Mixture Of Galacto-oligosaccharides Research Articles

Gastrointestinal Health and Immunity of Milk Formula Supplemented with a Prebiotic Mixture of Short-Chain Galacto-oligosaccharides and Long-Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharides (9:1) in Healthy Infants and Toddlers: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Prebiotics are substrates selectively utilized by microorganisms to confer health benefits to their hosts. Various prebiotics have been supplemented in standard milk formulas for infants who cannot be exclusively breastfed, aiming to provide benefits similar to those of breast milk. One of the most commonly used prebiotics is a mixture of 90% short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS [9:1]). Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the effectiveness of scGOS:lcFOS (9:1) supplementation in standard milk formula for improving gastrointestinal health and immunity among healthy infants and toddlers, using parameters such as stool pH and intestinal colonization with beneficial bacteria. This systematic review was prepared in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Randomized clinical trials comparing scGOS/lcFOS (9:1)-supplemented formula versus placebo- or non-supplemented formula milk were eligible for inclusion. Related studies on gastrointestinal health and immunity among healthy infants up to five years old were searched from the earliest available date until February 29, 2024. Eighteen publications (number of participants=1,675) were selected for the systematic review, of which 11 were subsequently subjected to a meta-analysis. Results showed that the standard formula supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) was well tolerated and conferred various gastrointestinal health and immunity to healthy infants and toddlers. These findings support the supplementation of standard milk formula with scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) for healthy infants and toddlers.

Gut microbiota‐directed dietary factors enhance exercise performance in mice

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of dietary interventions targeting gut microbiota on exercise performance in mice. Analysis of the gut microbiota of individuals with varying levels of physical activity revealed enrichment of Eubacterium rectale and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the active population. Through in vitro fecal fermentation experiments, dietary factor combinations that promote the abundance of these bacteria were identified. Dietary interventions, including E. rectale supplementation, FAG combination (gavage of Fructus Arctii extract, Agaricus blazei Murrill polysaccharides, and galactooligosaccharides mixture), and CFG combination (gavage of curcumin, Fructus Arctii extract, and galactooligosaccharides mixture), significantly improved mouse exercise performance, increased glycogen accumulation, regulated serum biochemical parameters, and increased short‐chain fatty acid and fatty acid amide levels in feces. Metagenomic sequencing revealed alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. Fecal metabolome analysis highlighted changes in metabolites related to lipids, organic acids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. These findings suggest that E. rectale and dietary interventions positively affect exercise performance by modulating the gut microbiota and associated metabolites.

A synbiotic mixture of Bifidobacterium breve M16-V, oligosaccharides and pectin, enhances Short Chain Fatty Acid production and improves lung health in a preclinical model for pulmonary neutrophilia.

Pulmonary neutrophilia is a hallmark of numerous airway diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Neutrophilic asthma, Acute Lung Injury (ALI), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and COVID-19. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of dietary interventions on lung health in context of pulmonary neutrophilia. Male BALB/cByJ mice received 7 intra-nasal doses of either a vehicle or lipopolysaccharides (LPS). To study the effect of nutritional interventions they received 16 intra-gastric doses of either a vehicle (PBS) or the following supplements (1) probiotic Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) M16-V; (2) a prebiotic fiber mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides, long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, and low-viscosity pectin in a 9:1:2 ratio (scGOS/lcFOS/lvPectin); and (3) A synbiotic combination B. breve M16-V and scGOS/lcFOS/lvPectin. Parameters for lung health included lung function, lung morphology and lung inflammation. Parameters for systemic immunomodulation included levels of fecal short chain fatty acids and regulatory T cells. The synbiotic supplement protected against the LPS induced decline in lung function (35% improved lung resistance at baseline p = 0.0002 and 25% at peak challenge, p = 0.0002), provided a significant relief from pulmonary neutrophilia (40.7% less neutrophils, p < 0.01) and improved the pulmonary neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) by 55.3% (p = 0.0033). Supplements did not impact lung morphology in this specific experiment. LPS applied to the upper airways induced less fecal SCFAs production compared to mice that received PBS. The production of acetic acid between day -5 and day 16 was increased in all unchallenged mice (PBS-PBS p = 0.0003; PBS-Pro p < 0.0001; PBS-Pre, p = 0.0045; PBS-Syn, p = 0.0005) which upon LPS challenge was only observed in mice that received the synbiotic mixture of B. breve M16-V and GOS:FOS:lvPectin (p = 0.0003). A moderate correlation was found for butyric acid and lung function parameters and a weak correlation was found between acetic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid concentrations and NLR. This study suggests bidirectional gut lung cross-talk in a mouse model for pulmonary neutrophilia. Neutrophilic lung inflammation coexisted with attenuated levels of fecal SCFA. The beneficial effects of the synbiotic mixture of B. breve M16-V and GOS:FOS:lvPectin on lung health associated with enhanced levels of SCFAs.

Dietary Prebiotic Oligosaccharides and Arachidonate Alter the Fecal Microbiota and Mucosal Lipid Composition of Suckling Pigs

BackgroundEarly intestinal development is important to infant vitality, and optimal formula composition can promote gut health. ObjectivesThe objectives were to evaluate the effects of arachidonate (ARA) and/or prebiotic oligosaccharide (PRE) supplementation in formula on the development of the microbial ecosystem and colonic health parameters. MethodsNewborn piglets were fed 4 formulas containing ARA [0.5 compared with 2.5% of dietary fatty acids (FAs)] and PRE (0 compared with 8 g/L, containing a 1:1 mixture of galactooligosaccharides and polydextrose) in a 2 x 2 factorial design for 22 d. Fecal samples were collected weekly and analyzed for relative microbial abundance. Intestinal samples were collected on day 22 and analyzed for mucosal FAs, pH, and short-chain FAs (SCFAs). ResultsPRE supplementation significantly increased genera within Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, including Anaerostipes, Mitsuokella, Prevotella, Clostridium IV, and Bulleidia, and resulted in progressive separation from controls as determined by Principal Coordinates Analysis. Concentrations of SCFA increased from 70.98 to 87.37 mM, with an accompanying reduction in colonic pH. ARA supplementation increased the ARA content of the colonic mucosa from 2.35–5.34% of total FAs. PRE supplementation also altered mucosal FA composition, resulting in increased linoleic acid (11.52–16.33% of total FAs) and ARA (2.35–5.16% of total FAs). ConclusionsPrebiotic supplementation during the first 22 d of life altered the gut microbiota of piglets and increased the abundance of specific bacterial genera. These changes correlated with increased SCFA, which may benefit intestinal development. Although dietary ARA did not alter the microbiota, it increased the ARA content of the colonic mucosa, which may support intestinal development and epithelial repair. Prebiotic supplementation also increased unsaturation of FAs in the colonic mucosa. Although the mechanism requires further investigation, it may be related to altered microbial ecology or biohydrogenation of FA.

Effects of prebiotics on intestinal physiology, neuropsychological function, and exercise capacity of mice with sleep deprivation

People suffered from insufficient or disrupted sleep due to night shifts, work pressure, and irregular lifestyles. Sleep deprivation caused by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep has been associated with not only increased risk of metabolic diseases, gut dysbiosis, and emotional disorders but also decreased work and exercise performance. In this study, we used the modified multiple platform method (MMPM) to induce pathological and psychological characteristics of sleep deprivation with C57BL/6J male mice, and investigated whether supplementing a prebiotics mixture of short-chain galactooligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (lcFOS) (9:1 ratio) could improve the impacts of sleep deprivation on intestinal physiology, neuropsychological function, inflammation, circadian rhythm, and exercise capacity. Results showed that sleep deprivation caused intestinal inflammation (increased TNFA and IL1B) and decreased intestinal permeability with a significant decrease in the tight junction genes (OCLN, CLDN1, TJP1, and TJP2) of intestine and brain. The prebiotics significantly increased the content of metabolite short-chain fatty acids (acetate and butyrate) while recovering the expression of indicated tight junction genes. In hypothalamus and hippocampus, clock (BMAL1 and CLOCK) and tight junction (OCLN and TJP2) genes were improved by prebiotics, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor genes, CRF1 and CRF2, were also significantly regulated for mitigation of depression and anxiety caused by sleep deprivation. Also, prebiotics brought significant benefits on blood sugar homeostasis and improvement of exercise performance. Functional prebiotics could improve physiological modulation, neuropsychological behaviors, and exercise performance caused by sleep deprivation, possibly through regulation of inflammation and circadian rhythm for health maintenance. However, the microbiota affected by prebiotics and sleep deprivation should warrant further investigation.

Prebiotics enhance persistence of fermented-food associated bacteria in in vitro cultivated fecal microbial communities

It is well established that the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota plays a major role in human health. Dietary interventions, and consumption of fermented foods that contain live microbes, in particular, are among the approaches being investigated to modulate the GI microbiota and improve health. However, the persistence of fermented food-associated bacteria (FAB) within the GI tract is typically limited by host factors that limit colonization and competition with autochthonous microbes. In this research, we examined if the addition of prebiotics, dietary substrates that are selectively metabolized by microbes to improve health, would enhance the persistence of FAB. We evaluated the persistence of bacteria from three live microbe-containing fermented foods—kefir, sausage, and sauerkraut—in fecal microbial communities from four healthy adults. Fecal communities were propagated in vitro and were inoculated with fermented food-associated microbes from kefir, sausage, or sauerkraut at ~107 CFU/mL. Communities were diluted 1:100 every 24 h into fresh gut simulation medium to simulate microbial community turnover in the GI tract. We measured the persistence of Lactobacillaceae from fermented foods by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the persistence of other FAB through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. FAB were unable to persist in vitro, reaching undetectable levels within 96 h. Addition of prebiotics, including xylooligosaccharides and a mixture of fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides enhanced the persistence of some species of FAB, but the level of persistence varied by fecal donor, fermented food, and prebiotic tested. Addition of prebiotics also increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium species, which most likely originated from the fecal microbiota. Collectively, our results support previous in vivo studies demonstrating the transient nature of FAB in the GI tract and indicate that consumption of prebiotics may enhance their persistence.

Continuous recovery of high-grade prebiotic ingredient from crude galacto-oligosaccharides using a simulated-moving-bed technology

Galactotriose (G3), which is contained in a crude galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) mixture coming from enzymatic transgalactosylation reactions, is known to have potential as a high-grade prebiotic ingredient. This has aroused an interest in the high-purity recovery of G3 from a crude GOS mixture, which included monosaccharides (galactose and glucose), disaccharides (G2), and GOS components with different degrees of polymerization (G3, G4, and G5). To settle this problem, we aimed to develop an efficient simulated-moving-bed (SMB) process for high-purity recovery of G3 from the crude GOS mixture. It was found first that the appropriate column temperature and ionic form of the adopted adsorbent in consideration of both G3-G2 and G3-G4 resolutions were 65 °C and K+ form respectively. Under such adsorbent conditions, the equilibrium constants and mass-transfer parameters of the crude mixture components were determined and then exploited in the design of the G3-recovery SMB, which was carried out with a priority focus on the stable maintenance of high purity for G3 product throughout the SMB operation. The separation performance of such designed SMB was verified on the bases of the column profiles from simulations and the outlet-concentration data from the relevant SMB experiment. Overall, it was confirmed that the designed SMB could recover G3 from the crude GOS mixture in a continuous mode with a purity of more than 98.9% while keeping the overall loss of G3 below 7.3%.

Bifidobacterial β-Galactosidase-Mediated Production of Galacto-Oligosaccharides: Structural and Preliminary Functional Assessments.

In the current study the ability of four previously characterized bifidobacterial β-galactosidases (designated here as BgaA, BgaC, BgaD, and BgaE) to produce galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) was optimized. Of these enzymes, BgaA and BgaE were found to be promising candidates for GOS production (and the corresponding GOS mixtures were called GOS-A and GOS-E, respectively) with a GOS concentration of 19.0 and 40.3% (of the initial lactose), respectively. GOS-A and GOS-E were partially purified and structurally characterized. NMR analysis revealed that the predominant (non-lactose) disaccharide was allo-lactose in both purified GOS preparations. The predominant trisaccharide in GOS-A and GOS-E was shown to be 3′-galactosyllactose, with lower levels of 6′-galactosyllactose and 4′-galactosyllactose. These three oligosaccharides have also been reported to occur in human milk. Purified GOS-A and GOS-E were shown to be able to support bifidobacterial growth similar to a commercially available GOS. In addition, GOS-E and the commercially available GOS were shown to be capable of reducing Escherichia coli adhesion to a C2BBe1 cell line. Both in vitro bifidogenic activity and reduced E. coli adhesion support the prebiotic potential of GOS-E and GOS-A.

A partially hydrolyzed formula with synbiotics supports adequate growth and is well tolerated in healthy, Chinese term infants: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate growth and gastrointestinal tolerance in infants fed a partially hydrolyzed protein formula (pHF) with a synbiotic mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS; 9:1) and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V (test formula) compared with an intact protein infant formula (IF) with scGOS/lcFOS (control formula). MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter trial enrolled healthy, fully formula-fed Chinese infants (≤44 d) who received either the test (n = 112) or control formula (n = 112) until 17 wk of age. Fully breastfed infants served as a reference (n = 60). Anthropometrics, gastrointestinal symptoms, and adverse events were assessed monthly. Primary outcome was weight gain in grams per day from baseline to 17 wk of age. ResultsEquivalence in daily weight gain (primary outcome) was demonstrated between the test and control groups (estimated mean difference [SE]: –0.36 [0.93] g/d, 90% confidence interval [CI], –1.90 to 1.18) as well as between each IF group and the breastfed reference group (test: 0.02 [1.05] g/d, 90% CI, –1.71 to 1.75; control: 0.36 [1.04] g/d, 90% CI, –1.35 to 2.08). There were no clinically relevant differences in gastrointestinal tolerance or adverse events between the formula groups. ConclusionA pHF with synbiotics supports adequate growth and is well tolerated in healthy, term-born Chinese infants. Additionally, infant growth and gastrointestinal tolerance measures of both IF groups were comparable to the breastfed group and can be considered suitable and well tolerated for use.

Effects of Synbiotic Supplement on Human Gut Microbiota, Body Composition and Weight Loss in Obesity.

Targeting gut microbiota with synbiotics (probiotic supplements containing prebiotic components) is emerging as a promising intervention in the comprehensive nutritional approach to reducing obesity. Weight loss resulting from low-carbohydrate high-protein diets can be significant but has also been linked to potentially negative health effects due to increased bacterial fermentation of undigested protein within the colon and subsequent changes in gut microbiota composition. Correcting obesity-induced disruption of gut microbiota with synbiotics can be more effective than supplementation with probiotics alone because prebiotic components of synbiotics support the growth and survival of positive bacteria therein. The purpose of this placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of a synbiotic supplement on the composition, richness and diversity of gut microbiota and associations of microbial species with body composition parameters and biomarkers of obesity in human subjects participating in a weight loss program. The probiotic component of the synbiotic used in the study contained Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum and the prebiotic component was a galactooligosaccharide mixture. The results showed no statistically significant differences in body composition (body mass, BMI, body fat mass, body fat percentage, body lean mass, and bone mineral content) between the placebo and synbiotic groups at the end of the clinical trial (3-month intervention, 20 human subjects participating in weight loss intervention based on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, reduced energy diet). Synbiotic supplementation increased the abundance of gut bacteria associated with positive health effects, especially Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and it also appeared to increase the gut microbiota richness. A decreasing trend in the gut microbiota diversity in the placebo and synbiotic groups was observed at the end of trial, which may imply the effect of the high-protein low-carbohydrate diet used in the weight loss program. Regression analysis performed to correlate abundance of species following supplementation with body composition parameters and biomarkers of obesity found an association between a decrease over time in blood glucose and an increase in Lactobacillus abundance, particularly in the synbiotic group. However, the decrease over time in body mass, BMI, waist circumstance, and body fat mass was associated with a decrease in Bifidobacterium abundance. The results obtained support the conclusion that synbiotic supplement used in this clinical trial modulates human gut microbiota by increasing abundance of potentially beneficial microbial species.

Structural Identity of Galactooligosaccharide Molecules Selectively Utilized by Single Cultures of Probiotic Bacterial Strains.

Various β-galactosidase enzymes catalyze the trans-glycosylation reaction with lactose. The resulting galactooligosaccharide (GOS) mixtures are widely used in infant nutrition to stimulate growth of beneficial gut bacteria. GOS consists mainly of compounds with a degree of polymerization (DP) varying from 2–8 and with diverse glycosidic linkages. In recent years, we have elucidated in detail the composition of several commercial GOS mixtures in terms of DP and the structural identity of the individual compounds. In this work, 13 (single) probiotic strains of gut bacteria, belonging to 11 different species, were grown to stationary phase with a Vivinal GOS-derived sample purified to remove lactose and monosaccharides (pGOS). Growth among the probiotic strains varied strongly between 30 and 100% of OD600nm relative to positive controls with glucose. By identifying the components of the pGOS mixture that remain after growth, we showed that strains varied in their consumption of specific GOS compounds. All strains commonly used most of the GOS DP2 pool. Lactobacillus salivarius W57 also utilized the DP3 branched compound β-d-Galp-(1 → 4)-[β-d-Galp-(1 → 2)]-d-Glc. Bifidobacterial strains tended to use GOS with higher DP and branching than lactobacilli; Bifidobacterium breve DSM 20091, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, and Bifidobacterium infantis DSM 20088 were exceptional in using 38, 36, and 35 compounds, respectively, out of the 40 different structures identified in pGOS. We correlated these bacterial GOS consumption profiles with their genomic information and were able to relate metabolic activity with the presence of genome-encoded transporters and carbohydrate-active enzymes. These detailed insights may support the design of synbiotic combinations pairing probiotic bacterial strains with GOS compounds that specifically stimulate their growth. Such synbiotic combinations may be of interest in food/feed and/or pharmacy/medicine applications.

Effect of the lactose hydrolysis on galacto-oligosaccharides mixtures subjected to nanofiltration: A detailed fractionation analysis

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are short oligosaccharides chains containing several galactoses and one terminal glucose. Raw GOS are mixtures containing oligosaccharides, unreacted lactose and monosaccharides; hence nanofiltration is an alternative for product purification. However, poor membrane selectivity towards separation of lactose from GOS is the main drawback. So, in order to improve the purification of enzymatically-produced GOS by nanofiltration, the incorporation of a previous lactose hydrolysis step, to convert the remaining lactose into monosaccharides, is proposed. The purification of raw and hydrolyzed raw GOS was evaluated using two nanofiltration polymeric membranes (Synder NFG and TriSep XN45) at different transmembrane pressures (8–30 bar) in a stirred dead-end cell. Results indicate that the incorporation of the lactose hydrolysis step allows increasing GOS retention and monosaccharides and lactose removal, improving GOS purification. Best operational conditions for hydrolyzed raw GOS nanofiltration were obtained with the TriSep XN45 membrane at 20 bar, 45 °C and 1500 rpm.

Fermentability of a Novel Galacto-Oligosaccharide Mixture by Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.

This study aimed to investigate the specific growth stimulation of certain desired intestinal bacteria by a novel galacto-oligosaccharide mixture, which was produced with a β-galactosidase from a potential probiotic Lactobacillus isolate that contained mainly oligosaccharides of β-1,3 and β-1,6 glycosidic linkages (termed Lb-GOS) using single-strain fermentations. The composition of this Lb-GOS mixture was 33.5% disaccharides, 60.5% trisaccharides, 4.8% tetrasaccharides, and 1.0% pentasaccharides with a negligible amount of monosaccharides, lactose, and lactobionic acid (0.3%). Eight Lactobacillus spp. strains and three Bifidobacterium spp. strains were used in single-strain fermentations to determine the fermentation activity scores of this Lb-GOS preparation compared to two commercially available prebiotic mixtures, 4′GOS-P and Vivinal GOS (V-GOS). The highest scores were obtained when L. reuteri Lb46 and the two Bifidobacterium strains, B. animalis subsp. lactis Bif1 and Bif3, were grown on these galacto-oligosaccharide mixtures. In addition, the Lb-GOS mixture was found to have higher fermentation activity scores; hence, it stimulated the growth of these probiotic strains more than 4′GOS-P and V-GOS, which may be attributed to the different glycosidic linkage types that are found in the Lb-GOS mixture compared to the other two commercial preparations. These findings suggested that the Lb-GOS mixture that is described in this work should be of interest for the formulations of new carbohydrate-based functional food ingredients.

The Effects of a Synbiotic Mixture of Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Bacillus Strains in Caspian Salmon, Salmo trutta caspius Fingerlings.

The effect of dietary supplementation with a synbiotic mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and Bacillus spp. was examined in Caspian salmon, Salmo trutta caspius (Kessler, 1877) fingerlings. Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet had significantly higher weight gain rate, protein efficiency ratio, and survival rate, as well as lower feed conversion ratio, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The serum protein, albumin, globulin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels of the fish fed with the synbiotic diet were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05), while the serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The activities of the innate immune response parameters, including lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were significantly higher in the Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). The gut microbiota of the Caspian salmon fed with the synbiotic diet contained significantly elevated total viable aerobic bacterial counts (TVABCs), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels, and LAB/TVABCs ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, the gut activities of amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the gut, as well as the trypsin/chymotrypsin ratio, were significantly increased in the fish that received the synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combined GOS and Bacillus spp. supplement positively affected the growth, survival rate, immunobiochemical parameters, digestive activity, and beneficial microbial density in the gut of Caspian salmon fingerlings.

Effects of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide on postoperative cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation through targeting of the gut-brain axis

BackgroundSurgery-induced neuroinflammation plays an important role in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Gut microbiota is a key regulator of neurological inflammation. Nurturing with prebiotics is an effective microbiota manipulation that can regulate host immunity and cognition. The aim of the present study was to test whether administration of the prebiotic Bimuno® (galactooligosaccharide (B-GOS) mixture) could ameliorate POCD and attenuate surgery-induced neuroinflammation through the microbiota-brain-axis.MethodsAdult rats undergoing abdominal surgery under isoflurane anesthesia were fed with water or prebiotic B-GOS supplementation (15 g/L) for 3 weeks. Novel objective recognition task was employed for testing cognitive changes on postoperative day three. Expression of microglial marker Iba-1 in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Expression levels of phenotypic gene markers of activated microglia (M1: iNOS, CD68, CD32; M2: Ym1, CD206, and SOCS3) in hippocampus were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Feces were collected for microbial community analysis.ResultsRats exhibited an impairment in novel objective recognition 3 days after surgery compared with control rats (P < .01). In the hippocampus, expressions of Iba-1 and M1 markers of surgical rats were significantly upregulated. Similarly, expressions of SOCS3 and CD206 in the hippocampus were upregulated. Additionally, increasing levels of IL-6 and IL-4 were evident in the hippocampus. Administration of B-GOS significantly alleviated cognitive decline induced by surgery (P < .01). B-GOS-fed rats showed a significantly downregulated activation of microglia and expressions of M1-related genes and SOCS3 and IL-6. While there was no significant difference in expressions of CD206 and Ym1 and IL-4 between the surgical and B-GOS groups. Analysis of gut microbiome found that administration of B-GOS induced a significant change beta diversity of the gut microbiome and proliferation of Bifidobacterium and other potentially anti-inflammatory microbes.ConclusionsAdministration of B-GOS has a beneficial effect on regulating neuroinflammatory and cognitive impairment in a rat model of abdominal surgery and was associated with the manipulation of gut microbiota.

Effect of a prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS®) on gastrointestinal symptoms in adults selected from a general population who suffer with bloating, abdominal pain, or flatulence.

Prebiotics exert beneficial effects upon gastrointestinal (GI) environment, but this is not always accompanied with a positive effect on GI symptoms. B-GOS® is a prebiotic with high selectivity toward bifidobacteria and a variety of other beneficial effects in humans. Here, we investigated its effect on GI symptoms in adults who suffer with bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 83 subjects from the general population who presented with GI symptoms during screening period and had a predicted probability of functional bowel disorder of more than 75% were randomized to receive either a placebo or the B-GOS® treatment (2.75g/d). Subjects were screened for the presence of GI symptoms for 1 week, they consumed the treatments for 2 weeks, and then went through a 2-week washout period, before switching to the other treatment for the final 2 weeks. GI symptoms, bowel movements, and stool consistency were assessed in daily and weekly questionnaires. Quality of life was assessed weekly and depression and anxiety at the end of each treatment period. B-GOS® resulted in significantly (P<0.001) lower scores for bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain both from baseline and placebo at the end of first week. The effect was sustained at the end of second week. It had no effect on the number of bowel movements, consistency of stools, quality of life, or mood throughout the study. Results suggest that B-GOS® could possibly be used in the management of bloating, flatulence, or abdominal pain and warrant further investigation.

Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides Can Suppress Basophil Degranulation in Whole Blood of Peanut-Allergic Patients.

Dietary non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have a protective effect against allergic manifestations in children at risk. Dietary intervention with NDOs promotes the colonization of beneficial bacteria in the gut and enhances serum galectin-9 levels in mice and atopic children. Next to this, NDOs also directly affect immune cells and low amounts may reach the blood. We investigated whether pre-incubation of whole blood from peanut-allergic patients with NDOs or galectin-9 can affect basophil degranulation. Heparinized blood samples from 15 peanut-allergic adult patients were pre-incubated with a mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS), scFOS/lcFOS, or galectin-9 (1 or 5 µg/mL) at 37°C in the presence of IL-3 (0.75 ng/mL). After 2, 6, or 24 h, a basophil activation test was performed. Expression of FcεRI on basophils, plasma cytokine, and chemokine concentrations before degranulation were determined after 24 h. Pre-incubation with scGOS/lcFOS, scFOS/lcFOS, or galectin-9 reduced anti-IgE-mediated basophil degranulation. scFOS/lcFOS or 5 µg/mL galectin-9 also decreased peanut-specific basophil degranulation by approximately 20%, mainly in whole blood from female patients. Inhibitory effects were not related to diminished FcεRI expression on basophils. Galectin-9 was increased in plasma after pre-incubation with scGOS/lcFOS, and both NDOs and 5 µg/mL galectin-9 increased MCP-1 production. The prebiotic mixture scFOS/lcFOS and galectin-9 can contribute to decreased degranulation of basophils in vitro in peanut-allergic patients. The exact mechanism needs to be elucidated, but these NDOs might be useful in reducing allergic symptoms.

Effect of galacto-oligosaccharide purity on water sorption and plasticization behavior

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) can be produced with different purity levels that were hypothesized to alter water uptake and overall stability. Two purity GOS levels (55% and 90%) in commercially available mixtures were analyzed. Water was found to plasticize GOS (more effectively in the 55% compared to 90% GOS mixture), decreasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) causing the caking of powders and collapse of the amorphous structure. The critical aw for the 55% GOS mixture was between aw 0.23 and 0.33, corresponding to 3.7 and 5.9% moisture, and for the 90% GOS the critical aw was between aw 0.43 and 0.58, corresponding to 9.7 and 13.0% moisture. Differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves demonstrated that water was more homogenous and difficult to remove as the Tg of GOS fell below storage temperature. DTG trends suggest that this analysis may be used to predict Tg of GOS mixtures, which is influenced by GOS purity level.

Stability of Oligosaccharides Derived from Lactose and Lactulose regarding Rheological and Thermal Properties

Prebiotic carbohydrates derived from lactulose (OsLu) are appealing ingredients that provide beneficial effects following their fermentation by the gut microbiota; however, more investigation is needed to evaluate their technological properties and applicability as a functional food ingredient in the market. In this paper, a comparative study on the rheological and thermal behavior of OsLu and a commercial mixture of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) was carried out. In both cases, there was a strong influence of temperature and shear rate on viscosity. Viscosity of OsLu was higher than that of commercial GOS and variations and rheopexy cycles were also higher for OsLu. The exponential increase of viscosity associated with the structural changes took place later in OsLu than in commercial GOS, suggesting more stability to the shear over time in the former. More stability of OsLu was also observed in the study of the effect of temperature on viscosity. In addition, the thermal study indicated different behavior of both prebiotics under the assayed conditions, showing that OsLu have lower values of glass transition temperature (Tg) than commercial GOS and that commercial GOS are more sensible against humidity. The results here obtained provide important information on the treatment and storage conditions of these prebiotic ingredients during the elaboration of functional foods.

Evaluation of Three Doses of Dietary Sialyllactose on Growth and Intestinal Development in the Neonatal Piglet

Oligosaccharides are the third most abundant component in human milk and modulate neonate microbiota, gut and immune development. This study investigated potential dose‐dependent effects of sialyllactose (Lacprodan SAL‐10®, SL) on growth and gut development of neonatal piglets. Beginning at 2 d of age, 38 vaginally‐derived male piglets (mean body weight (BW) 1.64 ± 0.04 kg) were randomized to diets formulated to contain: control (CONT) [0 mg SL/L milk replacer], low (LOW) [130 mg SL/L], moderate (MOD) [380 mg SL/L], and high (HIGH) [760 mg SL/L]. Diets contained 4 g/L of a 1:1 mixture of polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides. Diets were prepared at 20% (wt/vol) and piglets received 285 mL and 325 mL per kg BW on d2–5 and 5–33, respectively. On d32 or 33, piglets were euthanized and samples were collected. Outcomes were analyzed using a one‐way ANOVA; significance was set at p ≤ 0.05 and trends at 0.05 &lt; p &lt; 0.10. Dietary SL was well tolerated regardless of dose and growth patterns were similar among the groups. Weight gain between d2 and 33 did not differ among the groups and the average gain was 4.23 ± 0.29 kg (CONT: 4.19 kg ± 0.42; LOW: 4.08 kg ± 0.64; MOD: 4.43 kg ± 0.69; HIGH: 4.22 kg ± 0.68). Similarly, intestinal length and weight, villus and crypt morphology in the small and large intestine and the number of acidic sulfated mucin‐secreting goblet cells did not differ among the groups. Short‐chain and branched‐chain fatty acid profiles in colonic contents were similar between all four groups. No differences in complete blood counts were observed and serum clinical chemistry values were similar (minerals, electrolytes, protein, enzymes, kidney function, liver function and acid:base balance and prothrombin time), except for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and glutathione dehydrogenase (GLDH). APTT (seconds) in HIGH (12.6 ± 0.5) was lower (p&lt;0.02) than CONT (14.1 ± 0.2), LOW (13.8 ± 0.4) and MOD (13.6 ± 0.2). GLDH (U/L) in CONT (0.9 ± 0.1) was lower (p&lt;0.02) than LOW (1.3 ± 0.1) and MOD (1.5 ± 0.2) and tended (p&lt;0.09) to be lower than HIGH (1.2 ± 0.08). Due to the low magnitude of differences and lack of a clear dose response, the differences in aPTT were not clinically significant. In addition to a lack of dose‐response in our study, normal values for other liver enzymes suggest that slightly higher GLDH values are also unlikely of clinical significance. In conclusion, dietary SL at up to 760 mg/L was well tolerated and supported similar growth and intestinal development as the CONT formula in neonatal piglets.Support or Funding InformationMead Johnson Nutrition