhabit the human digestive tract, has a significant effect on health and disease. Methods for manipulating the enteric microbiome, particularly through probiotics and microbial ecosystem transplantation, have undergone some study in clinical trials. We review some of the evidence for microbiome alteration in relation to childhood disease and discuss the clinical trials that have examined the manipulation of the microbiome in an effort to prevent or treat childhood disease with a primary focus on probiotics, prebiotics, and/or synbiotics (ie, probiotics + prebiotics). Studies show that alterations in the microbiome may be a consequence of events occurring during infancy and/or childhood such as prematurity, C-sections, and nosocomial infections. In addition, certain childhood diseases have been associated with microbiome alterations, namely necrotizing enterocolitis, infantile colic, asthma, atopic disease, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes, malnutrition, mood/anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Treatment studies suggest that probiotics are potentially protective against the development of some of these diseases. Timing and duration of treatment, the optimal probiotic strain(s), and factors that may alter the composition and function of the microbiome are still in need of further research. Other treatments such as prebiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, and antibiotics have limited evidence. Future translational work, in vitro models, long-term and follow-up studies, and guidelines for the composition and viability of probiotic and microbial therapies need to be developed. Overall, there is promising evidence that manipulating the microbiome with probiotics early in life can help prevent or reduce the severity of some childhood diseases, but further research is needed to elucidate biological mechanisms and determine optimal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Slattery
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Derrick F. MacFabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Departments of Psychology (Neuroscience) and Psychiatry, Division of Developmental Disabilities, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard E. Frye
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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