Probiotic Supplementation Research Articles

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum ABF21069 Ameliorate High Sucrose-Induced Obesity and Fatty Liver via Exopolysaccharide Production and β-oxidation.

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are prevalent metabolic disorders with substantial global health implications that are often inadequately addressed by current treatments and may have side effects. Probiotics have emerged as promising therapeutic agents owing to their beneficial effects on gut health and metabolism. This study investigated the synergistic effects of a probiotic combination of BNR17 and ABF21069 on obesity and MAFLD in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-sucrose diet. The probiotic combination significantly reduced body weight and fat accumulation compared with the high-sucrose diet. It also alleviated elevated serum leptin levels induced by a high-sucrose diet. Histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in white adipose tissue and fatty liver in the mice treated with the probiotic combination. Furthermore, increased expression of genes related to β-oxidation, thermogenesis, and lipolysis suggested enhanced metabolic activity. The probiotic groups, particularly the BNR17 group, showed an increase in fecal exopolysaccharides, along with a tendency toward a lower expression of intestinal sugar transport genes, indicating reduced sugar absorption. Additionally, inflammatory markers in the liver tissue exhibited lower expression in the ABF21069 group than in the HSD group. Despite each strain in the combination group having distinct characteristics and functions, their combined effect demonstrated synergy in mitigating obesity and MAFLD, likely through the modulation of fecal exopolysaccharides content and improvement in lipid metabolism. These findings underscore the potential of probiotic supplementation as a promising assistant therapy for managing obesity and MAFLD and provide valuable insights into its therapeutic mechanisms in metabolic disorders.

The Efficacy of Probiotics Supplementation on the Quality of Life of Patients with Gastrointestinal Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.

Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders might benefit from probiotic supplementation to resolve their bowel symptoms and enhance their quality of life (QoL). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of oral probiotic supplementation on improving QoL. Relevant studies were systematically searched in online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar up to September 2022 using relevant keywords. Studies that were conducted on GI patients and presented QoL outcomes were included. The Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Intervention tool were used to assess the risk of bias. Of the 4,555 results found in the systematic search of databases, only 36 studies were eligible for evaluation. According to this systematic review, 24 studies reported improvements, whereas 12 studies reported no improvements on QoL in GI patients supplemented with probiotics. We found that probiotics may improve the QoL of patients with GI diseases and related metabolic complications. Therefore, probiotics can be a useful supportive treatment strategy in these patients.

Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum Dad-13 Alleviates 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis Through Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production and Inflammatory Cytokine Regulation.

The development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is closely linked to inflammatory damage and dysbiosis. Recently, probiotics are being increasingly used to improve intestinal health. Probiotic-based therapies can prevent IBD by restoring the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota, reducing gut inflammation, and increasing the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum Dad-13, a novel probiotic strain derived from dadih (Indonesian curd from buffalo milk), on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in BALB/c mice. The results showed that probiotic Dad-13 supplementation at a dose of 107 or 109 CFU/mL improved the clinical symptoms of IBD and enhanced the production of SCFAs, particularly propionate and butyrate. Moreover, probiotic Dad-13 supplementation significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β] and significantly increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). These findings show that L. plantarum Dad-13 can effectively prevent TNBS-induced colitis by modulating SCFA production and inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on hospital admission frequency and inflammatory markers in allergic rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome patients

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term (3-6 months) probiotic use on patients with recurrent allergic rhinitis (AR) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), focusing on changes in inflammation indices and hospital admission frequency. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with IBS and AR between 2020 and 2021, who used probiotic supplements for 3 to 6 months. Clinical data, including demographic characteristics, systemic inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), hemograms before and after probiotic use, and AR-related admission numbers, were collected. The probiotic intervention was compared to a control group receiving standard IBS treatment without probiotics. Results: Of the 135 patients evaluated, a significant reduction in AR-related hospital admission frequency was observed in the probiotic-treated group compared to the control group (p

Probiotic therapy as a promising strategy for gestational diabetes mellitus management.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become the most common pregnancy medical complication, and its prevalence has increased in recent years. The GDM treatment primarily relies on adopting healthy eating habits, physical exercise, and insulin therapy. However, using probiotics to modulate the gut microbiota has been the subject of clinical trials as a promising therapeutic strategy for GDM management. Due to the adverse effects of gut dysbiosis in women with GDM, strategies targeting the gut microbiota to mitigate hyperglycemia, low-grade inflammation, and adverse pregnancy outcomes have been explored. Probiotic supplementation may improve glucose metabolism, lipid profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood pressure in women with GDM. Furthermore, decreased fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers, such as TNF-α and CRP, as well as increased total antioxidant capacity, lipid profile modulation, and improved blood pressure in women with GDM, are some of the important results reported in the available literature. To fill the knowledge gap, further studies are needed focusing on modulating gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity and their systemic repercussions in GDM.

A Probiotic Mixture Decreases Neuropathy and Oxidative Stress Markers in Diabetic Rats

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a type of nerve damage caused by long-term hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM). The gut microbiota alters in DM. Therefore, improvement of the gut flora may affect neuropathic pain and oxidative biomarkers' responsiveness to the probiotic treatment. The present study aimed to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on neuropathic pain and oxidative stress biomarkers in diabetic rats’ serum. Forty-eight rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 per group) to examine the effects of the probiotics mixture as follows: the control group (CO), and the diabetic groups received 1 ml probiotics mixture (DP) containing <em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</em>, <em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em>, <em>Lactobacillus delbrueckii</em>, <em>Lactobacillus plantarum</em>, and <em>Bifidobacterium bifidum</em> (10<sup>9</sup> CFU of each), 100 mg/kg Gabapentin (DG), or normal saline (DM) daily. The study used animals with plasma glucose concentrations between 70 and 100 mg/dl. Behavioral tests, including mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia, were used to evaluate the pain on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 of the study. After that, the serum's biochemical analysis was completed. Taking the probiotics mixture decreased mechanical and cold allodynia as well as thermal hyperalgesia. The probiotics group also showed significant reductions in lipid peroxidation levels and increases in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities compared to the DM group. Our results showed that supplementation with the probiotics mixture could reduce pain-related behaviors in diabetic rats by enhancing the antioxidant capacity in their serum.

Screening of microbial population in Sabah tea kombucha pellicle for its potential as prebiotic and probiotic supplement

This research aimed to determine and analyze the microbial population in kombucha pellicles derived from Sabah black tea, specifically focusing on bacteria and yeast, to gain insights into their abundance, diversity, and potential as prebiotic and probiotic supplements. Despite the growing interest in kombucha in Malaysia, the specific microbial composition of the pellicle from locally sourced Sabah black teas remains underexplored. Understanding this composition could reveal its potential as a sustainable source of health-promoting microbes. It is hypothesized that Sabah tea kombucha pellicle harbours a beneficial microbial population that can be utilized as a low-cost prebiotic and probiotic supplements. The kombucha pellicle was prepared using 10 g of Sabah black tea, 1 L of sterile water containing 10% sugar (w/v), and a 10% kombucha symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The process included boiling black tea with sugar, adding SCOBY culture, and allowing fermentation for 30 days to obtain cellulosic pellicles. After fermentation, the pellicle was separated, homogenized, and stored for further use. Then, kombucha pellicle genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S and ITS metagenomic analysis to identify the bacteria and fungi population. The 16S and ITS metagenomic results showed that Sabah tea kombucha pellicle contains a potentially beneficial microbial population, mainly Komagataeibacter, Zygosaccharomyces and Starmerella, that may serve as a sustainable probiotic. This current study provides promising evidence for using Sabah tea kombucha pellicle as a low-cost prebiotic and probiotic supplement. This will indirectly help advertise and commercialize Sabah tea as one of the local products in Sabah.

Effects of probiotics supplementation on glycemic profile in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A grade-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundDisturbed glycemia and the resulting type 2 diabetes (T2D) are significant health concerns. Various approaches have been examined to improve glycemic control in patients with T2D. Modification of gut microbiome via administering probiotics has been extensively studied. The present study aims to sum up the existing literature which investigated the effect of probiotics on glycemic indices in individuals with T2D in the format of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). MethodsOnline medical databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to January 2024. Eligible studies were included using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcome variables included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were estimated. Subgroup and dose-response analyses were conducted. P-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. ResultsOut of 5,636 records retrieved by the initial search, thirty-two RCTs were included in the final analyses. Supplementation with probiotics was observed to significantly improve indices of glycemic control; including FBS (WMD: -13.27 mg/dl; 95% CI: -18.31, -8.22), HbA1c (WMD: -0.44 %; 95% CI: -0.59, -0.28), insulin (WMD: -1.33 μIU/ml; 95% CI: -2.57, -0.08), and HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.95; 95% CI: -1.71, -0.18). Dose-response analysis revealed that increased duration of intervention results in a larger reduction only in FBS. ConclusionSupplementation with probiotics seems to improve indices of glycemic control. Nonetheless, taken into account the notable heterogeneity (with regard to dosage, duration, and the species/strains used) between the included studies and low quality of evidence, caution must be considered, especially when long-term clinical implications are intended.

A Study to Evaluate the Role of Probiotics in Allergic Rhinitis.

To compare treatment outcomes in allergic rhinitis patients with and without probiotics. The present study was conducted in the Out Patient Department of ENT in a Tertiary Care Hospital w.e.f. April 2023 till March 2024. Total 106 patients of allergic rhinits were included in the study and were divided randomly into 2 groups with 53 in each group. Group A was given probiotics along with standard treatment of antihistaminics and topical steroids and group B was given antihistaminics and topical steroids only. Total Nasal Symptoms Score (TNSS) of all patients was calculated at the time of enrollment and after 8 weeks post treatment. Based on the pre-treatment and post-treatment TNSS, an analysis was made whether probiotics could be an add-on therapy along with the standard treatment given for allergic rhinitis from past so many years. We conducted our study on 106 patients with mean age of 28.1 ± 8.91 years.44% were male and 56% were female. In group A pre-treatment TNSS was 8.057 + 2.307 and post treatment TNSS was 0.887 + 0.776. In group B pre-treatment TNSS was 9.45 + 0.514 and post treatment was 1.89 + 0.776. The mean post-treatment TNSS in group A was lower than the group B. This difference was statistically significant with p value of < 0.05. Based on the study we can suggest that probiotics could be a potential add-on strategy in the management of allergic rhinitis. Probiotic supplement action seems to be effective in ameliorating allergic rhinitis symptoms and improving the quality of life. However further clinical and molecular studies are required to improve our knowledge about interactions among candidate probiotics and host microbiome, cells and immune defenses, in order to create efficacious interventions.

Does the Composition of Gut Microbiota Affect Chronic Kidney Disease? Molecular Mechanisms Contributed to Decreasing Glomerular Filtration Rate.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very prevalent and insidious disease, particularly with initially poorly manifested symptoms that progressively culminate in the manifestation of an advanced stage of the condition. The gradual impairment of kidney function, particularly decreased filtration capacity, results in the retention of uremic toxins and affects numerous molecular mechanisms within the body. The dysbiotic intestinal microbiome plays a crucial role in the accumulation of protein-bound uremic toxins such as p-cresol (pC), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (p-CS) through the ongoing fermentation process. The described phenomenon leads to an elevated level of oxidative stress and inflammation, subsequently resulting in tissue damage and complications, particularly an increase in cardiovascular risk, representing the predominant cause of mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, exploring methods to reduce uremic toxins is currently a pivotal therapeutic strategy aimed at reducing the risk of organ damage in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review aims to summarize recent discoveries on modifying the composition of the intestinal microbiota through the introduction of special probiotic and synbiotic supplements for CKD therapy. The potential to connect the gut microbiota with CKD opens the possibility for further extensive research in this area, which could lead to the incorporation of synbiotics and probiotics into the fundamental treatment and prevention of CKD.

Butyrate-producing bacteria as probiotic supplement: beneficial effects on metabolism and modulation of behaviour in an obesity mouse model.

Obesity is a risk factor for cardio-metabolic and neurological disease. The contribution of gut microbiota to derangements of the gut-brain axis in the context of obesity has been acknowledged, particularly through physiology modulation by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Thus, probiotic interventions and administration of SCFAs have been employed with the purpose of alleviating symptoms in both metabolic and neurological disease. We investigated the effects of four butyrate-producing bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family on the development of metabolic syndrome and behavioural alterations in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Male mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or an ingredient-matched control diet for 2 months, and bacteria cultures or culture medium were given by gavage to HFD-fed mice every second day. Mice were assessed through a battery of metabolic and behaviour tests, and fluxes through the gut barrier and blood-brain barrier were determined using Dextran-based tracers. One of the administered bacteria from the Coprococcus genus, which produces butyrate and formate, afforded some degree of protection against the development of obesity and its complications. Results from this study, however, are insufficient to support brain health benefits of the bacteria tested. None of the bacteria modulated permeability through the gut or blood-brain barriers. Our results suggest health benefits of a bacteria from Lachnospiraceae family, and encourage further exploration of its use as probiotic.

Probiotic strategies for mitigating heat stress effects on broiler chicken performance.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of liquid (Fructose-added lactic acid bacteria, F-LAB) and commercial (Commercial LAB, C-LAB) probiotics sourced from Rye-Grass Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on broiler chickens experiencing heat stress (HS). The research involved 240 broiler chicks, divided into six groups: control, F-LAB, C-LAB (raised at 24°C), HS, F-LAB/HS, and C-LAB/HS (exposed to 5-7h of 34-36°C daily). The study followed a randomized complete block design, with each group consisting of 40 chicks. F-LAB and HS/F-LAB groups received a natural probiotic added to their drinking water at a rate of 0.5ml/L, while C-LAB and HS/C-LAB groups were supplemented with a commercial probiotic at the same dosage. Control and HS groups received no probiotic supplementation. The duration of the study was 42days, with data collected on growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and health parameters. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA, and significant differences between groups were determined using post hoc tests. The results revealed that without probiotic supplementation, heat stress led to a decrease in body weight gain, T3 levels, citrulline, and growth hormone levels, along with an increase in the feed conversion ratio, serum corticosterone, HSP70, ALT, AST, and leptin levels (p < 0.05 for all). Heat stress also adversely affected cecal microbiota, reducing lactic acid bacteria count (LABC) while increasing Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria (CBC) counts. However, in the groups receiving probiotic supplementation under heat stress (F-LAB/HS and C-LAB/HS), these effects were alleviated (p < 0.05 for all). Particularly noteworthy was the observation that broiler chickens supplemented with natural lactic acid bacteria (F-LAB) exhibited greater resilience to heat stress compared to those receiving the commercial probiotic, as evidenced by improvements in growth, liver function, hormonal balance, intestinal health, and cecal microbiome ecology (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the supplementation of naturally sourced probiotics (F-LAB) may positively impact the intestinal health of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress, potentially supporting growth and health parameters.

Potential benefit of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation to rats fed with a high-fat diet on serum lipid profile, kidney amyloid protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha level

AimIt was aimed to determine the potential effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on rats exposed to an experimental high-fat diet on serum lipid profile and kidney total beta amyloid protein (TBAP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels. Methods24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study to establish 4 groups. Standard rat food (SD) was provided to Group 1 as the control; Group 2 was fed a high-fat diet (HFD); Group 3 consumed SD and received L. acidophilus probiotics; Group 4 was fed HFD and received L. acidophilus probiotics. Body weights were determined weekly during the 12-week trial period. At the end of the experiment, TBP and TNF-α levels in the serum and kidney tissue of the rats were measured by ELISA method. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL, LDL, urea and creatinine levels and paraoxanase, amylase and lipase activities were determined by spectrophotometric method on the analyzer device. ResultsWhen the control (Group 1) group and Group 2 were compared at the end of the experiment, it was found that Group 2 had gained the most weight and that both the blood and kidney tissue levels of TNF-α and TBAP, as well as the quantities of TG, TK, LDL, and urea, were significantly greater (P<0.05). Serum HDL, PON and amylase levels were found to be significantly low (P>0.05). TG, TK, LDL, urea, and the levels of TNF-α and TBAP in serum and renal tissue were shown to be lower in the groups who received L. acidophilus probiotics (Groups 3, 4) when compared to Group 2 (P>0.05). It was observed that HDL, PON and amylase levels increased and approached the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe study's findings showed that probiotic supplementation improved blood levels of TG, TC, HDL, LDL, urea, PON, and amylase as well as serum and kidney tissue levels of TNF-α and TBAP in obese rats fed a high-fat diet.

A Systematic Review of Gut Microbiota Diversity: A Key Player in the Management and Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by impaired insulin production and action, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. This systematic review investigates the association between gut microbiota composition and diversity, along with the structural and functional characteristics of the gut microbiome, and their implications for the risk, prevention, and management of both type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search across multiple databases yielded 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The findings highlight the potential of gut microbiota interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotic supplementation, in improving metabolic parameters and glycemic control. Notably, the review underscores the importance of dietary interventions and the role of specific microbial populations in influencing diabetes outcomes. Despite the promising results, the variability in study designs, sample sizes, and methodologies poses challenges for generalizability and interpretation. This review emphasizes the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and to explore personalized microbiome-based therapies in diabetes management. The insights gained could pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at harnessing gut health to mitigate the burden of diabetes mellitus.

Association of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics or yogurt supplement with prevalence and all-cause mortality of depression: NHANES 2005–2016

BackgroundA growing body of studies revealed that enteric dysbacteriosis could result in depression via the “gut–microbiota–brain axis” (GMBA). Whether probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics supplements could lessen the risk of depression is a topic attracting attention. This research was conducted to evaluate the relationship between probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, or yogurt supplements and depression with large cross-sectional data. MethodsAll data in our research was sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2005–2016). Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and yogurt supplements were identified using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Dietary Supplement Use 30-Day (DSQ). We employed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for evaluating depression. Logistic regression and the Kaplan-Meier curve were performed to examine the correlation between the supplements and depression, as well as mortality. ResultsA total of 17,745 adult participants were selected. The participants who supplemented probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, or yogurt products in the last 30 days showed a significantly lower depression rate compared with those who didn't. Specifically, the supplements could alleviate depressive symptoms including sad, anhedonia, sleep problems, fatigue, appetite changes, and psychomotor changes. This association was more prominent in specific populations such as the population aged 40–60 years, male, whites. The supplements also show more significant effects on increasing survival rates in patients with mild depression. LimitationCross-sectional analysis reveals correlative but not causative association. ConclusionBased on the analysis of NHANES data, our research highlights the positive effect the supplements have on preventing depression, relieving depressive symptoms and increasing survival rates. This effect varied across populations.

Effect of probiotics on glycemic control and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double blind, controlled trial.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized (1:1) clinical trial was conducted at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from March to September 2017. Eligible participants included adults aged 18 years and older, living in the community, diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus according to ADA guidelines, capable of self-managing their diabetes, and able to visit the study site for follow-up. The intervention group received 25 ml of a probiotic beverage containing with over 10^8 CFU/mL of Lactobacillus, administered four times daily. An equal volume of inactivated Lactobacillus was administered to the control group and the control group was administered the same volume of inactivated Lactobacillus. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics on glycemic control and other diabetes-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes patients. The primary outcomes were changes in HbA1c and FBG levels post-intervention. Investigators, participants, and study site personnel were blinded to the treatment allocation until the conclusion of the study. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-POR-17010850). Of the 490 participants screened, 213 were randomized to either the probiotics group (n = 103) or the placebo group (n = 110). After 16 weeks of follow-up, the probiotic group showed reductions in HbA1c [-0.44 (-0.66 to -0.22)] and FBG [-0.97 (-1.49 to 0.46)] post-intervention, similar to the placebo group with reductions in HbA1c [-0.33 (-0.52 to -0.15)] and FBG [-0.90 (-1.32 to -0.47)], but these changes were not statistically significant in PP and ITT analyses (P>0.05). Adverse events were similarly distributed among groups, indicating comparable safety profiles. Overall, 16-week probiotic supplementation showed no beneficial effects on glycemic control, lipid profiles, or weight. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=18421, identifier ChiCTR-POR-17010850.

Impact of Extreme Prematurity, Chorioamnionitis, and Sepsis on Neonatal Monocyte Characteristics and Functions

Introduction: The innate branch of the immune system is important in early life, in particular for infants born preterm. Methods: We performed a longitudinal analysis of the peripheral monocyte compartment in extremely preterm children from a randomized, placebo-controlled study of probiotic supplementation. PBMCs and fecal samples were collected at several timepoints during the first months of life. Monocyte characteristics were analyzed by flow cytometry, and LPS-stimulated PBMC culture supernatants were analyzed by Luminex or ELISA. Plasma cytokines and gut microbiota composition were analyzed by ELISA and 16S rRNA-sequencing, respectively. Results: The extremely preterm infants had persistent alterations in their monocyte characteristics that were further aggravated in chorioamnionitis cases. They showed a markedly reduced TLR4 expression and hampered LPS-stimulated cytokine responses 14 days after birth. Notably, at later timepoints, TLR4 expression and LPS responses no longer correlated. Sepsis during the first weeks of life strongly associated with increased pro-inflammatory, and reduced IL-10, responses also at postmenstrual week 36. Further, we report a correlation between gut microbiota features and monocyte phenotype and responses, but also that probiotic supplementation associated with distinct monocyte phenotypic characteristics, without significantly influencing their responsiveness. Conclusion: Extremely preterm infants have monocyte characteristics and functional features that deviate from infants born full-term. Some of these differences persist until they reach an age corresponding to full-term, potentially making them more vulnerable to microbial exposures during the first months of life.

PSI-28 Effect of supplementing a Bacillus spp.-based probiotic on intestinal tight junction proteins expression and abundance of selected microorganisms in heat stressed pigs

Abstract The maintenance of small intestine epithelial barrier function, depending in part on tight junction proteins (TJP), prevents the system from invasion of undesired materials but may become altered in heat stressed pigs. Heat stress (HS) also appears to modify the composition of intestinal microbiota that, combined with a weak barrier, may cause health deterioration of pigs. Probiotics, in contrast, can help animals to maintain a healthy intestinal environment. A study, conducted with pigs [n = 80; body weight (BW) = 21.6 ± 3.4 kg], analyzed the effect of HS and the supplementation of a Bacillus spp-based probiotic on gene expression of the TJP occludin, claudins, and TJP1 in jejunum and ileum. Abundance of Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Bacillus subtilis and E. coli in ileal content was also analyzed. Treatments were thermal neutral (TN) pigs fed a control diet without probiotic (TN-C) or with 0.05% probiotic (TN-P), and HS pigs fed a control without probiotic (HS-C) or with 0.05% probiotic (HS-P). The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal, added with free Lys, Thr, Met, and Val. Feed and water were freely available during the 21-d study. At termination, six pigs per treatment were sacrificed and samples from jejunum and ileum tissue were collected to analyze TJP gene expression; ileal content was collected to analyze abundance of intestinal microorganisms. Ambient temperature inside TN and HS rooms ranged from 19 to 25°C and 30 to 38.5°C, respectively. In jejunum, claudin2 expression was greater in TN-P than in TN-C (P = 0.05) but there was no effect of HS. In ileum, HS increased claudin3 but decreased occludin gene expression (P &amp;lt; 0.05). HS did not affect TJP1gene expression (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Probiotic supplementation did not affect gene expression of TJP (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Relative to TN-C pigs, abundance of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. tended to decrease in HS-C pigs (P &amp;lt; 0.10), and that of Bifidobacterium sp. decreased in HS-P pigs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Abundance of E. coli tended to be greater (P &amp;lt; 0.10) in both HS-C and HS-P pigs, than in the TN-C pigs. Abundance of Bacillus sp. was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in HS pigs fed the diet supplemented with the probiotic, compared with the TN-C (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and HS-C (P &amp;lt; 0.05) pigs. In conclusion, these data indicate that HS affects TJP gene expression and composition of intestinal microbiota, but supplementing 0.05% of a probiotic based on Bacillus spp. did not affect the abundance of measured microbiota except for Bacillus sp. under HS conditions.

PSVIII-23 Attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response improves gut integrity in piglets after infection

Abstract Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a primary cause of post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, leading to serious health issues and economic loss in the swine industry. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation have detrimental effects on gut health. The present study aimed to investigate the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in a piglet model challenged with ETEC and to evaluate whether the chosen probiotic could improve intestinal function in piglets. A total of 24 weaned piglets susceptible to ETEC F4 infection were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (E. coli infection), Group 3 (E. coli infection received antibiotic avilamycin), and Group 4 (E. coli infection received B. licheniformis HG76). Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were infected with E. coli by an oral gavage of ETEC F4 (5 mL, 1 × 106 CFU/mL). Five days after infection, piglets in all groups were euthanized. The blood and intestine samples (a mid-jejunum segment) were collected, and serum was prepared. ETEC infection significantly increased serum and jejunal malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P &amp;lt; 0.05). ETEC infection also significantly decreased tight-junction proteins (ZO1, occludin), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Furthermore, ETEC infection significantly increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interlueken (IL) -6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α] in the intestine (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Antibiotic or probiotic supplementation mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation, as evidenced by decreased oxidative stress biomarkers, increased expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, HO-1) and downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Antibiotic or probiotic supplementation also improved intestinal integrity, as demonstrated by decreased DAO activity and increased tight-junction proteins expression (P &amp;lt; 0.05). These results suggest that attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response can improve piglet gut integrity after ETEC infection.

PSVI-26 The benefits of probiotics (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) supplement in growth performance, egg production, gas emission and gut microbiome diversity in Hy-Line brown laying hens

Abstract During the past few decades, antibiotics have been widely used at subtherapeutic doses to improve growth rates and performance in the poultry industry. However, antibiotics can result in side effects including bacterial resistance; these side effects often have detrimental consequences for human health. Thus, the poultry sector was urged to seek alternative strategies to promote animal performance. One environmentally friendly approach to growth promotion involves the use of probiotics, which have been used in the poultry industry for decades. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) on growth performance, egg production, gas emission and gut microbiota diversity in laying hens. A total of 192 Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 12 wk. The test treatments were basal diet (TRT1), basal + 0.25% antibiotic (TRT2), and basal + 0.1% probiotics (TRT3), and basal + 0.2% probiotics (TRT4). Laying hens fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% probiotics showed increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) egg production in wk 9, 10, and 12. Moreover, fecal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions were reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the probiotic groups. Microbiome analysis showed increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) species richness in the probiotic groups, as indicated by Chao1 and Shannon indices, but a decrease (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in species diversity according to the Simpson index, suggesting a specific microbial community development due to probiotic supplementation. In conclusion, this study provides us with an insight into the potential use Lactobacillus spp. probiotic as a food supplement in the laying hen industry also provides us with a better understanding of the interplay between Lactobacillus spp. and the gut microbiome diversity in laying hens.