Abstract
Simple SummaryDigestive problems are a frequently occurring condition in dogs. Their manifestations can be clinically visible or, in some cases, hidden at the level of the digestive tract. Such a condition is represented by naturally occurring endotoxemia that may, or may not, have a clinical manifestation. However, as it is a little-studied condition in dogs, there are not enough data to diagnose it and its manifestation may be neglected in clinical practice. Probiotics are believed to be an alternative method that can be included in the treatment scheme for gastrointestinal (GI) problems. By their mechanism of action, those formulas may be able to improve or stop the symptoms of different digestive problems and also target the source of the problem. Probiotics can be considered to be host-friendly treatments, with beneficial effects for general health status. As probiotics do not represent aggressive treatments and have few or no side effects, using this type of alternative treatment can increase the animals’ welfare. The aim of the present study was to characterize naturally occurring endotoxemia in dogs and assess the effect of a probiotic formula on this condition. We suggest that this hidden condition can be treated with probiotics as an alternative that is friendlier for animals.Spore-based Bacillus spp. products are considered to have a higher probiotic potential compared to products containing only lactic acid bacteria because their viability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is higher, even when GI environmental conditions are unfavorable. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Pediococcus acidilactici spore-based potential probiotic on the natural levels of postprandial endotoxemia. A total of 11 dogs completed the study: group 1—healthy dogs: n = 5; group 2—dogs with apparent dysbiosis: n = 6. For 30 days, the dogs were fed the probiotic product; clinical examinations and blood sampling were done before and after completion of the probiotic treatment. Endotoxin levels were assessed pre-meal, 6 h and 12 h post-meal, before initiation and after completion of the treatment. The results showed a decrease in endotoxin levels after treatment, especially 12 h post-meal (group 1: 20.60%; group 2: 44.93%). This study reports new information with regard to natural endotoxemia levels in dogs and suggests that a multi-strain formula (spore-based) consisting of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and P. acidilactici is able to diminish endotoxin values.
Highlights
Probiotics formulations contain live microorganisms or components of microbial cells that are able to provide a beneficial effect in the host when administered in adequate amounts
Endotoxemia is a condition that affects the normal function of the gut
It can be learned that a small amount of endotoxin, 0.1 g/kg, was able to produce mild endotoxemia in dogs [21]
Summary
Probiotics formulations contain live microorganisms or components of microbial cells that are able to provide a beneficial effect in the host when administered in adequate amounts. Members of the Bacillus genus are considered to have a higher probiotic potential compared to lactic acid-producing bacteria. This is explained by the fact that they have a high level of viability and are able to reproduce and increase in number in the GI tract even in unfavorable environmental or low pH conditions. Whether this feature provides an advantage for these microorganisms in relation to their potential probiotic effects is controversial, as many researchers argue that a bacterium does not have to be viable to exert probiotic effects [4,5]. Pediococcus acidilactici is a probiotic bacterium with beneficial effects on the health of the gastro-intestinal tract [9]
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