Prebiotic Supplementation Research Articles

Prebiotics improve parameters indicative of allergy-induced asthma in murines: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The prevalence of allergic asthma is increasing worldwide and it is important that new treatments are implemented. This study aimed to thoroughly investigate the effect of prebiotics on parameters indicative of allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA), house dust mites (HDM) and OVA + lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The review was registered in the Open Science Framework (registration ID: osf.io/du4ab). PRISMA and web-app Rayyan were used as tools for the selection of studies collected in seven databases: PubMed; ScienceDirect; Web of Science; Scielo; Scopus; EMBASE; and Google Scholar with the use of predetermined keywords and Medical Subject Heading terms of the National Library of Medicine. Eight studies involving 182 mice and rats were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed a significant reduction in the total number of inflammatory cells and in the isolated number of inflammatory cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils (P < 0.05). The results also revealed a significant decrease in the concentration of interleukins 13 and 33 in lung tissue. The present study demonstrated that prebiotic supplementation in the diet of rats and mice, as preclinical models, mitigates indicative parameters, inflammatory cells and interleukins, of allergic asthma induced by OVA, HDM or OVA + LPS. These beneficial results encourage randomized clinical trials to be carried out aiming at the prevention/treatment of allergic asthma. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Diet, nutraceuticals, and lifestyle interventions for the treatment and management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder of the gut-brain interaction and causes significant GI distress. The etiology of IBS is multifactorial, with food intolerances being a frequent contributing factor to IBS symptoms. Diet and lifestyle interventions are key components in comprehensive IBS care. In this review, we examine the current evidence-based dietary approaches for treating IBS. The low-FODMAP diet has the most robust data for improving overall symptom burden. In conjunction with guidance from a registered dietitian, certain patients may benefit from targeted dietary elimination of specific carbohydrates such as lactose or fructose or gluten. Among the nutraceuticals used to treat IBS, peppermint oil has sufficient evidence and appropriate safety data to recommend adjunctive use to reduce IBS symptoms. Although prebiotic and probiotic food sources may be beneficial to the microbiome, there is not enough evidence to support the routine use of prebiotic or probiotic supplements. Given the complexity of IBS, a holistic approach in which clinicians address a patients' diet, culture, sleep hygiene, exercise habits, and mental health may improve patients' overall quality of life.

The Impact of Alcohol on the Gut Microbiota: A literature review

Introduction and PurposeThe gut microbiota plays a key role in maintaining the body's homeostasis, influencing metabolic, immunological, and neurological processes. Alcohol consumption, particularly in excessive amounts, disrupts the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota, leading to dysbiosis. This article explores the mechanisms by which alcohol affects the gut microbiota and its consequences for overall health. Additionally, it discusses potential therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating these negative effects. State of KnowledgeChronic alcohol consumption results in a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while pathogenic microorganisms increase, which weakens the intestinal barrier and increases inflammatory reactions. Alcohol affects the microbiota through cytotoxic mechanisms, changes in intestinal pH, modulation of the immune system and effects on bacterial metabolism and the gut-brain axis. Alcohol-related gut dysbiosis contributes to the development of a number of conditions, including alcoholic liver disease, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and increased cancer risk ConclusionUnderstanding the impact of alcohol on the gut microbiota is essential for preventing and managing its negative health consequences. Therapeutic approaches such as probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, a fiber-rich diet, and gut microbiota transplantation may help rebalance the gut microbiota and reduce negative effects of alcohol consumption.

The Role of Prebiotic and Herbal Supplementation in Enhancing Welfare and Resilience of Kenguri Sheep Subjected to Transportation Stress

A study was conducted to assess the efficacy of prebiotic and herbal supplements to relieve transportation stress based on changes in physiological, hematological, and molecular responses in Kenguri sheep. Thirty healthy female sheep were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (CKS) with no supplementation, a prebiotic supplementation group (PKS), and an herbal supplementation group (HKS). The animals were transported 230 km over seven hours during summer conditions, with temperatures ranging from 32.5 °C to 34.9 °C. The groups that received the prebiotic (75.6 breaths/min; 64.8 beats/min) and herbal supplementation (31.0 breaths/min; 66.8 beats/min) had a significantly reduced respiration rate (RR) and pulse rate (PR) compared to those of the control group (38.7 breaths/min; 75.6 beats/min) (p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.05, respectively), indicating improved physiological stability. The hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) levels were also significantly lower in the PKS (24.2 g/dL; 24.8%) and HKS (24.7 g/dL; 24.5%) groups than in the CKS (28.1 g/dL; 24.9%) (p &lt; 0.05), highlighting the mitigation of hematological stress. Further, the plasma glucose level was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.01) in the HKS group (80.0 mg/dL) compared to the CKS group (63.5 mg/dL). However, rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST), red blood cells (RBCs), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and white blood cells (WBCs) showed no significant differences among the groups. These findings demonstrate that prebiotic and herbal supplementation can effectively reduce transportation-induced stress in Kenguri sheep, offering a practical strategy to improve the welfare and resilience of livestock under challenging environmental conditions.

Effects of Prebiotics and a Synthetic Microbiome Consortium on the Composition and Metabolites of the Elderly Gut Microbiota In Vitro.

A 24 h artificial colon fermentation was performed to assess the effects of a prebiotic MIX and synthetic consortium (S7) on gut microbiota composition and microbial metabolite production in clinically stratified older adults (healthy and frail). Treatments included supplementation of the donor microbiota with a synthetic microbial consortium (S7), a prebiotic mix (MIX), and a combination of MIX and S7 (MIX+S7). The S7 treatment decreased the alpha diversity of long-stay-dwelling donor (LS, "frail") microbiota and increased the relative abundance of S7 taxa at 16 h. MIX alone caused the enrichment of reportedly beneficial genera such as Coprobacillus and Eubacterium in community-dwelling donor (CM, "healthy") microbiota and Citrobacter and Faecalibacterium in LS microbiota. The MIX+S7 treatment sustained higher overall S7 species richness and consortium taxon abundance at 24 h. Both MIX and MIX+S7 treatments enhanced short-chain acid production compared to control. These findings highlight the differential responses of microbiota from distinct elderly health strata to prebiotic and microbial consortia supplementation.

Prebiotics and Probiotics Supplementation in Pigs as a Model for Human Gut Health and Disease

Animal models are an essential part of translational research for the purpose of improving human health. The pig is a potential human research model that can be used to assess the effects of dietary interventions, pathologies, and drugs on gut health and the microbiome, due to its anatomical and physiological similarity to humans. It is recognised that a healthy gut is closely linked to the prevention of several chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal inflammation, as well as neurological and cardiovascular diseases. The use of prebiotics and probiotics plays an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive system, which is responsible for modulating all other body functions. The present review focuses on the applications of prebiotics and probiotics in the pig as an animal model in healthy and diseased conditions, in order to highlight the efficacy of these molecules in the perspective of human health outcomes. The data support the use of prebiotics to improve intestinal health in both healthy and diseased states. In addition, the use of human microbiota-associated (HMA) gnotobiotic pigs provided a good model to study the intestinal and systemic immune response and microbiota composition following probiotic supplementation after a vaccine or virus challenge.

Efficacy of probiotics in patients with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To conduct an in-depth exploration of the specific impacts of probiotics and prebiotic supplements on cognitive impairment, it is imperative to also investigate pertinent factors, including the optimal dosage of probiotics for enhancing cognitive function. This investigation is essential for optimizing probiotic interventions to prevent and treat cognitive decline, aimed at preventing and aiding in the treatment of cognitive decline among patients with cognitive impairment. A comprehensive computerized search was conducted across the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang and WeiPu Data. Studies targeting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. This search covered a timeframe extending from the inception of each database to September 2024. Following an independent process of literature screening, data extraction, and rigorous quality assessment conducted by two investigators, a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 software. A total of ten studies, involving 778 patients, were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that probiotics were effective in enhancing cognitive function among patients with cognitive impairment, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.98; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis further demonstrated that the largest effect size was observed for studies utilizing the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale as the outcome measure (SMD = 0.88). Additionally, the greatest efficacy was associated with single-strain probiotics (SMD = 0.81), and interventions lasting ≤12 weeks exhibited the most pronounced effect (SMD = 0.61). Probiotics have been shown to enhance cognitive function, with a probiotic intervention program featuring a single probiotic strain and a duration of ≤12 weeks demonstrating particularly robust efficacy in improving cognitive function, as assessed by the MMSE scale.

Effect of prebiotics on growth metrics in infants: A GRADE approach systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Effect of prebiotics on growth metrics in infants: A GRADE approach systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Probiotic, Prebiotic, and Synbiotic Supplementation for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Otitis Media: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aim: Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been documented to modulate the microbiota, enhance immunity, and reduce antibiotic resistance, making them a promising alternative in the management of acute otitis media (AOM). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine their effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of AOM in patients. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted using Science Direct, PubMed, LILACS, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Clinical Trials, following PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Jadad scale, and the meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4® and Jamovi 2.3.28®. Results: A total of 16 trials with 4034 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that the intervention did not affect the time to AOM presentation (MD: −7.98; 95% CI: −19.74 to 3.78; p = 0.18), the recurrence of the disease (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.74–1.33; p = 0.96), or the requirement for antibiotics (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.84; p = 0.13); however, it was associated with a reduced probability of developing AOM (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.96; p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis suggests that the effect of probiotic supplementation on AOM incidence is influenced by treatment duration, patient age, and the number of probiotic strains in the product. Conclusions: Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of AOM in children, although no significant impact was observed on other key clinical parameters. These interventions may be considered as a complementary strategy to conventional treatments; however, further high-quality, standardized trials are needed to confirm these findings and to define optimal protocols.

Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharide and Xylo-Oligosaccharide Feeds in Pig Production: Microbiota Manipulation, Pathogen Suppression, Gut Architecture and Immunomodulatory Effects

Gastrointestinal health is critical to the productivity and welfare of pigs. The transition from milk to plant-based feeds represents an intestinal challenge at wean that can result in dysbiosis and pathogen susceptibility. Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates that can reach the hind gut to promote gut health, either by enhancing the abundance of beneficial members of the intestinal microbiota or via direct interaction with the gut epithelium. Amongst the changes in the intestinal microbiota, GOS and XOS promote populations of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria of the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. SCFAs benefit the host by providing nutritional support for the gut, enhance intestinal barrier function and regulate inflammatory responses. By modifying the indigenous microbiota, prebiotics offer a sustainable alternative to the use of antimicrobial growth promoters that have led to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and represent a growing threat to public health. This review examines microbial and cellular mechanisms whereby prebiotic feed supplements can support the development of a diverse and robust microbiota associated with a healthy and productive digestive system over the lifetime of the animal, and which is in sharp contrast to the development of dysbiosis often associated with existing antimicrobial treatments. The application of prebiotic feed supplements should be tailored to their modes of action and the developmental challenges in production, such as the provision of GOS to late gestational sows, GOS and XOS to pre-weaning piglets and GOS and XOS to growing/fattening pigs.

A Mushroom Based Prebiotic Supplement Pilot Study Among Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Data on a mushroom based prebiotic supplementation in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in western population is scarce. In this pilot trial, we aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and fecal microbial compositional and functional alterations associated with ‘Mycodigest,’ a commercial prebiotic supplement composed of three mushroom extracts. Patients with mild to moderate CD were recruited to a single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot induction trial. Clinical efficacy using the Harvey-Bradshaw index and biochemical response using C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin were assessed at week 8 post-intervention. Fecal samples were assessed by DNA shotgun metagenomic sequencing. A multivariable linear mixed effects model was used to assess alteration in fecal microbiome composition and function pre- and post-’Mycodigest’ intervention. Clinical response was higher in the ‘Mycodigest’ intervention (N = 10) compared to the placebo (N = 6) group (80 vs. 16.7%, respectively, p = 0.035). There were no differences in terms of biochemical response within each group pre- and post-intervention. Post-’Mycodigest’ intervention, 25 species were found to be differentially abundant compared to baseline, including increase in short chain fatty acid producing bacteria, such as Parabacteroides distasonis (Beta coefficient 0.92, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.36–1.47) and Faecalimonas umbilicata (Beta coefficient 0.57, 95% CI 0.23–0.90). Two microbial pathways related to the metabolism of isoprenoid compounds were increased post-’Mycodigest’ intervention. Mushroom based prebiotic supplementation in subjects with CD resulted in clinical improvement which may be related to post-intervention favorable compositional and functional microbial alterations.

The Effects of Prebiotic, Probiotic and Synbiotic Supplementation on The Performance, Small Intestinal Morphometry, and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chicken

This study aimed to investigate the effects of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation on the performance, small Intestinal morphometry, and carcass traits of broiler chicken. A 160 one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicken was used and arranged as a completely randomized design of 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 10 chicken each. Supplementation was through drinking water along the experiment (28 d): P0=control, P1= prebiotic inulin, P2= commercial probiotic and P3= synbiotic mix prebiotic + probiotic and used according to the dosage of prebiotic and probiotic. One brand of commercial feed was provided, and consisted of three rearing phases was used throughout the study, and as such drinking water was provided unlimited. The parameters measured are daily feed, water intakes and weight gain. The digestibility, Gross morphometric indices of small intestine are measures of the length/weight ratio of individual segment, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and carcass traits were measured at the end day of the experiment on 3 chicken samples (lightest, average, and heaviest) of each treatment unit. The research parameters, namely feed and water intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, performance index, digestibility on crude protein intake, crude protein in feces, crude fiber in feces, crude protein and crude fiber, small intestine morphometry the length/weight ratio of individual segment, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and carcass traits are indicated as carcass percentage and carcass density. The effects of prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic supplementations on parameters feed and water intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, performance index, digestibility, small intestine morphometry and Carcass traits were significantly affected on synbiotic supplementation compared to prebiotic, probiotic and control. The responses of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio are also indicated as the Performance Index of the supplementation synbiotic, and the synbiotic chicken group appeared a better improve performance compared to the other groups. In conclusion, synbiotic supplementation showed a better beneficial synergistic supplementation compared with those of prebiotic or probiotic supplementation separately on production performance, feed utilization efficiency, carcass traits and index performance of broiler chicken and synbiotic can significantly reduce feed use as assessed by feed conversion. Keywords: Broiler chicken, natural growth promotors supplementation, performance index, small intestinal morphometry, carcass traits.

Effect of prebiotic, synbiotic and phytobiotic supplements on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of lambs

Effect of prebiotic, synbiotic and phytobiotic supplements on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of lambs

Effects of Dietary Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Synbiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Digestive Enzymes and Some Biochemical Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Effects of Dietary Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Synbiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Digestive Enzymes and Some Biochemical Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Early-life gut microbiome development and its potential long-term impact on health outcomes

The initial gut colonization of the infant plays a pivotal role in shaping the immune system, developing the intestinal tract, and influencing host metabolism, all of which are strongly influenced by several determinants, such as gestational age at birth, mode of delivery, neonatal feeding practices, early-life stress (ELS), and exposure to perinatal antibiotics. However, resulting gut microbiome (GM) dysbiosis may alter this developmental programming, leading to long-term adverse health outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on early-life GM development and its long-term impact on health. Specifically, it addresses how early-life GM dysbiosis may affect the trajectory of physiological processes, predisposing individuals to conditions such as allergic diseases, metabolic disorders, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disorders, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In addition, it examines the influence of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early life in shaping infant GM composition, as well as the impact of ELS-induced GM dysbiosis on mental health. Recent research suggests that the early-life microbiota initiates long-lasting effects, and inadequate or insufficient microbial exposure triggers inflammatory responses associated with several physiological conditions. Although several studies have reported a connection between ELS and the GM during both prenatal and postnatal periods, a unified microbiome signature linked to either prenatal or postnatal stress remains to be fully elucidated. Thus, future studies are needed to establish causality and determine whether modifiable factors affecting the GM could be targeted to improve gut health, especially in children exposed to contextual stress or adverse conditions.

Effects of Dairy Matrix on the Intestinal, Liver, and Bone Transcriptome of Healthy Rats

Fermentation is one of the oldest food processing techniques and is widely utilized in dairy product processing, during which nutrient availability and bioactive compounds are altered. However, the complete mode of action by which fermented dairy exerts beneficial effects on the host remains unknown. The present study investigated the effect of milk and yogurt ingestion alone or combined with prebiotic inulin on the transcriptome of colonic mucosa, liver, and femur in healthy rats. Young growing male rats were fed one of four experimental diets containing (1) skimmed milk, (2) skimmed milk supplemented with inulin (5% w/w), (3) yogurt, or (4) yogurt supplemented with inulin (5% w/w) for 6 weeks. Microarray results revealed that yogurt consumption resulted in 2195 upregulated differential expressed genes (DEGs) and 1474 downregulated DEGs in colonic mucosa as compared with milk consumption. According to Gene Ontology (GO) categories and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, tight junction-, immune system-related pathways in the colonic mucosa and metabolic pathways in the liver were enriched with yogurt consumption. No evident differences were identified in the bone transcriptome between the diet groups. In conclusion, the study found that the intake of fermented dairy exerts more pronounced effects on gene expression in the intestinal tissue than prebiotics supplementation.

Effects of combined prebiotic fiber supplementation and weight loss counseling in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Our aim was to examine the effects of combined prebiotic fiber supplementation and weight loss counseling on liver fat, body composition, subjective appetite, serum metabolomics, and intestinal microbiota in adults with MASLD. In a double blind, placebo-controlled trial, adult participants aged 18-70years old with MASLD were randomized to receive prebiotic (oligofructose-enriched inulin, 16g/day; n = 22) or isocaloric placebo (maltodextrin; n = 20) for 24weeks alongside weight loss counseling from a registered dietitian. Primary outcomes were change in intrahepatic fat % (IHF%) and hepatic injury from baseline to 24weeks. Secondary outcomes included body composition, subjective appetite, serum lipids and cytokines, fecal microbiota, and serum metabolomics. At baseline, participants had IHF of 14.4 ± 8.4%. The change in IHF from baseline to 24weeks did not differ between prebiotic and placebo. Prebiotic participants had a greater decrease (p = 0.029) in percent trunk fat compared to placebo. Compared to placebo, prebiotic significantly decreased desire to eat and hunger ratings over the course of the intervention. Fecal microbiota analysis showed a significant increase in Bifidobacterium abundance with prebiotic. A pathway analysis based on untargeted serum metabolomics revealed a downregulation of taurine and hypotaurine metabolism in the placebo group which was conserved in the prebiotic group. Adding prebiotic fiber supplementation to weight loss counseling for adults with MASLD enhanced reductions in trunk fat and had a beneficial effect on subjective appetite compared to placebo. Improvements in fecal microbial profile and taurine metabolism revealed specific beneficial effects of prebiotics in the management of MASLD. Clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02568605.

Association between Probiotic, Prebiotic, Synbiotics and Yogurt Supplements and diabetic kidney disease: The NHANES 2007-2016.

Association between Probiotic, Prebiotic, Synbiotics and Yogurt Supplements and diabetic kidney disease: The NHANES 2007-2016.

Enhancement of vitamin B12 in plant-based food through microbial fermentation-a sustainable food system.

Enhancement of vitamin B12 in plant-based food through microbial fermentation-a sustainable food system.

Association of dietary live microbe intake with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in an older population: Evidence from NHANES 2003-2018.

Association of dietary live microbe intake with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in an older population: Evidence from NHANES 2003-2018.