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PubMed2005

[Influences of enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the gut microecology and barrier function of the rats with abdominal infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influences of enteral nutrition (EN), parenteral nutrition (PN) and probiotics supplement on the intestinal microecology, and barrier function of the rats with abdominal infection. METHODS: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with abdominal infection were randomly divided into three groups, and received PN (PN group, n=7), PN+ EN (PN+ EN group, n=7) or PN+ EN+ probiotics (probiotics group, n=7) respectively with isonitrogen and isocaloric nutrition. The rats were sacrificed after six days. The feces in cecum were cultured for anaerobic bacterial growth and DNA fingerprint spectrum was analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA technique. The transmembrane binding protein (occludin) and IgA levels in colon and terminal ileum were detected by immunohistochemistry method. The bacterial translocation rate and endotoxin level were also measured. RESULTS: The germ numbers of different species were both higher in PN+ EN and probiotic group than those in PN group. The bands of DNA fingerprint spectrum were significantly decreased in PN group, but the bands in both PN+ EN group and probiotic group were similar to that in the normal rats. The expression levels of occludin and IgA in the intestine and colorectum were higher in both PN+ EN group and probiotic group compared with those of PN group (P< 0.05, P< 0.01, respectively), the expression level of occludin was higher in probiotic group than that in PN+ EN group (P< 0.05). The overall bacterial translocation rates and endotoxin levels were significantly reduced in both probiotic and PN+ EN group (P< 0.05), but there was no difference between probiotic group and EN group. CONCLUSION: EN combined with probiotics can increase occluding and IgA expressions, improve the intestinal microecology,maintain the gut barrier function, and decrease the incidence of gut bacterial translocation.

Abdominal Cavity↗

PubMed1996

Effect of probiotic supplementation on growth, nitrogen utilisation and serum cholesterol in broilers.

1. The effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on the growth, nitrogen utilisation and serum cholesterol content of broiler chickens was studied in 2 trials. 2. In experiment 1, the birds receiving the 0, 75, 100, 125 mg probiotic/kg diets had weight gains of 1204.0, 1272.0, 1268.3 and 1210.5, respectively at the end of 8 weeks of feeding. The group of birds fed on the 75 mg probiotic supplemented diet retained significantly (P < 0.01) more nitrogen than the control birds. Serum cholesterol content was lower in the probiotic-supplemented birds (93.3 mg/100 ml) compared to the control birds (132.2 mg/100 ml). 3. In the second experiment the probiotic plus antibiotic-supplemented group of birds had the maximum weight gain (1148.5 g) followed by antibiotic (1141.3 g), probiotic-supplemented (1128.4 g) and control birds (1045.6 g) after 6 weeks. Nitrogen retention was greatest in the antibiotic--(48.5%) followed by the probiotic--(46.5%), probiotic plus antibiotic-supplemented groups (46.3%) compared to 40.2% in control birds. 4. The apparent metabolisable energy was greatest in birds receiving the probiotic plus antibiotic-supplemented diet (12.37 MJ/kg) followed by antibiotic--(12.00 MJ/kg), probiotic-supplemented birds (11.92 MJ/kg) than in control birds (11.62 MJ/kg). Serum cholesterol was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in probiotic-supplemented birds (86.1 mg/dl) compared to 118.4 mg/dl in control birds.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics as functional foods.

Probiotic products have been widely used in Japan and Europe for years. Probiotics are now emerging as an important category of food supplement in the United States. Questions about the biologic nature, available products, claimed health benefits, and safety and regulation of probiotics are important for both consumers and nutrition professionals. Probiotics can be considered functional foods because they provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrition function. With few exceptions, most probiotic products currently available contain lactic-acid-producing bacteria, which mainly belong to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. We reviewed the scientific papers published in major nutrition journals and abstracts available on the PubMed website regarding probiotics. Evidence suggests the following beneficial effects of probiotics: normalization of the intestinal microflora, ability to block the invasion of potential pathogens in the gut, prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for several types of diarrhea, relief of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, amelioration of lactose intolerance, prevention of colon cancer, modulation of immune function, inhibition of Helicobacter pylori, and possible enhancement of calcium absorption and reduction of blood cholesterol levels. Mechanisms for the above benefits have been proposed, but none has been proven. An adequate level of viable bacteria in a probiotic product and an appropriate daily dose are critical to achieve a health benefit. Because probiotics are not known to be pathogenic and their upper tolerable level is high, they could be promoted as a beneficial food supplement. Currently, no disease-prevention or therapeutic claim for probiotics is legally allowed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Probiotics for maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterised by episodes of disease activity and symptom-free remission. Probiotics are microorganisms that can potentially benefit health, and have been evaluated as an alternate means of preventing relapse in patients with CD. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of probiotics for the maintenance of remission in CD. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005, Issue 3); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2005, Issue 3); the Cochrane IBD/FBD Group Trials Register (2005), MEDLINE (1966-2005); EMBASE (1980-2005); ISI Web of Knowledge (BIDS) 1981-2005; On-line clinical trials databases (2005); and review articles. Experts in the field were contacted for unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of probiotic therapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and assessment of methodological quality. The primary outcome was the relative risk (RR) of relapse after maintenance treatment (and 95% confidence intervals [CI]). MAIN RESULTS: Seven small studies were identified and varied according to probiotics tested, methodological quality and medication regimen. No studies were pooled for statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant benefit of E. coli Nissle for reducing the risk of relapse compared to placebo (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.20), or Lactobacillus GG after surgically-induced remission (RR 1.58, 95% CI 0.30 to 8.40) or medically-induced remission (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.80). There was no statistically significant benefit of probiotics for reducing the risk of relapse compared to maintenance therapy employing aminosalicylates or azathioprine (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.30), and in this study the probiotic Lactobacillus GG was associated with adverse events. In children, there was there was no statistically significant difference between Lactobacillus GG and placebo for reducing the risk of relapse (RR 1.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 4.40). A small study using the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii demonstrated a difference that was not statistically significant in favour of probiotic combined with a reduced level of maintenance therapy over standard maintenance treatment alone (RR 0.17, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.23). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to suggest that probiotics are beneficial for the maintenance of remission in CD. All of the included studies enrolled small numbers of patients and may have lacked statistical power to show differences should they exist. Larger trials are required to determine if probiotics are of benefit in Crohn's disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Oral administration of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711, enhances the intestinal function of healthy adults.

Modifications in gastrointestinal parameters, intestinal colonization and tolerance are some of the main goals claimed for probiotics. However, although healthy people are the common target for these new functional food products, the number of clinical trials analysing the effects of probiotics in gastrointestinal parameters of healthy subjects is very scarce. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial involving 30 healthy adults was performed to investigate the effect of a fermented product containing two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711, on several blood and fecal parameters, most of them related to the host intestinal function. The volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, one receiving a standard yogurt and the other a similar dairy fermented product in which the Lactobacillus delbreuckii subsp. bulgaricus yogurt strain had been replaced by a combination of the probiotic strains L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711. The volunteers that received the probiotic strains reported no adverse effects and the strains could be isolated from their feces at a relatively high level. In fact, the concentration of fecal lactic acid bacteria significantly increased in the probiotic group. Additionally, the oral administration of the probiotic strains led to an improvement of parameters such as the production of short chain fatty acids, the fecal moisture and the frequency and volume of the stools. As a result, the volunteers assigned to the probiotic group perceived a clear improvement in their intestinal habits. The study revealed that probiotics may exert a positive effect on healthy adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Probiotics and prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in the prevention of allergic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The increase in allergic diseases is attributed to a relative lack of microbial stimulation of the infantile gut immune system. Probiotics, live health-promoting microbes, might offer such stimulation. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of a mixture of 4 probiotic bacterial strains along with prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in preventing allergic diseases. METHODS: We randomized 1223 pregnant women carrying high-risk children to use a probiotic preparation or a placebo for 2 to 4 weeks before delivery. Their infants received the same probiotics plus galacto-oligosaccharides (n = 461) or a placebo (n = 464) for 6 months. At 2 years, we evaluated the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases (food allergy, eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis) and IgE sensitization (positive skin prick test response or serum antigen-specific IgE level >0.7 kU/L). Fecal bacteria were analyzed during treatment and at age 2 years. RESULTS: Probiotic treatment compared with placebo showed no effect on the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases but tended to reduce IgE-associated (atopic) diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% CI, 0.50-1.00; P = .052). Probiotic treatment reduced eczema (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.98; P = .035) and atopic eczema (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46-0.95; P = .025). Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria more frequently (P < .001) colonized the guts of supplemented infants. CONCLUSION: Probiotic treatment showed no effect on the incidence of all allergic diseases by age 2 years but significantly prevented eczema and especially atopic eczema. The results suggest an inverse association between atopic diseases and colonization of the gut by probiotics. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The prevention of atopic eczema in high-risk infants is possible by modulating the infant's gut microbiota with probiotics and prebiotics.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed2004

Probiotics enhance recovery from malnutrition and lessen colonic mucosal atrophy after short-term fasting in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of probiotics on nutritional status and gut mucosal atrophy after fasting. METHODS: Twelve rats were fasted for 3 d and then fed with rat chow (control group, n = 6) or an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diet containing probiotics (probiotics group, n = 6; 10(6) colony-forming units/g of Bifidobacterium lactis BL and Streptococcus thermophilus) for 3 d. Twelve other rats were starved for 3 d (starved group) or normally fed with rat chow (sham group). At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for total protein and albumin analyses, and the colonic mucosa was weighed (in grams) and assayed for DNA content (milligrams per gram of tissue). RESULTS: Feeding efficiency was greater in the probiotic group than in the control and sham groups (P < 0.01). Animals in the probiotic group presented higher albumin than did those in the control group (P = 0.04). Colonic mucosa of the sham group (1.32 [range, 1.28-1.44]) was heavier than that of all other groups (probiotic, 1.20 [0.95-1.49], P = 0.03; control, 1.09 [0.96-1.21], P < 0.01; and starved, 1.03 [0.99-1.07], P < 0.01) and heavier in the probiotic than in the starved group (P = 0.03). The DNA content in probiotic rats (49.1 +/- 9.7) was similar to that in sham rats (53.9 +/- 5.9; P = 0.79) and higher than that in control (30.3 +/- 12.9; P = 0.01) and starved (34.4 +/- 6.5; P = 0.05) rats. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics enhance the recovery of nutritional status and lessen gut mucosal atrophy after fasting.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Essential fatty acids as possible enhancers of the beneficial actions of probiotics.

I investigated whether there is a common link between essential fatty acids and probiotics, which have similar actions and benefits in atopy.I made a critical review of the literature pertaining to the actions of essential fatty acids and probiotics on immune response and the interaction between them with particular reference to atopy.Colonization of the human gastrointestinal tract occurs in the first months and years of life. Probiotics are cultures of beneficial bacteria of healthy gut microflora, which reduce dietary antigen load and thus protect against atopy. A significant reduction in the risk of childhood asthma and other atopic conditions was reported in children who were exclusively breast-fed for at least 4 mo after birth. This beneficial action can be attributed to the immunomodulatory, nutritional, or other components of human milk Human breast milk is rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), which have immunomodulatory actions. Probiotics and LCPUFAs modulate T-helper 1 and 2 responses, show antibioticlike actions, and alleviate changes related to allergic inflammation. LCPUFAs promote the adhesion of probiotics to mucosal surfaces, which augments the health-promoting effects of probiotics. In view of the similarity in their actions and because LCPUFAs promote the actions of probiotics, I believe that a combination of LCPUFAs and probiotics offer significant protection against atopy. It is likely that breast-feeding and probiotics are two naturally occurring, appropriate events in early human life that have significant health benefits.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMed2003

The role of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Literature reporting activity of probiotics in infections due to Helicobacter pylori has been reviewed to assess their value in combating such infections. Several in vitro studies show that lactobacilli or their cell-free cultures inhibit or kill H. pylori, prevent its adhesion to mammalian epithelial cells and prevent IL8 release. In vivo models demonstrate that pre-treatment with a probiotic can prevent H. pylori infections and/or that administration of probiotics markedly reduced an existing infection. Thirteen clinical trials have been published. In six (180 patients), a probiotic was used alone; five of these had an encouraging result-in three there were significantly reduced breath test readings and in two others some patients were cleared of infection. In seven further trials (682 patients), probiotics were added to a therapeutic regimen of antibiotics, resulting in an increased cure rate in two studies, and reduced side-effects in four. Trials in which fermented milk products or whole cultures of lactobacilli were used tended to show better results than when the probiotic was taken in the form of bacteria alone. Not all the studies were randomised, double-blind and placebo controlled, and some involved only small numbers of patients. The results suggest that probiotics may have a place as adjunctive treatment in H. pylori infections and possibly in prophylaxis. Future trials should address in particular the type of patient (asymptomatic volunteers, symptomatic patients), choice of probiotic strain(s), a wide range of probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. johnsonii, L. gasseri, lactobacillus GG, Bifidobacterium longum, and bioyoghurts) have been used-some non-viable, regimens (doses and duration) and criteria of success (breath test, histology, culture, serology).

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Probiotics reduce bacterial colonization and gastric inflammation in H. pylori-infected mice.

Probiotics are characterized by their ability to interact with commensal microflora in the gastrointestinal tract to produce beneficial health effects. In vitro studies suggest that Lactobacillus species have the potential to suppress the growth of Helicobacter pylori. The goal of this study was to determine if pretreatment of mice with a commercial mixture of live probiotics (L. rhamnosus, strain R0011, and L. acidophilus, strain R0052) would suppress colonization of H. pylori, strain SS1. Thirty C57BL/6 female mice were divided into four groups: Group A was fed sterile water, group B received probiotics in sterile drinking water, group C was challenged orogastrically with H. pylori, and group D was pretreated with probiotics in drinking water prior to and following challenge with H. pylori. Rectal swabs, stomach homogenates, and luminal contents from ileum and colon were plated onto colistin nalidixic acid plates. Serial dilutions of stomach homogenates were plated onto H. pylori-sensitive agar plates and incubated under microaerophilic conditions. Tissue samples from the stomach were analyzed histologically to determine the degree of H. pylori colonization, mucosal inflammation, and epithelial cell apoptosis. Probiotics in drinking water did not affect the overall well-being of mice. Lactobacillus species were excreted in stools over the entire duration of treatment. Pretreatment with probiotics reduced the number of mice with H. pylori growth from stomach homgenates (100 to 50%; P = 0.02). The percentage of mice with moderate-severe H. pylori-induced inflammation in the gastric antrum was reduced with probiotic pretreatment (71 to 29%; P = 0.14). However, pretreatment with probiotics did not prevent H. pylori-induced apoptosis in the gastric mucosa. This preparation of probiotics provided a safe and novel approach for reducing H. pylori colonization and bacterial-induced inflammation of mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effect of probiotic CenBiot on the control of diarrhoea and feed efficiency in pigs.

The production and testing of a probiotic formulated with a strain of Bacillus cereus (Probiotic CenBiot) is reported. The strain was grown in fed batch fermenters, desiccated, and mixed with cornflour. To test the effect of the probiotic in controlling piglet diarrhoea, two groups of sows and their respective litters received feed supplemented with probiotic CenBiot or Furazolidone; the control group received the same basic feed but not supplemented. Probiotic CenBiot was as effective as Furazolidone, reducing the prevalence of diarrhoea to half that in the control group. It also significantly improved feed conversion, daily weight gain and total weight gain in pigs in the nursery phase. Feed conversion ratios of weaned pigs were 1.904, 2.146 and 2.099 for the groups that received Probiotic CenBiot, a commercial probiotic, and basic feed, respectively. In terms of food consumption, the Probiotic CenBiot group consumed 12.6% less than the commercial probiotic group, and 10% less than the control group, to achieve the same weight.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Dietary intervention with the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum 913 modulates the potential of human faecal water to induce damage in HT29clone19A cells.

Probiotics reduce the risk of colon cancer by inhibiting carcinogen-induced DNA damage in animals, but there are no analogous data in human subjects. To enhance knowledge of the effects of probiotics in human subjects, we have investigated the genotoxicity of faecal water after dietary intervention with standard yoghurt or with probiotic yoghurt, which included the strains Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum 913. Faeces were collected from nine healthy volunteers after intervention with probiotic yoghurt or standard yoghurt. Faecal water was isolated and incubated with human colon tumour cells HT29clone19A. DNA strand breaks, oxidised DNA bases and damage after challenge with H2O2 were determined by micro-gel-electrophoresis. Faecal water was genotoxic in comparison with NaCl, but protected against H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks. The intervention with probiotic yoghurt significantly lowered faecal water genotoxicity compared with standard yoghurt. However, probiotic intervention also increased oxidative damage; this either reflected prooxidative activity or stimulation of endogenous defence systems. Altogether, the balance of effects favoured protection, since faecal water from the probiotic group reduced overall genetic damage. Thus, there was a reduction of strand break-inducing compounds in human faeces after dietary intervention with probiotic bacteria. This protection reflected results from previous studies in carcinogen-exposed animals where probiotics reduced DNA damage in colon cells.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Probiotics: determinants of survival and growth in the gut.

Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are purportedly beneficial to human health and are called probiotics. Their survival during passage through the human gut, when administered in fermented milk products, has been investigated intensely in recent years. Well-controlled, small-scale studies on diarrhea in both adults and infants have shown that probiotics are beneficial and that they survive in sufficient numbers to affect gut microbial metabolism. Survival rates have been estimated at 20-40% for selected strains, the main obstacles to survival being gastric acidity and the action of bile salts. Although it is believed that the maximum probiotic effect can be achieved if the organisms adhere to intestinal mucosal cells, there is no evidence that exogenously administered probiotics do adhere to the mucosal cells. Instead, they seem to pass into the feces without having adhered or multiplied. Thus, to obtain a continuous exogenous probiotic effect, the probiotic culture must be ingested continually. Certain exogenously administered substances enhance the action of both exogenous and endogenous probiotics. Human milk contains many substances that stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria in vitro and also in the small intestine of infants; however, it is unlikely that they function in the colon. However, lactulose and certain fructose-containing compounds, called prebiotics, are not digested in the small intestine but pass into the cecum unchanged, where they are selectively utilized by probiotics. Beneficial effects may thus accrue from exogenously administered probiotics, often administered with prebiotics, or by endogenous bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, whose metabolic activity and growth may also be enhanced by the administration of prebiotics.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Probiotics, infection and immunity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Taking live bacteria by mouth to improve health (probiotics) is not intuitively rational yet it is a practice with a long history. As interest in the effects on health of the intestinal flora has developed, along with major advances in the technology for studying it, so has come a new interest in establishing the true benefits of probiotic therapy. This review summarizes the most recent contributions to this rapidly developing area. RECENT FINDINGS: Probiotic bacteria, mainly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli for historical reasons, can prevent or ameliorate some diseases. Many empirical studies have been done, but work to develop the ideal characteristics of probiotics lags behind. Current literature covers survival of probiotics in the gut, mucosal adherence, antibacterial/pathogen mechanisms, effects on immune function and clinical studies. SUMMARY: Probiotic bacteria are effective in preventing and reducing the severity of acute diarrhoea in children. They are also useful in antibiotic associated diarrhoea but not for elimination of Helicobacter pylori. In inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis, probiotics offer a safe alternative to current therapy. Probiotics have been used to prevent urogenital tract infection with benefit and, perhaps more intriguingly, to reduce atopy in children. Probiotics do not invariably work and study of mechanisms is urgently needed.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed2005

Place of probiotics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review reports on the recent progress understanding mechanisms of action and clinical applications of probiotics. RECENT FINDINGS: New insights on regulating mechanisms of intestinal commensal bacteria to prevent and treat different gastrointestinal diseases have been reported. Some probiotics, though not all, exert beneficial effects by modulating the mucosal barrier function and immune activity. It seems that a combination of different probiotics is more effective than a single strain. It was demonstrated that not only viable bacteria administered to the intestinal tract but also isolated probiotic DNA is active, even if injected subcutaneously. There is reasonable evidence to recommend probiotics in infectious diarrhoea for prevention and treatment (mainly in children) and to prevent antibiotic-induced gastrointestinal side effects. Furthermore, probiotics are effective in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis and preventing and treating pouchitis. Promising positive effects were published in major surgery patients (gastric resection, pancreatic resection, liver transplantation) and in severe necrotising acute pancreatitis. SUMMARY: Increasing knowledge on probiotics is exciting, but in the near future it must be defined which probiotics (single strains or a combination) are most effective in specific diseases. Well-designed, randomized clinical trials are still required to further define the role of probiotics as preventive and therapeutic agents.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

PubMed2005

The effects of probiotic and mannanoligosaccharide on some haematological and immunological parameters in turkeys.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and probiotic supplementation on haematological and immunological parameters in turkeys. A total of 72, 15-day-old white hybrid converter turkey poults were used in this study. Poults were assigned into three groups, each group consisted of six poults and the trial was repeated four times. The control group was fed a basal diet without supplemented probiotic and MOS, and treatment groups were fed either 1 g/kg MOS or probiotic added diets. At the end of the 15-week treatment period, samples of blood were collected to determine immunological and haematological values. The comparison among the groups showed that both the probiotic and MOS supplementation resulted in significant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum IgG and IgM levels, and significant decreases (P < 0.05) in the peripheral blood T lymphocyte percentage compared with those of the control group. Mean serum IgG level (7.06 g/l) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in poults supplemented with probiotic compared with MOS (6.76 g/l). It was observed that the probiotic supplementation caused statistically significant increases (P < 0.05) in the erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit values, but MOS supplementation did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on these parameters. Total leucocyte and differential leucocyte counts were not affected by dietary MOS and probiotic supplementation. These results show that MOS or probiotic may elevate IgG and IgM levels in turkey. The MOS and probiotic that enhance immunoglobulin levels will have a more positive effect on growth performance, production and turkeys' ability to resist disease.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2006

Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea and the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease.

CONTEXT: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of most antibiotics and Clostridium difficile disease (CDD), which also is incited by antibiotics, is a leading cause of nosocomial outbreaks of diarrhea and colitis. The use of probiotics for these two related diseases remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of probiotics for the prevention of AAD and the treatment of CDD based on the published randomized, controlled clinical trials. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, NIH registry of clinical trials, metaRegister, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1977 to 2005, unrestricted by language. Secondary searches of reference lists, authors, reviews, commentaries, associated diseases, books, and meeting abstracts. STUDY SELECTION: Trials were included in which specific probiotics given to either prevent or treat the diseases of interest. Trials were required to be randomized, controlled, blinded efficacy trials in humans published in peer-reviewed journals. Trials that were excluded were pre-clinical, safety, Phase 1 studies in volunteers, reviews, duplicate reports, trials of unspecified probiotics, trials of prebiotics, not the disease being studied, or inconsistent outcome measures. Thirty-one of 180 screened studies (totally 3,164 subjects) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: One reviewer identified studies and abstracted data on sample size, population characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: From 25 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), probiotics significantly reduced the relative risk of AAD (RR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.31, 0.58, p < 0.001). From six randomized trials, probiotics had significant efficacy for CDD (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.41, 0.85, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: A variety of different types of probiotics show promise as effective therapies for these two diseases. Using meta-analyses, three types of probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and probiotic mixtures) significantly reduced the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Only S. boulardii was effective for CDD.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2005

Modulation of antibody-mediated immune response by probiotics in chickens.

Probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, have been shown to enhance antibody responses in mammals. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a probiotic product containing the above bacteria in addition to Streptococcus faecalis on the induction of the chicken antibody response to various antigens, both systemically and in the gut. The birds received probiotics via oral gavage and subsequently were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to evaluate antibody responses in serum or with tetanus toxoid (TT) to measure the mucosal antibody response in gut contents. Control groups received phosphate-buffered saline. Overall, BSA and SRBC induced a detectable antibody response as early as week 1 postimmunization (p.i.), which lasted until week 3 p.i. Probiotic-treated birds had significantly (P <or= 0.001) more serum antibody (predominantly immunoglobulin M [IgM]) to SRBC than the birds that were not treated with probiotics. However, treatment with probiotics did not enhance the serum IgM and IgG antibody responses to BSA. Immunization with TT resulted in the presence of specific IgA and IgG antibody responses in the gut. Again, treatment with probiotics did not change the level or duration of the antibody response in the gut. In conclusion, probiotics enhance the systemic antibody response to some antigens in chickens, but it remains to be seen whether probiotics have an effect on the generation of the mucosal antibody response.

Animals↗