Benefits Of Probiotics Research Articles

Bacillus subtilis PM5 from Camel Milk Boosts Chicken Immunity and Abrogates Salmonella entertitidis Infections.

With the practice of a successful livestock industry using antibiotics, which has continued for more than five decades, researchers have long been interested in finding alternatives to antibiotics for poultry production. Probiotics can potentially reduce enteric diseases in livestock and enhance their productivity. The aim of this study was to isolate putative probiotics from camel milk and test them against Salmonella infection as well as host immune development. Thirteen different isolates were obtained from six different camel milk samples from dairy farms in Saudi Arabia. Three of the six isolates (PM1, PM2, PM3, PM4, PM5, and PM6) that showed Gram-positive characters reacted negatively to catalase and hemolytic assays. PM1, PM5, and PM6 showed significant nonpolar surface properties (>51% hydrophobic) and potent antimicrobial activities against avian pathogens, namely S. enterica, S. typhi, S. aureus, and E. coli. PM5 exhibited substantial probiotic traits; therefore, further focus was given to it. PM5 was identified as Bacillus subtilis OQ913924 by the 16S rRNA sequencing method and showed similarity matrix > 99%. An in vivo chicken model was used to access the health benefits of probiotics. After salmonella infection, the mucosal immune response was significantly increased (p < 0.01), and none of the challenge protocols caused mortality or clinical symptoms after infection in intestinal contents. S. enterica organ infiltration in the spleen, thymus, and small intestine was significantly reduced in the B. subtilis PM5-fed chickens. The S. enterica load in chicken feces was reduced from CFU 7.2 to 5.2 in oral-fed B. subtilis PM5-fed chickens. Probiotic-fed chickens showed buffered intestinal content and positively regulated the level of butyric acid (p < 0.05), and intestinal interleukin 1 beta (IL1-β), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels were reduced (p < 0.05). In addition, B. subtilis PM5 showed significant binding to peritoneal macrophages cells and inhibited S. enterica surface adhesion, indicating co-aggregation of B. subtilis PM5 in macrophage cells. It could be concluded that supplementation with probiotics can improve the growth performance of broilers and the quality of broiler chickens against enteric pathogens. The introduction of this probiotic into the commercial poultry feed market in the near future may assist in narrowing the gap that now exists between chicken breeding and consumer demand.

Exploring the Impact of the Gut Microbiome on Obesity and Weight Loss: A Review Article.

The global obesity pandemic has prompted efforts to search for novel intervention options, including maximizing the health benefits of certain gut microbes and their metabolic byproducts. Our increased understanding ofgut microbiota can potentiallylead to revolutionary advancements in weight management and general well-being. We studied the association between gut microbiota and obesity, as well as the possible benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in the prevention and management of obesity in this review. We observed a relationship between themetabolism of nutrients, energy consumption, and gut flora. Numerous mechanisms, including the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids, hormone stimulation, and persistent low-grade inflammation, have been postulated to explain the role of gut bacteria in the etiology of obesity. It has been discovered that the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiome vary in response to various forms of obesity therapy, which raises concerns about the potential impact of these changes on weight loss. According to research, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may alter the release of hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory factors, thereby diminishing the stimuli of food consumption that lead to weight gain. More clinical research is required to determine the optimal probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation dosages, formulations, and regimens for long-term weight management and to determine how different gastrointestinal microbiome bacterial species may influence weight gain.

Probiotics in gastroenteritis in children: A systematic review

Background and objectives: Gastroenteritis is the second leading cause of death among children worldwide. It is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it affects 3 to 5 million children and is the cause of approximately 10% of hospitalizations globally. This systematic review aims to identify the effectiveness of probiotics in treating acute gastroenteritis in children globally and also to provide results of quality research to healthcare-related communities about possible therapies of the condition. Methods: This study follows the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews of 29 quantitative studies conducted between 2014-2023. A quality appraisal of the selected studies was conducted using CADIMA and a rating scale of 0 to 3 based on a few predetermined criteria. Results: Sample sizes varied from 29 to 1811, with a median of 200. Globally, there are mixed findings about the roles and benefits of probiotics to treat acute gastroenteritis in children. This is possibly due to the type of probiotic, the type of disease, and treatment adherence. Conclusions: Findings from this systematic review suggest that probiotics play a crucial role in improving children’s health outcomes. Therefore, it is important to promote and implement the use of probiotic therapies in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis conditions in children. IMC J Med Sci. 2023; 17(2):010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.020 *Correspondence: Amal K. Mitra, Department of Epidemiology &amp; Biostatistics, Jackson State University, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Room 216 Jackson, MS 39213, USA. E-mail: amal.k.mitra@jsums.edu

Beneficial Effects of Probiotics on Benign Gynaecological Disorders: A Review.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer beneficial effects on human health when an adequate dose is administered. Recently, the use of probiotics has gained tremendous interest from the public due to its promising effects in the management of various reproductive diseases. However, the review of probiotics' benefits on benign gynaecological disorders, including vaginal infections, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, remains scarce. Therefore, this review is built on current knowledge on the beneficial effects of probiotics against selected benign gynaecological disorders. Recent findings point out that probiotics' supplementation in different clinical and in vivo models showed promising health effects and results in the amelioration of disease symptoms. Thus, in this review, we showed the findings of both studies performed in clinical settings and animal studies. However, current information, solely based on clinical trials or animal studies, is inadequate in communicating the excellent findings on the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health. Therefore, future clinical intervention studies are required to further elucidate the evidence of the benefits of probiotics benefits regarding these gynaecological disorders.

Benefits of probiotics in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A systematic review and meta analysis

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).&#x0D; Methods: Clinical trials were searched from online medicine databases. Outcomes such as changes in inflammatory cytokines and disability parameters such as American College of Rheumatology 20 % (ACR20) response, were analyzed.&#x0D; Results: Nine trials were eligible, and 385 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that probiotic consumption significantly improved 28-joint disease activity (DAS28) score and decreased levels of high-sensitivity CRP (95 % CI = -3.23, -0.80; p = 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-α (95 % CI = -1.40, -0.67; p &lt; 0.00001), interleukin (IL)-1β (95 % CI = -11.37, -0.84; p = 0.02) and IL-12 (95 % CI = -94.91, -53.58; p &lt; 0.00001) in RA patients when compared with placebo. However, probiotics did not affect ACR20 response, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IL-6, and IL-10, when compared with placebo.&#x0D; Conclusion: The effects of probiotic consumption on RA are very beneficial and have some reference significance for formulating treatment guidelines for RA. However, more trials are needed to confirm the influence of probiotics on RA patients. Furthermore, more clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to affirm the effectiveness of probiotics in mitigating disability and inflammatory status in RA patients.

Influence of probiotics on growth dynamics and blood parameters of Zaanen goats

Relevance. In the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in the rearing of young animals, the restoration of intestinal biocenosis with the use of probiotics — bacterial preparations from live microbial cultures is of great importance.The purpose of the research is to study the effect of probiotic feed additives Klyuver Pro and BeneFIT Basic on growth dynamics, feed costs and blood parameters of Saanen goats.Methods. The studies were carried out at LLC «Lukoz Saba» of the Sabinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. The object of the study is the kids of the Saanen breed at the age of seven days. Scientific and economic experience was carried out according to the method of analogues. The chemical composition and nutritional value of feed, the dynamics of changes in live weight, the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of goats were studied. Statistical data processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel. A difference of p ≥ 0.05 was considered significant.Results. Probiotic feed additives Kluver Pro and BeneFIT Basic activate metabolic processes in the body of kids, increase the digestibility and assimilation of feed, which has a positive effect on the growth and development of animals, and reduce feed costs. The live weight of goats treated with probiotics increased (compared with the control) by 7.7% (p ≥ 0.05) and 3.6%. Feed costs decreased per 1 kg of live weight gain decreased by 13.6% and 10.1%.In the blood of animals treated with probiotics, there was an increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes. In animals of the second group, these indicators increased by 17.4%, 31.7 g/l (39.3%) (p ≥ 0.001) and 4.45 ˟ 1012/l (77.1%) (p ≥ 0.001), in animals the third group — respectively, by 7.5%, 7.7 g / l (9.5%) (p ≥ 0.001) and 1.63 ˟ 1012/l (28.2%), as well as a significant decrease in ESR — by 0, 37 mm/g and 0.18 mm/g (p ≥ 0.001), calcium content by 20% and 24.2% (p ≥ 0.05).

Effects of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 addition on nutrient digestibility, faecal characteristics, blood chemistry and faecal Lactobacilli spp., Enterococci spp., and Escherichia coli in healthy dogs

The benefits of probiotics for animal health are widely recognised. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 on diet digestibility, faecal characteristics, intestinal shedding of microbiota, and hematological characteristics in healthy dogs. Adult Golden Retriever dogs (n = 18) were divided into three groups: the control group (no B. subtilis), the BS1 group (1 × 109 CFU/g of B. subtilis), and the BS2 group (2 × 109 CFU/g of B. subtilis). Dogs were fed for a 30-day administration period, and total faeces were collected in the last five days. On the first and last days of the study, blood samples were taken to determine hematological characteristics. In addition, the dry matter content, faecal consistency score, faecal output, pH, ammonia level, and quantity of short- and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFAs and BCFAs) in faecal samples were also evaluated. Results revealed that the dry matter, fibre, organic matter, and protein digestibility coefficients were higher in BS1 and BS2 (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Lower pH and higher acetate, propionate, and isobutyrate levels were detected in BS1 and BS2 (p < 0.05). Lower ammonia levels and firmer stools were observed in BS2 (p < 0.001). The numbers of faecal enterococci and lactobacilli were higher in BS1 and BS2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, B. subtilis increased the concentrations of WBCs, RBCs, and granulocytes in BS1 and BS2 (p < 0.05). Data in the present study suggest that dietary supplementation with B. subtilis improved faecal quality, enhanced nutrient digestibility, and contributed to the dogs’ gut health by reducing gut ammonia, increasing SCFAs, and improving the number of Lactobacillus and Enterococci. HIGHLIGHTS Probiotics are one of the most commonly used feed additives in dog food. Bacillus subtilis boosts the immunity and overall gastrointestinal health of companion animals. B. subtilis dietary supplementation improved dogs’ gut health, immunity, and digestibility of food. B. subtilis increased the concentration of WBCs, RBCs, and granulocytes. B. subtilis reduced gut ammonia and increased SCFAs and the number of lactobacilli and enterococci in faeces.

Enrichment of apricot probiotic drink with sea buckthorn as a prebiotic and antioxidant source

ABSTRACT Supplemented apricot probiotic drink (SAPD) was prepared with the addition of 2% lactobacillus rhamnosus and different percentages (2, 4, 8, 12%) of sea buckthorn powder, a total of five treatments were prepared To, T1, T2, T3, and T4 and stored at 4°C. The analysis of probiotic count was performed using total plate count and for the examination of antioxidant activity DPPH was done and total phenolic content was also conducted. Physiochemical, microbial (TPC), antioxidant (TPC, DPPH), and sensory evaluation of supplemented apricot probiotic drink were done at different storage periods (1, 14, and 28 days) and obtained data were subjected to the statistical design. There was a considerable change in total phenolic content (TPC) throughout storage in all treatments, but supplementation of sea buckthorn has increased the TPC and antioxidant activity of SAPD. The probiotic count of T2 showed the highest probiotics among all treatments with 6.70 log CFU/mL on the 1st day, 6.6 log CFU/mL on the 14th day, and 6.5 log CFU/mL on the 28th day. It was having 4% sea buckthorn followed by T1 having 6.56 log CFU/mL and T0 having 6.54 log CUF/mL of grand mean with little change during the storage period of 28 days. T3 and T4 showed decreased number of probiotic counts with an increase in the percentage of sea buckthorn. This research concluded that sea buckthorn can be supplemented in fruit drinks to provide probiotic and antioxidant benefits, but its increased ratio can reduce the overall acceptability of the drink.

Evaluation of Rouxiella badensis Subsp Acadiensis (Canan SV-53) as a Potential Probiotic Bacterium.

The advent of omic platforms revealed the significant benefits of probiotics in the prevention of many infectious diseases. This led to a growing interest in novel strains of probiotics endowed with health characteristics related to microbiome and immune modulation. Therefore, autochthonous bacteria in plant ecosystems might offer a good source for novel next-generation probiotics. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Rouxiella badensis acadiensis Canan (R. acadiensis) a bacterium isolated from the blueberry biota, on the mammalian intestinal ecosystem and its potential as a probiotic microorganism. R. acadiensis, reinforced the intestinal epithelial barrier avoiding bacterial translocation from the gut to deep tissues, even after feeding BALB/c mice for a prolonged period of time. Moreover, diet supplementation with R. acadiensis led to increases in the number of Paneth cells, well as an increase in the antimicrobial peptide α defensin. The anti-bacterial effect of R. acadiensis against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was also reported. Importantly, R. acadiensis-fed animals showed better survival in an in vivo Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge compared with those that received a conventional diet. These results demonstrated that R. acadiensis possesses characteristics of a probiotic strain by contributing to the reinforcement and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.

Postbiotics of Bacillus subtilis LCBS1 have beneficial effects on bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Our previous studies found live Bacillus subtilis LCBS1 could improve the utilization efficiency and intestinal health in bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) fed the SM-based diet. However, non-viable probiotics may play the health benefits of probiotics. Therefore, 0.8% NaCl (negative control group, CG), LCBS1 live bacteria (positive control group, LB) and postbiotics from LCBS1 (heat-inactivated bacteria, HIB; cell-free extract, CE; cell-free supernatant, CS) were added to the SM-based diets and their effects on growth performance, immunity and intestinal health were evaluated in a 56 days feeding trial in bullfrog. Dietary supplement LB, HIB and CE significantly improved weight gain and feed efficiency. Meanwhile, apparent digestibility coefficients of protein were significantly increased, and the pH values of jejunum were significantly decreased in the HIB and CE groups compared with the CG, and indifferent with the LB group. Lower jejunum malondialdehyde concentration, and higher jejunum total antioxidant capacity and whole-body protein deposition in the HIB group were observed compared with the CG, and indifferent with the LB group. Dietary supplement LB and HIB significantly increased activities of lipase and protease in the jejunum, and serum complement 4 level and alkaline phosphatase activity. Higher jejunum il-4 expression in the LB and HIB groups, and lower jejunum tnf-α expression in the HIB, CE and CS groups were observed. Furthermore, the jejunal physical barrier was improved in the LB, HIB, and CE groups. Higher villus height, muscular thickness and zo-1 expression, lower serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate concentration in the LB, HIB and CE groups were observed than those of the CG. Relative abundance of potential probiotics including Prevotella_9, Lactococcus, and Cetobacterium was increased in the LB and HIB groups, accompanied by decreased the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria Mycoplasma. Overall, postbiotics of LCBS1 (heat-inactivated bacteria and cell-free extract) could be applied as a potential additive in bullfrog diet.

Antimicrobial activity of Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains isolated from the human oral cavity against Streptococcus mutans

Oral probiotics have been recently gaining much attention owing to their potential to inhibit the progression of dental caries by controlling the cariogenic effects of Streptococcus mutans. We isolated and genotypically identified 77 lactic acid bacteria including 12 Limosilactobacillus fermentum probiotic candidates from the oral cavity of healthy volunteers. Among the 12 L. fermentum isolates, nine isolates effectively inhibited the growth of S. mutans via hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. The others neither suppressed the growth of S. mutans nor produced H2O2. Eight out of the nine H2O2-producing L. fermentum isolates exhibited strong adherence to oral epithelial KB cells while inhibiting the adherence of S. mutans to KB cells. The eight H2O2-producing isolates were neither haemolytic based on a blood-agar test, cytotoxic according to lactate dehydrogenase assay, nor resistant to eight antibiotics represented by the European Food Safety Authority guideline, indicating that the isolates have potential to suppress the cariogenesis driven by S. mutans while providing general probiotic benefits.

Probiotics: Sources, selection and health benefits

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. Nowadays, the probiotic market is growing tremendously by using probiotics especially in foods, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical applications. Sometimes, the consumers get confused between probiotics and non-probiotics. A more precise use of the term “probiotics” will be useful to guide consumers and other stakeholders in differentiating the diverse products on the market. Since efficacy of probiotics is strain specific, the appropriate selection of probiotics is extremely important. This review focuses on discussing the following issues of probiotics including their major sources, selection criteria, health benefits and possible harms. The main selection criteria for probiotics include the following ability to: tolerate into a product at a sufficient level and remain viable throughout the shelf life of the product; withstand transit through a gastrointestinal tract; adhere to intestinal epithelial cells and colonize the lumen of the tract; produce antimicrobial substances against the pathogens and to be harmless to a host associated with the health benefits. The major health benefits of probiotics involve an improvement of intestinal health, an enhancement of the immune response, a prevention/treatment of infectious disease and a prevention/treatment of cancer.

Benefits of probiotics in Autism Spectrum Disorders : A meta-analysis of RCTs

Benefits of probiotics in Autism Spectrum Disorders : A meta-analysis of RCTs

Synbiotics and Surgery: Can Prebiotics and Probiotics Affect Inflammatory Surgical Outcomes?

Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics have received increasing attention over the years for their beneficial impact on the gut microbiome and for their systemic anti-inflammatory effects. They have also been shown to improve surgical outcomes. Here, we review the inflammatory effects of surgery as well as the data which suggests a benefit of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics taken in the perioperative period. Synbiotics and fermented foods may have an even greater anti-inflammatory effect than probiotics or prebiotics alone. Recent data suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects and microbiome changes brought on by prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics have the potential to improve surgical outcomes. We highlight the potential to alter systemic inflammation, surgical and hospital-acquired infections, colorectal cancer formation, recurrence, and anastomotic leak. Synbiotics could also impact metabolic syndrome. Prebiotics, probiotics, and especially synbiotics may be extremely beneficial when taken in the perioperative period. Even short-term gut microbiome pre-habilitation could alter surgical outcomes significantly.

Postbiotics against Obesity: Perception and Overview Based on Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies.

Overweight and obesity are significant global public health concerns that are increasing in prevalence at an alarming rate. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of probiotics against obesity. Postbiotics are the next generation of probiotics that include bacteria-free extracts and nonviable microorganisms that may be advantageous to the host and are being increasingly preferred over regular probiotics. However, the impact of postbiotics on obesity has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the goal of this review is to gather in-depth data on the ability of postbiotics to combat obesity. Postbiotics have been reported to have significant potential in alleviating obesity. This review comprehensively discusses the anti-obesity effects of postbiotics in cellular, animal, and clinical studies. Postbiotics exert anti-obesity effects via multiple mechanisms, with the major mechanisms including increased energy expenditure, reduced adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation, suppression of food intake, inhibition of lipid absorption, regulation of lipid metabolism, and regulation of gut dysbiosis. Future research should include further in-depth studies on strain identification, scale-up of postbiotics, identification of underlying mechanisms, and well-defined clinical studies. Postbiotics could be a promising dietary intervention for the prevention and management of obesity.

Probiotic intervention benefits multiple neural behaviors in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Probiotic supplements were shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, it is still unclear whether this applies to older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to explore the effects of probiotic supplementation on multiple neural behaviors in older adults with MCI. Forty-two MCI patients (age > 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups and consumed either probiotics (n=21) or placebo (n=21) for 12 weeks. Various scale scores, gut microbiota measures and serological indicators were recorded pre- and posttreatment. After 12 weeks of intervention, cognitive function and sleep quality were improved in the probiotic group compared with those in the control group, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that probiotic treatment enhanced cognitive function and sleep quality in older MCI patients, thus providing important insights into the clinical prevention and treatment of MCI.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG alleviates colitis caused by chemotherapy via biofilm formation.

Severe colitis is a common side effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients. In this study, we attempted to enhance the viability of probiotics in a gastric acid environment and improve the colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and docetaxel. We purified Lactobacillus from yogurt and estimated their growth at pH 6.8 and pH 2.0. In the further investigation, the bacterial biofilm formation was used to define the mechanism by which administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) via oral gavage alleviates the colitis and intestine permeability of the mice induced by DSS and docetaxel. The potential benefit of probiotics on the treatment of breast cancer metastasis has been assessed as well. Lactobacillus from yogurt growth was unexpectedly faster in the pH 2.0 than in the neutral pH medium during the first hour. LGG administered in the fasting state via oral gavage significantly improved the preventive effect in the colitis caused by DSS and docetaxel. LGG reduced the permeability of the intestine and decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in colitis by biofilm formation. Increasing the docetaxel dose may reduce breast tumor growth and metastasis in the lung but did not benefit survival due to severe colitis. However, the LGG supplement significantly improved the survival of tumor-bearing mice following a high dose of docetaxel treatment. Our findings provide new insights into the potential mechanism of probiotic protection of the intestine and provide a novel therapeutic strategy to augment the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumors.

Experimental diets dictate the metabolic benefits of probiotics in obesity

ABSTRACT Growing evidence supports the use of probiotics to prevent or mitigate obesity-related dysmetabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, frequent reports of responders versus non-responders to probiotic treatment warrant a better understanding of key modifiers of host–microbe interactions. The influence of host diet on probiotic efficacy, in particular against metabolic diseases, remains elusive. We fed C57BL6/J mice a low fat reference diet or one of two energy-matched high fat and high sucrose diets for 12 weeks; a classical high fat diet (HFD) and a customized fast food-mimicking diet (FFMD). During the studies, mice fed either obesogenic diet were gavaged daily with one of two probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains previously classified as Lactobaccillus, namely Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri)or Lacticaseibacillus paracaseisubsp. paracasei (L. paracasei), or vehicle. The tested probiotics exhibited a reproducible efficacy but dichotomous response according to the obesogenic diets used. Indeed, L. paracaseiprevented weight gain, improved insulin sensitivity, and protected against NAFLD development in mice fed HFD, but not FFMD. Conversely, L. reuteri improved glucoregulatory capacity, reduced NAFLD development, and increased distal gut bile acid levels associated with changes in predicted functions of the gut microbiota exclusively in the context of FFMD-feeding. We found that the probiotic efficacy of two LAB strains is highly dependent on experimental obesogenic diets. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider the confounding impact of diet in order to improve both the reproducibility of preclinical probiotic studies and their clinical research translatability.

A Real-World Perspective of Co-amoxiclav Prescription Pattern With Probiotics for Pediatric Patients With Respiratory Tract Infections: Results of Quantitative and Qualitative Approach in Indian Outpatient Settings.

Probiotics are co-prescribed with co-amoxiclav to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). The study assesses the co-prescription pattern of probiotics with co-amoxiclav in pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This was a mixed methods research study with a retrospective study and a prospective survey. The retrospective part included a multicenter, observational, real-world study utilizing patients' electronic medical records for three years (2018-2020) from seven outpatient pediatric clinics and hospitals. The qualitative evaluation was performed with a predefined questionnaire. The patients having RTIs (N=984) were prescribed Clamp® (46.7%), CAA (23.8%), and CAM (29.5%). The mean age of the patients was 4.05 years, with 59.25% males and most patients having upper RTIs. Co-amoxiclav was prescribed twice daily for one to 15 days. A significantly lesser number of probiotic co-prescriptions were observed with Clamp® (19.57%) than with CAA (38.46%) and CAM (29.31%) at baseline (p<0.001). Similar findings were observed for follow-up visits one and two. Saccharomyces boulardii, Bacillus clausii,and lactic acid bacillus were the most commonly co-prescribed probiotics. The qualitative evaluation indicated that most clinicians were aware of the co-amoxiclav-related gastrointestinal side effects and the benefits of probiotics in preventing them. The frequency of co-prescriptions of probiotics with Clamp® among pediatric patients with RTIs was significantly less, potentially indicating better gastrointestinal tolerability.

Probiotics as potential treatments to reduce myocardial remodelling and heart failure via the gut-heart axis: State-of-the-art review.

Probiotics are considered to represent important modulators of gastrointestinal health through increased colonization of beneficial bacteria thus altering the gut microflora. Although these beneficial effects of probiotics are now widely recognized, emerging evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microflora also affect numerous other organ systems including the heart through a process generally referred to as the gut-heart axis. Moreover, cardiac dysfunction such as that seen in heart failure can produce an imbalance in the gut flora, known as dysbiosis, thereby further contributing to cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. The latter occurs by the production of gut-derived pro-inflammatory and pro-remodelling factors which exacerbate cardiac pathology. One of the key contributors to gut-dependent cardiac pathology is trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a choline and carnitine metabolic by-product first synthesized as trimethylamine which is then converted into TMAO by a hepatic flavin-containing monooxygenase. The production of TMAO is particularly evident with regular western diets containing high amounts of both choline and carnitine. Dietary probiotics have been shown to reduce myocardial remodelling and heart failure in animal models although the precise mechanisms for these effects are not completely understood. A large number of probiotics have been shown to possess a reduced capacity to synthesize gut-derived trimethylamine and therefore TMAO thereby suggesting that inhibition of TMAO is a factor mediating the beneficial cardiac effects of probiotics. However, other potential mechanisms may also be important contributing factors. Here, we discuss the potential benefit of probiotics as effective therapeutic tools for attenuating myocardial remodelling and heart failure.