Xylo-oligosaccharides alone or in synbiotic combination withBifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactisinduce bifidogenesis and modulate markers of immune function in healthy adults: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, factorial cross-over study

Abstract

Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics are dietary ingredients with the potential to influence health and mucosal and systemic immune function by altering the composition of the gut microbiota. In the present study, a candidate prebiotic (xylo-oligosaccharide, XOS, 8 g/d), probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07, 10 9 colony-forming units (CFU)/d) or synbiotic (8 g XOS þ 10 9 CFU Bi-07/d) was given to healthy adults (25 -65 years) for 21 d. The aim was to identify the effect of the supplements on bowel habits, self-reported mood, composition of the gut microbiota, blood lipid concentrations and immune function. XOS supplementation increased mean bowel movements per d (P¼0·009), but did not alter the symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain or flatulence or the incidence of any reported adverse events compared with maltodextrin supplementation. XOS supplementation significantly increased participant-reported vitality (P¼0·003) and happiness (P¼ 0·034). Lowest reported use of analgesics was observed during the XOS þ Bi-07 supplementation period (P¼0·004). XOS supplementation significantly increased faecal bifidobacterial counts (P¼ 0·008) and fasting plasma HDL concentrations (P¼0·005). Bi-07 supplementation significantly increased faecal B. lactis content (P¼ 0·007), lowered lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-4 secretion in whole-blood cultures (P¼0·035) and salivary IgA content (P¼ 0·040) and increased IL-6 secretion (P¼ 0·009). XOS supplementation resulted in lower expression of CD16/56 on natural killer T cells (P¼ 0·027) and lower IL-10 secretion (P¼ 0·049), while XOS and Bi-07 supplementation reduced the expression of CD19 on B cells (XOS £ Bi-07, P¼0·009). The present study demonstrates that XOS induce bifidogenesis, improve aspects of the plasma lipid profile and modulate the markers of immune function in healthy adults. The provision of XOS þ Bi-07 as a synbiotic may confer further benefits due to the discrete effects of Bi-07 on the gut microbiota and markers of immune function.

Irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity improves equally with probiotic and placebo

“…Based on a crossover trial that raised concerns over the inadequate length of a 1-mo run-in period[28], all volunteers refrained from using any commercial or trial-related probiotics over an 8-wk run-in period to reduce any putative carryover effects. A total of 83% of randomized volunteers had a history of consuming commercial probiotics.…”

Short-chain fatty acids, prebiotics, synbiotics, and systemic inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The characteristics of the 8 RCTs of prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation are presented in Table 4 (50,51,53,66,87,88,91,92). The mean daily prebiotic dose was 10 g (range: 0.57-20 g), and the median daily probiotic dose was 5 3 10 9 CFU (range: 1 3 10 9 -8 3 10 10 CFU).…”

“…West et al (91) observed an increase in proinflammatory IL-16 following both prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation; however, synbiotic supplementation was found to be less inflammatory, leading to an increase that was only 50% of the increase following prebiotic supplementation. Four studies, 2 of which were conducted in healthy participants, reported no significant change in inflammation in either the prebiotic or synbiotic treatment arm (50,53,88,92).…”

Recent developments in prebiotics to selectively impact beneficial microbes and promote intestinal health

“…lactis (strain Bi-07) as a synbiotic [45]. Volunteers (n = 44) were fed 8 g XOS, 109 cfu/ml bacteria, a combination of both or a maltodextrin placebo for 21 days.…”