Abstract
A new formulation, nanoprebiotics [e.g., phthalyl pullulan nanoparticles (PPNs)], was demonstrated to enhance the antimicrobial activity of probiotics [e.g., Lactobacillus plantarum (LP)] in vitro through intracellular stimulation better than that by backbone prebiotics, which are commonly used. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether this combination would exert distinct effects as synbiotics in vivo. Synbiotics combinations of LP, pullulan, and PPNs were used as experimental treatments in a dysbiosis-induced murine model, and their restorative effect was assessed using pathogen Escherichia coli K99 challenge. Our results showed that the E. coli infection was suppressed markedly in the experimental group fed with synbiotics containing PPNs. In addition, the decrease in serum endotoxin level after synbiotics treatment suggested the reinforcement of the gut barrier. Comparison of treatment groups, including a normal control group, showed that synbiotics containing PPNs increased microbial diversity, which is a representative parameter of healthy status. Furthermore, distinct from probiotics treatment alone, synbiotics showed additive effects of enrichment of several well-known beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other butyrate-producing bacteria including Faecalibacterium. Collectively, our results indicate that synbiotics containing PPNs are effective at restoring gut dysbiosis, suppressing pathogenic infection, and increasing microbial diversity, suggesting that synbiotics with nanoprebiotics have the potential to be a novel strategy for ameliorating gut dysbiosis and infectious diseases.
Highlights
Considered by some researchers as a “forgotten organ,” the gut microbiota has attracted considerable attention in recent years, given its profound effect on host homeostasis (Espirito Santo et al, 2021)
It was found that the total SCFA amount in the culture medium of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) (61.70 ± 0.36) was changed by a lesser extent when treated phthalyl pullulan nanoparticles (PPNs) (63.46 ± 0.51) than when treated with pullulan (70.32 ± 0.93) (Figure 1D)
We report perturbation in gut microbiota and host physiology associated with 2-week supplementation with synbiotics, including PPNs
Summary
Considered by some researchers as a “forgotten organ,” the gut microbiota has attracted considerable attention in recent years, given its profound effect on host homeostasis (Espirito Santo et al, 2021). According to the World Health Organization, the Food Agriculture Organization, and the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when adequate amounts are administered (Akour, 2020; Swanson et al, 2020). They are generally safe and can prevent and cure dysbiosis owing to their production of antibacterial peptides such as bacteriocins and their ability to enhance the intestinal barrier functions (Ohland and Macnaughton, 2010; Daba and Elkhateeb, 2020; Liu et al, 2020). There is a concept that synbiotics may be complementary synbiotics, where each component is working independently, they all aim to produce benefits to the host and make it easy for gut microbiota to control pathogens by strengthening their antimicrobial ability
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