Combination Of Probiotics Research Articles

Probiotics combination effectively improves constipation in pregnancy by modifying the gut microbiota composition.

Constipation during pregnancy can induce serious complications, including miscarriage and preterm labour, while the evidence of probiotics in improving constipation during pregnancy was little. In this study, 29 healthy pregnant women and 65 constipated pregnant women were enrolled to assess the effectiveness of probiotics on constipation during pregnancy. Our results showed that the probiotics were effective in improving the Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) and Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) scores, including increasing defecation frequency, decreasing defecation time, and improving fecal characteristics. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the probiotics effectively restored the diversity of intestinal microbiota. At the phylum level, Firmicutes (13.27% vs 57.20%) and Actinobacteria (3.77% vs 12.80%) were increased, while Bacteroidetes (77.82% vs 20.24%) was decreased. At the level of the genus, Faecalibacterium (2.03% vs 10.33%), Bifidobacterium (1.21% vs 8.56%), and Phascolarctobacterium (0.05% vs 2.88%), the beneficial bacteria were increased, while the Bacteroides (29.23% vs 12.28%) and Prevotella (24.32% vs 4.92%) were decreased. In conclusion, these results indicated that probiotics can effectively relieve the constipation symptoms by improving the diversity of intestinal microbiota, regulating the disturbance of microflorae, and restoring the balance of microflorae to exert a stronger moderating effect than diet and lifestyle modification. Our results provided clinical data and a theoretical basis for the exploitation of probiotics in treating constipation during pregnancy. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100052069.

The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with gut microbiota imbalance playing a significant role. There are increasing numbers of research studies exploring treatment options involving probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), but it is still uncertain which treatment option is superior. The research was conducted on various databases and unpublished trial data (up to February 2023). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for adult patients with IBS comparing interventions with placebo. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and FMT were assessed for their impact using mean difference and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Out of 6528 articles, 54 were included for probiotics, 7 for prebiotics/synbiotics, and 6 for FMT. Probiotics showed improvement in IBS symptoms, particularly with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains. Prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement. Network meta-analysis indicated the favorable effects of probiotics (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59) and FMT (OR = 0.46, 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.64) on IBS, with no serious adverse events reported. In short, probiotics and FMT are effective for managing IBS, with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus being dominant strains. However, the most effective probiotic combination or strain remains unclear, while prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement.

Microbiome Dysbiosis in Depression: A Narrative Review

The comprehensive exploration of the microbial composition of the gut and its role in depression underscores a complex interplay involving alterations in gut microbiome, immune pathways, and inflammatory control. Studies reveal potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets linked to depression, with particular bacterial genera correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. The dysregulation extends to disruptions in metabolic pathways and functions of bacterial proteins within the gut, contributing to intestinal barrier dysfunction and increased gut permeability. Notably, alterations in microbial composition are observed in various depressive conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), post-stroke depression (PSD), and depression during neoadjuvant cancer treatment. The influence of the gut microbiome on the central nervous system and the bidirectional relationship between depression and microbial changes are highlighted. Regulatory interventions, including antidepressants and probiotics, show promise in modulating the gut microbiome and alleviating depressive symptoms. The combination of probiotics with antidepressants emerges as a potential strategy for inducing a balanced microbiome. However, a lack of consensus exists regarding specific bacterial taxa associated with depression, emphasizing the need for further research to refine the therapeutic approaches for managing depression and related mood disorders. This review aims to explore the relationship between microbiome dysbiosis and depression, highlighting the role of dysbiosis as a potential contributing factor to depressive symptoms.

Probiotics plus vitamin D in irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective multicentric non-interventional study.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience recurrent symptoms and anxiety disorders that significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to assess in daily practice the benefit of the combination of three probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum CETC 7484 and CETC 7485; Pediococcus acidilactici CECT 7483) plus vitamin D in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) or IBS with mixed bowel movements (IBS-M). This was a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study in adult patients with IBS-D or IBS-M (Rome IV criteria) followed by private-practice gastroenterologists. Patients received daily one sachet of a combination of probiotics (3×109 CFU) and vitamin D (10 μg) for 42 days. The primary endpoint was the responder rate at D42 (≥50% and/or ≥100-point decrease of IBS-Severity Scoring System; IBS-SSS). Gut-related anxiety was measured with the Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI). The full analysis set population included 246 patients (mean age, 51.2±15.4 years; women, 73.2%; IBS-D, 56.1%; IBS-M, 43.9%). At D42, among the 89 patients with evaluable data, the responder rate was 62.9% with a mean decrease of IBS-SSS of 146.6±125.9 (P<0.0001). Changes of IBS-SSS were significantly correlated with changes of IBS-QoL (r=-0.78; P<0.0001), HAD-anxiety (r=0.46; P<0.0001), HAD-depression (r=0.61; P<0.001) and VSI (r=0.74; P<0.0001). These real-life results are in line with a previous randomized clinical trial demonstrating the benefits of this combination in IBS-D and IBS-M. Symptom relief was associated with improvement of IBS-QoL, anxiety, depression and specifically gut-related anxiety.

Dietary Supplementation of Haskap Berry (Lonicera caerulea L.) Anthocyanins and Probiotics Attenuate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis: Evidence from an Experimental Animal Model.

Haskap berry (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a rich dietary source of anthocyanins with potent anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, isolated haskap berry anthocyanins were encapsulated in maltodextrin and inulin (3:1) by freeze-drying to improve stability and bioavailability. The structural properties of microcapsules, encapsulation yield, efficiency, recovery, and powder retention were evaluated. The microcapsules that exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (60%) and anthocyanin recovery (89%) were used in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in mice. Thirty-five BALB/c male mice of seven weeks old were divided into seven dietary supplementation groups (n = 5) to receive either free anthocyanins, encapsulated anthocyanins (6.2 mg/day), or probiotics (1 × 109 CFU/day) alone or as combinations of anthocyanin and probiotics. As observed by clinical data, free anthocyanin and probiotic supplementation significantly reduced the severity of colitis. The supplementary diets suppressed the DSS-induced elevation of serum inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor) and apoptosis markers (B-cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein) in mice colon tissues. The free anthocyanins and probiotics significantly reduced the serum IL-6 levels. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of haskap berry anthocyanins and probiotics protects against DSS-induced colitis possibly by attenuating mucosal inflammation, and this combination has the potential as a health-promoting dietary supplement and nutraceutical.

Using Synbiotics as a Therapy to Protect Mental Health in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that represents a major cause of dementia worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves multiple pathways, including the amyloid cascade, tau protein, oxidative stress, and metal ion dysregulation. Recent studies have suggested a critical link between changes in gut microbial diversity and the disruption of the gut-brain axis in AD. Previous studies primarily explored the potential benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in managing AD. However, studies have yet to fully describe a novel promising approach involving the use of synbiotics, which include a combination of active probiotics and new-generation prebiotics. Synbiotics show potential for mitigating the onset and progression of AD, thereby offering a holistic approach to address the multifaceted nature of AD. This review article primarily aims to gain further insights into the mechanisms of AD, specifically the intricate interaction between gut bacteria and the brain via the gut-brain axis. By understanding this relationship, we can identify potential targets for intervention and therapeutic strategies to combat AD effectively. This review also discusses substantial evidence supporting the role of synbiotics as a promising AD treatment that surpasses traditional probiotic or prebiotic interventions. We find that synbiotics may be used not only to address cognitive decline but also to reduce AD-related psychological burden, thus enhancing the overall quality of life of patients with AD.

Evaluation of synbiotic combinations of commercial probiotic strains with different prebiotics in in vitro and ex vivo human gut microcosm model.

Exploring probiotics for their crosstalk with the host microbiome through the fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibers (prebiotics) for their potential metabolic end-products, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is important for understanding the endogenous host-gut microbe interaction. This study was aimed at a systematic comparison of commercially available probiotics to understand their synergistic role with specific prebiotics in SCFAs production both in vitro and in the ex vivo gut microcosm model. Probiotic strains isolated from pharmacy products including Lactobacillus sporogenes (strain not labeled), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC53103), Streptococcus faecalis (T-110 JPC), Bacillus mesentericus (TO-AJPC), Bacillus clausii (SIN) and Saccharomyces boulardii (CNCM I-745) were assessed for their probiotic traits including survival, antibiotic susceptibility, and antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains. Our results showed that the microorganisms under study had strain-specific abilities to persist in human gastrointestinal conditions and varied anti-infective efficacy and antibiotic susceptibility. The probiotic strains displayed variation in the utilization of six different prebiotic substrates for their growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Their prebiotic scores (PS) revealed which were the most suitable prebiotic carbohydrates for the growth of each strain and suggested xylooligosaccharide (XOS) was the poorest utilized among all. HPLC analysis revealed a versatile pattern of SCFAs produced as end-products of prebiotic fermentation by the strains which was influenced by growth conditions. Selected synbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic) combinations showing high PS and high total SCFAs production were tested in an ex vivo human gut microcosm model. Interestingly, significantly higher butyrate and propionate production was found only when synbiotics were applied as against when individual probiotic or prebiotics were applied alone. qRT-PCR analysis with specific primers showed that there was a significant increase in the abundance of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria with synbiotic blends compared to pre-, or probiotics alone. In conclusion, this work presents findings to suggest prebiotic combinations with different well-established probiotic strains that may be useful for developing effective synbiotic blends.

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat extract and probiotics combination ameliorates metabolic disorders through regulating gut microbiota and PPARα subcellular localization

BackgroundChrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, a traditional Chinese medicine, has the effects on liver clearing, vision improving, and anti-inflammation. C. morifolium and probiotics have been individually studied for their beneficial effects on metabolic diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms were not completely elucidated. This study aims to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of C. morifolium and probiotics combination (CP) on alleviating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the dysregulation of glucose metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice.MethodsThe therapeutic effect of CP on metabolism was evaluated by liver histology and serum biochemical analysis, as well as glucose tolerance test. The impact of CP on gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and fecal microbiota transplantation. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis was performed with the key genes and proteins validated by RT-qPCR and western blotting. In addition, whole body Pparα knockout (Pparα−/−) mice were used to confirm the CP-mediated pathway.ResultsCP supplementation ameliorated metabolic disorders by reducing body weight and hepatic steatosis, and improving glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in HFD fed mice. CP intervention mitigated the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, which contributed at least in part, to the beneficial effect of improving glucose metabolism. In addition, hepatic transcriptomic analysis showed that CP modulated the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism. CP downregulated the mRNA level of lipid droplet-binding proteins, such as Cidea and Cidec in the liver, leading to more substrates for fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Meanwhile, the expression of CPT1α, the rate-limiting enzyme of FAO, was significantly increased upon CP treatment. Mechanistically, though CP didn’t affect the total PPARα level, it promoted the nuclear localization of PPARα, which contributed to the reduced expression of Cidea and Cidec, and increased expression of CPT1α, leading to activated FAO. Moreover, whole body PPARα deficiency abolished the anti-NAFLD effect of CP, suggesting the importance of PPARα in CP-mediated beneficial effect.ConclusionThis study revealed the hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effect of CP by regulating gut microbiota composition and PPARα subcellular localization, highlighting its potential for therapeutic candidate for metabolic disorders.

The choice of probiotics affects the rheological, structural, and sensory attributes of lupin-oat-based yoghurt

Plant-based yoghurt (PBY) presents an alternative for vegetarians, flexitarians, and individuals with dairy allergies. However, how the bacterial (culture) variations can impact the properties are not yet well investigated. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical attributes, encompassing texture, rheological properties, microstructure, and sensory characteristics, of yoghurt formulated with a lupin-oat base as affected by the addition of commercial probiotics including Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. casei 431 (Lactobacillus paracasei), Lactobacillus plantarum, BB12 (Bifidobacterium sps) during storage at 4 °C for 28-day. Significantly, lupin-oat yoghurt fermented with a combination of Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium species exhibited rapid metabolic activity, leading to a notable reduction in fermentation time compared to other probiotic strains. Furthermore, this combination conferred similar water-holding capacity, firmness, and consistency with dairy yoghurt (control). Different probiotic strains induced variations in particle size and led to shear-thinning behaviour across all yoghurt samples. Over the refrigerated storage, a decline in apparent viscosity was observed and lupin-oat yoghurt exhibited greater rigidity compared to dairy yoghurt. Changes in the yoghurt microstructure during storage, notably the presence of increased serum pores were associated with its functional attributes. Confocal and scanning electron microscopy revealed distinctive microstructural features in yoghurt fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium species compared to other probiotic combinations. Notably, this combination garnered higher sensory ratings for appearance, taste, flavour, texture, and overall acceptability, positioning it as a suitable dairy yoghurt alternative. These findings provide insights into enhancing the structural and sensory attributes of lupin-oat-based yoghurt.

Efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic products plus laxatives for pediatric functional constipation: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The prevalence of pediatric constipation ranges from 0.7 to 29.6% across different countries. Functional constipation accounts for 95% of pediatric constipation, and the efficacy of pharmacotherapy is limited, with a success rate of 60%. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the benefits of probiotic supplements in treating this condition. However, the reported strains of probiotics varied among the RCTs. We aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic supplements for pediatric functional constipation. The current frequentist model–based network meta-analysis (NMA) included RCTs of probiotic supplements for functional constipation in children. The primary outcome was changes in bowel movement or stool frequency; acceptability outcome was all-cause discontinuation. Nine RCTs were included (N = 710; mean age = 5.5 years; 49.4% girls). Most probiotic products, used either alone or combined with laxatives, were associated with significantly better improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency than placebo/control. Protexin plus laxatives (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.85 to 2.90) were associated with the greatest improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency among all the investigated probiotic products. For the single probiotic interventions, only Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 was associated with significant efficacy compared to placebo/control treatments (SMD = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.32 to 2.43). All the investigated probiotic products had fecal incontinence and patient drop-out rates similar to those of placebo/control treatments. Conclusion: The results of our NMA support the application of an advanced combination of probiotics and laxatives for pediatric functional constipation if there is no concurrent contraindication. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022298724).What is Known:• Despite of the high prevalence of pediatric constipation, which ranges from 0.7% to 29.6%, the efficacy of pharmacotherapy is limited, with a success rate of 60%. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the benefits of probiotic supplements in treating this condition. However, the reported strains of probiotics varied among the RCTs. The widely heterogeneous strains of probiotics let the traditional meta-analysis, which pooled all different strains into one group, be nonsense and insignificant.What is New:• By conducting a comprehensive network meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of different strains of probiotic supplements for pediatric functional constipation. Network meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials revealed that the most probiotic products, used either alone or combined with laxatives, were associated with significantly better improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency than placebo/control. Protexin plus laxatives was associated with the greatest improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency among all the investigated probiotic products. For the single probiotic interventions, only Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 was associated with significant efficacy compared to placebo/control treatments. All the investigated probiotic products had fecal incontinence and patient drop-out rates similar to those of placebo/control treatments.

Effects of fructooligosaccharides and Saccharomyces boulardii on the compositional structure and metabolism of gut microbiota in students

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a common prebiotic widely used in functional foods. Meanwhile, Saccharomyces boulardii is a fungal probiotic frequenly used in the clinical treatment of diarrhea. Compared with single use, the combination of prebiotics and probiotics as symbiotics may be more effective in regulating gut microbiota as recently reported in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of FOS, S. boulardii and their combination on the structure and metabolism of the gut microbiota in healthy primary and secondary school students using an in vitro fermentation model. The results indicated that S. boulardii alone could not effectively regulate the community structure and metabolism of the microbiota. However, both FOS and the combination of FOS and S. boulardii could effectively regulate the microbiota, significantly inhibiting the growth of Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides, and controlling the production of the gases including H2S and NH3. In addition, both FOS and the combination could significantly promote the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, lower environmental pH, and enhance several physiological functions related to synthesis and metabolism. Nevertheless, the combination had more unique benefits as it promoted the growth of Lactobacillus, significantly increased CO2 production and enhanced the functional pathways of carbon metabolism and pyruvic acid metabolism. These findings provide guidance for clinical application and a theoretical basis for the development of synbiotic preparations.

PSI-10 Combination of probiotic Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus coagulans in sow diets improves litter quality and piglet performance

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary two-strain probiotic on sows, and the subsequent effects on litter quality and piglet performance. The total trial duration was 32 d and started 7 d before farrowing. A total of 160 sows (DanBred x Duroc) were assigned into two dietary treatment groups (80 sows each), considering their body weight, body condition score, and parity (Ø 2.4). Sows in the control group received a basal pelleted diet lacking probiotic supplementation, whereas sows in the probiotic group received an identical diet but supplemented 7 d pre-partum and 25 d post-partum with a two-strain probiotic (total inclusion rate: 1.5 x 109 CFU/kg of feed, 0.3 x 109 CFU/kg CFU/kg of B. coagulans DSM 32016 and 1.2 x 109 CFU/kg of B. licheniformis DSM 33806) produced by Biochem Zusatzstoffe Handels- und Produktionsgesellschaft mbH, Germany. Within 24 h after birth, the litters of all sows in the trial were standardized to 13 piglets by removing weak and low weight individuals (≤ 0.7 kg). Cross-fostering was restricted to the experimental group. Data were subjected to t-Test or non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U-test, P ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The results indicate a significant reduction of dead-born piglets (P = 0.01), increase of daily litter weight gain (P = 0.002), improvement of piglet weaning weight (P = 0.01), and increase of the total number of weaned piglets (P=0.001) in the probiotic group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the individual daily weight gain (P = 0.003) and final weight of piglets at weaning (P &amp;lt; 0.001) were significantly improved by probiotic supplementation. The body weight loss of sows and feed intake were not statistically different (Table 1). In conclusion, the probiotic combination of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus coagulans fed to sows improved litter quality and piglet performance.

Unveiling the influence of a probiotic combination of Heyndrickxia coagulans and Lacticaseibacillus casei on healthy human gut microbiota using the TripleSHIME® system

Probiotics are host-friendly microorganisms that can have important health benefits in the human gut microbiota as dietary supplements. Maintaining a healthy gut microbial balance relies on the intricate interplay among the intestinal microbiota, metabolic activities, and the host's immune response. This study aims to explore if a mixture of Heyndrickxia coagulans [ATB-BCS-042] and Lacticaseibacillus casei [THT-030-401] promotes in vitro this balance in representative gut microbiota from healthy individuals using the Triple-SHIME® (Simulation of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem). Metataxonomic analysis of the intestinal microbes revealed that the probiotic mix was not causing important disruptions in the biodiversity or microbial composition of the three simulated microbiota. However, some targeted populations analyzed by qPCR were found to be disrupted at the end of the probiotic treatment or after one week of washout. Populations such as Cluster IV, Cluster XVIa, and Roseburia spp., were increased indicating a potential gut health-promoting butyrogenic effect of the probiotic supplementation. In two of the systems, bifidogenic effects were observed, while in the third, the treatment caused a decrease in bifidobacteria. For the health-detrimental biomarker Escherichia-Shigella, a mild decrease in all systems was observed in the proximal colon sections, but these genera were highly increased in the distal colon sections. By the end of the washout, Bacteroides-Prevotella was found consistently boosted, which could have inflammatory consequences in the intestinal context. Although the probiotics had minimal influence on most quantified metabolites, ammonia consistently decreased after one week of daily probiotic supplementation. In reporter gene assays, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation was favored by the metabolic output obtained from post-treatment periods. Exposure of a human intestinal cell model to fermentation supernatant obtained after probiotic supplementation induced a trend to decrease the mRNA expression of immunomodulatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8). Overall, with some exceptions, a positive impact of H. coagulans and L. casei probiotic mix was observed in the three parallel experiments, despite inter-individual differences. This study might serve as an in vitro pipeline for the impact assessment of probiotic combinations on the human gut microbiota.

Comparison of the Effect of Probiotic Powder, Probiotic Liquid, and Probiotic Combination on Broiler Carcass Quality and Carcass Percentage

Comparison of the Effect of Probiotic Powder, Probiotic Liquid, and Probiotic Combination on Broiler Carcass Quality and Carcass Percentage

EFFICACY OF PROBIOTICS AND ESSENTIAL OILS AS ALTERNATIVES TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTERS IN BROILER CHICKENS

The current study was carried out on broiler chickens to assess whether probiotics or essential oils could be utilized instead of antibiotics growth promoters (AGP) in typical feed formulations, to determine their effectiveness. A total of 2250 broiler chicks at one-day old age were allocated into 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 9 replicates per treatment and 50 chicks/replicate. The Probiotic included three strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, the essential oil (EO) was a blend of Cinnamaldehyde-Thymol, and the AGP was Lincomycin™. These additives were added to the basal diets (BD) to formulate the following dietary treatments (T): (T1) control-fed BD that is regularly used by broiler farmers (T2) control-fed BD that is regularly used by broiler farmers and supplemented with Lincomycin™ (100 g/ton) as AGP; (T3) fed BD + Probiotics (Enviva® PRO 60 g/ton); (T4) fed BD + EO (Enviva® 100g/ton); and (T5) fed BD + combination of both probiotics and EO with the same doses used in T3 and T4. The study findings demonstrated that the use of probiotics or essential oils did not have any significant impact on the average body weight gain, final body weight, feed conversion ratio, or footpad lesion scores when compared to the AGP group. It was concluded that replacing the AGP with probiotics or EO, as natural feed additives, had no negative effects on broiler performance. The probiotic strains or the EO could be safe alternatives to AGP.

An Innovative Probiotic-Based Supplement to Mitigate Molecular Factors Connected to Depression and Anxiety: An In Vitro Study.

The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional relationship between the microbiota and the brain; genes related to the brain and gut synaptic formation are similar. Research on the causal effects of gut microbiota on human behavior, brain development, and function, as well as the underlying molecular processes, has emerged in recent decades. Probiotics have been shown in several trials to help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Because of this, probiotic combinations have been tested in in vitro models to see whether they might modulate the gut and alleviate depression and anxiety. Therefore, we sought to determine whether a novel formulation might affect the pathways controlling anxiety and depression states and alter gut barrier activities in a 3D model without having harmful side effects. Our findings indicate that B. bifidum novaBBF7 10 mg/mL, B. longum novaBLG2 5 mg/mL, and L. paracasei TJB8 10 mg/mL may influence the intestinal barrier and enhance the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the probiotics studied did not cause neuronal damage and, in combination, exert a protective effect against the condition of anxiety and depression triggered by L-Glutamate. All these findings show that probiotics can affect gut function to alter the pathways underlying anxiety and depression.

Synbiotic Biscuit Potential Reducing Blood Sugar Levels In Wistar White Rats

Nutraceuticals, or functional foods, are foods that have been altered or designed to have certain nutritional or physiological effects. Synbiotic biscuit represents an effort in the development of functional food products. A synbiotic biscuit contains both prebiotic ingredients and probiotic bacteria. Created with Lactobacillus acidophilus and a composite flour mix of sweet potatoes, banana corm, and black soybeans, this synbiotic biscuit offers a synergistic combination of probiotics and prebiotics potentially lowering blood glucose levels. This study investigates the impact of the Glycemic Index (GI), Glycemic Load (GL), and the relationship between the quantity of synbiotic biscuits consumed and the reduction of blood glucose levels in Wistar rats. The descriptive approach was utilized as the experimental method, followed by correlation and regression analysis. The experiment used standard meal consumption as a negative control, metformin 45 mg/kg body weight intake as a positive control, synbiotic biscuit 5 g in 10 ml aquades intake, and synbiotic biscuit 10 g in 10 ml aquades intake were employed in the experiment. The study demonstrated a relationship between the intake of synbiotic cookies and blood glucose levels in Wistar rats. The synbiotic biscuits showed that GI and GL at 65.38 and 13.38, respectively. After 15 days of feeding synbiotic biscuit 10 g in 10 ml per day, body weight increased to 216.33 g, and blood glucose levels decreased to 96.97 mg/dl. Total L. acidophilus was discovered in rat faeces at a concentration of 6.56 log CFU/g.

Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Valvular Heart Disease: Not a "Gutted" Relationship.

The role of the gut microbiome (GM) and oral microbiome (OM) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasingly being understood in recent years. It is well known that GM is a risk factor for various CVD phenotypes, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, its role in valvular heart disease (VHD) is less well understood. Research shows that, direct, microbe-mediated and indirect, metabolite-mediated damage as a result of gut dysbiosis and environmental factors results in a subclinical, chronic, systemic inflammatory state, which promotes inflammatory cell infiltration in heart valves and subsequently, via pro-inflammatory molecules, initiates a cascade of reaction, resulting in valve calcification, fibrosis and dysfunction. This relationship between GM and VHD adds a pathophysiological link to the pathogenesis of VHD, which can be aimed therapeutically, in order to prevent or regress any risk for valvular pathologies. Therapeutic interventions include dietary modifications and lifestyle interventions, in order to influence environmental factors that can promote gut dysbiosis. Furthermore, the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, as well as fecal m transplantation and targeted treatment with inducers or inhibitors of microbial enzymes have showed promising results in animal and/or clinical studies, with the potential to reduce the inflammatory state and restore the normal gut flora in patients. This review, thus, is going to discuss the pathophysiological links behind the relationship of GM, CVD and VHD, as well as explore the recent data regarding the effect of GM-altering treatment in CVD, cardiac function and systemic inflammation.

Optimal probiotic combinations for treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BackgroundProbiotic administration is a promising therapy for improving conditions in NAFLD patients. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare and estimate the relative effects of probiotic interventions and identify the optimal probiotic species for the treatment of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) patients. MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 29 January 2024 to identify RCTs that were published in English. The GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate. ResultsA total of 35 RCTs involving 2,212 NAFLD patients were included in the analysis. For primary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus exhibited the highest probability of being the finest probiotic combination in terms of enhancing acceptability as well as reducing AST (SMD: -1.95 95% CI: -2.90, -0.99), ALT (SMD = -1.67, 95% CI: -2.48, -0.85), and GGT levels (SMD = -2.17, 95% CI: -3.27, -1.06). In terms of the secondary outcomes, Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus was also the best probiotic combination for reducing BMI (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.86, -0.04), LDL levels (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.02), TC levels (SMD = -1.09, 95% CI: -1.89, -0.29), and TNF-α levels (SMD = -1.73, 95% CI: -2.72, -0.74). ConclusionThis network meta-analysis revealed that Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium + Streptococcus may be the most effective probiotic combination for the treatment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and inflammation factors. These findings can be used to guide the development of a probiotics-based treatment guideline for NAFLD since there are few direct comparisons between different therapies.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a probiotic combination for manipulating the gut microbiota and managing metabolic syndrome

An increasing number of studies indicate that the occurrence of metabolic syndrome is significantly influenced by the host's gut microbiota and its metabolites. This study evaluated the potential application of a combination of Bifidobacterium adolescentis CCFM8630 and Lactobacillus reuteri CCFM8631 for the clinical remission of metabolic syndrome. This research comprised 40 individuals with metabolic syndrome, 21 of whom were in the probiotic intervention group and 19 in the placebo control group. The intervention duration was 11 weeks and involved the daily intake of 1 × 1010 CFU of a probiotic combination comprising Bifidobacterium adolescentis CCFM8630 and Lactobacillus reuteri CCFM8631. The serum biochemical indexes of the participants before and after the intervention were measured. After the intervention, faecal samples were collected to comprehensively analyse the gut microbiota of the participants by high-throughput sequencing and the faecal concentrations of target short-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed that the 11-week probiotic intervention significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome and significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and some genera that produce short-chain fatty acids by regulating the abundance of gut microbial taxa that are strongly correlated with the clinical indicators of metabolic syndrome. These results demonstrated the beneficial effects of the probiotic combination on the clinical remission of metabolic syndrome, suggesting its potential application as an adjuvant strategy for the clinical treatment of metabolic syndrome in the future and laying a foundation for the further study of the mechanism of action of probiotics in alleviating metabolic syndrome.