Benefits and Challenges of Encapsulating Bifidobacterium Probiotic Strains with Bifidogenic Prebiotics.

Bifidobacteria offer remarkable health benefits when added to probiotic formulations, contributing to the burgeoning market driven by increased awareness among consumers and healthcare providers. However, several pivotal challenges must be crossed: strain selection, encapsulation wall materials, compatible food matrices, and the intricate interplay among these factors. An approach to address these challenges involves exploring bifidogenic substrates as potential encapsulation materials. This strategy has the potential to enhance bifidobacteria viability within the demanding gastrointestinal environment, extend shelf life, and promote synergistic interactions that promote bifidobacteria survival. Nonetheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that the relationship between bifidogenic substrates and bifidobacterial metabolism is complex and multifaceted. Consequently, despite the promising outlook, it is important to emphasize that this approach requires in-depth investigation, as the intricate interplay between these elements constitutes a rich area of ongoing research. This pursuit aims to ultimately deliver consumers a product that can genuinely improve their health and well-being.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in childhood diarrhea

Abstract Acute diarrhea is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality attributed to infections in children under five years of age worldwide, with 1.7 million annual estimated cases and more than 500,000 deaths. Although hydroelectrolytic replacement is the gold standard in treating diarrhea, it does not interfere with the restoration of the intestinal microbiota. Several studies have searched for an adequate alternative in restructuring intestinal homeostasis, finding that treatments based on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are effective, which made such treatments increasingly present in clinical practice by reducing illness duration with minimal side effects. However, there are still controversies regarding some unwanted reactions in patients. The diversity of strains and the peculiarities of the pathogens that cause diarrhea require further studies to develop effective protocols for prevention and treatment. Here, we provide a descriptive review of childhood diarrhea, emphasizing treatment with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.

Efficacy of an extensively hydrolyzed formula with the addition of synbiotics in infants with cow's milk protein allergy: a real-world evidence study.

Introduction: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most frequent food allergy in early childhood. For those infants requiring breastmilk substitutes, formulas with extensively hydrolyzed proteins (EHF), should be the treatment of choice. As there are limited data showing the progression of initial symptoms in infants newly diagnosed with CMPA who are treated with EHF with added synbiotics, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the resolution of symptoms in said infants after 4 weeks of treatment. As a secondary objective this study aimed to assess the impact of the treatment on the family's quality of life. Materials and Methods: observational, longitudinal, prospective, and multicentric real-world evidence study. The intervention phase (EHF with synbiotics) lasted 28 days and was completed by 65 patients. Treating physicians registered child´s anthropometry, Infant Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire (IGSQ-13) and CoMiSS (Cow´s Milk Allergy Symptoms Score) both at baseline and after 28 days of treatment. During treatment, caregivers reported child´s regurgitation and stools, PO-SCORAD (Patient Oriented Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis) and FAQL-PB (Family Quality of Life-Parental Burden). Data were collected using Google Forms and analyzed through the STATA program. Results: 95.4% of the patients showed an improvement or disappearance of the overall initial symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment. Gastrointestinal symptoms improved or disappeared in 92% of patients (p < 0.05) while dermatological symptoms improved or disappeared in 87.5% of patients (p < 0.05). The median CoMiSS at baseline was 9, with 21 patients exceeding the cut-off point of 12. After 4 weeks of treatment, the median dropped to 3, and no patient exceeded the 12-cut-off point (p = 0.000). At baseline, patients had a PO-SCORAD of 11.5 (interquartile range 1-23) that went to 1.0 (interquartile range 1-6) at day 28 (p = 0.000). The treatment diminished stool frequency (p < 0.05), improved stool consistency (p = 0.004) and decreased the frequency of regurgitation in infants with CMPA (p = 0.01). The percentage of patients who no longer had any episode of regurgitation increased from 11% to 31% on day 28 (p = 0.003). At baseline, 13% of patients cried more than 3 h per day, while at day 28 that percentage dropped to 3% (p = 0.03). An improvement in the infants' sleep pattern was also appreciated with the treatment. At study onset, 56% of the families reported feeling very overwhelmed, a percentage that dropped to 17% after 28 days of treatment (p < 0.05). The small percentage of families who did not feel overwhelmed at study onset (17%), grew to 43% on day 28 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of an EHF with synbiotics for the management of infants diagnosed with or suspected to have CMPA suggested a good safety profile, an adequate infant growth, and improvement of overall, gastrointestinal, and dermatological symptoms. It also suggested a lower daily frequency of regurgitations and stools, and an improvement in stool consistency, sleeping pattern, and quality of life of the infant and his family.

Fermented foods: a perspective on their role in delivering biotics.

Fermented foods are often erroneously equated with probiotics. Although they might act as delivery vehicles for probiotics, or other 'biotic' substances, including prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, stringent criteria must be met for a fermented food to be considered a 'biotic'. Those criteria include documented health benefit, sufficient product characterization (for probiotics to the strain level) and testing. Similar to other functional ingredients, the health benefits must go beyond that of the product's nutritional components and food matrix. Therefore, the 'fermented food' and 'probiotic' terms may not be used interchangeably. This concept would apply to the other biotics as well. In this context, the capacity of fermented foods to deliver one, several, or all biotics defined so far will depend on the microbiological and chemical level of characterization, the reproducibility of the technological process used to produce the fermented foods, the evidence for health benefits conferred by the biotics, as well as the type and amount of testing carried out to show the probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, and postbiotic capacity of that fermented food.

Comparison between biofloc technology system and aquamimicry in the cultivation of Litopenaeus vannameiin lined ponds in Southern Brazil / Comparação entre o sistema de bioflocos e aquamimicry no cultivo de Litopenaeus vannamei em viveiros revestidos no sul do Brasil

This work compared biofloc technology and aquamimicry technologies in Litopenaeus vannamei lined ponds, using a density of 60 shrimp·m-2. The experiment lasted 120 days, with two treatments, bioflocs (TBio) and aquamimicry (TMi), and three replications for each. In both treatments, the average values of the water quality parameters were as follows: temperature was 24.0 ± 0.32 °C, dissolved oxygen was 8.00 ± 0.45 mg·L-1, pH was 8.40 ± 0.20, and alkalinity was 240.01 ± 37.15 mg·L-1. The control of water quality was effectively maintained in both treatments, indicating the aquamimicry system's capability to efficiently recycle the nutrients found in the lined ponds' water. Furthermore, both treatments demonstrated efficiency in shrimp production, and the shrimp from the TMi treatment reached an average final weight of 11.73 ± 2.21 g, average survival of 53.3 ± 15.2%, and productivity of 3.56 ± 0.15-ton·ha-1. The TBio shrimp reached a final weight of 11.48 ± 1.25 g, survival of 63.3 ± 8.16%, and productivity of 4.08 ± 1.10-ton·ha-1. The present study demonstrated that TMi treatment ponds presented zootechnical performances close to those of TBio treatment ponds. The results achieved can contribute to the improvement of this cultivation system to use it in higher stocking densities.(AU)

Este trabalho comparou as tecnologias sistema de bioflocos e aquamimicry em viveiros revestidos de Litopenaeus vannamei,usando densidade de 60 camarões·m-2. O experimento teve duração de 120 dias e envolveu dois tratamentos, bioflocos (TBio) e aquamimicry (TMi), e três repetições para cada um. Em ambos os tratamentos, os valores médios dos parâmetros de qualidade da água foram os seguintes: temperatura = 24,0 ± 0,32 °C, oxigênio dissolvido = 8,00 ± 0,45 mg·L-1, pH = 8,40 ± 0,20, e alcalinidade = 240,01 ± 37,15 mg·L- 1. O controle da qualidade da água foi efetivamente mantido em ambos os tratamentos, indicando a capacidade do sistema aquamimicry de reciclar eficientemente os nutrientes encontrados na água dos tanques revestidos. Além disso, ambos os tratamentos demonstraram eficiência na produção de camarões. Os camarões procedentes do tratamento TMi atingiram peso final médio de 11,73 ± 2,21 g, sobrevivência média de 53,3 ± 15,2% e produtividade de 3,56 ± 0,15 ton·ha-1. Os camarões do TBio alcançaram peso final de 11,48 ± 1,25 g, sobrevivência de 63,3 ± 8,16% e produtividade de 4,08 ± 1,10 ton·ha-1. O presente estudo demonstrou que viveiros do tratamento TMi apresentaram desempenhos zootécnicos próximos aos dos viveiros do tratamento TBio. Os resultados alcançados podem contribuir para o aprimoramento desse sistema de cultivo com o objetivo de utilizá-lo em densidades de estocagens mais elevadas.(AU)

Assessment of Potential Probiotic and Synbiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Grown In Vitro with Starch-Based Soluble Corn Fiber or Inulin.

This research is aimed to search for suitable probiotic plus prebiotic combinations for food applications. Sixteen bacteria were tested for resistance to low pH, bile salts and antibiotics, and their adhesion to Caco-2 cells, in order to select potential probiotics. Then, two bacteria were selected to study short chain fatty acids production in a starch-based soluble corn fiber or inulin media. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum V3 and L. acidophilus La3 manifested the best probiotic features with a remarkable adhesion ability (23.9% and 17.3%, respectively). Structural differences between fibers have an impact on how each one is metabolized, both in their capacity of being easily fermented and in the short chain fatty acids profile obtained: L. acidophilus La3 in inulin fermentation yielded the highest total short chain fatty acids (85.7 mMol/L), and, in starch-based soluble corn fiber fermentation, yielded the highest butyric acid content (0.31 mMol/L). This study provides valuable information for future design of synbiotics for food applications.

Clinical efficacy of synbiotics in children with allergic rhinitis: An observational cohort study from a private medical center in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics in allergic rhinitis (AR) have shown improvement in clinical and quality of life scores, whereas the role of synbiotics in the treatment of AR has been poorly investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of synbiotics in children with AR. METHODS: An observational, prospective cohort study of pediatric outpatients with AR from a private medical center in Peru (2021) was conducted. At baseline, patients who were prescribed synbiotics during routine and those who were not (controls) recruited and followed up on Days 30, 60, and 90 of follow-up. Clinical efficacy was assessed with differences in Visual Analogous Scale (VAS), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT), and the Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) scores between groups at follow-up. Mean differences ± standard deviation (SD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifteen participants were analyzed. Compared to controls (n = 115), those who used synbiotics (n = 100) had significantly lower VAS (mean difference 1.3; 95% CI: 0.8-1.8), TNSS (mean difference 1.1; 95% CI: 0.5-1.7) and higher RCAT scores and PRQLQ scores (mean difference 2.2; 95% CI: -3.3 to -1.2) and (mean difference 7.0; 95% CI: 3.1-10.9), respectively, at Day 90 of follow-up CONCLUSIONS: This paper reports significant improvement in clinical (VAS, RCAT, TNSS) and quality of life (PRQLQ) scores of small and large sizes, respectively. These preliminary findings support the need of future trials to assess the role of synbiotics in children with AR.

The effect of probiotics on the clinical status of adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe, through a literature review, the results and benefits of oral and topical probiotics for adult patients with atopic dermatitis. DESIGN: A systematic review of articles published over a 13-year period was conducted to answer the following questions: (1) what information is given in the scientific literature concerning the use of probiotics in adult patients with atopic dermatitis? (2) Was there an improvement in the clinical status of the patients? (3) Was there a change in the microbial profile in patients after using such approaches? (4) Among the probiotics used, which was the most used in adult AD patients? (5) What was the average time of these interventions? (6) What were the outcomes? RESULTS: Seven studies with different sample sizes, ranging from 16 to 109 patients, were included in this review. These studies were all clinical trials (7/7), and probiotics (7/7) was the model of intervention chosen. Probiotics showed a potential to relieve the symptoms of the study groups with a reduction of pruritus and SCORAD when compared to the placebo groups. However, their effectiveness varied according to the strain, period, and form of administration. CONCLUSIONS: Many studies have demonstrated that probiotics improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and even its prevention. However, there is still much controversy and divergence concerning the real benefits. Despite this, probiotics have demonstrated a fair ability in improving AD adult patients' symptoms in terms of decreasing pruritus and severity related to SCORAD.

Daily Intake of a Functional Synbiotic Yogurt Increases Calcium Absorption in Young Adult Women.

BACKGROUND: Foods containing both prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics) might enhance calcium bioavailability. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the acute effect in young adult women on calcium absorption of consuming (185 mL) a synbiotic yogurt (SYN) containing inulin (4 g) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (>1 × 107 CFU/mL) compared with a control yogurt (CON). METHODS: Adult normal-weight women (25.0 ± 3.5 y, n = 30) participated in a 3-wk crossover study testing daily consumption of SYN compared with CON. Habitual dietary intake, bone mineral density (BMD), calcium biomarkers, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured at baseline. Calcium absorption was tested after each phase of the study using a 42Ca oral tracer. Cumulative tracer recovery was measured in 0-4-h,  0-24-h, and 0-36-h urine pools collected postdosing. The SYN/CON tracer ratio from the timed urine pools was the primary outcome. A beneficial response to SYN was defined as 0-36-h SYN/CON tracer ratio >1. RESULTS: Net 42Ca recovered increased over time in each of the SYN and CON urine pools postdosing (Friedman, P < 0.001), with a trend for higher 42Ca recovery in the 0-36-h urine pool postdosing in the SYN (1.14%) compared with the CON (0.90%) study (Wilcoxon, P = 0.07). For CON, the majority of total tracer was recovered in the 0-24-h pool (86%), whereas for SYN only 50% of total tracer was recovered in the 0-24-h pool (Friedman, P = 0.001). The SYN/CON tracer ratio in the 0-36-h pool (1.24) was >1 (Wilcoxon, P = 0.015). About two-thirds (n = 19) of women studied responded to the SYN treatment. Responders had higher vegetable intake (P = 0.03), tended to have higher potassium and calcium intakes (P ≤ 0.08), and had higher total body BMD (P = 0.09), than nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term daily consumption of a synbiotic yogurt enhanced calcium absorption relative to a control yogurt in adult women. Given the observed time delays in tracer recovery, enhancement of calcium absorption likely occurred in the large intestine.The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (study registration ID: NCT03420716).

Evidence and Updates on Non-dairy Synbiotic Beverage Development.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in cases of intolerance and allergies to milk protein, new food possibilities have been studied as an alternative to dairy drinks in order to meet the needs of this population, such as non-dairy synbiotic drinks. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to carry out an integrative literature review on the main types of non-dairy synbiotic beverages in order to investigate the probiotics and prebiotics added to them. Besides, we also looked into the characteristics of the substrates and fermentation conditions (temperature, time, and pH) to assess the influences on bacterial viability, consumer acceptance, conservation, and antimicrobial action. METHODS: We conducted an integrative review of articles published in Pubmed, Web of Science, Scielo, Scopus, and Capes journals in the last five years, using the following terms: symbiotic drink, symbiotic beverage, synbiotic drink, synbiotic beverage, bebida simbiótica, not kombucha, which resulted in the inclusion of 28 articles. RESULTS: As expected, the main probiotics were lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, while the prebiotics were inulin and fructooligosaccharide. It is noteworthy that all analyzed beverages were, in fact, probiotics since they had values above the minimum viability of 6 log CFU/mL; consequently, they can bring benefits to consumers. CONCLUSION: In addition to being rich sources of nutrients, fruits and vegetables also enable the development of synbiotic drinks supplied from their substrates, providing an alternative for people who are lactose intolerant.

Probiotics and Prebiotics as a Strategy for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, a Narrative Review.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic non-communicable disease, with a prevalence of 25% worldwide. This pathology is a multifactorial illness, and is associated with different risks factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Beside these predisposing features, NAFLD has been related to changes in the microbiota, which favor the disease progression. In this context, the modulation of the gut microbiota has emerged as a new therapeutic target for the prophylaxis and treatment of NAFLD. This review describes the changes in the gut microbiota associated with NAFLD and the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the gut microbiota, liver damage, anthropometric parameters, blood lipids, inflammation markers and insulin resistance in these patients.

Bioactive Compounds in Food as a Current Therapeutic Approach to Maintain a Healthy Intestinal Epithelium.

The intestinal epithelium serves as an effective barrier against the external environment, hampering the passage of potentially harmful substances (such as pathogenic microbes) that could trigger an exacerbated host immune response. The integrity of this barrier is thus essential for the maintenance of proper intestinal homeostasis and efficient protective reactions against chemical and microbial challenges. The principal consequence of intestinal barrier defects is an increase in intestinal permeability, which leads to an increased influx of luminal stressors, such as pathogens, toxins, and allergens, which in turn trigger inflammation and immune response. The fine and fragile balance of intestinal homeostasis can be altered by multiple factors that regulate barrier function, many of which are poorly understood. This review will address the role of gut microbiota as well as food supplements (such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics) in modulating gut health and regulating intestinal barrier function. In particular, we will focus on three human pathologies: inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and food allergy.

Analysis of formulations of probiotics accessible to the population of Tabasco, México / Análisis de formulaciones de probióticos accesibles a la población de Tabasco, México

Abstract Objective: To analyze the composition of formulations of probiotics sold in establishments in the State of Tabasco or that can be purchased online. Materials and methods: A descriptive study in which formulations of probiotics sold in 21 establishments in the city of Villahermosa were identified and compared with 30 probiotic supplements sold online. Product information was organized in a database and analyzed according to the dosage form, probiotic genera, species/subspecies contained and their classification as probiotics or synbiotics and as drugs or supplements. Results: Thirty-one local products and 30 online products formulated with probiotics in 6 different dosage forms were analyzed. Only five local products and no online products are certified by COFEPRIS as drugs. Forty-eight percent of the formulations are monostrain and the rest are multistrain. Seventy-two percent of the formulations are probiotics and the rest are synbiotics. Among the 61 products analyzed, 46 species belonging to 13 different genera were identified, and 39% were common to local and online products. Many of products contain species of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. The genus Bacillus was the only genus that was never combined with other genera in the formulations analyzed in this study. Conclusions: The population of the state of Tabasco can find at least 31 formulations of probiotics in local establishments. The variety increases if we consider the dietary supplements available for sale online. Multistrain supplements are particularly abundant in online retailers. The products certified by COFEPRIS ensure that the benefits of the formulation are supported by clinical trials in humans and are manufactured following good manufacturing practices.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la composición de formulaciones de probióticos que se venden en establecimientos del Estado de Tabasco o que se pueden comprar en línea. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo en el que se identificaron formulaciones de probióticos comercializados en 21 establecimientos de la ciudad de Villahermosa y se compararon con 30 suplementos probióticos comercializados en línea. La información del producto se organizó en una base de datos y se analizó de acuerdo con la forma de dosificación, los géneros y especies / subespecies de probióticos presentes y su clasificación como probióticos o simbióticos y como medicamentos o suplementos. Resultados: Se analizaron 31 productos locales y 30 productos de venta en línea formulados con probióticos en 6 formas de dosificación diferentes. Solo cinco productos locales y ningún producto en línea están certificados por COFEPRIS como medicamentos. El 48% de las formulaciones son monocepa y el resto son multicepa. El 72% de las formulaciones son probióticos y el resto son simbióticos. Entre los 61 productos analizados, se identificaron 46 especies pertenecientes a 13 géneros diferentes y el 39% fueron comunes a productos locales y de venta en línea. Muchos de los productos contienen especies de los géneros Lactobacillus y Bifidobacterium. El género Bacillus fue el único que nunca se combinó con otros géneros en las formulaciones analizadas en este estudio. Conclusiones: La población del estado de Tabasco puede encontrar al menos 31 formulaciones de probióticos en establecimientos locales. La variedad aumenta si tenemos en cuenta los suplementos dietéticos disponibles de venta en línea. Los suplementos multicepa son particularmente abundantes en los productos en línea. Los productos certificados por COFEPRIS aseguran que los beneficios de la formulación están respaldados por ensayos clínicos en humanos y se fabrican siguiendo buenas prácticas de fabricación.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics added to dairy products: Uses and applications to manage type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and gut dysbiosis. Probiotics and prebiotics can ameliorate T2DM through different mechanisms of action, such as reducing oxidative stress, or the inhibition of pro-inflammatory markers, among others. Multiple studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated the reduction of hyperglycemia, depressive behaviors, obesity, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in diabetic patients through the consumption of dairy products, such as yogurt, fermented milk, and cheese, enriched with potential probiotic strains, prebiotic ingredients, and synbiotics (understood as a combination of both). Therefore, this review aims to provide an updated overview about the impact of dairy foods with probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics to prevent and manage T2DM, the mechanism of action related to the host health, and the future tendencies for developing new dairy foods. Despite the addition of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to dairy products could be highly beneficial, more evidence, especially from clinical trials, is needed to develop evidence-based T2DM prevention guidelines.

Probiotics for dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Dementia is the fifth leading cause of death in the world. Animal studies indicate that in addition to the aging process, intestinal microbiota may play an important role in the neurodegeneration process through the modulation of the gut-brain axis. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on the cognitive function of individuals with dementia. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, BVS, SciELO, CENTRAL, Embase, and grey literature were searched from their inception to January 2019. STUDY SELECTION: We included data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that addressed dementias and assessed the following outcomes: cognitive function; inflammatory, oxidative stress, and metabolic markers; nutritional status; and intestinal microbiota composition. DATA EXTRACTION: Data searches, article selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessments were performed according to the Cochrane guidelines. Data were pooled by inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) was used to assess the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Data from 3 RCTs involving 161 individuals with Alzheimer's disease receiving Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains showed no beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function (standardized mean difference, 0.56; 95%CI: -0.06 to 1.18), with very low certainty of evidence. However, probiotic supplementation improved plasma triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin resistance, and plasma malondialdehyde. No RCTs included synbiotic supplementation or assessed microbiota composition. CONCLUSION: Current evidence regarding the use of probiotics and synbiotics for individuals with dementia is insufficient to support their clinical application. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no: CRD42018116148.

Effects of Different Feeding Regimes on Growth Performance and Intestinal Morphology of Commercial Broilers

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of various levels of synbiotics on growth performance and intestinal morphology of fast-growing broilers during different phases. A total of 720, one-day-old straight run broilers (Ross 308) were randomly divided into 12 treatment groups according to a completely randomized design having three supplemented diets of synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics) (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) reared at four phases [starter (1-11 days), grower (12-22 days), finisher (23-35 days), whole life (1-35 days)]. Every treatment was replicated six times with ten birds each. The parameters were evaluated in growth performance (feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and mortality) and intestinal morphology (Villus height, Crypt depth and Villus to Crypt ratio). Results of the present study revealed that growth performance, feed intake (p=0.0029), body weight (p=0.0001) and feed conversion ratio (p=0.0001) were improved with 1 percent synbiotics diet supplementation,while1.5 percent synbiotics level showed lower body weight. Crypt death (p=0.0529) has been marginally greater in the whole life. It can be inferred that a 1 % synbiotics supplemented diet has had a beneficial impact on growth and gut health throughout life.(AU)

Effects of Different Feeding Regimes on Growth Performance and Intestinal Morphology of Commercial Broilers

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of various levels of synbiotics on growth performance and intestinal morphology of fast-growing broilers during different phases. A total of 720, one-day-old straight run broilers (Ross 308) were randomly divided into 12 treatment groups according to a completely randomized design having three supplemented diets of synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics) (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) reared at four phases [starter (1-11 days), grower (12-22 days), finisher (23-35 days), whole life (1-35 days)]. Every treatment was replicated six times with ten birds each. The parameters were evaluated in growth performance (feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and mortality) and intestinal morphology (Villus height, Crypt depth and Villus to Crypt ratio). Results of the present study revealed that growth performance, feed intake (p=0.0029), body weight (p=0.0001) and feed conversion ratio (p=0.0001) were improved with 1 percent synbiotics diet supplementation,while1.5 percent synbiotics level showed lower body weight. Crypt death (p=0.0529) has been marginally greater in the whole life. It can be inferred that a 1 % synbiotics supplemented diet has had a beneficial impact on growth and gut health throughout life.

Microbiota intestinal, prebióticos, probióticos e simbióticos em doenças gastrointestinais e hepáticas: procedimentos de reunião conjunta da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia (SBH), Núcleo Brasileiro de Estudos do Helicobacter pylori e Microbiota (NBEHPM) e Federação Brasileira de Gastroenterologia (FBG) / Gut microbiota, prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases: proceedings of a joint meeting of the brazilian society of hepatology (sbh), brazilian nucleus for the study of helicobacter pylori and microbiota (nbehpm), and brazilian federation of gastroenterology (fbg)

ABSTRACT Over the last years, there is growing evidence that microorganisms are involved in the maintenance of our health and are related to various diseases, both intestinal and extraintestinal. Changes in the gut microbiota appears to be a key element in the pathogenesis of hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile - associated diarrhea. In 2019, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) in cooperation with the Brazilian Nucleus for the Study of Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota (NBEHPM), and Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (FBG) sponsored a joint meeting on gut microbiota and the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. This paper summarizes the proceedings of the aforementioned meeting. It is intended to provide practical information about this topic, addressing the latest discoveries and indicating areas for future studies.

RESUMO Nos últimos anos, um volume crescente de evidências indica que os microrganismos estão envolvidos na manutenção da saúde humana e também estão relacionados a várias doenças, tanto intestinais quanto extraintestinais. Alterações na microbiota intestinal parecem ser um elemento chave na patogênese de doenças hepáticas e gastrointestinais, incluindo doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica, doença hepática alcoólica, cirrose hepática, doenças inflamatórias intestinais, síndrome do intestino irritável e diarreia associada ao Clostridium difficile. Em 2019, a Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia (SBH) em colaboração com o Núcleo Brasileiro para Estudo do Helicobacter pylori e Microbiota (NBEHPM) e a Federação Brasileira de Gastroenterologia (FBG) realizaram um encontro exclusivamente voltado para a discussão sobre microbiota e uso de prebióticos, probióticos e simbióticos em doenças hepáticas e gastrointestinais. Este texto resume os principais pontos discutidos durante o evento, e tem a intenção de fornecer informações práticas sobre o assunto, abordando as descobertas mais recentes e indicando áreas para estudos futuros.

Short-term effect of a synbiotic in salivary viscosity and buffering capacity; a quasi-experimental study / Efecto a corto plazo de un simbiótico en la viscosidad y la capacidad tampón salival; un estudio cuasi experimental

Evaluate the effect of a synbiotic on salivary viscosity and buffer capacity. Materials and Methods: A follow-up one-week study was performed on 24 healthy volunteers in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, during July 2017. Volunteers must have had active tooth decay at the moment of study. All 24 patients were given a Lactiv® probiotic package, advising not to modify usual oral hygiene practices, and were followed up during 6 days. Primary output variable was salivary viscosity while the secondary was salivary buffer capacity. Salivary viscosity was assessed by using an Ostwald Pipette and buffer capacity with bromocresol purple. Results: A total of 8 male patients (33.3%) and 16 females (66.6%) patients were included, with an average age of 10.92 years. All the volunteers completed the study. Comparisons between pre- and post-treatment showed a decrease in salivary viscosity, while buffer capacity was showed to increase. Conclusion: The use of a synbiotic during a short period of time lowered the viscosity of saliva and increased salivary buffer capacity.

Evaluar el efecto de un sinbiótico sobre la viscosidad salival y la capacidad de tampón de la saliva. Materiales and Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de seguimiento de una semana en 24 voluntarios sanos en San Luis Potosí, México, durante julio de 2017. Los voluntarios cursaban caries dental activa en el momento del estudio. Los 24 pacientes recibieron un paquete de probióticos Lactiv®, fueron aconsejados a no modificar las prácticas habituales de higiene oral, y fueron seguidos durante 6 días. La variable primaria fue la viscosidad salival mientras que la secundaria fue la capacidad tampón. La viscosidad salival se evaluó usando una pipeta Ostwald y capacidad tampón con bromocresol púrpura. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 8 pacientes varones (33,3%) y 16 mujeres (66,6%), con una edad promedio de 10,92 años. Todos los voluntarios completaron el estudio. Las comparaciones entre el pretratamiento y el postratamiento mostraron una disminución de la viscosidad salival, mientras que se demostró que la capacidad del tampón aumentó. Conclusión: El uso de un sinbiótico durante un corto período de tiempo mostró un efecto sobre la disminución de la viscosidad y el aumento de la capacidad del tampón salival.

Gut microbiota and chronic kidney disease: evidences and mechanisms that mediate a new communication in the gastrointestinal-renal axis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a growing public health problem associated with loss of kidney function and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the main leading cause of morbidity and mortality in CKD. It is well established that CKD is associated with gut dysbiosis. Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in studying the composition of the gut microbiota in patients with CKD as well as the mechanisms by which gut dysbiosis contributes to CKD progression, in order to identify possible therapeutic targets to improve the morbidity and survival in CKD. The purpose of this review is to explore the clinical evidence and the mechanisms involved in the gut-kidney crosstalk as well as the possible interventions to restore a normal balance of the gut microbiota in CKD. It is well known that the influence of the gut microbiota on the gut-kidney axis acts in a reciprocal way: on the one hand, CKD significantly modifies the composition and functions of the gut microbiota. On the other hand, gut microbiota is able to manipulate the processes leading to CKD onset and progression through inflammatory, endocrine, and neurologic pathways. Understanding the complex interaction between these two organs (gut microbiota and kidney) may provide novel nephroprotective interventions to prevent the progression of CKD by targeting the gut microbiota. The review is divided into three main sections: evidences from clinical studies about the existence of a gut microbiota dysbiosis in CKD; the complex mechanisms that explain the bidirectional relationship between CKD and gut dysbiosis; and reports regarding the effects of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation to restore gut microbiota balance in CKD.