Benefits Of Probiotics Research Articles

Randomized controlled trial to study the safety and efficacy of probiotics supplementation in addition to the standard treatment in novel coronavirus (SARS‑CoV‑2) positive patients

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection spread at a catastrophic rate, rapidly becoming a pandemic. Apart from the symptoms related to viral infection, a few patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms. There was initial evidence of intestinal microbial dysbiosis in COVID-19 cases, and a few international studies showed the benefits of probiotics in reducing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and favorably altering the course of COVID-19 disease. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to investigate if probiotics show any beneficial effects on COVID-19 disease in Indian patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, open-label study was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplements added to the existing standard treatment in patients with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 and compared them with the control group. Ninety patients were included in this study and were observed on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 10, day 14, and day of discharge for progression or recovery. Patients were monitored for symptom progression, the need for oxygen therapy, ventilation needs, etc. Results: There was no significant difference in the parameters at baseline in either of the groups. Cough was significantly less in group A (the standard control group) compared to group B (the probiotic group) only on day 5. No significant difference in the number of patients with coughs was seen on the other days. Other important parameters were not significantly different on any day of observation. Conclusion: The study results do not support the use of probiotics for the treatment of GI symptoms related to COVID19 and do not alter the course of COVID-19 disease or symptoms so as to be used as adjunct therapy for COVID-19 patients.

The effect of jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) starch on the properties and probiotic potential of L. plantarum SN13T fermented milk.

This study investigated the application of Jicama starch (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) as a stabilizing agent to enhance the longevity and integrity of fermented milk. Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T (6 gm/100 ml) and Jicama starch (2 gm/100 ml) were added into pasteurized milk (65°C, 30 min) and then incubated under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 18 h. The fermented milk was stored at 4°C. The evaluation on proximate composition, pH, titratable acidity (TA), viscosity, water holding capacity (WHC), syneresis, total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and hedonic sensory evaluation was conducted at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of storage. Throughout the storage period, fermented milk enriched with Jicama starch significantly (p < 0.05) increased pH, TA, population dynamics of LAB, viscosity, WHC, and syneresis. It effectively sustained WHC and mitigated syneresis, thus ensuring the preservation of vital product quality. Furthermore, the quantity of LAB within the fermented milk consistently met the probiotic threshold of 84.50 × 108 CFU/ml. The hedonic sensory evaluation results indicated that fermented milk showed consistent sensory attributes throughout storage, except for overall acceptance, which declined on day 28. The addition of Jicama starch revealed a promising health probiotic product, presenting a viable avenue for delivering probiotic benefits to consumers while maintaining the palatability and efficacy of the product.

Assessing the microbial diversity and proximate composition of smoked-fermented bushmeat from four different bushmeat samples.

The ever-increasing demand for wildlife-derived raw or processed meat commonly known as bushmeat, has been identified as one of the critical factors driving the emergence of infectious diseases. This study focused on examining the bacterial community composition of smoked and fermented bushmeats, specifically grasscutter, rat, rabbit, and mona monkey. The analysis involved exploring 16Sr RNA amplicon sequences isolated from bushmeat using QIIME2. Microbiome profiles and their correlation with proximate components (PLS regression) were computed in STAMP and XLSTAT, respectively. Results indicate the predominance of Firmicutes (70.9%), Actinobacteria (18.58%), and Proteobacteria (9.12%) in bushmeat samples at the phylum level. Staphylococcus, Arthrobacter, Macrococcus, and Proteus constituted the core microbiomes in bushmeat samples, ranked in descending order. Notably, significant differences were observed between the bacterial communities of bushmeat obtained from omnivores and herbivores (rat and mona monkey, and grasscutter and mona monkey), as well as those with similar feeding habits (rat and monkey, and grasscutter and rabbit) at the family and genus levels. Each type of bushmeat possessed unique microbial diversity, with some proximate components such as fat in rat samples correlating with Staphylococcus, while proteins in Mona monkey correlated with Arthrobacter and Brevibacterium, respectively. The study underscores public health concerns and highlights probiotic benefits, as bushmeat samples contained both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, future research efforts could focus on improving bushmeat quality.

Probiotics

In the last two decades probiotics have become popular and a trend among healthy individuals which enhances their health. Recently probiotics are incorporated into various products in the market specifically diary products which are fermented. These probiotics are being studied and promoted for their use in enhancing human health. There is strong scientific evidence to support the benefits of probiotics. This paper is a literature focusing on the benefits of probiotics.

Efficacy and safety of oral probiotic supplementation in mitigating postoperative surgical site infections in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose significant risks to patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. With increasing evidence on the benefits of oral probiotics in various clinical contexts, there is a need to assess their efficacy and safety in reducing SSIs following CRC surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines using the PICO framework. On 19 September 2023, four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) were searched without any temporal or language restrictions. Rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were employed. Data extraction was independently undertaken by two assessors, and any discrepancies were discussed. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias instrument was utilized to assess study quality. The meta-analysis incorporated a fixed-effects model or random-effects model based on the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity. The initial search yielded 1282 articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Probiotic administration not only significantly reduced the incidence of SSIs but also curtailed the duration of hospital stays. Moreover, the subgroup analysis indicated that interventions employing multiple strains of probiotics were more effective in reducing postoperative infections than those utilizing a single strain. Probiotics effectively prevent postoperative infections and shorten hospital stays. Multi-strain probiotics outperform single strain in efficacy. Future studies should focus on their safety and optimal clinical use.

Use of Probiotics for Safe Quail Meat Production

Safe meat production is an important aspect to avoid human health hazards. The use of probiotics in poultry is an important tool to produce safe meat among several established biotechnological approaches. In this experiment, we studied the effects of probiotics for producing safe Japanese quail meat. 150 Japanese quail chicks were reared for a period of six weeks using various doses of probiotics (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water). The chicks were randomly distributed into five treatment groups with three replications each. The number of birds in each replication was 10. After rearing six weeks, significantly high body weight was found at probiotic concentrations of 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water. The feed intake in various treatments did not differ significantly, but comparatively better feed conversion ratios were observed at probiotic treatments. Water quality was not significantly differed as a result of addition of probiotics to the water. The reason for this better growth performance is probably due to the multiple benefits of probiotics in poultry. Probiotics could have maintained gut health with better nutrient utilization and availability that might have been led to higher body weight gain in the quail. In future experiments, challenging the birds with diseases or comparing probiotics with antibiotic growth promoters is required to ensure the efficiency of probiotics.

Efficacy of Probiotics Versus Tetracycline Fibers as Adjuvants to Scaling and Root Planing on Interleukin 1β Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Periodontitis: A Clinical and Biochemical Study.

Background Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is triggered by the plaque biofilm culminating in periodontal attachment loss, bone loss, and tooth loss. Diabetes, a globally prevalent disease, causes an increased inflammatory response to the microflora associated with periodontitis. It has been observed that the link between these two diseases is bidirectional. Tissue repair is impaired in diabetic patients with periodontitis. Local drug delivery systems selectively target the inflamed sites contrary to systemic antibiotics which lead to resistance and many other adverse effects.Probiotics aid in the growth of beneficial microorganisms and have immunomodulatory effects on the host. Tetracyclines have anti-collagenase properties and reduce the bacterial load, curbing the progression of periodontitis. Interleukin (IL) 1β, a strong marker of periodontal tissue destruction, plays a pivotal role in inflammation, immune regulation, and bone resorption in periodontitis. This study evaluated and compared the benefits of probiotics and tetracycline fibers when used as adjunctive tools after scaling and root planing (SRP) on IL1β levels in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis. Methodology A total of 36 patients participated in this study. Group I included 12 patients with periodontitis and uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c levels >7). After SRP, six patients received tetracycline fibers (IA), and six patients received probiotics (1B) as locally delivered agents. Group II included 12 patients with periodontitis and diabetes under control (HbA1c levels 6-7%). After SRP, six patients received tetracycline fibers (IIA), and six patients received probiotics (IIB) as locally delivered drugs (test groups). Group III, the control group, included 12 patients with periodontitis only, wherein a placebo was used as a local drug delivery (LDD) after SRP. The clinical parameters, such as plaque index, gingival index, and probing pocket depth, were recorded preoperatively and at eight and 12 weeks after non-surgical periodontal therapy. IL1β levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and six weeks after SRP. Results On intra and intergroup comparison, all groups showed improvement in both the clinical and biochemical parameters but significant results were seen in Group IIA (p < 0.01) when compared to the other groups. Conclusions Group II (well-controlled diabetics) performed significantly better than the other groups, which was followed by Group III. The use of LDDs as adjunctive tools after SRP was not beneficial in Group I (uncontrolled diabetics).

A Review on the Protective Effects of Probiotics against Alzheimer's Disease.

This review summarizes the protective effects of probiotics against Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders affecting older adults. This disease is characterized by the deposition of tau and amyloid β peptide (Aβ) in different parts of the brain. Symptoms observed in patients with AD include struggles with writing, speech, memory, and knowledge. The gut microbiota reportedly plays an important role in brain functioning due to its bidirectional communication with the gut via the gut-brain axis. The emotional and cognitive centers in the brain are linked to the functions of the peripheral intestinal system via this gut-brain axis. Dysbiosis has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders, indicating the significance of gut homeostasis for proper brain function. Probiotics play an important role in protecting against the symptoms of AD as they restore gut-brain homeostasis to a great extent. This review summarizes the characteristics, status of gut-brain axis, and significance of gut microbiota in AD. Review and research articles related to the role of probiotics in the treatment of AD were searched in the PubMed database. Recent studies conducted using animal models were given preference. Recent clinical trials were searched for separately. Several studies conducted on animal and human models clearly explain the benefits of probiotics in improving cognition and memory in experimental subjects. Based on these studies, novel therapeutic approaches can be designed for the treatment of patients with AD.

Acute effects of the environmental probiotics Rhodobacter sphaeroides on intestinal bacteria and transcriptome in shrimp Penaeusvannamei

In recent years, a substantial number of studies have been dedicated to exploring the potential benefits of probiotics in aquaculture. Rhodobacter sphaeroides can be used in aquaculture-related environmental bioremediation, and its protein is also used as a feed additive in Penaeus vannamei culture. To investigate the effects of releasing R. sphaeroides as environmental probiotics on P. vannamei, we employed 16S rRNA gene and mRNA transcriptome sequencing. Our study focused on assessing alterations in intestinal bacteria and intestinal gene expression in P. vannamei, establishing correlations between them. Our findings revealed a significant increase in the relative abundances of Rhodobacter, Paracoccus, Sulfitobacter, and other bacterial OTUs within the intestinal bacterial community. Additionally, we observed enhanced complexity and stability in the intestinal bacterial correlation network, indicating improved synergy among bacteria and reduced competition. Moreover, the introduction of R. sphaeroides resulted in the down-regulation of certain immune genes and the up-regulation of genes linked to growth and metabolism in the intestinal tissues of P. vannamei. Importantly, we identified a noteworthy correlation between the changes in intestinal bacteria and these alterations in intestinal tissue gene expressions. By conducting analyses of the intestinal bacterial community and intestinal tissue transcriptome, this study revealed the effects of releasing R. sphaeroides as sediment probiotics in P. vannamei culture water. These results serve as vital scientific references for the application of R. sphaeroides in P. vannamei aquaculture.

Clinical research with probiotics as an indicator of global valorization since the year 2000.

Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential health benefits. With this rise in popularity and demand as indicated by ever-growing market prospects, it seems evident that innovation and valorization are on the rise as well. However, an increasing body of literature shows that innovation is stagnating, which may be detrimental to the exploitation of the benefits of probiotics, for example the development of alternative therapies to manage the increasing prevalence of metabolic and autoimmune disorders. To this end, this study investigated global clinical trials that have been executed since the year 2000 as a first indicator of the status of probiotic valorization. The cumulative number of clinical trials has indeed increased significantly from 0 at the start of the century up to 2,517 registered trials in 2023. However, in Asia, Europe, and North America, the continents with the highest numbers of clinical trials, stagnating or declining trends have been found. In these locations, most clinical trials were funded by non-industry sponsors and targeting probiotic supplements or undefined products. Considering the overall stagnation in clinical trials and viewing these trends in the context of developments in local markets and regulations, the global valorization of probiotics appears to slow down. This could impact the transition from academic research to the development of products that are beneficial and accessible for consumers, either to maintain a healthy lifestyle or to treat medical conditions.

Effect of Yogurt Ice Cream on the Viability and Antidiabetic Potential of the Probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis after In Vitro Digestion.

Probiotics can ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) via several mechanisms such as by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and increasing pancreatic β-cell functions. Another targeted mechanism for managing T2DM involves inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which exhibit antioxidant activity and affect carbohydrate metabolism by delaying carbohydrate digestion, thus mitigating glucose in the circulation. Dairy products are effective matrices for delivering probiotics through the gastrointestinal tract. We compared the viability and antioxidant activity of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis in yogurt ice cream after in vitro digestion and compared α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG had the highest viability after in vitro digestion (oral, gastric, and intestinal). Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG exhibited the highest percentages of α-glucosidase (16.37% ± 0.32%) and α-amylase (41.37% ± 0.61%) inhibition. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 showed the highest antioxidant activities via the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging method and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. These findings suggest that yogurt ice cream can provide a suitable matrix for the delivery of probiotics from dairy culture to promote intestinal homeostasis with probiotic benefits in the host as well as a potential functional food to help reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia.

Exploring the benefits of probiotics for constipation management in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exploring the benefits of probiotics for constipation management in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The evolutionary mechanism and function analysis of two subgroups of histamine-producing and non-histamine-producing Tetragenococcus halophilus

Tetragenococcus halophilus is a halophilic bacterium that existed in the fermentation of soy sauce and miso for flavor production and probiotic benefits. However, it is composed of two subgroups, histamine-producing and non-histamine-producing, with the former causing histamine accumulation and offering risks to food safety. Exploring the evolutionary mechanisms and physiological function of histamine-biosynthesis is of significance for understanding the formative mechanism of T. halophilus’s strain-specificity and is helpful for microbial control. Using systematic genomic analysis, we found that plasmid acquisition and loss is the evolutionary form resulting in the two subgroups of T. halophilus. Two plasmids, plasmid α with 30 kb and plasmid β with 4 kb existed in histamine-producing T. halophilus. We investigated the whole genetic information and proposed their genetic function in both two plasmids. The acquisition of histamine-producing plasmid enhanced the acid tolerance of histamine-producing T. halophilus but did not affect salt tolerance. More interestingly, we found that the existence of plasmid will promote the co-culture growth of T. halophilus. This study deepens our understanding of the formative mechanism of microbial species diversity, and provides our knowledge of the physiological function of histamine-producing plasmids.

Tapping the Potential of Probiotics: An Insight on Probiotic Delivery Systems, Their Quantification, and Assessment

Background: Dysbiosis of the microbiota and gastrointestinal dysfunction are common characteristics of gastrointestinal diseases. Probiotics can alter the gut microbiota and serve as biological agents for treating digestive disorders. Although probiotics show promise in treating gastrointestinal disorders, several obstacles could hinder their effectiveness. These include concerns about safety, stress resistance, quantifying post-colonization, and evaluation methods. Purpose: The aim of this review is to introduce the probiotic delivery methods and their mechanisms of action. It also described the functions of bacteriocins in providing probiotic strains with an advantage over competing treatments and the challenges associated with widespread deployment. It also evaluates current fluorescence-induced methods and numerous laboratory experiments involving living organisms’ models for quantifying probiotics in complex microbiomes and assessing probiotic delivery systems. Method: The approach includes a systematic analysis of recent developments in encapsulation technologies, delivery mechanisms, and innovative strategies for enhancing probiotic stability and functionality. Result: The review found that encapsulation technologies have significantly evolved, with microencapsulation and nanoparticle systems being the most effective in ensuring the survival of probiotics through the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion: Probiotics could be used in gastrointestinal illnesses more effectively as therapeutic agents. This review has shown that effective delivery systems are critical to ensuring the viability and functionality of probiotics throughout their journey from production to gastrointestinal colonization. In conclusion, while substantial strides have been made in probiotic delivery, quantification, and assessment, continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration are essential to fully harness the benefits of probiotics in healthcare.

Multi-function screening of probiotics to improve oral health and evaluating their efficacy in a rat periodontitis model.

The oral cavity is the second most microbially rich region of the human body, and many studies have shown that there is a strong association between microorganisms and oral health. Some pathogenic bacteria produce biofilms and harmful metabolites in the mouth that may cause oral problems such as oral malodor, periodontitis, and dental caries. Altering the oral microbiota by using probiotics may alleviate oral health problems. Thus, using multi-function screening, we aimed to identify probiotics that can significantly improve oral health. The main parameters were the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria growth, inhibition of biofilm formation, reduction in the production of indole, H2S, and NH3 metabolites that cause halitosis, increase in the production of H2O2 to combat harmful bacteria, and co-aggregation with pathogens to prevent their adhesion and colonization in the oral cavity. Tolerance to cholic acid and choline was also assessed. Bifidobacterium animalis ZK-77, Lactobacillus salivarius ZK-88, and Streptococcus salivarius ZK-102 had antibacterial activity and inhibited biofilm production to prevent caries. They also improved the oral malodor parameter, H2S, NH3, and indole production. The selected probiotics (especially L. salivarius ZK-88) alleviated the inflammation in the oral cavity of rats with periodontitis. The analysis of the gingival crevicular fluid microbiome after probiotic intervention showed that B. animalis ZK-77 likely helped to restore the oral microbiota and maintain the oral microecology. Next, we determined the best prebiotics for each candidate probiotic in order to obtain a formulation with improved effects. We then verified that a probiotics/prebiotic combination (B. animalis ZK-77, L. salivarius ZK-88, and fructooligosaccharides) significantly improved halitosis and teeth color in cats. Using whole-genome sequencing and acute toxicity mouse experiments involving the two probiotics, we found that neither probiotic had virulence genes and they had no significant effects on the growth or development of mice, indicating their safety. Taking the results together, B. animalis ZK-77 and L. salivarius ZK-88 can improve oral health, as verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. This study provides a reference for clinical research and also provides new evidence for the oral health benefits of probiotics.

Surface-exposed chaperonin 60 derived from Propionibacterium freudenreichii MJ2 inhibits adipogenesis by decreasing the expression of C/EBPα/PPARγ

Recent studies have shown that the health benefits of probiotics are not limited to those offered by living bacteria. It was reported that both live and killed cells of Propionibacterium freudenreichii MJ2 (MJ2) isolated from raw milk showed antiobesity activity in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet-induced obese mice. This study was aimed at identifying the active component(s) responsible for the antiadipogenic activity of MJ2. Cell wall, surface protein, and cytoplasmic fractions of MJ2 were investigated for their inhibitory effects on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Adipocytes treated with the surface protein fraction showed significantly lower lipid accumulation. Using the MASCOT algorithm following LC-MS/MS analysis, 131 surface proteins were identified and they were principally classified into three categories (network clusters related to ribosomes, carbon metabolism, and chaperones). Among them, chaperonin 60 (Cpn60) was selected as a potential candidate protein. Cpn60 inhibited lipid accumulation and adipogenesis during the early period of differentiation (days 0–2) and decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis (Pparg and Cebpa) and lipogenesis (Fas and Scd1). The expression of Gata2/3, which suppresses adipogenesis, significantly increased in Cpn60-treated cells. Moreover, the nuclear translocation of C/EBPβ was inhibited by Cpn60 treatment. In conclusion, Cpn60, a surface protein in MJ2, shows antiadipogenic activity by reducing the expression of C/EBPβ through the upregulation of Gata2/3 expression followed by downregulation of Pparg and Cebpa expression.

PSV-21 Evaluation of the Effect of Daily Probiotic Administration on the Prevalence of Shiga Toxigenic E.Coli and Select Serum and Immune Parameters During Pre and Peri-Weaning Period in Goat Kids

Abstract Probiotics are microorganisms generally regarded as safe (GRAS) that have a beneficial effect when ingested by a host. While research on the benefits of probiotics in farm animals has mainly concentrated on major livestock species, little is documented on potential benefits in small ruminants. Probiotics in goats and sheep could offer a dual benefit of reducing pathogenic bacteria loads and resulting in improved immunity and overall health. In this study, we evaluated the effect of one-month daily commercial probiotic administration followed by weekly administration until weaning and daily administration for one week after weaning on select serum parameters, and also the prevalence of pathogenic E.coli in healthy pre-weaned goat kids beginning at two days of age. Overall, the general health of the animals in both groups remained the same throughout the study period. No significant difference in total lactic acid bacteria was detected between probiotic supplemented and control group. Probiotic administration generally improved the total serum protein and immune markers. The difference was significant after twenty-eight days of administration and two days after weaning for total serum protein and immune markers, respectively. Shiga toxin E.coli (STEC) was detected in both control and probiotic-treated goats in early life, but no significant differences were detected between treatment groups on prevalence. These results suggest that daily probiotic administration may have some health benefits in pre-weaned goats.

Physicochemical characterization and antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera Lam leaf powder treated at different temperatures

The changes in phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin (condensed and hydrolyzable) contents were determined in crude mucilage of dried Moringa oleifera leaf powders oven-treated at two different temperatures (80 and 100 °C) for 15 and 30 min. The appropriate temperature with minimum loss of bioactive compounds was also evaluated based on resistance to acid and enzyme digestion and antimicrobial activity against two lactic acid bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus. Treatment temperature and duration significantly (p < 0.05) affected the pH, moisture, titratable acidity, and bioactive compound of the leaf powder. Total phenols, favonoids, tannins (condensed and hydrolyzable), and sugar contents decreased significantly, while pH values increased with increasing time and temperature. Nutrient loss was lowest at 80 °C, thereby providing probiotic benefits compared to those at 100 °C. High-temperature (100 °C) treatments adversely affect the antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts against both probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria.

The effect of probiotics on the risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Probiotics have been hypothesized to play a beneficial role in modulating immune responses and gut microbiota in various clinical settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing all-cause mortality among patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We conducted a comprehensive search of the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for published studies, and medRxiv, Research Square, and SSRN for preprints. The search spanned from the inception of these databases to April 4, 2023. We included studies that investigated the use of probiotics as an intervention and their impact on all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. A random-effects model meta-analysis was employed to estimate the pooled odds ratio, along with 95% confidence interval, to quantify the outcomes associated with probiotic use compared to other interventions. Our systematic review comprised six studies, encompassing a total of 642 patients. The meta-analysis, employing a random-effects model, demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality when probiotics were administered to patients with COVID-19, compared to those not receiving probiotics (pooled odds ratio = 0.44; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.82). In conclusion, evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicates a survival benefit associated with the use of probiotics among COVID-19 patients. However, it is essential to exercise caution and await data from large-scale randomized trials to definitively confirm the mortality benefits of probiotics in this patient population.

Investigating the biological activities and prebiotic potential of exopolysaccharides Produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus: Implications for gut microbiota modulation and rheological properties in fermented milk

The objective of this research was to explore the functional qualities of two EPSs produced by recently discovered LAB (Lactobacillus delbrueckii (EPS-LB3) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (EPS-MLB3)) that have potential probiotic benefits. The study involved evaluating their biological characteristics, such as their antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiproliferative activities at various concentrations, as well as investigating their effects on the gut microbiome through in vitro fecal fermentation. Moreover, the study analyzed the rheological properties of the EPSs in fermented bovine milk. The average molecular weights of the extracted EPS were 3762.43 kDa and 1272.19 kDa with monosaccharide compositions of Glu:Rib:Man:Xyl (1.0:16.4:6.6:6.5) and Rib:Man:Xyl:GA:Ara (7.1:1.6:4.8:1.0:9.0) for EPS-LB3 and EPS-MLB3, respectively. EPS-LB3 and EPS-MLB3 at 250 mg/L showed scavenging rates of 34.0 ± 1.7 % and 37.5 ± 1.1 % for DPPH, 47.3 ± 0.8 % and 56.6 ± 0.7 % for ABTS, 38.3 ± 0.5 % and 43.5 ± 0.6 % for SD, 53.9 ± 0.1 % and 54.7 ± 0.1 % for SAS, 10.6 ± 0.1 % and 10.7 ± 0.2 % for HP, 88.8 ± 0.1 % and 84.8 ± 0.5 % for HRS, 80.0 ± 1.4 % and 84.5 ± 0.8 % for MC, as well as 60.6 ± 1.7 % and 58.1 ± 0.9 % for Lipid Oxidation, respectively, suggesting good antioxidant properties. They also exhibited antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects against several foodborne pathogens, and antiproliferative activities against cancer cell lines. Additionally, the utilization of EPS by several probiotics indicated the prebiotic nature of EPS. The effect of both EPS on gut microbiome by fecal fermentation revealed that these EPS promoted selective bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Ruminococcus bromii in the gut, which are responsible for carbohydrate metabolism and short-chain fatty acid production.