Abstract
Emerging evidence exists that an altered gut microbiota is a key factor in the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases. Consequently, microbiota-targeted interventions, including administration of probiotics, have increasingly been evaluated. Mechanisms on how probiotics contribute to homeostasis or reverse (effects of) dysbiosis remain yet to be elucidated. In the current study, we assessed the effects of daily Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) ingestion in healthy children aged from 12–18 years on gut microbiota compositional diversity and stability. Results were compared to healthy children without LcS exposure. For a period of 6 weeks, fecal samples were collected weekly by both groups. In total, 18 children were included (6 probiotics; 12 non-probiotics). At 1-week intervals, no differences in diversity and stability were observed in children exposed to LcS versus controls. LcS ingestion by healthy children does not result in a more diverse and stable gut microbiota composition. Large double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials in children should be performed to gain more insight on potential beneficial health consequences.
Highlights
Evidence has emerged on the associations between the microbiota and the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1], irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [2], late onset sepsis (LOS) [3], and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) [4]
Accumulated evidence is provided that supplemented probiotic strains are not incorporated in an individual’s microbiota and, possible effects disappear after discontinuation [9]
The probiotics group consisted of children with a median age of 13 years, whereas the children in the non-probiotics group were younger (P value = 0.03)
Summary
Evidence has emerged on the associations between the microbiota and the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1], irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [2], late onset sepsis (LOS) [3], and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) [4]. Probiotics have been demonstrated to be effective in preventing the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections [5]. Probiotics have been shown to be effective in the prevention of NEC in preterm born infants, data are conflicting [6]. Optimal probiotic strains and concentrations for the prevention and treatment of different diseases have not yet been established. Accumulated evidence is provided that supplemented probiotic strains are not incorporated in an individual’s microbiota and, possible effects disappear after discontinuation [9]
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