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The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Prebiotics and Probiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 14211

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dennis Savaiano

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Collection Editor

Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Interests: prebiotics; biotechnology; human nutrition; milk; dairy; probiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tzu-Wen Cross

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor

Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: adipose tissue; insulin resistance; lipid metabolism; metabolic diseases; nutrition; abdominal obesity; glucose metabolism; fat; carbohydrate metabolism; body composition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The role of the microbiome in health has received substantial scientific and public attention in the recent years. The modification of the microbiome by pre and/or probiotics may be a significant opportunity to improve health. Further, the marketplace is filled with new prebiotic and probiotic products claiming a variety of health promoting properties. Regulation of these products is minimal and many of these products may, or may not, have significant health promoting properties.

This Topical Collection of Nutrients seeks new scientific evidence that addresses health concerns and opportunities related to modifications of the microbiome. We seek rigorously designed and controlled studies that evaluate the influence of pre and/or probiotics on the microbiome. Our goal is to provide a stronger base of scientific information for the consumer, and professionals who advise them on diet. Both professionals and consumers are undoubtedly confused about the value and risks of pre and probiotics in the diet due to limited science behind many of the claims.

Prof. Dr. Dennis Savaiano
Dr. Tzu-Wen Cross
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

prebiotics
probiotics
microbiome
human health

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

HMOs Exert Marked Bifidogenic Effects on Children’s Gut Microbiota Ex Vivo, Due to Age-Related Bifidobacterium Species Composition

by Danica Bajic, Frank Wiens, Eva Wintergerst, Stef Deyaert, Aurélien Baudot and Pieter Van den Abbeele

Nutrients 2023, 15(7), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071701 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3115

Abstract

Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms, thus conferring a health benefit. There is a growing awareness that interpersonal and age-dependent differences in gut microbiota composition impact prebiotic effects. Due to the interest in using human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) beyond infancy, this study evaluated how HMOs [2’Fucosyllactose (2’FL), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), 3’Sialyllactose (3’SL), 6’Sialyllactose (6’SL)] and blends thereof affect the microbiota of 6-year-old children (n = 6) and adults (n = 6), compared to prebiotics inulin (IN) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). The ex vivo SIFR^® technology was used, given its demonstrated predictivity in clinical findings. First, HMOs and HMO blends seemed to maintain a higher α-diversity compared to FOS/IN. Further, while 2′FL/LNnT were bifidogenic for both age groups, 3′SL/6′SL and FOS/IN were exclusively bifidogenic for children and adults, respectively. This originated from age-related differences in microbiota composition because while 3′SL/6′SL stimulated B. pseudocatenulatum (abundant in children), FOS/IN enhanced B. adolescentis (abundant in adults). Moreover, all treatments significantly increased acetate, propionate and butyrate (only in adults) with product- and age-dependent differences. Among the HMOs, 6′SL specifically stimulated propionate (linked to Bacteroides fragilis in children and Phocaeicola massiliensis in adults), while LNnT stimulated butyrate (linked to Anaerobutyricum hallii in adults). Indole-3-lactic acid and 3-phenyllactic acid (linked to immune health) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (linked to gut-brain axis) were most profoundly stimulated by 2′FL and HMO blends in both children and adults, correlating with specific Bifidobacteriaceae. Finally, 2′FL/LNnT increased melatonin in children, while 3′SL remarkably increased folic acid in adults. Overall, age-dependent differences in microbiota composition greatly impacted prebiotic outcomes, advocating for the development of age-specific nutritional supplements. HMOs were shown to be promising modulators in the adult, and particularly the children’s microbiota. The observed HMO-specific effects, likely originating from their structural heterogeneity, suggest that blends of different HMOs could maximize treatment effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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14 pages, 3289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Spermidine on Mouse Gut Morphology, Metabolites, and Microbial Diversity

by Dong-Mei Jiang, Ze-Long Wang, Jia-Di Yang, Xin Wang, Chun-Yang Niu, Cheng-Weng Ji, Wei-Kang Ling, Xiao-Guang An, Yong-Ni Guo, Qian Sun, Lin Bai, De-Bing Li, Xiao-Hui Si and Bo Kang

Nutrients 2023, 15(3), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030744 - 01 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2317

Abstract

Spermidine is a class of biologically active organic small molecules that play an important role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. The specific objective of this study was to explore the effects of spermidine on intestinal morphology, metabolites, and microbial diversity in mice. We showed that 0.3 mmol/L of spermidine significantly promoted the growth of ileal villi (p < 0.05), and 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine significantly increased the body weight of mice and promoted the growth of jejunum villi (p < 0.05). The 16S rDNA sequencing results indicated that 3.0 mmol/L of spermidine affected the balance of the intestinal flora by increasing the abundance of intestinal Lactic acid bacteria and reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Turicibacter and Alistipes). Additionally, spermidine affects the levels of microbial metabolites such as succinic acid and Pantetheine. In summary, spermidine affects intestinal morphology and regulates intestinal flora and metabolites, and this study has provided a new understanding of spermidine’s effects on the intestinal tract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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9 pages, 1318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Enzamin, a Microbial Product, on Alterations of Intestinal Microbiota Induced by a High-Fat Diet

by Toshinori Yasuzawa, Ryota Nishi, Satono Ishitani, Osamu Matsuo and Shigeru Ueshima

Nutrients 2022, 14(22), 4743; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14224743 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1931

Abstract

In the human intestinal tract, there are more than 100 trillion microorganisms classified into at least 1000 different species. The intestinal microbiota contributes to the regulation of systemic physiologic functions and the maintenance of homeostasis of the host. It has been reported that the alteration of the intestinal microbiota is involved in metabolic syndromes, including type II diabetes and dyslipidemia, inflammatory bowel disease, allergic disease, and cancer growth. It has been reported that a microbial product from Paenibacillus polymyxa AK, which was named Enzamin, ameliorated adipose inflammation with impaired adipocytokine expression and insulin resistance in db/db mice. In order to investigate the effect of Enzamin on the intestinal microbiota and inflammation induced by obesity, mice were fed with a high-fat diet and 1% Enzamin for 4 weeks. Enzamin improved the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and altered the intestinal microbiota in mice fed the high-fat diet. In addition, Enzamin suppressed the decreased expression of claudin-4 and the increased serum LPS level in mice fed with the high-fat diet. Modulating the intestinal microbiota with Enzamin may cause a decrease in serum LPS level. Based on these results, Enzamin may improve inflammation and metabolic disorders by regulating the intestinal microbiota in obese mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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15 pages, 1808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arenga pinnata Resistant Starch Modulate Gut Microbiota and Ameliorate Intestinal Inflammation in Aged Mice

by Minhong Ren, Meng-Yun Li, Lin-Qian Lu, Yuan-Sen Liu, Feng-Kun An, Kai Huang and Zhen Fu

Nutrients 2022, 14(19), 3931; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193931 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1851

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the regulatory effects of Arenga pinnata retrograded starch (APRS), Arenga pinnata starch (APS), and whole Arenga pinnata flour (APF) on gut microbiota and improvement of intestinal inflammation in aged mice. APF, APS, and APRS altered gut microbiota composition and exhibited different prebiotic effects. Bifidobacterium showed the greatest increase in feces of aged mice fed APF. The abundance of genus Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 was highest in the APS group. APRS supplementation led to a greatest increasement in abundance of Lactobacillus, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. APRS induced significantly more short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) production than APF and APS. APF, APS, and APRS treatments improved intestinal inflammation in aged mice and the order of ameliorative effect was APRS > APS > APF. APRS significantly decreased relative mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). In addition, APF, APS, and APRS significantly downregulated the relative mRNA expression of senescence-associated gene p53 and upregulated the expression of anti-aging gene Sirt1. These results provide potentially useful information about the beneficial effects of Arenga pinnata products on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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11 pages, 1446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Determining Effective Probiotic Activity: Evaluation of Survival and Antibacterial Activity of Selected Probiotic Products Using an “In Vitro” Study

by Malgorzata Bernatek, Wioletta Żukiewicz-Sobczak, Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska and Jacek Piątek

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3323; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163323 - 13 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

There are many different probiotic products on the market. Are they all equally effective? What criteria should a probiotic formulation meet to provide the most benefit to the patient? The current research aims to evaluate the parameters that influence the effectiveness of market probiotic products. These properties are critical for restoring eubiosis in patients with drug-induced dysbiosis or other pathological conditions, which could be caused by stress, wrong eating. Methods: The disintegration time of probiotic capsules in hydrochloric acid was investigated using a disintegration testing device. The survival rate of probiotic preparations in hydrochloric acid at pH 2 and in a 0.4% bile solution was then evaluated. For this purpose, the number of bacteria before and after incubation in the respective solutions was determined using the plate method. Inhibition of gastrointestinal pathogens by the probiotic products was determined using the Strus bar graph method. The highest survival rate of probiotic bacteria at low pH is shown by preparations produced in the form of acid-resistant capsules. Conclusions: The most important factor determining the good survival of bacterial strains under conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract is the type of capsule used for their production and storage. The best antimicrobial activity against most common human gastrointestinal pathogens such as Eschericha coli, Shigella, Salmonella spp., Clostridioides difficile (the largest inhibition zones) are shown by probiotic products with the greatest diversity of bacterial strains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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Review

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20 pages, 1652 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Influence of Probiotic Lactobacilli on COVID-19 and the Microbiota

by Clarissa Reginato Taufer, Juliana da Silva and Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto

Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091350 - 30 Apr 2024

Viewed by 584

Abstract

This comprehensive review explores the potential of using lactobacilli as a probiotic in the management of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that lactobacilli show promise in reducing the risk of death, gastrointestinal and overall symptoms, and respiratory failure, as well as in lowering cytokines and inflammatory markers associated with the disease. The molecular mechanisms by which lactobacilli protect against COVID-19 and other viral infections may be related to the reduction in inflammation, modulation of the immune response, and direct interaction with viruses to produce antiviral substances. However, the selected studies demonstrate the presence of mixed findings for various clinical, biochemical, hematological, and immunological parameters, which may be attributed to methodological differences among studies. We highlight the importance of clearly describing randomization processes to minimize bias and caution against small sample sizes and inappropriate statistical tests that could lead to errors. This review offers valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of lactobacilli in the context of COVID-19 and identifies avenues for further research and applications. These findings hold promise for the development of novel approaches to managing COVID-19 and warrant further investigation into the potential benefits of lactobacilli in combating the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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12 pages, 758 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Narrative Review of Human Clinical Trials to Improve Lactose Digestion and Tolerance by Feeding Bifidobacteria or Galacto-Oligosacharides

by Sindusha Mysore Saiprasad, Olivia Grace Moreno and Dennis A. Savaiano

Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3559; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163559 - 12 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1493

Abstract

Supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium and prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) could improve gut health and benefit lactose intolerant individuals. A narrative review was conducted to identify human clinical trials that evaluated lactose digestion and/or tolerance in response to consumption of Bifidobacterium, GOS, or both. A total of 152 studies on Bifidobacterium and GOS or both were published between 1983 and 2022. Out of the 152 studies, 20 were human clinical trials conducted in lactose intolerant subjects; 8 studies were conducted with Bifidobacterium supplementation and 3 studies involved GOS supplementation. Five studies reported favorable outcomes of Bifidobacterium supplementation in managing lactose intolerance (LI). Similarly, three studies reported favorable outcomes with GOS supplementation. The other three studies reported neutral outcomes. In conclusion, most studies reported a favorable effect of Bifidobacterium and GOS on managing the symptoms of LI. No study has examined the effects of combined supplementation with Bifidobacterium and GOS in lactose intolerant subjects. Future research could examine if co-supplementation with Bifidobacterium and GOS is a more effective strategy to reduce the dairy discomfort in LI individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Prebiotics and Probiotics on the Microbiome)

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