Synbiotic Combination Research Articles

Synbiotics effects of d-tagatose and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on the inflammation and oxidative stress reaction of Gallus gallus based on the genus of cecal bacteria and their metabolites.

Abuse of feed supplement can cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in Gallus gallus. Synbiotics are composed of prebiotics and probiotics and it possess huge application potentials in the treatment of animal diseases. This study examined the effect of d-tagatose on the probiotic properties of L. rhamnosus GG, L. paracasei, and S. lactis so as to screen the best synbiotic combinations. Treat Gallus gallus exhibiting oxidative stress and immune response caused by aflatoxin b1 with optimal synbiotics for 14 days, detect the changes of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers of Gallus gallus using qRT-PCR, and identified the intestinal bacteria genera and their metabolites in the cecum of Gallus gallus using gut microbiota and metabolomics analysis. The results indicated that oxidative stress and immune response factor expressions quantity in Gallus gallus decreased significantly after 14 days of treatment, compared with model group, the low-dose treatment group's SOD1, SOD3, GPX1, GPX2, GSR, H6DP, and HO-1 genes in liver were downregulated by 36.03%, 40.01%, 45.86%, 40.79%, 37.68%, 25.04%, and 29.89%, the IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IgA, IgM, and IgG genes in blood and spleen were downregulated by 26.59%, 34.19%, 21.19%, 28.18%, 35.93%, 12.67%, 21.81 and 35.93%, 22.85%, 21.19%, 28.78%, 35.93%, 15.36%, 29.73%. The intestinal bacteria genera and metabolomics analysis results indicated that the abundance of beneficial bacteria genus was up-regulated, and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria genera decreased. The amount of beneficial metabolites associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects was upregulated. The synbiotic composed of d-tagatose and L. rhamnosus GG can treat oxidative stress and immune response by altering the structure of intestinal bacteria genera and the production of metabolites.

Oral Supplements of Combined Lactobacillus plantarum and Asparagus officinalis Modulate Gut Microbiota and Alleviate High-Fat Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits and Neurodegeneration in Rats.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption disrupts the gut microbiome, instigating metabolic disturbance, brain pathology, and cognitive decline via the gut-brain axis. Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation have been found to improve gut microbiome health, suggesting they could be effective in managing neurodegenerative disorders. This study explored the potential benefits of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 20174 (L. plantarum), prebiotic Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) extract, or their synbiotic combination against HFD-induced cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a normal diet or an HFD for 24weeks. Starting from week 13, rats on either diet were divided into vehicle-, prebiotic-, probiotic-, and synbiotic-treated subgroups. Rats received their assigned intervention for 12 more weeks. Prebiotic, probiotic, or synbiotic treatment reverted HFD-instigated alterations in hippocampal amyloid beta, p-tau, α-synuclein, and BDNF levels, leading to restored cognitive function. The tested therapies also improved the HFD-disrupted lipid profile. Interestingly, probiotic and synbiotic therapies attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation, reinstated neurotransmitter balance,and mitigated the energy deficit in HFD-fed rats. Furthermore, L. plantarum and Asparagus administration modulated gut microbiota composition by raisingLactobacillusspecies and reducing Coliform and Staphylococci bacteria as well as fungi populations. These findings suggest that the oral consumption of A. officinalis prebiotics and/or L. plantarum probiotics alleviates HFD-induced cognitive deficit and neurodegeneration through modulation of the gut-brain axis with superior restorative effects being achieved by synbiotic treatment.

A randomized, open-label and prospective study to compare the efficacy and safety of synbiotics and rosuvastatin along with concomitant ursodeoxycholic acid in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in North India

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disorder without significant alcohol consumption with a global prevalence of 32%. It is strongly associated with dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and gut dysbiosis with no current USFDA approved pharmacotherapy. Thus, this study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of Synbiotics and Rosuvastatin along with concomitant Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA), in treatment of NAFLD. Methods: An interventional, randomized, open-label, prospective and parallel study of 12 weeks with patients randomly divided into two groups- A and B of thirty each. Group A was prescribed Synbiotics (Velgut) 5 billion CFUs BD and Group B was prescribed Rosuvastatin 20 mg OD along with UDCA 300mg BD in both the groups. Patients were followed up every 15 days and mainly assessed on hepatic profile, ultrasound grading, FibroScan, fibrosis indices and lipid profile along with safety profile and compliance. Results: On comparison, Group A showed significant improvement in hepatic parameters (p<0.001) whereas Group B showed better improvement in lipid profile (p<0.001). In case of ultrasonography for hepatic steatosis and assessment of liver stiffness by FibroScan, both Group A and B showed comparable improvement over 90 days (p=0.143 and p=0.722, respectively) with no worsening of any grades. Both groups performed similarly in terms of safety (p>0.05) and patients showed good compliance (p>0.05). Conclusion: Combination of Synbiotics and UDCA (Group A) seems to be more efficacious than Rosuvastatin and UDCA (Group B) in North-Indian NAFLD patients over a period of 3 months. Further extensive research with more sample size and studies with longer duration are needed to validate the role of these combination therapies in NAFLD.

Effect of synbiotic supplementation on obesity and gut microbiota in obese adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Synbiotics, combining specific probiotics and selected prebiotics, may benefit health issues like obesity, but evidence remains inconsistent. This study aimed to verify the effect of a pre-screened synbiotics combination [containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MN-Gup (MN-Gup), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS)] on obesity in the population. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 individuals with obesity consumed daily synbiotics (containing MN-Gup 1 × 1011 CFU/day, GOS 0.7 g/day, and XOS 0.7 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Body composition, blood lipids, serum hormone, bile acids, and gut microbiota were measured pre-and post-intervention. Synbiotics supplementation significantly decreased body fat percentage, waist, and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increased peptide YY, cholecystokinin, oxyntomodulin, GSH (glutathione peroxidase) in individuals with obesity. Additionally, synbiotic supplementation led to an enrichment of beneficial bacteria and bile acids chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). Bifidobacterium and Romboutsia were significantly positively correlated with CDCA. A more favorable effect was observed in individuals with obesity and abnormal LDL-C compared to those without dyslipidemia. Twelve-week synbiotics intervention reduced body fat percentage, waist, and serum LDL-C, especially in individuals with obesity and abnormal LDL-C. The possible mechanisms may be related to changes in gut microbiota, bile acids and gut hormones. Chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2200064156.

The impact of a prebiotic-rich diet and/or probiotic supplements on human cognition: secondary outcomes from the ‘gut feelings’ randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbiota-targeted interventions may lead to improvements in cognition. We assessed whether a prebiotic-rich dietary intervention, probiotic supplement, or synbiotic combination of both would improve human cognition, as part of the ‘Gut Feelings’ trial. Methods An 8-week, 2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial was conducted on 118 adults with low mood and potential for dietary improvement. Treatment arms: (1) probiotic supplement and diet-as-usual (probiotic group); (2) high-prebiotic diet and placebo supplement (prebiotic diet group); (3) probiotic supplement and high-prebiotic diet (synbiotic group); and (4) placebo supplement and diet-as-usual (placebo group). At baseline and 8-weeks, the Cogstate Brief Battery was administered, testing processing speed, attention, visual learning, and working memory. Data were analysed using Bayesian linear regression. Results We found weak evidence that the probiotic improved working memory (Cohen’s d = −0.32, 95% CI: –0.67, 0.03; posterior probability [post. prob] of benefit: 96%). For the other treatments, there was little or no evidence of cognitive improvement. We found weak evidence that the prebiotic diet impaired processing speed (d = 0.25, 95% CI: –0.02, 0.51; post. prob of harm: 97%). There was little indication of a synergistic interaction between the probiotic and prebiotic diet. Conclusion We found suggestive evidence of a probiotic-induced improvement in working memory, and prebiotic-induced impairment in processing speed. However, the evidence remains inconclusive regarding any cognitive benefit or harm induced by the probiotic, prebiotic diet, or synbiotic treatments. Larger intervention studies are recommended, with inclusion of neuroimaging or electrophysiology measures. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12617000795392; registered 31 May 2017).

A Novel Synbiotic Protects Against DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice via Anti-inflammatory and Microbiota-Balancing Properties.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-inflammatory disease. Gut microbes, intestinal immunity, and gut barrier function play a critical role in IBD. Growing evidence suggests that synbiotic may offer therapeutic benefits for individuals with colitis, suggesting an alternative therapy against colitis. With this in mind, we creatively prepared a new synbiotic combination consisting of a probiotic strain (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) along with one prebiotic chitooligosaccharides (COS). The protective effects of the synbiotic on DSS-induced colitis and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. We demonstrated that the synbiotic ameliorated colitis in mice, as evidenced by a significant remission in body weight loss and colon shortening, and a decreased disease activity index (DAI). Notably, synbiotic reduced the intestinal inflammation and injury by synergistically decreasing inflammatory factors, inhibiting TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling, preventing macrophage infiltration, and enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, synbiotic selectively promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia, Lactobacillus) but decreased the pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Helicobacter). BugBase's analysis supported its ameliorated role in reducing pathogenic bacteria. Collectively, our findings revealed the novel synbiotic had a potential to treat colitis, which was associated with its anti-inflammatory and microbiota-balancing properties. This study will contribute to the development of functional synbiotic products for IBD therapy and will provide valuable insights into their mechanisms.

Synbiotic Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 and Prebiotics on the Intestinal Microecology of Children with Obesity.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 (L. paracasei K56) is a probiotic with weight-loss effects. However, symbiosis research on the combined effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 and prebiotics is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L. paracasei K56, xylooligosaccharide (XOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), polyglucose (PG), and their synbiotic combinations (XOS + K56, GOS + K56, and PG + K56) on metabolism and gut composition in children with obesity, using an in vitro fermentation model. Fecal samples were collected from 14 children with obesity for in vitro fermentation, and the effects of the various treatments in gas production and short chain fatty acid synthesis (SCFAs) were assessed. Treatment with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics regulated gut microbiota and metabolites in children with obesity. GOS and XOS had higher degradation rates than PG + K56 synbiotics in the gut microbiota of children with obesity. Moreover, treatment with XOS, GOS, and their synbiotic combinations, (XOS + K56) and (GOS + K56), significantly reduced the production of gas, propionic acid, and butyric acid compared with PG + K56 treatment. Treatments with GOS + K56 and XOS + K56 altered the composition of the gut microbiota, improved the abundance of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, and reduced the abundance of Escherichia/Shigella. Overall, this study provides a theoretical foundation for the use of K56-based synbiotics.

Evaluation of the synbiotic effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mushroom extract on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, and immune status of zebrafish danio rerio

BackgroundThe quest for candidate probiotics and prebiotics to develop novel synbiotics for sustainable and profitable fish farming remains a major focus for various stakeholders. In this study, we examined the effects of combining two fungal probiotics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger with extracts of Jerusalem artichoke and white button mushroom to develop a synbiotic formulation to improve the growth and health status of zebrafish (Danio rerio). An initial in vitro study determined the most effective synbiotic combination, which was then tested in a 60-day in vivo nutritional trial using zebrafish (80 ± 1.0 mg) as a model animal. Four experimental diets were prepared: a control diet (basal diet), a prebiotic diet with 100% selected mushroom extract, a probiotic diet with 107 CFU of S. cerevisiae/g of diet, and a synbiotic diet with 107 CFU of S. cerevisiae/g of diet and 100% mushroom extract. As readouts, growth performance, survival, digestive enzyme activity and innate immune responses were evaluated.ResultsIn vitro results showed that the S. cerevisiae cultured in a medium containing 100% mushroom extract exhibited the maximum specific growth rate and shortest doubling time. In the in vivo test with zebrafish, feeding them with a synbiotic diet, developed with S. cerevisiae and mushroom extract, led to a significant improvement in the growth performance of zebrafish (P < 0.05). The group of zebrafish fed with the synbiotic diet showed significantly higher levels of digestive enzyme activity and immune responses compared to the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionTaken together, these results indicated that the combination of S. cerevisiae and mushroom extract forms an effective synbiotic, capable of enhancing growth performance and immune response in zebrafish.

Youth-derived Lactobacillus rhamnosus with prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharide exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic effects as a novel synbiotic

Changes in dietary patterns and living habits have led to an increasing number of individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. Excessive consumption of high-cholesterol foods can disrupt the body’s lipid metabolism. Numerous studies have firmly established the cholesterol-lowering effects of probiotics and prebiotics, with evidence showing that the synergistic use of synbiotics is functionally more potent than using probiotics or prebiotics alone. Currently, the screening strategy involves screening prebiotics for synbiotic development with probiotics as the core. However, in comparison to probiotics, there are fewer types of prebiotics available, leading to limited resources. Consequently, the combinations of synbiotics obtained are restricted, and probiotics and prebiotics are only relatively suitable. Therefore, in this study, a novel synbiotic screening strategy with prebiotics as the core was developed. The synbiotic combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus S_82 and xylo-oligosaccharides was screened from the intestinal tract of young people through five generations of xylo-oligosaccharides. Subsequently, the cholesterol-lowering ability of the medium was simulated, and the two carbon sources of glucose and xylo-oligosaccharides were screened out. The results showed that synbiotics may participate in cholesterol-lowering regulation by down-regulating the expression of NPC1L1 gene, down-regulating ACAT2 and increasing the expression of ABCG8 gene in vitro through cell adsorption and cell absorption in vitro, and regulating the intestinal microbiota. Synbiotics hold promise as potential candidates for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia in humans and animals, and this study providing a theoretical foundation for the development of new synbiotic products.

Evaluation of safety of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains and their synbiotic combination with isomalto-oligosaccharides against LPS-induced inflammation in murine macrophages

In this study, the safety of Bifidobacterium longum Bif10, Bifidobacterium breve Bif11, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LAB3, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LAB39 was evaluated using in-vitro, genomics, and in-vivo approaches. In the in-vitro safety studies, mucin degradation, biogenic amine production and cytotoxicity on HEK-293 cells by these strains were evaluated. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were carried out to identify the genes responsible for mucin degradation, biogenic amine production, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors. In-vivo safety was assessed after acute, subacute, and sub-chronic oral feeding with respective strains to the mice as per revised OECD guidelines. Histopathological examination, gut permeability, hematological, blood biochemistry, and oxidative stress were evaluated after sacrificing the animals. Further, the compatibility of the four strains was assessed and their synbiotic combination with isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) was evaluated for its potential in alleviating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in murine macrophages. In-vitro studies indicated that the strains do not produce biogenic amines and were non-cytotoxic to HEK-293 cells. Whole genome analysis suggested a lack of transferable antibiotic-resistance genes or potentially lethal virulence factors and genes for biogenic amines. In vivo studies showed that the bacterial strains did not affect the health parameters related to blood or induce histological alterations in the vital organs. The four strains were compatible with each other and their synbiotic blend efficiently curtailed LPS-induced oxidative stress, inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokine production. Given these observations, Bif10, Bif11, LAB3, and LAB39 can be deemed safe and their synbiotic blend with IMOs could impart anti-inflammatory effects.

Characterization of Eurotium cristatum Fermented Thinned Young Apple and Mechanisms Underlying Its Alleviating Impacts on Experimental Colitis.

A hundred million tons of young apples are thinned and discarded in the orchard per year, aiming to increase the yield and quality of apples. We fermented thinned young apples using a potential probiotic fungus, Eurotium cristatum, which notably disrupted the microstructure of raw samples, as characterized by the scanning electron microscope. Fermentation substantially altered the metabolite profiles of samples, which are predicted to alleviate colitis via regulating inflammatory response and response to lipopolysaccharide by using network pharmacology analysis. In vivo, oral gavage of water extracts of E. cristatum fermented young apples (E.YAP) effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis, restored the histopathology damage, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, and promoted colonic expressions of tight junction proteins. Moreover, E.YAP ameliorated gut dysbacteriosis by increasing abundances of Lactobacillus,Blautia, Muribaculaceae, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 while inhibiting Turicibacter, Alistipes, and Desulfovibrio. Importantly, E.YAP increased colonic bile acids, such as CA, TCA, DCA, TUDCA, and LCA, thereby alleviating colitis via PXR/NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, a synbiotic combination with Limosilactobacillus reuteri WX-94, a probiotic strain isolated from feces of healthy individuals with anti-inflammatory properties, augmented anticolitis capacities of E.YAP. Our findings demonstrate that E.YAP could be a novel, potent, food-based anti-inflammatory prebiotic for relieving inflammatory injuries.

Combined Supplementation of Inulin and Bacillus coagulans Lactospore Demonstrates Synbiotic Potential in the Mucosal Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SHIME®) Model

Prebiotic and probiotic combinations may lead to a synbiotic effect, demonstrating superior health benefits over either component alone. Using the Mucosal Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SHIME®) model, the effects of repeated supplementation with inulin (prebiotic, which is expected to provide a source of nutrition for the live microorganisms in the gut to potentially support optimal digestive health), Bacillus coagulans lactospore (probiotic), and a low and high dose of a synbiotic combination of the two on the gut microbial community activity and composition were evaluated. Test product supplementation increased the health-promoting short-chain fatty acids acetate and butyrate compared with levels recorded during the control period, demonstrating a stimulation of saccharolytic fermentation. This was likely the result of the increased abundance of several saccharolytic bacterial groups, including Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium, following test product supplementation. The stimulation of acetate and butyrate production, as well as the increased abundance of saccharolytic bacterial groups were more evident in treatment week 3 compared with treatment week 1, demonstrating the value of repeated product administration. Further, the synbiotic formulations tended to result in greater changes compared with prebiotic or probiotic alone. Overall, the findings demonstrate a synbiotic potential for inulin and B. coagulans lactospore and support repeated administration of these products, indicating a potential for promoting gut health.

Elucidation of synbiotic diet comprising of Lactobacillus plantarum L20 and Sargassum polycystum on gastrointestinal microbiota, tissue structures and AHPND associated dysbiosis susceptibility in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

This study investigates the effect of a synbiotic combination comprising of Lactobacillus plantarum L20 and Sargassum polycystum on gastrointestinal microbiota, tissue structures and AHPND infection in black tiger shrimp, P. monodon. The shrimp were randomly distributed into synbiotic (feed that was incorporated with 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum L20 and 2% S. polycystum) and control group (feed that was incorporated with PBS). After 35 days of feeding trial, all groups were subjected to an AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus S2–4 immersion challenge at 6 × 105 CFU/mL. The shrimp gastrointestinal tract from both groups were collected from the feeding trial and challenge test and subjected to high throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and histopathological analysis. Following 35th day of feeding trial, there were growth enhancement in shrimp, but no significant differences (p > 0.05) in alpha and beta diversities in gastrointestinal microbiota for both groups. However, synbiotic group exhibited a differential abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillaceae and Lactiplantibacillus, which were not observed in the control group. Following 60 h post-challenge, there was improvement in shrimp survival in synbiotic group, with slightly significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in alpha diversity and but no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in beta diversity. Synbiotic group demonstrated negative correlation between the gastrointestinal microbiota with Vibrionaceae, enriched potential metabolic pathway of energy generation and microbiota proliferation, and protected gastrointestinal tract structure during the study. The findings suggest that synbiotic diet comprising of L. plantarum L20 and S. polycystum improve growth performance, disease resistance and gastrointestinal structure protection through enhancement of few beneficial bacteria group abundance, despite insignificantly changes of gastrointestinal microbiota with control diet in the shrimp.

Synergistic effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum on Clostridium butyricum in a synbiotic combination for enhanced butyrate production during in-vitro fermentation

Background: Clostridium butyricum is a butyrate-producing beneficial bacterium and is generally recognized as a significant indicator of appropriate gut microbial metabolism in human health. Objective: The synergistic effects of commercially available prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) dietary fiber as a carbon source on a butyrate-producing bacterial strain were evaluated during in-vitro fermentation with Clostridium butyricum bacterial strain in a basal medium. Additionally, their prebiotic activities were compared to those of other dietary fibers. Methods: The examined functional dietary fiber substrates (PHGG, LMW-PHGG, indigestible dextrin, and inulin) demonstrated selective prebiotic effects on pH variation of a basal medium, leading to enhanced bacterial growth and butyrate production with Clostridium butyricum bacterial strains during in-vitro fermentation. Results: Prebiotic PHGG supplementation had the highest fermentability among dietary fibers, resulting in greater bacterial growth (OD660: 1.93 ± 0.01) of the Clostridium butyricum strain and enhanced butyrate generation (4.52 ± 2.09 mM) after cultivation in a basal medium. A significant difference in promoting bacterial growth (p &lt; 0.05), pH reduction (p &lt; 0.05), and butyrate production (p &lt; 0.05) compared to indigestible dextrin and inulin was observed. Mannose demonstrated the strongest butyrogenic effect and improved fermentability on the Clostridium butyricum, among the studied prebiotic monosaccharides (galactose, glucose, and starch). The order of bacterial growth and butyrate synthesis was mannose &gt; galactose &gt; glucose &gt; starch. The PHGG with a relatively lower molecular weight (LMW-PHGG) exhibited the improved bacterial growth of Clostridium butyricum and demonstrated the highest butyrate production after cultivation in a basal medium. A similar trend was observed when Clostridium butyricum was cultivated in-vitro using PHGG-supplemented artificial intestinal fluid containing MRS-agar medium. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the symbiotic combination of prebiotic PHGG and probiotic Clostridium butyricum could have major industrial applications as a therapeutic adjuvant for improved gastrointestinal health. Keywords: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum, synbiotic, prebiotic, probiotic, Clostridium butyricum, butyrate production

Integrative genomic reconstruction of carbohydrate utilization networks in bifidobacteria: global trends, local variability, and dietary adaptation.

Bifidobacteria are among the earliest colonizers of the human gut, conferring numerous health benefits. While multiple Bifidobacterium strains are used as probiotics, accumulating evidence suggests that the individual responses to probiotic supplementation may vary, likely due to a variety of factors, including strain type(s), gut community composition, dietary habits of the consumer, and other health/lifestyle conditions. Given the saccharolytic nature of bifidobacteria, the carbohydrate composition of the diet is one of the primary factors dictating the colonization efficiency of Bifidobacterium strains. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of bifidobacterial glycan metabolism at the strain level is necessary to rationally design probiotic or synbiotic formulations that combine bacterial strains with glycans that match their nutrient preferences. In this study, we systematically reconstructed 66 pathways involved in the utilization of mono-, di-, oligo-, and polysaccharides by analyzing the representation of 565 curated metabolic functional roles (catabolic enzymes, transporters, transcriptional regulators) in 2973 non-redundant cultured Bifidobacterium isolates and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Our analysis uncovered substantial heterogeneity in the predicted glycan utilization capabilities at the species and strain level and revealed the presence of a yet undescribed phenotypically distinct subspecies-level clade within the Bifidobacterium longum species. We also identified Bangladeshi isolates harboring unique gene clusters tentatively implicated in the breakdown of xyloglucan and human milk oligosaccharides. Predicted carbohydrate utilization phenotypes were experimentally characterized and validated. Our large-scale genomic analysis considerably expands the knowledge of carbohydrate metabolism in bifidobacteria and provides a foundation for rationally designing single- or multi-strain probiotic formulations of a given bifidobacterial species as well as synbiotic combinations of bifidobacterial strains matched with their preferred carbohydrate substrates.

Evaluation of synbiotic combinations of commercial probiotic strains with different prebiotics in in vitro and ex vivo human gut microcosm model.

Exploring probiotics for their crosstalk with the host microbiome through the fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibers (prebiotics) for their potential metabolic end-products, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is important for understanding the endogenous host-gut microbe interaction. This study was aimed at a systematic comparison of commercially available probiotics to understand their synergistic role with specific prebiotics in SCFAs production both in vitro and in the ex vivo gut microcosm model. Probiotic strains isolated from pharmacy products including Lactobacillus sporogenes (strain not labeled), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC53103), Streptococcus faecalis (T-110 JPC), Bacillus mesentericus (TO-AJPC), Bacillus clausii (SIN) and Saccharomyces boulardii (CNCM I-745) were assessed for their probiotic traits including survival, antibiotic susceptibility, and antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains. Our results showed that the microorganisms under study had strain-specific abilities to persist in human gastrointestinal conditions and varied anti-infective efficacy and antibiotic susceptibility. The probiotic strains displayed variation in the utilization of six different prebiotic substrates for their growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Their prebiotic scores (PS) revealed which were the most suitable prebiotic carbohydrates for the growth of each strain and suggested xylooligosaccharide (XOS) was the poorest utilized among all. HPLC analysis revealed a versatile pattern of SCFAs produced as end-products of prebiotic fermentation by the strains which was influenced by growth conditions. Selected synbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic) combinations showing high PS and high total SCFAs production were tested in an ex vivo human gut microcosm model. Interestingly, significantly higher butyrate and propionate production was found only when synbiotics were applied as against when individual probiotic or prebiotics were applied alone. qRT-PCR analysis with specific primers showed that there was a significant increase in the abundance of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria with synbiotic blends compared to pre-, or probiotics alone. In conclusion, this work presents findings to suggest prebiotic combinations with different well-established probiotic strains that may be useful for developing effective synbiotic blends.

Co-supplementation of synbiotics and anti-inflammatory-antioxidant rich diet in patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis: A single-center, randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The relationship between dietary modification and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-related disability has been emphasized in several researches. AIMS: To determine whether a co-administration of anti-inflammatory-antioxidant rich diet and synbiotics might improve clinical manifestations in progressive MS patients. METHODS: The study involved 70 patients with progressive MS (primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, and progressive-relapsing) who were randomized to receive either intervention (synbiotics capsule plus an anti-inflammatory-antioxidant-rich diet) or placebo. Quality of Life (QOL), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and depression-anxiety scores were evaluated before and after the follow-up. Analysis of covariance was performed for final analysis (SPSS v.14). RESULTS: Significant reductions were seen in EDSS (2.6±1.1 to 2.4±1.0, P &lt; 0.001), State Anxiety Inventory (53.7±10.3 to 47.8±10.6, P &lt; 0.001), and QOL scores after four months of intervention. No significant difference was seen across the depression severity (Δ for intervention = –2.2±5.5 vs. Δ for control = –0.6±5.7; P = 0.264). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a combination of synbiotics and diet could be a promising strategy to improve severity and clinical manifestations of progressive MS.

Studies on different polysaccharides used as carrier material for spray-drying of synbiotics and its viability under different storage conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the different polysaccharides as carrier material for spray-drying synbiotics and to study the physicochemical characteristics of synbiotics at different storage conditions. The thermally acclimatized probiotic strains, Lactobacillus helveticus (H-45) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (N-45) with enhanced probiotic properties were spray-dried using these polysaccharides along with galactooligosaccharides (GOS) as prebiotic. The studied plant-based polysaccharides are maltodextrin (MDX), corn starch (CS), and gum acacia (GA). After spray-drying, the survivability of all synbiotic combinations was higher in the presence of corn starch as carrier material. The synbiotic combination N45 + GOS + CS showed better survivability during spray-drying, under simulated intestinal (8.43 ± 0.17 log CFU/g), acid (5.51 ± 0.12 log CFU/g), and bile (7.31 ± 0.04 log CFU/g) conditions. The spray-dried powders had good to moderate flow properties with moisture content and water activity (aw) at the optimal range for the survival of probiotics. Among the spray-dried powders, synbiotic-N45 + GOS + CS showed improved storage survivability during shelf-life studies at three different temperatures (4 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C) for eight weeks. However, all spray-dried probiotic and synbiotic powders had higher viability when stored at 4 °C. Hence, the study suggests that cornstarch as a polysaccharide in the synbiotics formulation (N45 + GOS + CS) may have a potential application in functional foods.

Improving the Functionality of Yogurt after Fortification with a Synbiotic Combination of a Potential Probiotic and Bacteriocin-Producing Bacteria and Hydnora abyssinica Phytosomes

Functional dairy products are attracting consumers’ attention, as they simultaneously have nutritional and health benefits. Hence, we aimed in this study to fortify a dairy product (yogurt) with phytosomes of extract from Hydnora abyssinica (a holoparasitic plant that has ethnobotanical value) and a potential bacteriocin-producing probiotic lactic acid bacterium (LAB). Goat cheese was screened for LAB with promising antimicrobial activity, and the safety and probiotic potential of the selected isolate were studied. As a result, strain GA5 was selected due to its wide antimicrobial activity that was suggested to be caused by bacteriocin production. Moreover, this strain showed promising stress tolerance, in vitro antioxidant activity (95 ± 2.8%), and hydrophobic potential (87.18 ± 3.43%). Strain GA5 was molecularly identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GA5. On the other hand, a hydromethanolic extract was prepared from H. abyssinica flowers, and its prebiotic potential and polyphenol content were evaluated. This extract was also encapsulated in phytosomes. Then, the physical and morphological characteristics of prepared phytosomes were studied. Yogurt fortified with these ingredients (L. plantarum GA5 together with free H. abyssinica extract or its extract encapsulated in phytosomes) showed higher antioxidant content, viscosity, texture profile, and sensory properties than the control. Furthermore, the yogurt remained unspoiled for over 21 days, indicating that the added ingredients prolonged its shelf life. As far as we know, this is the first study describing the fortification of yogurt with H. abyssinica phytosomes and a potential bacteriocin-producing probiotic LAB.

Phlorotannins Isolated from Eisenia bicyclis and Lactobacillus casei Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice through the AhR Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to colon cancer, needs effective natural preventive and therapeutic strategies to alleviate its clinical course. This study investigated the combined effects of phlorotannins (TAs) isolated from Eisenia bicyclis (E. bicyclis) and Lactobacillus casei (LC) on inflammatory markers in UC, with a focus on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) axis. In vitro experiments revealed anti-inflammatory effects of the phlorotannin fraction isolated from E. bicyclis, especially in synergy with LC. In vivo experiments showed that a synbiotic combination of TAs and LC mitigated DSS-induced colitis and reduced intestinal shortening and splenic hypertrophy. The TA and LC combination suppressed inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, Lipocalin 2), while activating tight junction genes (Muc2, Zo-1, Occludin, and Claudin1) and enhancing antioxidant capacity (Nrf2 and Nqo1 genes). Activation of the AhR pathway, which is crucial for regulating intestinal inflammation via IL-22, was evident with both phlorotannin alone and synbiotic administration. The combination of TAs and LC amplified the synergistic effect on intestinal immunity and microbiota, favoring beneficial species and optimizing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Overall, synbiotic use demonstrated superior preventive effects against UC, suggesting its potential benefits for improving the gut immune system through gut microbiota-derived metabolites.