Colonization of Supplemented Bifidobacterium breve M-16V in Low Birth Weight Infants and Its Effects on Their Gut Microbiota Weeks Post-administration

Abstract

The colonization and persistence of probiotics introduced into the adult human gut appears to be limited. It is uncertain, however, whether probiotics can successfully colonize the intestinal tracts of full-term and premature infants. In this study, we investigated the colonization and the effect of oral supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on the gut microbiota of low birth weight (LBW) infants. A total of 22 LBW infants (12 infants in the M-16V group and 10 infants in the control group) were enrolled. B. breve M-16V was administrated to LBW infants in the M-16V group from birth until hospital discharge. Fecal samples were collected from each subject at weeks (3.7–9.3 weeks in the M-16V group and 2.1–6.1 weeks in the control group) after discharge. qPCR analysis showed that the administrated strain was detected in 83.3% of fecal samples in the M-16V group (at log10 8.33 ± 0.99 cell numbers per gram of wet feces), suggesting that this strain colonized most of the infants beyond several weeks post-administration. Fecal microbiota analysis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the abundance of Actinobacteria was significantly higher (P < 0.01), whereas that of Proteobacteria was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the M-16V group as compared with the control group. Notably, the levels of the administrated strain and indigenous Bifidobacterium bacteria were both significantly higher in the M-16V group than in the control group. Our findings suggest that oral administration of B. breve M-16V led to engraftment for at least several weeks post-administration and we observed a potential overall improvement in microbiota formation in the LBW infants’ guts.

Effect of Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in Improving Cognitive Function and Preventing Brain Atrophy in Older Patients with Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results of a 24-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Fecal DNA preparation and microbiota analysis were performed as described previously [ 24 ]. Briefly, fecal samples were collected using Techno Suruga’s stool collection kit brush type at week 0 and week 4.…”

Gelatin-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Kluyveromyces lactis Encapsulation: Potential Applications in Probiotics and Bioreactor Packings

“…Similarly, nutraceuticals, which generally are poorly soluble in water, have low bioavailability by this route of administration [4]. This is also the case of whole cells, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, and beneficial molecules such as bivalent fusion protein r-BL with recombinant protein U-Omp19, Garcinia mangostana L. ethanolic extract, and insulin [5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. As these bioactive Biomolecules 2021, 11, 922 2 of 19 molecules reach the small intestine lumen, they need to come across an extracellular mucus layer to finally reach the surface of the brush border for absorption [12].…”

“…This organ is responsible for breaking down food into smaller and more assimilable molecules [14]. This occurs under an acidic environment, which, when in contact with bioactive compounds, will induce protonation of some pendant groups such as phospholipids, amino and carboxyl groups [6], and the decrease of cell cytoplasmic pH. Subsequently, the molecules reach the small intestine, where they encounter a thick mucus layer that protects the epithelial tissue cells against various mechanical effects, mainly attributed to the intestinal transit.…”

Exploring the long-term colonisation and persistence of probiotic-prophylaxis species on the gut microbiome of preterm infants: a pilot study

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