Probiotics reduce self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in overweight and obese adults: should we be considering probiotics during viral pandemics?

Abstract

Gut microbiome manipulation to alter the gut-lung axis may potentially protect humans against respiratory infections, and clinical trials of probiotics show promise in this regard in healthy adults and children. However, comparable studies are lacking in overweight/obese people, who have increased risks in particular of viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). This Addendum further analyses our recent placebo-controlled trial of probiotics in overweight/obese people (focused initially on weight loss) to investigate the impact of probiotics upon the occurrence of URTI symptoms. As well as undergoing loss of weight and improvement in certain metabolic parameters, study participants taking probiotics experienced a 27% reduction in URTI symptoms versus control, with those ≥45 years or BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 experiencing greater reductions. This symptom reduction is apparent within 2 weeks of probiotic use. Gut microbiome diversity remained stable throughout the study in probiotic-treated participants. Our data provide support for further trials to assess the potential role of probiotics in preventing viral URTI (and possibly also COVID-19), particularly in overweight/obese people.

Probiotics for the Prevention of Acute Respiratory-Tract Infections in Older People: Systematic Review

“…The main basis for this possibility is that several clinical studies have reported alterations of gut microbiota/dysbiosis of COVID-19 patients [89][90][91], and it is well-known that probiotics are efficient in positively modulating the gut microbiome in many cases of dysbiosis as has been noted in systematic reviews and meta-analyses [92][93][94][95]. To date, one clinical study has addressed this question, and it concluded that support for further trials to assess the potential role of probiotics in preventing viral URTI (and possibly also COVID-19) is warranted [96].…”

Effects of Lactococcus lactis on the Intestinal Functions in Weaning Piglets

“…Weaning piglets are susceptible to diarrhea caused by pathogenic E.coli (e.g., ETEC) infection. Growing studies indicate that probiotics prevent pathogenic bacteria colonization and proliferation ( 12 , 13 ). Manuela et al ( 24 ) showed that probiotics inhibited pathogenic bacteria by producing antimicrobial metabolites and competing for energy substances.…”

“…There is a great opportunity to develop new strategies for preventing intestinal pathogen infection in weaning piglets. Probiotics can prevent infections caused by pathogens such as Clostridium difficile ( 12 , 13 ). However, the ability of probiotics to prevent infection varies ( 14 ).…”

Gut Microbiota and Probiotics/Synbiotics for Modulation of Immunity in Critically Ill Patients

“…The mechanisms of probiotics have been explained with improving barrier function and immunity through the actions of cell components and metabolites of probiotics [ 38 , 39 ]. There are direct effects, including microorganism-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), in the gut mucosa [ 40 ].…”

“…In gut microbiota of COVID-19 patients, the decrease in normal gut microbiota bacteria, such as Eubacterium ventricosum , Faecalibacterium prausnitzii , Reseburia , and Lachnospiraceae, and the increase of opportunistic bacteria, such as C. hathewayi , Actinomyces viscosus , and B. nordii , was observed [ 64 ]. Probiotics/synbiotics are one of the promising therapies for COVID-19 to maintain gut microbiota and prevent the exacerbation of pneumonia [ 39 ]. In 200 adults with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, patients treated with several kinds of probiotics were associated with a reduced risk for death [ 65 ].…”