Therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with Bifidobacterium and on cellular immune function in children with acute diarrhea

Probiotic Yeast Saccharomyces: Back to Nature to Improve Human Health

Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii is best known for its treatment efficacy against different gastrointestinal diseases. This probiotic yeast can significantly protect the normal microbiota of the human gut and inhibit the pathogenicity of different diarrheal infections. Several clinical investigations have declared S. cerevisiae var. boulardii a biotherapeutic agent due to its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties. Oral or intramuscular administration of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii can remarkably induce health-promoting effects in the host body. Different intrinsic and extrinsic factors are responsible for its efficacy against acute and chronic gut-associated diseases. This review will discuss the clinical and beneficial effects of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in the treatment and prevention of different metabolic diseases and highlight some of its health-promising properties. This review article will provide fundamental insights for new avenues in the fields of biotherapeutics, antimicrobial resistance and one health.

Health-promoting properties of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii as a probiotic; characteristics, isolation, and applications in dairy products

Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (S. boulardii) has been isolated from lychee (Litchi chinensis), mangosteen fruit, kombucha, and dairy products like kefir. Dairy products containing S. boulardii have been revealed to possess potential probiotic activities owing to their ability to produce organic acids, essential enzymes, vitamins, and other important metabolites such as vanillic acid, phenyl ethyl alcohol, and erythromycin. S. boulardii has a wide spectrum of anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial antiviral, and antioxidant activity, and is known to reduce serum cholesterol levels. However, this yeast has mainly been prescribed for prophylaxis treatment of gastrointestinal infectious diseases, and stimulating the immune system in a number of commercially available products. The present comprehensive review article reviews the properties of S. boulardii related to their use in fermented dairy foods as a probiotic microorganism or starter culture. Technical aspects regarding the integration of this yeast into the dairy foods matrix its health advantages, therapeutic functions, microencapsulation, and viability in harsh conditions, and safety aspects are highlighted.

Comparison of safety, effectiveness and serum inflammatory factor indexes of Saccharomyces boulardii versus Bifidobacterium triple viable in treating children with chronic diarrhea: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea is common in children under 5 years of age and is an important public health problem in China. CD is the main obstacle to the growth and development of children, which brings a great burden to individuals, families and society. The objective of this work is to study the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii versus Bifidobacterium triple viable in the treatment of CD in children.

METHODS

From October 2018 to October 2020, a total of 161 children aged 2-8 years hospitalized with CD were randomly allocated into S. boulardii group, Bifidobacterium triple viable group and control group. After 14 days of treatment, the curative effect and recovery time of the three groups were evaluated. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-7 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) before and after the treatment were valuated and compared among the three groups, together with clinical efficacy and safety.

RESULTS

The recovery time of the Bifidobacterium triple viable group was significantly shorter than that of S. boulardii group (P<0.05). The marked effective rate and total effective rate of the Bifidobacterium triple viable group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05); the total effective rate of the S. boulardii group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The improvement in the levels of IL-6, IL-7 and TNF-α in the Bifidobacterium triple viable group was greater than that in the control group; the improvement in IL-6 and IL-7 levels in the Bifidobacterium triple viable group was greater than that in the S. boulardii group; the improvement in IL-6 and IL-7 levels in the S. boulardii group was greater than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of Bifidobacterium triple viable and S. boulardii in the treatment of children with CD was better than that of conventional treatment. The treatment effect for Bifidobacterium triple viable was more significant, and it was proved to be safe, to shorten the course of disease, and have clinical relevance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100046444.