ABSTRACT
Objective This study aims to explore healthcare professionals' and medical students' knowledge and attitudes toward probiotics and prebiotics in various health conditions. It seeks to identify any obstacles associated with their use and gain insight into the healthcare community's perspectives on these supplements. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a preformed questionnaire. Data was collected by a convenience sampling technique during October and November 2023. A total of 417 responses were collected, and the data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results In the study, 198 participants (47.5%) were doctors, and 219 (52.5%) were medical students. Only 81 (37%) students had good knowledge about probiotics, while 36 (16.4%) had good knowledge about prebiotics. Poor knowledge was associated with a poor knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) score, indicating a link between knowledge, attitude, and practice. Similarly, only 96 (48.5%) doctors had good knowledge about probiotics, while 45 (22.7%) of them had good knowledge about prebiotics. The study found that a lack of knowledge was the primary barrier to the use of prebiotics and probiotics, as reported by 226 (54.4%) participants. The chi-square test showed no significant correlation between participants' demographics and their KAP. Conclusion The majority of respondents demonstrated poor knowledge and practices regarding probiotics and prebiotics, which can be attributed to insufficient awareness of their benefits. Education tools like curriculum and training programs should include evidence-based information to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about their benefits and address concerns associated with their use in treating patients.
ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as one of the predominant neurodegenerative disorders, often culminating in dementia. Taurine, an endogenous amino acid, holds pivotal regulatory functions within the physiological milieu. Emerging evidence suggests that taurine may confer protection against the onset and progression of AD through diverse mechanistic pathways. This systematic review aims to comprehensively elucidate the multifaceted role of taurine in Alzheimer's disease. The primary objective is to assess taurine's potential as a preventative and therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer's, based on studies from 2004 to 2022. A rigorous search strategy was implemented, targeting English-language articles accessible in full text. Eligible studies were meticulously sourced from renowned databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Medline Plus. Inclusion criteria were limited to studies explicitly investigating the role of taurine in Alzheimer's disease. Our review encompasses a wealth of experimental studies conducted on murine models, collectively indicating taurine's capacity to ameliorate symptomatic presentations of Alzheimer's disease. Encouraged by these promising preclinical findings, the imperative for clinical trials in human subjects emerges. Taurine emerges as a prospective agent, offering potential mitigation of the cognitive and memory-related debility synonymous with Alzheimer's disease. This systematic review delineates a compelling body of evidence underscoring the putative neuroprotective role of taurine in Alzheimer's disease. However, it is incumbent upon the scientific community to bridge the translational gap through robust clinical investigations. Such endeavors hold promise in revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape for individuals grappling with the formidable challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease.
