The synbiotic mixture of lactulose and Bacillus coagulans protects intestinal barrier dysfunction and apoptosis in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Background Lactulose as an effective prebiotic protects intestinal mucosal injury.Bacillus coagulans is widely used in feed additives because of its ability to promote intestinal health.Our previous study suggests that the combination of lactulose and Bacillus coagulans may be a good candidate as alternative for antibiotic growth promoters.However,the in vivo effects of lactulose and Bacillus coagulans on growth and intestinal health under immune challenge in piglets remains unclear.The objective of this study is to explore the protective effects of synbiotic containing lactu-lose and Bacillus coagulans on the intestinal mucosal injury and barrier dysfunction under immune challenge in weaned piglets.Methods Twenty four weaned piglets were assigned to 4 groups.Piglets in the CON-_(saline)and LPS-_(LPS)group were fed the basal diet,while others were fed either with chlortetracycline(CTC)or synbiotic mixture of lactulose and Bacillus coagulans for 32 d before injection of saline or lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Piglets were sacrificed 4 h after LPS injection to collect samples to determine intestinal morphology,integrity and barrier functions as well as relative genes and proteins.Results Our data showed that no differences were observed in the growth performance of the four test groups.LPS injection induced higher serum diamine oxidase activities,D-lactic acid levels,and endotoxin status,lower villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth,greater mRNA and lower protein expression related tight junction in both jejunum and ileum.In addition,a higher apoptosis index,and protein expression of Bax and caspase-3 were also observed in the LPS challenge group.Interestingly,dietary synbiotic mixture with lactulose and Bacillus coagulans protected against LPS-induced intestinal damage,barrier dysfunction and higher apoptosis as well as CTC.Conclusions Our data suggest that dietary supplementation of synbiotic mixture with lactulose and Bacillus coagu-lans showed resilience to LPS-induced intestinal morphological damage,barrier dysfunction and aggressive apoptosis in piglets as well as the protective effects of CTC.These results indicate that synbiotic mixture of lactulose and Bacillus coagulans showed beneficial effects on performance and resilience to acute immune stress in weaned piglets.

Heat stress in pigs and broilers:role of gut dysbiosis in the impairment of the gut-liver axis and restoration of these effects by probiotics,prebiotics and synbiotics

Heat stress is one of the most challenging stressors for animal production due to high economic losses resulting from impaired animal’s productivity,health and welfare.Despite the fact that all farm animal species are susceptible to heat stress,birds and pigs are particularly sensitive to heat stress due to either lacking or non-functional sweat glands.Con-vincing evidence in the literature exists that gut dysbiosis,a term used to describe a perturbation of commensal gut microbiota,develops in broilers and pigs under heat stress.Owing to the protective role of commensal bacteria for the gut barrier,gut dysbiosis causes a disruption of the gut barrier leading to endotoxemia,which contributes to the typical characteristics of heat stressed broilers and growing and growing-finishing pigs,such as reduced feed intake,decreased growth and reduced lean carcass weight.A substantial number of studies have shown that feeding of probiotics,prebiotics and synbiotics is an efficacious strategy to protect broilers from heat stress-induced gut barrier disruption through altering the gut microbiota and promoting all decisive structural,biochemical,and immunologi-cal elements of the intestinal barrier.In most of the available studies in heat stressed broilers,the alterations of gut microbiota and improvements of gut barrier function induced by feeding of either probiotics,prebiotics or synbiot-ics were accompanied by an improved productivity,health and/or welfare when compared to non-supplemented broilers exposed to heat stress.These findings indicate that the restoration of gut homeostasis and function is a key target for dietary interventions aiming to provide at least partial protection of broilers from the detrimental impact of heat stress conditions.Despite the fact that the number of studies dealing with the same feeding strategy in heat stressed pigs is limited,the available few studies suggest that feeding of probiotics might also be a suitable approach to enhance productivity,health and welfare in pigs kept under heat stress conditions.

Topical Application of Synbiotic Bacillus Preparations Positively Affects Skin (Micro) Biology

Alteration in skin microbiome profile is involved in many skin conditions, therefore, microbiome modulation is a reasonable target for skin health. Probiotic skincare was suggested, and leave-on synbiotic skincare preparation, blending bacillus spores, as probiotic active ingredient, and inulin sugar, as prebiotic booster, is evaluated, using microarray, 16S gene sequencing, and clinical skin analyses. Topical application of leave-on synbiotic skincare on skin model activates a profound effect on skin biology, expressed in the transcriptome level, with higher than 10% affected genes. The significance of the synbiotic preparation on skin biology was assured, indicating the involvement of major biological pathways. Blending probiotic with Polygonum aviculare plant extract, had triggered a distinct gene expression alteration, demonstrating the sensitivity of skin responses to different active substances. A synbiotic skincare application, had successfully introduced live and active Bacillus probiotics on human skin, detectable days after application was finalized. Following synbiotic application, the microbial content of several microorganisms, related to skin pathologies, was reduced, while the content of bacillus species, representing a healthier microbiome status, was increased, suggesting that frequent application may lead to overall healthier skin microbiome. Acne vulgaris involves unbalanced skin microbiome, with expansion of Cutibacterium acnes. The efficacy of a synbiotic skin cream was assessed to improve acne symptoms, including IGA dermatologist acne severity score, the number of counted acne lesions, measured skin oiliness and skin redness, visual appearance of skin-pores, skin smoothness and softness, and Acne Quality of Life Index.

Use of pre-, pro- and synbiotics in patients with acute pancreatitis:A meta-analysis

AIM: To assess the clinical outcomes of pre-, pro-and synbiotics therapy in patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The databases including Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Chinese Biomedicine Database were searched for all relevant randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of pre-, pro- or synbiotics in patients with acute pancreatitis. Main outcome measures were postoperative infections, pancreatic infections, multiple organ failure (MOF), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), length of hospital stay, antibiotic therapy and mortality. RESULTS: Seven randomized studies with 559 acute pancreatic patients were included. Pre-, pro-or synbiot-ics treatment showed no influence on the incidence of postoperative infections [odds ratios (OR) 0.30, 95% conf idence interval (CI): 0.09-1.02, P = 0.05], pancre- atic infection (OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.12-2.17, P = 0.36), MOF (OR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.35-2.21, P = 0.79) and SIRS (OR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.20-2.98, P = 0.71). There were also no signif icant differences in the length of antibiotic therapy (OR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.50-1.14, P = 0.18) and the mortality (OR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.25-2.24, P = 0.61). However, Pre-, pro-or synbiotics treatment was associ- ated with a reduced length of hospital stay (OR -3.87, 95% CI: -6.20 to -1.54, P = 0.001). When stratifying for the severity of acute pancreatitis, the main results were similar. CONCLUSION: Pre-, pro-or synbiotics treatment shows no significant influence on patients with acute pancreatitis. There is a lack of evidence to support the use of probiotics/synbiotics in this area.

The impact of synbiotic administration through in ovo technology on the microstructure of a broiler chicken small intestine tissue on the 1^(st) and 42^(nd) day of rearing

Background： Application the innovative method which is in ovo technology provides a means of modulating the immune system at early embryonic stages. The aim of study was to determine influence of the in ovo stimulation, on d12 of incubation, with synbiotics（synbiotic 1-L. salivarius IBB3154 ＋ Bi^2tos, Clasado Ltd. and the synbiotic 2-L. plantarum IBB3036 ＋ lupin RFOs） on the microstructure of duodenum, jejunum and ileum in the 1^（st） and 42^（nd）day of rearing.Results： On the 1^（st） day of chickens life, in the duodenum of both experimental groups（SYN1 and SYN2）, a significantly higher and wider intestinal vil i as wel as a significantly larger absorbent surface of these villi were found in comparison with the Control group（P ≤ 0.01）. On the 42^（nd）day of rearing the beneficial effect of synbiotic 1 was reflected by the numerical y higher vil i（no statistical differences） with a larger surface（P ≤ 0.01） in the duodenum in the SYN1 group compare to the Control group. In the jejunum on the 1^（st） day of life, in the SYN1 group, significantly higher vil i than in the Control group, with a simultaneous decrease in the depth of crypts（P ≤ 0.01）, and also the largest width of vil i and their absorbent area（P ≤ 0.01） in comparison to the other groups were found. On the 42^（nd）day of life, in the jejunum, an increase in the height of the vil i whilst reducing the crypt depth in the SYN2 group was found（P ≤ 0.01）. In turn, in the SYN1 group, there were significantly more neutral goblet cel s observed compared with the control group（P ≤ 0.05）. In the ileum of 1-day-old chickens, the widest vil i（P ≤ 0.05） and the deepest crypts（P ≤ 0.01） were found in the SYN2 group. In the same group, there was also the least amount of neutral goblet cel s in comparison to the other groups（P ≤ 0.05）.Conclusions： We observed that synbiotic 1 and 2 beneficial y affected the examined characteristics on the 1^（st） and 42^（nd） day of life. The obtained results al ow us to conclude that the use of synbiotics significantly affect gut structure which should contribute to improvement in nutrient absorption by the gut.

A comprehensive review on clinical outcome of probiotic and synbiotic therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases

The composition of gut microflora and its metabolic activity are closely correlated with the host immune system, and the changes in the biometric of the microbiome lead to inflammatory diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. The supplementation of probiotics and synbiotic could indeed manipulate the microflora, which can be an alternative therapy for ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Several in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies for the initiation and maintenance of remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease have been completed.Those studies evaluated the efficacy of many probiotic formulations, especially about VSL#3.Even though the clinical studies proved that almost all the probiotic interventions are safe and bring improvement to patients, some studies are deficient in sample size, proper controls, and follow-ups. This paper summarizes the possible mechanism of inflammatory bowel disease development, probiotics, the clinical outcome of probiotic and synbiotic interventions for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as the adverse effect of probiotic treatments.

Effects of Synbiotics and Antibiotics on Nutrient Digestibility and Serum Antioxidant Function of Weaned Piglets

The paper was to investigate the effects of synbiotics and antibiotics on nutrient digestibility and serum antioxidant function of weaned piglets. Totally 216 individuals of 35-day-old piglets were randomly divided into three groups, six replicates for each group, and each replicate contained 12 piglets. The first group was antibiotics group, 20 g,/t colistin sulfate （active ingredients） were added in the basal diet; the second group was synbiotics group, 250 g/t synbiotics （contai- ning xylooligesaccharides, oligochitasan, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum） were added in the basal diet; the third group was combination group, 20 g/t colistin sulfate and 250 g/t synbiotics were added in the basal diet. The whole trial lasted 28 d. The results showed that there was no difference between synbiotics group and antibiotic group in growth performance, nutrients digestibility or antioxidant indicators （ P 〉 0.05 ）. Compared with the piglets in synbiotics group and an- tibiotic group, piglets in combination group had higher digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, and higher T-SOD activity in serum （ P 〈 0.05 ）. It is conclu- ded that synbiotics can replace antibiotics for piglets at 35 -63 days of age. Synbiotics and antibiotic had the synergistic effect on nutrient digestibility and antioxi- dant function of piglets.

Synbiotic as Feed Additives Relating to Animal Health and Performance

According to the increasing of human population in the world, it reached about seven billion people and it continuously increased. In this background, the food source in both animal and plant origin must be increased accordingly. For these we must use and add some feed additives such as antibiotic, probiotic, prebiotic, postbiotic and synbiotic for the animal feed to increase production (meat, egg, milk and fish) and improve health. In early cases, probiotic as mono or mixed beneficial live microorganism was used as feed additive that plays a significant role in several health conditions and performances. In another way, the scientists use some ingredients indigestible with carbohydrates origin, especially oligosaccharides as a source of energy for beneficial microorganisms in the body which were called prebiotic, and it is indigestible fermented food substrates that stimulate the growth, composition and activity of microorganisms in gastrointestinal and improve host. Most of the scientists urged to use all the above in such way that have more benefits in animal health and performance which were therefore called synbiotic, that was a combination between probiotic and prebiotic which beneficially had significant effects on the host by improving the survival and implantation of live microbial dietary supplements in the gastrointestinal tract, and thus improving animal health and performance. So, it was proposed that the synbiotic in this research increased beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improved intestinal architect, and then promoted intestine environment. Consequently, it can improve blood indices, and especially decrease bad cholesterol (Low-density lipoprotein), decrease harmful microorganisms and toxins. However, it can also improve ingredient product, increase mineral absorption and nutrient. In conclusion, it can improve animal health and performance.

Modulation of Anti-Microbial Resistant <i>Salmonella heidelberg</i>Using Synbiotics (Probiotics and Prebiotics) in Two <i>In-Vitro</i>Assays (Cross-Streaking and Agar Wells Diffusion)

Salmonellosis is the most prevalent bacterial foodborne disease in many countries worldwide. Utilization of probiotics is one of the most accepted ways to reduce Salmonella, especially lactic acid bacteria, as it has proven to reduce the enteric pathogens in monogastric and ruminant livestock animals through different mechanisms such as antimicrobials production, competitive adhesion to the gastrointestinal tract, and immune stimulation. Prebiotics could be utilized solely for health benefits as an alternative to probiotics or in addition to probiotics for a synergistic effect known as synbiotics. The aim of this study was to compare effects of different probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc-37), Streptococcus thermophiles (St-21), Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bb-06), and Aspergillus niger (ATCC®16888TM) and without prebiotics (Mannose;Xylose;Galactooligosaccharides GOS;Inulin;and Dandelion extract) on lowering Salmonella heidelberg CFU in vitro. Different inhibition levels probiotic strains were assessed and compared in the presence and absence of 2.5% prebiotic compounds using cross-streaking and agar well diffusion assays. Recommendations for the growth of selected microorganisms such as temperature and oxygen conditions were taken into consideration. All the analysis was conducted in triplicates. The results showed that all the probiotics strains except S. thermophiles were able to significantly (P < 0.05) inhibit the growth of S. heidelberg in at least one of the assays. The difference in inhibition percentage confirms that probiotic strains have multiple inhibition mechanisms, such as production of antimicrobials, lower pH by producing organic acids (acetic acid, lactic acid, etc.), and inhibition of pathogen’s virulence factor expression, and production of lipopolysaccharide solubilizing compounds.

GLP1 and GIP are involved in the action of synbiotics in broiler chickens

Background: In order to discover new strategies to replace antibiotics in the post-antibiotic era in meat-type chicken production, two new synbiotics were tested:(Lactobacillus salivarius IBB3154 plus galactooligosaccharide(Syn1) and Lactobacillus plantarum IBB3036 plus raffinose family oligosaccharides(Syn2).Methods: The synbiotics were administered via syringe, using a special automatic system, into the egg air chamber of Cobb 500 broiler chicks on the 12 thday of egg incubation(2 mg of prebiotics + 105 cfu bacteria per egg).Hatched roosters(total 2,400) were reared on an experimental farm, kept in pens(75 animals per pen), with free access to feed and water. After 42 d animals were slaughtered. Blood serum, pancreas, duodenum and duodenum content were collected.Results: Syn2 increased trypsin activity by 2.5-fold in the pancreas and 1.5-fold in the duodenal content. In the duodenum content, Syn2 resulted in ca 30% elevation in lipase activity and 70% reduction in amylase activity.Syn1 and Syn2 strongly decreased expression of m RNA for GLP-1 and GIP in the duodenum and for GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas. Simultaneously, concentrations of the incretins significantly diminished in the blood serum(P < 0.05). The decreased expression of incretins coincides with changed activity of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and in the duodenal content. The results indicate that incretins are involved in the action of Syn1 and Syn2 or that they may even be their target. No changes were observed in key hormones regulating metabolism(insulin, glucagon, corticosterone, thyroid hormones, and leptin) or in metabolic indices(glucose,NEFA, triglycerides, cholesterol). Additionally, synbiotics did not cause significant changes in the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in broiler chickens. Simultaneously, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase diminished after Syn2 and Syn1, respectively.Conclusion: The selected synbiotics may be used as in ovo additives for broiler chickens, and Syn2 seems to improve their potential digestive proteolytic and lipolytic ability. Our results suggest that synbiotics can be directly or indirectly involved in incretin secretion and reception.

Efficacy of standard therapy with synbiotic or without synbiotic to reduce Gardnerella vaginalis,Atopobium vaginae and Megaesphaera phylotypeⅠin pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis

Objective: To evaluate whether addition of symbiotic to clindamycin could reduce Gardnerella vaginalis,Atopobium vaginae,and Megasphaera phylotypeⅠin pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.Methods: This randomized controlled trial(RSUP Dr.Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar clinical trial registry UH17010021)included 61 samples.The intervention group was given clindamycin and synbiotic while the control group was given clindamycin and placebo(without synbiotic).Wilcoxon test and hypothesis test of two independent samples were used to compare the treatment efficacy.Results: This study showed a significant difference in Nugent score before and after treatment in each group.But there was no difference in Nugent score between the intervention group and the control group after treatment or in Nugent scores reduction in both groups.The most common type of bacteria found was Megasphaera phylotypeⅠ.There were no significant differences in the three types(Gardnerella vaginalis,Atopobium vaginae,and Megasphaera phylotypeⅠ)of bacteria after treatment between both groups.Additionally,there was no difference in therapeutic effect between the intervention group and the control group.Conclusions: Clindamycin along with synbiotics is no more effective for treated bacterial vaginosis than clindamycin without synbiotics.Megaesphaera is the most commonly found bacteria,which cannot be eradicated with clindamycin.

Efficacy of a synbiotic chewable tablet in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Infection by Clostridium difficile, a complication of treatment with antibiotics, causes antibiotic- associated diarrhea (AAD) and can lead to colitis and pseudomembranous colitis. Incidence of C. difficile infection is increasing among the elderly undergoing antibiotics therapy confined to health care facilities, conditions that are expensive to treat, decrease the quality of life and are life threatening. Use of probiotics has been proposed as a method to decrease the incidence of AAD in health care facilities. To examine the efficacy of using probiotics, 120 nursing home residents undergoing antibiotic therapy were provided with a synbiotic tablet containing two probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus coagulans, and a prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide. Residents were evaluated retrospectively for AAD and C. difficile infection. It was found that 95% of residents treated with antibiotics and taking the synbiotic tablet were free of AAD. More than 97% of the residents did not become infected with C. difficile. No adverse effects were reported. Minor side effects, gastrointestinal upset and nausea, were reported by less than 6% of the residents. The cause of the minor side effects was not known. Only 2.5% of the residents stopped taking the synbiotic tablet because of the gastrointestinal upset. These Results suggest that use of the synbiotic tablet prevents AAD and C. difficile infection in nursing home residents undergoing antibiotic therapy. It is concluded that this synbiotic tablet provides an easy to administer and safe approach to controlling AAD and C. difficile infection in residents in nursing homes.

Development of a Soy-Based Synbiotic Beverage

Nowadays consumers seek foods that not only provide basic nutrition but also contain compounds that contribute to health. Thus, different products have been designed to meet this demand, especially those with probiotic and prebiotic characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate different formulations of a soy-based synbiotic beverage. The composition and process conditions were defined using a Placket & Burman factorial design in which the independent variables were process temperature, concentrations of the soy hydrosoluble extract and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and the initial concentration of the probiotics Bifidobaterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. Paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Changes to the product by addition of sucrose, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus were also studied. Response parameters were: pH, cell concentration (plate counting), and quantification of fructooligosaccharides, acetic acid and lactic acid. The specific growth rate (μx) and change in cell count (Δx) were determined in each formulation. The soybean hydrosoluble extract was considered a good substrate for beverage production;FOS had a greater effect at lower concentrations. At the end of all fermentation tests the total probiotic count was greater than 7 log CFU/mL, meeting the legal requirements of a functional food. Lower temperatures were better for the growth of probiotics. The addition of sucrose resulted in a lower consumption of FOS by the fermenting microorganisms, while the presence of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus represented little change concerning the evaluated characteristics. Therefore, according to the results of this study, the production of a soy-based symbiotic fermented beverage can be performed using soybean hydrosoluble extract at 10% (w/v), fructooligosaccharides at about 3% (w/v), sucrose at 12% (w/v), and the process temperature should be maintained at 35℃. Initial probiotic concentrations need not exceed 5 × 106 CFU/ml.

Synbiotic for Prevention of SARS-Cov2 Infection in High Risk Hospital Staffs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 increasingly involves people worldwide. Probiotics can improve immune system functions via different mechanisms. We proposed that Synbiotic Lactocare? may also reduce SARS-Cov2 infection in high-risk medical staff working in COVID-19 hospital wards. Method: In a randomized, controlled trial, 60 hospital staff without any history of clinical or laboratory evidence of SARS-Cov2 infection were received either once-daily oral synbiotic capsule (Lactocare?) that contains 1 billion CFU/Cap of L. (Lactobacillus) casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis, L. bulgaricus, and Fructooligosacharide (Zist Takhmir, Tehran, Iran) or placebo with the same appearance for 30 days. They were followed for two months. Result: During the two-month period of this study, SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR test results were positive in three participants (9.67%) in placebo group compared to zero positive tests in synbiotic group. The differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.238). During the study, two persons (7 %) of placebo group had respiratory complaints such as cough, rhinorrhea and/or dyspnea, compared with one in synbiotic group (p = 0.492). Conclusion: This study showed that overall frequency of SARS-COV2 infection in participants receiving synbiotic and those receiving placebo did not differ significantly. However, 3 hospital staff in placebo group compared to no one in synbiotic group had SARS-COV2 infection. Further studies with greater power and alternative probiotic strains and mixture are warranted to determine whether Synbiotic can prevent COVID-19 in at-risk hospital staff.

Unlocking the growth potential:harnessing the power of synbiotics to enhance cultivation of Pleurotus spp.

The oyster mushroom(Pleurotus spp.)is one of the most widely cultivated mushroom species globally.The present study investigated the effect of synbiotics on the growth and quality of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius.Different synbiotics formulations were applied by spraying mushroom samples daily and measuring their growth parameters,yield,biological efficiency,proximate composition,mineral content,total phenolic content(TPC),and diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging activity.Results demonstrated that the most significant yield of oyster mushrooms was harvested from synbiotics sprayed with inulin and Lactobacillus casei(56.92 g).Likewise,the highest biological efficiency obtained with a similar synbiotic was 12.65%.Combining inulin and L.casei was the most effective method of improving the mushrooms'growth performance and nutrient content in both samples.Furthermore,synbiotics that combined inulin and L.casei resulted in the highest TPC(20.550 mg gallic acid equivalent(GAE)/g dry extract(DE))in white oyster mushrooms(P.ostreatus).In comparison,in grey mushroom(P.pulmonarius)the highest TPC was yielded by L.casei(1.098 mg GAE/g DE)followed by inulin and L.casei(1.079 mg GAE/g DE).The DPPH results indicated that the oyster mushroom could be an efficient antioxidant.The results revealed that applying synbiotics improved the mushrooms'quality by increasing their antioxidant capacity with higher amounts of phenolic compounds and offering better health benefits with the increased levels of mineral elements.Together,these studies demonstrated the potential of using synbiotics as a biofertilizer,which is helpful for mushroom cultivation;therefore,it might solve the challenge of inconsistent quality mushroom growers face.

Effects of synbiotic supplementation on anthropometric indices and body composition in overweight or obese children and adolescents:a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Recently,beneficial effects of probiotics and/or prebiotics on cardio-metabolic risk factors in adults have been shown.However,existing evidence has not been fully established for pediatric age groups.This study aimed to assess the effect of synbiotic on anthropometric indices and body composition in overweight or obese children and adolescents.Methods This randomized double-blind,placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 participants aged 8-18 years with a body mass index(BMI)equal to or higher than the 85th percentile.Participants were randomly divided into two groups that received either a synbiotic capsule containing 6x109 colony forming units(CFU)Lactobacillus coagulans SC-208,6 x 109 CFU Lactobacillus indicus HU36 and fructooligosaccharide as a prebiotic(n=30)or a placebo(n=30)twice a day for eight weeks.Anthropometric indices and body composition were measured at baseline and after the intervention.Results The mean(standard deviation,SD)age was 11.07(2.00)years and 11.23(2.37)years for the placebo and synbiotic groups,respectively(P=0.770).The waist-height ratio(WHtR)decreased significantly at the end of the intervention in comparison with baseline in the synbiotic group(0.54±0.05 vs.0.55±0.05,P=0.05).No significant changes were dem-onstrated in other anthropometric indices or body composition between groups.Conclusions Synbiotic supplementation might be associated with a reduction in WHtR.There were no significant changes in other anthropometric indices or body composition.

Targeting gut microbiota in osteoporosis:impact of the microbial based functional food ingredients

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disorder,characterized by low bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue,which increases the susceptibility to fracture.In the past decade,emerging research findings reported the implication of gut microbiota on bone health and osteoporosis pathology.Osteoporotic patients or individuals with a lower bone mineral density exhibit an alteration of the gut microbiota at several taxonomic levels.Additional reports demonstrate that gut microbiota regulates bone metabolism through the modulation of the gut function(mineral availability and absorption,gut integrity),the immune system,and the endocrine system.Thus,based on the vital role of gut microbiota on bone health,it has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of bone loss and the treatment of osteoporosis.Microbial-based functional food ingredients,such as probiotics,prebiotics,synbiotics,and fermented foods,have been developed to alter the gut microbiota composition and function and thus,to provide benefits to the host bone health.Despite promising initial results,microbial-based therapies are still under investigation.Moreover,additional animal studies and clinical trials are needed to understand the interactions between gut microbiota and bone metabolism before further applications.

Efficacy of probiotics or synbiotics for critically ill adult patients:a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:Microbial dysbiosis in critically ill patients is a leading cause of mortality and septic complications.Probiotics and synbiotics have emerged as novel therapy on gut microbiota to prevent septic complications.However,current evidence on their effects is conflicting.This work aims to systematically review the impact of probiotics or synbiotics in critically ill adult patients.Methods:A comprehensive search of the PubMed,CBM,Embase,CENTRAL,ISI,and CNKI databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluate probiotics or synbiotics in critically ill patients.The quality assessment was based on the modified Jadad’s score scale and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1.The major outcome measure was mortality.Secondary outcomes included incidence of septic complications,sepsis incidence,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay,incidence of non-septic complication,and ventilator day.Data synthesis was conduct by Review Manager 5.4.Results:A total of 25 randomized controlled trials reporting on 5049 critically ill patients were included.In the intervention group,2520 participants received probiotics or synbiotics,whereas 2529 participants received standard care or placebo.Pooling data from randomized controlled trials demonstrated a significant reduction in the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)in the treatment group[(risk ratio(RR)0.86;95%confidence interval(CI):0.78-0.95;p<0.003,I^(2)=85%)].However,in the subgroup analysis,the reduction of incidence of VAP was only significant in patients receiving synbiotics(RR=0.61,95%CI:0.47-0.80,p=0.0004,I^(2)=40%)and not significant in those receiving only probiotics(RR=0.91,95%CI:0.82-1.01,p=0.07,I^(2)=65%).Moreover,sepsis incidence of critically ill patients was only significantly reduced by the addition of synbiotics(RR=0.41;95%CI:0.22-0.72,p=0.005,I^(2)=0%).The incidence of ICU-acquired infections was significantly reduced by the synbiotics therapy(RR=0.72;95%CI:0.58-0.89,p=0.0007,I^(2)=79%).There was no significant difference in mortality,diarrhea,or length of ICU stay between the treatment and control groups.Conclusions:Synbiotics is an effective and safe nutrition therapy in reducing septic complications in critically ill patients.However,in such patients,administration of probiotics alone compared with placebo resulted in no difference in the septic complications.

Effect of fructooligosaccharides on the colonization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus AS 1.2466^(T) in the gut of mice

Lactobacillus rhamnosus and fructooligosaccharides(FOS)have been widely studied so far.However,the effects of L.rhamnosus on the intestinal microecological environment at the species level and the effect of different proportions of FOS on L.rhamnosus colonization in different parts of mice intestine are still unclear.The study results indicated that the specific bands of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction(ERIC-PCR)in the L.rhamnosus(LR)group significantly increased at 7 days.Although the number of bands was similar to the natural recovery(NR)group,the brightness of few bands significantly enhanced in the later stage of recovery.Besides,Southern-blot maps showed strong signals,indicating that the ERIC-PCR fingerprint could accurately reflect the changes in the mouse gut microbiota diversity.Further,the high-throughput results confirmed that the Lactobacillus and Akkermansia had different changes at different periods,but all of them showed an upward trend,while the Klebsiella were inhibited,thereby maintaining the intestinal microecology balance.Moreover,FOS exerted a positive effect on L.rhamnosus colonization in the gut.

Gut microbiota role in irritable bowel syndrome:Newtherapeutic strategies

In the last decade the impressive expansion of our knowledge of the vast microbial community that resides in the human intestine, the gut microbiota, has provided support to the concept that a disturbed intestinal ecology might promote development and maintenance of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). As a correlate, manipulation of gut microbiota represents a new strategy for the treatment of this multifactorial disease. A number of attempts have been made to modulate the gut bacterial composition, following the idea that expansion of bacterial species considered as beneficial(Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) associated with the reduction of those considered harmful(Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas) should attenuate IBS symptoms. In this conceptual framework, probiotics appear an attractive option in terms of both efficacy and safety, while prebiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics still need confirmation. Fecal transplant is an old treatment translated from the cure of intestinal infective pathologies that has recently gained a new life as therapeutic option for those patients with a disturbed gut ecosystem, but data on IBS are scanty and randomized, placebo-controlled studies are required.