Microbiological Effects of Consuming a Synbiotic Containing Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Oligofructose in Elderly Persons, Determined by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Counting of Viable Bacteria

Dietary intervention with functional foods modulating gut microbiota for improving the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota with aging contributes to a reduction in important cross-feeding bacterial reactions in the gut and immunosenescence, which could contribute to a decrease in vaccine efficacy. Fever, cough, and fatigue are the main signs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, some patients with COVID-19 present with gastrointestinal symptoms. COVID-19 vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the best measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and the severity of COVID-19. The immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines is influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota, and the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines decreases with age. In this review, we discuss gut microbiota dysbiosis and immunosenescence in the older adults, the role of gut microbiota in improving the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and dietary interventions to improve the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in the older adults.

Age-Related NAFLD: The Use of Probiotics as a Supportive Therapeutic Intervention

Human aging, a natural process characterized by structural and physiological changes, leads to alterations of homeostatic mechanisms, decline of biological functions, and subsequently, the organism becomes vulnerable to external stress or damage. In fact, the elderly population is prone to develop diseases due to deterioration of physiological and biological systems. With aging, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases, and this causes lipid, protein, and DNA damage, leading to cellular dysfunction and altered cellular processes. Indeed, oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several chronic disorders, including hepatic diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, the most common liver disorder in the Western world, is characterized by intrahepatic lipid accumulation; is highly prevalent in the aging population; and is closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Among the risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the dysbiotic gut microbiota plays an essential role, leading to low-grade chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and production of various toxic metabolites. The intestinal microbiota is a dynamic ecosystem of microbes involved in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis; the alteration of its composition and function, during aging, is implicated in different liver diseases. Therefore, gut microbiota restoration might be a complementary approach for treating NAFLD. The administration of probiotics, which can relieve oxidative stress and elicit several anti-aging properties, could be a strategy to modify the composition and restore a healthy gut microbiota. Indeed, probiotics could represent a valid supplement to prevent and/or help treating some diseases, such as NAFLD, thus improving the already available pharmacological intervention. Moreover, in aging, intervention of prebiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, as well as probiotics, will provide novel therapeutic approaches. However, the relevant research is limited, and several scientific research works need to be done in the near future to confirm their efficacy.

Targeting the gut to prevent and counteract metabolic disorders and pathologies during aging

Impairment of gut function is one of the explanatory mechanisms of health status decline in elderly population. These impairments involve a decline in gut digestive physiology, metabolism and immune status, and associated to that, changes in composition and function of the microbiota it harbors. Continuous deteriorations are generally associated with the development of systemic dysregulations and ultimately pathologies that can worsen the initial health status of individuals. All these alterations observed at the gut level can then constitute a wide range of potential targets for development of nutritional strategies that can impact gut tissue or associated microbiota pattern. This can be key, in a preventive manner, to limit gut functionality decline, or in a curative way to help maintaining optimum nutrients bioavailability in a context on increased requirements, as frequently observed in pathological situations. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the alterations that can occur in the gut during aging and lead to the development of altered function in other tissues and organs, ultimately leading to the development of pathologies. Subsequently is discussed how nutritional strategies that target gut tissue and gut microbiota can help to avoid or delay the occurrence of aging-related pathologies.

Effects of Inulin-Based Prebiotics Alone or in Combination with Probiotics on Human Gut Microbiota and Markers of Immune System: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Subjects

The gut microbiota is implicated in diverse interactions affecting human health. The present study reports a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study conducted by administering a new synbiotic formulation composed of two Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) and one Bifidobacterium strain (B. animalis subsp. lactis) and two types of fructans (fructo-oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization of 3–5 and inulin-type fructans with 10 DP). The effects of this synbiotic were evaluated on healthy subjects for 28 days and the maintenance of its efficacy was evaluated at the end of a follow-up period of 28 days. The synbiotic treatment contributes to higher biodiversity of the gut microbiota, increasing the community richness with respect to the group with the prebiotics alone and the placebo group. Its positive effect is also reflected in the variation of microbial community structure favoring the beneficial short-chain fatty acids bacterial producers. The amelioration of the health status of the subjects was also established by the reduction of common infectious disease symptom incidence, the stimulation of the gut immune system showing a noteworthy variation of fecal β-defensin2 and calprotectin levels, and the modulation of the response of the respiratory tract’s immune system by salivary IgA as well as total antioxidant capacity biomarkers.

Effects of Bacillus methylotrophicus SY200 Supplementation on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, Intestinal Morphology, and Immune Function in Broiler Chickens

The present study was focused on evaluating the effects of Bacillus methylotrophicus SY200 in broiler production. A total of 120 healthy 7-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, which included basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.10%, 0.25%, or 0.50% (w/w) B. methylotrophicus SY200 preparation (1.0 × 10⁹ cfu/g), regarded as negative control group (NC), low-dose group (BML), medium-dose group (BMM), and high-dose group (BMH), respectively. Each treatment was fed the corresponding experimental diet for 35 days. Results showed that dietary supplementation of B. methylotrophicus SY200 could improve broiler weight gain, especially the finisher phase. Further studies suggested that a certain amount of B. methylotrophicus SY200 enhanced the broiler antioxidant status and improved the morphological development of jejunum. Besides, dietary supplementation of B. methylotrophicus SY200 especially in 0.50% levels significantly increased the relative weight of immune organs and Newcastle disease virus antibody titer, similarly, increased mRNA expression levels of claudin-1, claudin-3, zonula occluden-1, and zonula occluden-2 were observed in the jejunum of BMM group. Moreover, B. methylotrophicus SY200 also showed beneficial effects in improving broilers microbiota homeostasis by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria. Conclusively, B. methylotrophicus SY200 could effectively improve the antioxidant status, modulate the intestinal structure, enhance the intestinal mucosal barrier function, and regulate the immune function of broilers, which finally improves the performance of the chicken in the finisher period.

Functional dissection of the phosphotransferase system provides insight into the prevalence of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the host intestinal environment

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a dominant member of healthy human colon microbiota, regarded as a beneficial gut bacterium due to its ability to produce anti-inflammatory substances. However, little is known about how F. prausnitzii utilizes the nutrients present in the human gut, influencing its prevalence in the host intestinal environment. The phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) is a widely distributed and highly efficient carbohydrate transport system found in most bacterial species that catalyses the simultaneous phosphorylation and import of cognate carbohydrates; its components play physiological roles through interaction with other regulatory proteins. Here, we performed a systematic analysis of the 16 genes encoding putative PTS components (2 enzyme I, 2 HPr, and 12 enzyme II components) in F. prausnitzii A2-165. We identified the general PTS components responsible for the PEP-dependent phosphotransfer reaction and the sugar-specific PTS components involved in the transport of two carbohydrates, N-acetylglucosamine and fructose, among five enzyme II complexes. We suggest that the dissection of the functional PTS in F. prausnitzii may help to understand how this species outcompetes other bacterial species in the human intestine.

The Effect of Probiotics on Health Outcomes in the Elderly: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Studies

Increasing evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation may be efficacious in counteracting age-related shifts in gut microbiota composition and diversity, thereby impacting health outcomes and promoting healthy aging. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with probiotics in healthy older adults have utilized a wide variety of strains and focused on several different outcomes with conflicting results. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to determine which outcomes have been investigated in randomized controlled trials with probiotic supplementation in healthy older adults and what has been the effect of these interventions. For inclusion, studies reporting on randomized controlled trials with probiotic and synbiotic supplements in healthy older adults (defined as minimum age of 60 years) were considered. Studies reporting clinical trials in specific patient groups or unhealthy participants were excluded. In addition to assessment of eligibility and data extraction, each study was examined for risk of bias and quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. Due to the heterogeneity of outcomes, strains, study design, duration, and methodology, we did not perform any meta-analyses and instead provided a narrative overview of the outcomes examined. Of 1997 potentially eligible publications, 17 studies were included in this review. The risk of bias was low, although several studies failed to adequately describe random sequence generation, allocation concealment, and blinding. The overall study quality was high; however, many studies did not include sample calculations, and the majority of studies had a small sample size. The main outcomes examined in the trials included microbiota composition, immune-related measurements, digestive health, general well-being, cognitive function, and lipid and other biomarkers. The most commonly assessed outcome with the most consistent effect was microbiota composition; all but one study with this outcome showed significant effects on gut microbiota composition in healthy older adults. Overall, probiotic supplementation had modest effects on markers of humoral immunity, immune cell population levels and activity, as well as the incidence and duration of the common cold and other infections with some conflicting results. Digestive health, general-well-being, cognitive function, and lipid and other biomarkers were investigated in a very small number of studies; therefore, the impact on these outcomes remains inconclusive. Probiotics appear to be efficacious in modifying gut microbiota composition in healthy older adults and have moderate effects on immune function. However, the effect of probiotic supplementation on other health outcomes remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for more well-designed, sufficiently-powered studies to investigate if and the mechanisms by which probiotics impact healthy aging.

Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in the Elderly: Insights Into Their Applications

Elderly people are an important part of the global population who suffer from the natural processes of senescence, which lead to changes in the gut microbiota composition. These modifications have a great impact on their quality of life, bringing a general putrefactive and inflammatory status as a consequence. Some of the most frequent conditions related to this status are constipation, undernutrition, neurodegenerative diseases, susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens, and metabolic disbalance, among others. For these reasons, there is an increasing interest in improving their quality of life by non-invasive treatments such as the consumption of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. The aim of the present mini-review is to describe the benefits of these functional supplements/food according to the most recent clinical and pre-clinical studies published during the last decade. In addition, insights into several aspects we consider relevant to improve the quality of future studies are provided.

Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Frailty and Ageing: A Narrative Review

Globally, the population over the age of 60 is growing fast, but people age in different ways. Frailty, shown by the accumulation of age-related deficits, is a state of increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes among people of the same chronological age. Ageing results in a decline in diversity and homeostasis of microbiomes, and gut flora changes are related to health deficit accumulation and adverse health outcomes. In older people, health deficits including inappropriate intake, sarcopenia, physical inactivity, polypharmacy, and social vulnerability are factors associated with gut dysbiosis. The use of probiotics and prebiotics is a cost-effective and widely available intervention. Intake of probiotics and prebiotics may improve the homeostasis of gut microflora and prevent frailty and unhealthy aging. However, health effects vary among probiotics and prebiotics and among individual populations. This narrative review summarizes recent evidence about the relationship between prebiotic and probiotic consumption with health outcomes in older people.

Gut microbiota and old age: Modulating factors and interventions for healthy longevity

Our gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem with a paramount role in shaping our metabolic and immunological functions. Recent research suggests that aging may negatively affect the composition, diversity, and function of our microbiota mainly due to alterations in diet and immunologic reactivity (i.e. immunosenescence), and increased incidence of certain diseases and, therefore, increased exposure to certain medication (e.g. antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors). In turn, this aging-related gut dysbiosis may contribute to the initiation and/or progress of other metabolic diseases, and consequently, to a decrease in healthy longevity. On the positive side, promising therapeutic interventions, such as diet supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation, aimed to counteract these aging-related deleterious consequences, could improve our health, and extend our healthy lifespan. In this context, the current review aims to assess the latest progress in identifying the key elements affecting the gut microbiota of the older adults and their mechanism of action, and the effectiveness of the therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring the diversity and healthy functions of the gut microbiota in older individuals.

Association between Altered Blood Parameters and Gut Microbiota after Synbiotic Intake in Healthy, Elderly Korean Women

Synbiotics intake can alter the composition of intestinal microbes beneficially. We aimed to detect the changes in the intestinal microbiomes of 37 healthy elderly Korean women after the intake of a synbiotic drink. This was a longitudinal study controlled with a temporal series, including a control period of 3 weeks before intake, synbiotic intake for 3 weeks, and a washout period of 3 weeks. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA. Physical fecal activity increased with improvement in fecal shape. Thirty intestinal bacterial taxa were observed to change only after the intake period. In particular, Ellagibacter appeared only after ingestion. In addition, the abundance of Terrisporobacter showed a positive correlation with C-reactive protein, triglyceride. Lachnospiraceae_uc, Eubacterium_g5, and Blautia had a positive correlation with creatinine, whereas PAC001100_g had a negative correlation with creatinine. Short-term (3 weeks) intake of symbiotic organisms changes the composition of the gut microbiota in healthy elderly Korean women.

A systematic review of the effects of probiotic administration in inflammatory arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically identify and appraise evidence of the formulation specific effects and population specific responses of probiotics in inflammatory arthritis.

METHODS

MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases were searched for studies utilising probiotics in populations with inflammatory arthritis. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method was used to conduct the systematic review. A single reviewer undertook screening and data extraction. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of evidence using JBI tools.

RESULTS

The search identified 5876 unique articles, with 154 potentially relevant full text articles retrieved. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review, of which ten (83%) were randomised control trials (RCT) and two (17%) were quasi-experimental studies. Four studies included a variety of spondyloarthopathies (SpAs) and eight studies focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Probiotics were supplied for a median of 60 days and mode of 56 days across all included studies (range 7-365 days). Overall, 17 different probiotics were supplied in colony forming units (CFU) per 24 hrs ranging from 1 × 10⁸ to 2.25 × 10¹¹. The order of probiotics supplied to the most participants and across the most studies was Lactobacillales. There was no statistical difference in the relative risk (RR) of minor adverse events between probiotic and control groups (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.51) when including nil event studies. Meta-analysis identified a statistically significant benefit of probiotics on quality of life with a standard mean difference (SMD) of -0.37 (95% CI -0.59,-0.15) with subgroup analysis favouring Lactobacillales-only formulations. Small but statistically significant reductions in pain were identified, with a mean difference (MD) of -8.97 (95% CI-15.38, -2.56) on a 100mm visual analogue scale, independent of formulation. Meta-analysis confirmed the known statistically significant benefit of probiotics on the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration MD (mg/L) -2.33 (95% CI -4.26, -0.41), with subgroup analysis demonstrating a greater effect in RA and from combined Bifidobacteriales and Lactobacillales formulations.

CONCLUSION

This review indicates there may be differential benefits to combined formulations of Bifidobacteriales and Lactobacillales compared to purely Lactobacillales formulations, with respect to reducing pain, lowering CRP and improving quality of life. It also suggests variable benefits associated with the type of inflammatory arthritis. Relatively less benefit for lowering CRP was attributed to individuals with SpA compared to individuals with RA. Generalisability of results to clinical practice is limited by the dominant demographic of older individuals with established disease beyond the 'therapeutic window of intervention'. Small but statistically significant benefits require confirmation in clinical studies with greater consideration to potentially confounding factors of age, gender, diet and individual microbial signature.

The dichotomous role of the gut microbiome in exacerbating and ameliorating neurodegenerative disorders

INTRODUCTION

Age related neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of people around the world. The role of the gut microbiome (GM) in neurodegenerative disorders has been elucidated over the past few years. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome ultimately results in neurodegeneration. However, the gut microbiome can be modulated to promote neuro-resilience.

AREAS COVERED

This review is focused on demonstrating the role of the gut microbiome in host physiology in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. We will discuss how the microbiome will impact neurodegeneration in PD, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Multiple sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and finally discuss how the gut microbiome can be influenced through diet and lifestyle.

EXPERT OPINION

Currently, much of the focus has been to study the mechanisms by which the microbiome induces neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in PD, AD, MS, ALS. In particular, the role of certain dietary flavonoids in regulation of gut microbiome to promote neuro-resilience. Polyphenol prebiotics delivered in combination with probiotics (synbiotics) present an exciting new avenue to harness the microbiome to attenuate immune inflammatory responses which ultimately may influence brain cascades associated with promotion of neurodegeneration across the lifespan.

Hepatitis C Virus Structure: Defined by What It Is Not

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents an important and growing public health problem, chronically infecting an estimated 70 million people worldwide. This blood-borne pathogen is generating a new wave of infections in the United States, associated with increasing intravenous drug use over the last decade. In most cases, HCV establishes a chronic infection, sometimes causing cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although a curative therapy exists, it is extremely expensive and provides no barrier to reinfection; therefore, a vaccine is urgently needed. The virion is asymmetric and heterogeneous with the buoyancy and protein content similar to low-density lipoparticles. Core protein is unstructured, and of the two envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, the function of E1 remains enigmatic. E2 is responsible for specifically binding host receptors CD81 and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). This review will focus on structural progress on HCV virion, core protein, envelope glycoproteins, and specific host receptors.

An In Vitro Enrichment Strategy for Formulating Synergistic Synbiotics

Research on the role of diet on gut and systemic health has led to considerable interest toward identifying novel therapeutic modulators of the gut microbiome, including the use of prebiotics and probiotics. However, various host responses have often been reported among many clinical trials. This is in part due to competitive exclusion as a result of the absence of ecological niches as well as host-mediated constraints via colonization resistance. In this research, we developed a novel in vitro enrichment (IVE) method for isolating autochthonous strains that can function as synergistic synbiotics and overcome these constraints. The method relied on stepwise in vitro fecal fermentations to enrich for and isolate Bifidobacterium strains that ferment the prebiotic xylooligosaccharide (XOS). We subsequently isolated Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum CR15 and then tested its establishment in 20 unique fecal samples with or without XOS. The strain was established in up to 18 samples but only in the presence of XOS. Our findings revealed that the IVE method is suitable for isolating potential synergistic probiotic strains that possess the genetic and biochemical ability to ferment specific prebiotic substrates. The IVE method can be used as an initial high-throughput screen for probiotic selection and isolation prior to further characterization and in vivo tests.IMPORTANCE This study describes an in vitro enrichment method to formulate synergistic synbiotics that have potential for establishing autochthonous strains across multiple individuals. The rationale for this approach-that the chance of survival of a bacterial strain is improved by providing it with its required resources-is based on classic ecological theory. From these experiments, a human-derived strain, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum CR15, was identified as a xylooligosaccharide (XOS) fermenter in fecal environments and displayed synergistic effects in vitro The high rate of strain establishment observed in this study provides a basis for using synergistic synbiotics to overcome the responder/nonresponder phenomenon that occurs frequently in clinical trials with probiotic and prebiotic interventions. In addition, this approach can be applied in other protocols that require enrichment of specific bacterial populations prior to strain isolation.

Persistent infection by Salmonella enterica servovar Typhimurium: are synbiotics a therapeutic option? – a case report

Little is known about the prevalence of persistent human infections by nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS). Recently published study results indicate that a small fraction (at least 2.2%) of NTS-infected patients continue to shed Salmonella for an extended period of time (up to years). Despite the recommendation not to use antibiotics for the treatment of uncomplicated NTS-Salmonella infection, little treatment guidance is available. Clinical findings from a NTS-patient indicate that administration of synbiotics (probiotic bacteria plus prebiotic) might be considered as a treatment option. We report data of a patient who was treated with a synbiotic preparation containing nine different probiotic bacteria and the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Starting from day one of the treatment, the patient experienced an improvement of symptoms and was symptom-free at the end of a 10 days treatment course. After finishing the treatment, the stool proved to be Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium negative. In vitro pathogenic inhibition studies showed the inhibitory effects of the multistrain synbiotic mixture against S. Typhimurium. Growth of S. Typhimurium was also inhibited by individual bacterial strains making part of the composition of the mixture. However, he inhibitory effects of individual strains varied significantly, with those of Streptococcus thermophilus St-21 and Lactobacillus helveticus SP-27 exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effect. Persistent infections by S. Typhimurium are a severe concern for the affected patients. Besides the symptomatic burden, infected persons are banned from work in certain areas (e.g. food related service). In addition, patients with persistent S. Typhimurium infections are a threat for the public health in general, as they serve as a reservoir for NTS transmission. The findings indicate that treatment with a synbiotic preparation might provide a treatment option for persistent S. Typhimurium infections. More clinical data have to be gathered to confirm the relevance of this potential treatment approach.

Thirty Years of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: A Review

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was the first strain belonging to the genus Lactobacillus to be patented in 1989 thanks to its ability to survive and to proliferate at gastric acid pH and in medium containing bile, and to adhere to enterocytes. Furthermore LGG is able to produces both a biofilm that can mechanically protect the mucosa, and different soluble factors beneficial to the gut by enhancing intestinal crypt survival, diminishing apoptosis of the intestinal epithelium, and preserving cytoskeletal integrity. Moreover LGG thanks to its lectin-like protein 1 and 2 inhibits some pathogens such as Salmonella species. Finally LGG is able to promote type 1 immune-responsiveness by reducing the expression of several activation and inflammation markers on monocytes and by increasing the production of interleukin-10, interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α in macrophages. A large number of research data on Lactobacillus GG is the basis for the use of this probiotic for human health. In this review we have considered predominantly randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis, Cochrane Review, guide lines of Scientific Societies and anyway studies whose results were evaluated by means of relative risk, odds ratio, weighted mean difference 95% confidence interval. The effectiveness of LGG in gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea, antibiotic and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory tract infections, allergy, cardiovascular diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cystic fibrosis, cancer, elderly end sport were analyzed.

Effects of Queso Blanco Cheese Containing Bifidobacterium longum KACC 91563 on the Intestinal Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acid in Healthy Companion Dogs

The effects of Queso Blanco cheese containing Bifidobacterium longum KACC 91563 was studied on the intestinal microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in healthy companion dogs. There were three experimental groups with five healthy dogs each: a control group, not fed with any cheese, and groups fed with Queso Blanco cheese with (QCB) or without B. longum KACC 91563 (QC) for 8 weeks. Fecal samples were collected 5 times before, during, and after feeding with cheese. Intestinal microbiota was analyzed using two non-selective agar plates (BL and TS) and five selective agar plates (BS, NN, LBS, TATAC, and MacConkey). SPME-GC-MS method was applied to confirm SCFAs and indole in dog feces. The six intestinal metabolites such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, isovaleric acid and indole were identified in dog feces. Administration of B. longum KACC 91563 (QCB) for 8 weeks significantly increased the beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium (8.4±0.55) and reduced harmful bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium (p<0.05). SCFA such as acetic and propionic acid were significantly higher in the QCB group than in the Control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that administration of Queso Blanco cheese containing B. longum KACC 91563 had positive effects on intestinal microbiota and metabolites in companion dogs. These results suggest that Queso Blanco cheese containing B. longum KACC 91563 could be used as a functional food for companion animals and humans.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotics on Cytokine Profiles

Probiotics confer immunological protection to the host through the regulation, stimulation, and modulation of immune responses. Researchers have shifted their attention to better understand the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics, which have the potential to prevent or alleviate certain pathologies for which proper medical treatment is as yet unavailable. It has been scientifically established that immune cells (T- and B-cells) mediate adaptive immunity and confer immunological protection by developing pathogen-specific memory. However, this review is intended to present the recent studies on immunomodulatory effects of probiotics. In the early section of this review, concepts of probiotics and common probiotic strains are focused on. On a priority basis, the immune system, along with mucosal immunity in the human body, is discussed in this study. It has been summarized that a number of species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium exert vital roles in innate immunity by increasing the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and phagocytosis of macrophages and mediate adaptive immunity by interacting with enterocytes and dendritic, Th1, Th2, and Treg cells. Finally, immunomodulatory effects of probiotics on proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in different animal models have been extensively reviewed in this paper. Therefore, isolating new probiotic strains and investigating their immunomodulatory effects on cytokine profiles in humans remain a topical issue.

Benefaction of probiotics for human health: A review

Humans are a unique reservoir of heterogeneous and vivacious group of microbes, which together forms the human-microbiome superorganism. Human gut serves as a home to over 100-1000 microbial species, which primarily modulate the host internal environment and thereby, play a major role in host health. This spectacular symbiotic relationship has attracted extensive research in this field. More specifically, these organisms play key roles in defense function, eupepsia along with catabolism and anabolism, and impact brain-gut responses. The emergence of microbiota with resistance and tolerance to existing conventional drugs and antibiotics has decreased the drug efficacies. Furthermore, the modern biotechnology mediated nano-encapsulated multiplex supplements appear to be high cost and inconvenient. Henceforth, a simple, low-cost, receptive and intrinsic approach to achieve health benefits is vital in the present era. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics has shown promising results against various enteric pathogens due to their unique ability to compete with pathogenic microbiota for adhesion sites, to alienate pathogens or to stimulate, modulate and regulate the host's immune response by initiating the activation of specific genes in and outside the host intestinal tract. Probiotics have also been shown to regulate fat storage and stimulate intestinal angiogenesis. Hence, this study aims to underline the possible beneficial impact of probiotics for human health and medical sectors and for better lifestyle.

Administration of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains modulates experimental myasthenia gravis and experimental encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats

Probiotics beneficial effects on the host are associated with regulation of the intestinal microbial homeostasis and with modulation of inflammatory immune responses in the gut and in periphery. In this study, we investigated the clinical efficacy of two lactobacillus and two bifidobacterium probiotic strains in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models, induced in Lewis rats. Treatment with probiotics led to less severe disease manifestation in both models; ex vivo analyses showed preservation of neuromuscular junction in EAMG and myelin content in EAE spinal cord. Immunoregulatory transcripts were found differentially expressed in gut associated lymphoid tissue and in peripheral immunocompetent organs. Feeding EAMG animals with probiotics resulted in increased levels of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) in serum, and increased percentages of regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood leukocyte. Exposure of immature dendritic cells to probiotics induced their maturation toward an immunomodulatory phenotype, and secretion of TGFβ. Our data showed that bifidobacteria and lactobacilli treatment effectively modulates disease symptoms in EAMG and EAE models, and support further investigations to evaluate their use in autoimmune diseases.

Modulations in the offspring gut microbiome are refractory to postnatal synbiotic supplementation among juvenile primates

Background

We and others have previously shown that alterations in the mammalian gut microbiome are associated with diet, notably early life exposure to a maternal high fat diet (HFD). Here, we aimed to further these studies by examining alterations in the gut microbiome of juvenile Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) that were exposed to a maternal HFD, weaned onto a control diet, and later supplemented with a synbiotic comprised of psyllium seed and Enterococcus and Lactobacillus species.

Results

Eighteen month old offspring (n = 7) of 36% HFD fed dams were fed a control (14% fat) diet post weaning, then were synbiotic supplemented for 75 days and longitudinal stool and serum samples were obtained. All stool samples were subjected to 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, and microbiome profiles and serum lipids and triglycerides were compared to untreated, healthy age matched and diet matched controls (n = 7). Overall, 16S-based metagenomic analysis revealed that supplementation exerted minimal alterations to the gut microbiome including transient increased abundance of Lactobacillus species and decreased abundance of few bacterial genera, including Faecalibacterium and Anaerovibrio. However, serum lipid analysis revealed significant decreases in triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, supplemented juveniles challenged 4 months later were not protected from HFD-induced gut dysbiosis.

Conclusions

Synbiotic supplementation is temporally associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and host lipid profiles of juvenile Japanese macaques that were previously exposed to a maternal HFD. Despite these presumptive temporal benefits, a protective effect against later HFD-challenge gut dysbiosis was not observed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1169-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of Honey on Diarrhea and Fecal Microbiotain in Critically Ill Tube-Fed Patients: A Single Center Randomized Controlled Study

Background

In patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Enteral Nutrition (EN) is the first choice for feeding support, however, it is often complicated by gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea. There are no studies that have specifically evaluated effect of a prebiotic, which prevents diarrhea during enteral nutrition.

Objective

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of honey in enteral diet during occurrence of diarrhea and fecal microbiotain in critically ill patients.

Materials and Methods

In this double-blind, randomized controlled single-center study, 32 patients were randomly selected to receive a high protein kitchen enteral diet and the study group had honey as 10% of its carbohydrate intake. Quantitative analyses of bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species of fecal samples were assessed by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on days 0 and 7.

Results

Patients in the honey group showed an insignificant increase in the frequency of bifidobacterium DNA by study day 7 in comparison with the control group. In the honey group, there was a considerable reduction in diarrhea (P = 0.09). A significant difference was found in length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay (P = 0.001) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (P = 0.04) in favor of the honey group.

Conclusions

Enteral nutrition with honey might reduce the length of stay at the ICU and development of organ failure in critically ill patients. It seems that honey helps reduce the incidence of diarrhea.

Methanobrevibacter attenuation via probiotic intervention reduces flatulence in adult human: A non-randomised paired-design clinical trial of efficacy

TRIAL DESIGN

The aim of this study was to investigate which of the gut microbes respond to probiotic intervention, as well as study whether they are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in a healthy adult human. For the experimental purpose, twenty-one healthy adults were recruited and received probiotic mixture, which is composed of five Lactobacilli strains and two Bifidobacteria strains, once a day for 60 days. Defecation survey and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis were conducted pre- and post-administration to measure phenotypic differences. Stool samples of the subjects were collected twice.

METHODS

The statistical analysis was performed for pair designed metagenome data with 11 phenotypic records of the bioelectrical impedance body composition analyzer and 6 responses of the questionnaires about gastrointestinal symptom. Furthemore, correlation-based network analysis was conducted for exploring complex relationships among microbiome communities.

RESULTS

The abundances of Citrobacter, Klebsiella, and Methanobrevibacter were significantly reduced, which are strong candidates to be highly affected by the probiotic administration. In addition, interaction effects were observed between flatulence symptom attenuation and decreasing patterns of the Methanobrevibacter abundance.

CONCLUSIONS

These results reveal that probiotic intervention modulated the composition of gut microbiota and reduced the abundance of potential pathogens (i.e. Citrobacter and Klebsiella). In addition, methanogens (i.e. Methanobrevibacter) associated with the gastrointestinal symptom in an adult human.

Consumption effect of a synbiotic beverage made from soy and yacon extracts containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 on the intestinal polyamine concentrations in elderly individuals

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a synbiotic beverage made from soy and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) extracts containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 on healthy elderly individuals' intestinal polyamine concentrations. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial has been conducted with twenty-nine volunteers (over 65years of age) who either had a daily intake of 150mL of synbiotic (synbiotic group - S) or placebo (placebo group - P) beverages. Both had the same nutrient composition, except that a probiotic culture was added to the synbiotic beverage. Total experiment time was 8weeks, which was divided into 3 consecutive phases: a prefeeding period (2weeks), followed by a feeding period (4weeks) and a postfeeding period (2weeks). Stool samples were collected at 3 time periods. Fecal concentrations of polyamines, putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD) and spermidine (SPD) that were obtained during the synbiotic and placebo consumption period were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those found during the pre-consumption baseline level period. No significant differences in the number of bifidobacteria, clostridia, or enterobacteria were observed in any of the two groups at the three time periods. Similarly, no significant effect on the production of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) was induced by the synbiotic or placebo beverages consumption. The results herein indicate that both the synbiotic and the placebo beverage consumption have increased polyamines levels, which are often reduced in elderly individuals, without influencing inflammatory responses. In addition, both placebo and synbiotic beverages seems to contribute by maintaining increased polyamines levels.

Effects of a Lactobacillus salivarius mixture on performance, intestinal health and serum lipids of broiler chickens

The ban or severe restriction on the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds to promote growth has led to considerable interest to find alternative approaches. Probiotics have been considered as such alternatives. In the present study, the effects of a Lactobacillus mixture composed from three previously isolated Lactobacillus salivarius strains (CI1, CI2 and CI3) from chicken intestines on performance, intestinal health status and serum lipids of broiler chickens has been evaluated. Supplementation of the mixture at a concentration of 0.5 or 1 g kg-1 of diet to broilers for 42 days improved body weight, body weight gain and FCR, reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, increased populations of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, decreased harmful bacteria such as E. coli and total aerobes, reduced harmful cecal bacterial enzymes such as β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase, and improved intestinal histomorphology of broilers. Because of its remarkable efficacy on broiler chickens, the L. salivarius mixture could be considered as a good potential probiotic for chickens, and its benefits should be further evaluated on a commercial scale.

Infant food applications of complex carbohydrates: Structure, synthesis, and function

Professional health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommend breast milk as the sole source of food during the first year of life. This position recognizes human milk as being uniquely suited for infant nutrition. Nonetheless, most neonates in the West are fed alternatives by 6 months of age. Although inferior to human milk in most aspects, infant formulas are able to promote effective growth and development. However, while breast-fed infants feature a microbiota dominated by bifidobacteria, the bacterial flora of formula-fed infants is usually heterogeneous with comparatively lower levels of bifidobacteria. Thus, the objective of any infant food manufacturer is to prepare a product that results in a formula-fed infant developing a breast-fed infant-like microbiota. The goal of this focused review is to discuss the structure, synthesis, and function of carbohydrate additives that play a role in governing the composition of the infant microbiome and have other health benefits.

Nutrition and the gut microbiome in the elderly

The gut microbiota is the assembly of microorganisms living in our intestine and their genomes are known as the microbiome. The correct composition and functionality of this microbiome is essential for maintaining a "healthy status." Aging is related to changes in the gut microbiota which are frequently associated with physiological modifications of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as, to changes in dietary patterns, together with a concomitant decline in cognitive and immune function, all together contributing to frailty. Therefore, nutritional strategies directed at restoring the microbiota in the elderly have to be addressed from a global perspective, considering not only the microbiota but also other extra-intestinal targets of action. The present review aims at summarizing the current knowledge on intestinal microbiota alterations and other functions impaired in the elderly and to analyze tools for implementing nutritional strategies, through the use of probiotics, prebiotics or specific nutrients in order to counterbalance such alterations.

An In Vitro Approach to Study Effects of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Faecal Microbiota and Selected Immune Parameters Relevant to the Elderly

The aging process leads to alterations of gut microbiota and modifications to the immune response, such changes may be associated with increased disease risk. Prebiotics and probiotics can modulate microbiome changes induced by aging; however, their effects have not been directly compared. The aim of this study was to use anaerobic batch culture fermenters to assess the impact of various fermentable carbohydrates and microorganisms on the gut microbiota and selected immune markers. Elderly volunteers were used as donors for these experiments to enable relevance to an aging population. The impact of fermentation supernatants on immune markers relevant to the elderly were assessed in vitro. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants were measured using flow cytometry. Trans-galactooligosaccharides (B-GOS) and inulin both stimulated bifidobacteria compared to other treatments (p<0.05). Fermentation supernatants taken from faecal batch cultures supplemented with B-GOS, inulin, B. bifidum, L. acidophilus and Ba. coagulans inhibited LPS induced TNF-α (p<0.05). IL-10 production, induced by LPS, was enhanced by fermentation supernatants from faecal batch cultures supplemented with B-GOS, inulin, B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, Ba. coagulans and Bac. thetaiotaomicron (p<0.05). To conclude, prebiotics and probiotics could lead to potentially beneficial effects to host health by targeting specific bacterial groups, increasing saccharolytic fermentation and decreasing inflammation associated with aging. Compared to probiotics, prebiotics led to greater microbiota modulation at the genus level within the fermenters.

Inulin-type fructan fermentation by bifidobacteria depends on the strain rather than the species and region in the human intestine

Inulin-type fructans (ITF) are known to cause a health-promoting bifidogenic effect, although the ITF degradation capacity of bifidobacteria in different intestinal regions remains unclear. The present study aims at offering new insights into this link, making use of a collection of 190 bifidobacterial strains, encompassing strains from gut biopsies (terminal ileum and proximal colon; mucosa-associated strains) and the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®; proximal and distal colon vessels; lumen-associated strains). A multivariate data analysis of all fermentation data revealed four clusters corresponding with different types of ITF degradation fingerprints, which were not correlated with the region in the intestine, suggesting that the degradation of ITF is uniform along the human intestine. Strains from cluster 1 consumed fructose, while strains from cluster 2 consumed more oligofructose than fructose. Higher fructose and oligofructose consumption was characteristic for clusters 3 and 4 strains, which degraded inulin too. In general, the mucosa-associated strains from biopsy origin seemed to be more specialized in the consumption of fructose and oligofructose, while the lumen-associated strains from SHIME origin displayed a higher degradation degree of inulin. Further, intra-species variability in ITF degradation was found, indicating strain-specific variations. The coexistence of different bifidobacterial strains with different ITF degradation fingerprints within the same intestinal region suggests cooperation for the degradation of ITF, with opportunities for cross-feeding on strain and/or species level.

Impact of perioperative probiotic treatment for surgical site infections in patients with colorectal cancer

The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect of the perioperative administration of probiotics in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. The study focused on a total of 156 consecutive surgeries carried out from among all the elective CRC surgeries performed between April 2009 and March 2013. The patients involved in surgeries undertaken between April 2009 and October 2011 were placed in the non-probiotic group (group A, 81 patients) and those involved in surgeries between November 2011 and March 2013 were placed in the probiotic group (group B, 75 patients). Postoperative infectious complications were recorded, and the immune responses and fecal microbiota were determined. A breakdown of infectious complications showed that 21 (13.5%) patients experienced superficial incisional surgical site infections (SSIs), of which 16 patients were from group A (19.8%), and five patients from group B (6.7%) (P=0.016). The ImmuKnow® adenosine triphosphate values peaked on the first postoperative day (POD) in both groups. In group A, the ImmuKnow value of the first POD was increased significantly compared with the preoperative value (P=0.022). In group B, the value of the first POD did not increase compared with the preoperative value (P=0.28). In conclusion, probiotic treatment can reduce superficial incisional SSIs in patients undergoing CRC surgery. Perioperative probiotic treatment can enhance immune responses and improve the intestinal microbial environment.

Alterations of Bacteroides sp., Neisseria sp., Actinomyces sp., and Streptococcus sp. populations in the oropharyngeal microbiome are associated with liver cirrhosis and pneumonia

BACKGROUND

The microbiomes of humans are associated with liver and lung inflammation. We identified and verified alterations of the oropharyngeal microbiome and assessed their association with cirrhosis and pneumonia.

METHODS

Study components were as follows: (1) determination of the temporal stability of the oropharyngeal microbiome; (2) identification of oropharyngeal microbial variation in 90 subjects; (3) quantitative identification of disease-associated bacteria. DNAs enriched in bacterial sequences were produced from low-biomass oropharyngeal swabs using whole genome amplification and were analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis.

RESULTS

Whole genome amplification combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis monitored successfully oropharyngeal microbial variations and showed that the composition of each subject's oropharyngeal microbiome remained relatively stable during the follow-up. The microbial composition of cirrhotic patients with pneumonia differed from those of others and clustered together in subgroup analysis. Further, species richness and the value of Shannon's diversity and evenness index increased significantly in patients with cirrhosis and pneumonia versus others (p < 0.001, versus healthy controls; p < 0.01, versus cirrhotic patients without pneumonia). Moreover, we identified variants of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Neisseria, Actinomyces, and Streptococcus through phylogenetic analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that the populations of Bacteroides, Neisseria, and Actinomycetes increased, while that of Streptococcus decreased in cirrhotic patients with pneumonia versus others (p < 0.001, versus Healthy controls; p < 0.01, versus cirrhotic patients without pneumonia).

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations of Bacteroides, Neisseria, Actinomyces, and Streptococcus populations in the oropharyngeal microbiome were associated with liver cirrhosis and pneumonia.

Understanding gut microbiota in elderly's health will enable intervention through probiotics

Today, advances in the public health system of most countries have managed to extend notably life expectancy, however, elderly's health remain as a very serious concern. The lifelong stimulation of innate and adaptive immune systems leads to immunosenescence and, as result, to a low ability to produce immunoglobulins against pathogens but also to a low-grade chronic inflammatory state (inflammaging) that is linked to most age-related health problems, such as dementia, Alzheimer or atherosclerosis. This inflammatory state could make the host more sensitive to intestinal microbes, or vice versa, as changes in the gut microbiota composition are related to the progression of diseases and frailty in the elderly population. It was considered that gut microbiota changed during aging, with an increase of Bacteroidetes vs. Firmicutes proportion and a reduction of bifidobacterial counts, however recent studies reported a great inter-individual variation among elderly and a significant relationship between gut microbiota, diet and institution or community living. Intervention studies of probiotics and prebiotics in elderly are not very abundant, but most cases showed that Bifidobacterium populations can efficiently be stimulated with a concomitant decrease of Enterobacteria. Furthermore, also some studies demonstrated that probiotics decreased the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines which are upregulated in the elderly, such as interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 or tumour necrosis factor ?, among others, and they increased the levels of activated lymphocytes, natural killer cells, phagocytic activity and even showed a greater response to influenza vaccination. This suggests that direct manipulation of the gut microbiota may improve adaptive immune response and reduce inflammatory secretions, therefore compensating immunosenescence effects, however, there are no records of their effect on clinical symptoms or risk for disease. Those facts reveal that this is an open research field with very good scientific perspectives and above all they could bring likely improvements in the wellbeing of our seniors.

Sequencing analysis and characterization of the plasmid pBIF10 isolated from Bifidobacterium longum

A resident plasmid, pBIF10, was isolated from Bifidobacterium longum B200304, and the full-length sequence of pBIF10 was analyzed. In this sequence, we identified at least 17 major open reading frames longer than 200 bp. A tetracycline resistance gene, tetQ, was identified and verified to confer antibiotic resistance to tetracycline. The plasmid replicon with replication protein B gene (repB) and a typical iteron was identified in pBIF10. An artificial clone vector was constructed with the replicon of pBIF10; the results showed that repB controlled plasmid replication in other bifidobacteria host cells at low transformation frequency. Taken together, the analysis and characterization of pBIF10 provided necessary information for the understanding of antibiotic resistance mediated by a plasmid in a Bifidobacterium strain. GC% and repB sequence analyses indicated that pBIF10 was a molecular hybrid of at least 2 other bacterial genera plasmids.

Compositional dynamics of the human intestinal microbiota with aging: implications for health

The human gut contains trillions of microbes which form an essential part of the complex ecosystem of the host. This microbiota is relatively stable throughout adult life, but may fluctuate over time with aging and disease. The gut microbiota serves a number of functions including roles in energy provision, nutrition and also in the maintenance of host health such as protection against pathogens. This review summarizes the age-related changes in the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the link between the gut microbiota in health and disease. Understanding the composition and function of the gut microbiota along with the changes it undergoes overtime should aid the design of novel therapeutic strategies to counteract such alterations. These strategies include probiotic and prebiotic preparations as well as targeted nutrients, designed to enrich the gut microbiota of the aging population.

Compositional dynamics of the human intestinal microbiota with aging: implications for health

The human gut contains trillions of microbes which form an essential part of the complex ecosystem of the host. This microbiota is relatively stable throughout adult life, but may fluctuate over time with aging and disease. The gut microbiota serves a number of functions including roles in energy provision, nutrition and also in the maintenance of host health such as protection against pathogens. This review summarizes the age-related changes in the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the link between the gut microbiota in health and disease. Understanding the composition and function of the gut microbiota along with the changes it undergoes overtime should aid the design of novel therapeutic strategies to counteract such alterations. These strategies include probiotic and prebiotic preparations as well as targeted nutrients, designed to enrich the gut microbiota of the aging population.

Synbiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and cellobiose does not affect human gut bacterial diversity but increases abundance of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and branched-chain fatty acids: a randomized, double-blinded cross-over trial

Probiotics, prebiotics, and combinations thereof, that is synbiotics, have been reported to modulate gut microbiota of humans. In this study, effects of a novel synbiotic on the composition and metabolic activity of human gut microbiota were investigated. Healthy volunteers (n = 18) were enrolled in a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled cross-over study and received synbiotic [Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (10(9) CFU) and cellobiose (5 g)] or placebo daily for 3 weeks. Fecal samples were collected and lactobacilli numbers were quantified by qPCR. Furthermore, 454 tag-encoded amplicon pyrosequencing was used to monitor the effect of synbiotic on the composition of the microbiota. The synbiotic increased levels of Lactobacillus spp. and relative abundances of the genera Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, and Eubacterium while the genus Dialister was decreased (P < 0.05). No other effects were found on microbiota composition. Remarkably, however, the synbiotic increased concentrations of branched-chain fatty acids, measured by gas chromatography, while short-chain fatty acids were not affected.

Effect of synbiotic fermented milk on oral bioavailability of isoflavones in postmenopausal women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of synbiotic fermented milk, containing Lactobacillus paracasei and inulin, on oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of isoflavones in healthy postmenopausal women. The study was a one-group pre-post treatment study. Twelve subjects were assigned to consume a single oral dose of 375 mL of soy beverage. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at various time points until 32 hours after the administration of the soy beverage. After a washout period, subjects were requested to consume 180 mL of synbiotic fermented milk after breakfast and dinner for 14 days, followed by a single oral dose of 375 mL of soy beverage on the next day. Collection of blood samples after the administration of the soy beverage were performed at the same time points as the former phase. Plasma isoflavone concentrations were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. In conclusion, this study highlighted that continuous consumption of synbiotic fermented milk followed by a single oral administration of soy beverage significantly enhanced oral bioavailability of isoflavones compared with a single oral dose of soy beverage alone.

Effects of iron supplementation on dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA and gut inflammation: a randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trial in South African children

Fe supplementation is a common strategy to correct Fe-deficiency anaemia in children; however, it may modify the gut microbiota and increase the risk for enteropathogenic infection. In the present study, we studied the impact of Fe supplementation on the abundance of dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA concentration and gut inflammation in children living in rural South Africa. In a randomised, placebo-controlled intervention trial of 38 weeks, 6- to 11-year-old children with Fe deficiency received orally either tablets containing 50 mg Fe as FeSO₄ (n 22) for 4 d/week or identical placebo (n 27). In addition, Fe-sufficient children (n 24) were included as a non-treated reference group. Faecal samples were analysed at baseline and at 2, 12 and 38 weeks to determine the effects of Fe supplementation on ten bacterial groups in the gut (quantitative PCR), faecal SCFA concentration (HPLC) and gut inflammation (faecal calprotectin concentration). At baseline, concentrations of bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA and faecal calprotectin did not differ between Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient children. Fe supplementation significantly improved Fe status in Fe-deficient children and did not significantly increase faecal calprotectin concentration. Moreover, no significant effect of Fe treatment or time × treatment interaction on the concentrations of bacterial groups in the gut or faecal SCFA was observed compared with the placebo treatment. Also, there were no significant differences observed in the concentrations of any of the bacterial target groups or faecal SCFA at 2, 12 or 38 weeks between the three groups of children when correcting for baseline values. The present study suggests that in African children with a low enteropathogen burden, Fe status and dietary Fe supplementation did not significantly affect the dominant bacterial groups in the gut, faecal SCFA concentration or gut inflammation.

Can prebiotics and probiotics improve therapeutic outcomes for undernourished individuals?

It has become clear in recent years that the human intestinal microbiota plays an important role in maintaining health and thus is an attractive target for clinical interventions. Scientists and clinicians have become increasingly interested in assessing the ability of probiotics and prebiotics to enhance the nutritional status of malnourished children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with non-communicable disease-associated malnutrition. A workshop was held by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), drawing on the knowledge of experts from industry, medicine, and academia, with the objective to assess the status of our understanding of the link between the microbiome and under-nutrition, specifically in relation to probiotic and prebiotic treatments for under-nourished individuals. These discussions led to four recommendations:   (1) The categories of malnourished individuals need to be differentiated To improve treatment outcomes, subjects should first be categorized based on the cause of malnutrition, additional health-concerns, differences in the gut microbiota, and sociological considerations. (2) Define a baseline "healthy" gut microbiota for each category Altered nutrient requirement (for example, in pregnancy and old age) and individual variation may change what constitutes a healthy gut microbiota for the individual. (3) Perform studies using model systems to test the effectiveness of potential probiotics and prebiotics against these specific categories These should illustrate how certain microbiota profiles can be altered, as members of different categories may respond differently to the same treatment. (4) Perform robust well-designed human studies with probiotics and/or prebiotics, with appropriate, defined primary outcomes and sample size These are critical to show efficacy and understand responder and non-responder outcomes. It is hoped that these recommendations will lead to new approaches that combat malnutrition. This report is the result of discussion during an expert workshop titled "How do the microbiota and probiotics and/or prebiotics influence poor nutritional status?" held during the 10th Meeting of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) in Cork, Ireland from October 1-3, 2012. The complete list of workshop attendees is shown in Table 1.

Synbiotic consumption changes the metabolism and composition of the gut microbiota in older people and modifies inflammatory processes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study

BACKGROUND

Ageing can result in major changes in the composition and metabolic activities of bacterial populations in the large gut and an impaired immune system.

AIM

To investigate the effects of synbiotic consumption on the colonic microbiota, immune function and health status in older people.

METHODS

A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled, 4-week crossover study was carried out, involving 43 older volunteers, using a synbiotic comprising the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum and an inulin-based prebiotic Synergy 1 (SudZucker, Mannheim, Germany). Faecal and blood samples were collected, and clinical status scored at the start, and at 2- and 4-week intervals, with a 4-week washout between each feeding period. Faecal bacteria were determined by fluorescent in situ hybridisation. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations, cytokine production, bowel habit and a range of clinical parameters were measured.

RESULTS

The synbiotic increased bifidobacterial numbers by 1.4 log units (P < 0.0001) and also increased members of the phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes (P = 0.0004, P < 0.0001). Proteobacteria were reduced by 1.0 log units (P < 0.0001). Synbiotic feeding was associated with increased butyrate production (P = 0.0399). The pro-inflammatory response was modified by the synbiotic, with significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in peripheral blood after 2 and 4 weeks of synbiotic consumption (P = 0.02, P = 0.0406). The synbiotic had no effect on bowel habit or any clinical parameters.

CONCLUSION

Short-term synbiotic use can be effective in improving the composition and metabolic activities of colonic bacterial communities and immune parameters in older people. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01226212.