The Impact of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics during Pregnancy or Lactation on the Intestinal Microbiota of Children Born by Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review

The gut microbiota is a key factor in the correct development of the gastrointestinal immune system. Studies have found differences between the gut microbiota of newborns delivered by cesarean section compared to those vaginally delivered. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of ingestion of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics during pregnancy and/or lactation on the development of the gut microbiota of the C-section newborns. We selected experimental studies in online databases from their inception to October 2021. Of the 83 records screened, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The probiotics used belonged to the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium, and Streptococcus, or a combination of those, with dosages varying between 2 × 106 and 9 × 1011 CFU per day, and were consumed during pregnancy and/or lactation. Probiotic strains were combined with galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, or bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides in the synbiotic formulas. Probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic interventions led to beneficial gut microbiota in cesarean-delivered newborns, closer to that in vaginally delivered newborns, especially regarding Bifidobacterium colonization. This effect was more evident in breastfed infants. The studies indicate that this beneficial effect is achieved when the interventions begin soon after birth, especially the restoration of bifidobacterial population. Changes in the infant microbial ecosystem due to the interventions seem to continue after the end of the intervention in most of the studies. More interventional studies are needed to elucidate the optimal synbiotic combinations and the most effective strains and doses for achieving the optimal gut microbiota colonization of C-section newborns.

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Physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - an agile lifelong behaviour: a qualitative meta-synthesis

RMD Open ◽

10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. e001635

Author(s):

Emma Swärdh ◽

Christina Opava ◽

Nina Brodin

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Body Awareness ◽

Main Theme ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Online Databases ◽

Taking Action ◽

The Impact

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a cornerstone in the treatment. To highlight aspects involved in supporting a positive PA behaviour, it is important to understand the patients’ perceptions of the phenomenon.ObjectiveThe aim of this qualitative meta-synthesis was to explore and synthesise patient perceptions of PA in RA.MethodsA purposeful search was conducted across three online databases (PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science). The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised, and data were extracted and analysed using an interpretive inductive thematic synthesis.ResultsFifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. PA was identified as an agile lifelong behaviour, with one main theme: The disease as a persistent catalyst for or against PA illustrating how the constant presence of the disease itself underlies the entire process of a life with or without regular PA. Seven subthemes: ‘considering aggravated symptoms’, ‘acknowledging the impact on health’, ‘becoming empowered and taking action’, ‘keeping informed to increase awareness’, ‘creating body awareness’, ‘dealing with social support’ and ‘feeling satisfied with circumstances and achievements’ were interpreted as facilitators and/or challenges.ConclusionThis synthesis has identified PA as an agile lifelong behaviour in which the disease pervades all aspects of an individuals’ perception of PA. Placed in a theoretical context, our findings outline a model for tailoring PA support to the drivers and determinants of a certain individual, which will improve clinical practice for the benefit of both health professionals and patients with RA.

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The impact of early gut microbiota modulation on the risk of child disease: alert to accuracy in probiotic studies

Beneficial Microbes ◽

10.3920/bm2014.0114 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 167-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

E. Isolauri ◽

S. Salminen

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Allergic Inflammation ◽

Clinical Intervention ◽

Probiotic Potential ◽

Inflammatory State ◽

Probiotic Strains ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Different Populations ◽

The Impact ◽

And Storage

The composition of the gut microbiota, and thus also the modification of the gut microbiota by specific probiotics or prebiotics early in life, may have an impact on the risk of disease in the child. Above the impact on gut microecology, probiotic effects have been attributed to restoration to normal of increased intestinal permeability, improvement of the intestine's immunological barrier functions, alleviation of the intestinal inflammatory response, and reduced generation of proinflammatory cytokines characteristic of local and systemic allergic inflammation. Recent demonstrations from experimental and clinical studies suggest that the gut microbiota is also involved in the control of body weight and energy metabolism, affecting the two main causes of obesity: energy acquisition and storage, and contributing to insulin resistance and the inflammatory state characterising obesity. Current research focuses both on characterising specific probiotic strains and on how the food matrix and the dietary content interacts with the most efficient probiotic strains. It is important to characterise each probiotic to species and strain level and to select strains with documented properties, the probiotic potential being strain-specific. As any proof of causality requires clinical intervention studies in humans in different populations, rigorous and detailed documentation will enhance reproducibility and circumvent confusion.

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Time-restricted feeding induces Lactobacillus- and Akkermansia-specific functional changes in the rat fecal microbiota

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes ◽

10.1038/s41522-021-00256-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Antonio Palomba ◽

Alessandro Tanca ◽

Marcello Abbondio ◽

Rosangela Sau ◽

Monica Serra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Protein Metabolism ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Restricted Feeding ◽

Dietary Regimen ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Host Health ◽

Key Factor ◽

The Impact

AbstractDiet is a key factor influencing gut microbiota (GM) composition and functions, which in turn affect host health. Among dietary regimens, time-restricted (TR) feeding has been associated to numerous health benefits. The impact of TR feeding on the GM composition has been mostly explored by means of metagenomic sequencing. To date, however, little is known about the modulation of GM functions by this dietary regimen. Here, we analyzed the effects of TR feeding on GM functions by evaluating protein expression changes in a rat model through a metaproteomic approach. We observed that TR feeding has a relevant impact on GM functions, specifically leading to an increased abundance of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism and expressed by Lactobacillus spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila. Taken together, these results contribute to deepening our knowledge about the key relationship between diet, GM, and health.

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Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer’s Disease: Experimental Evidence and Clinical Reality

Current Alzheimer Research ◽

10.2174/1567205018666210907160854 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Sarama Saha ◽

Sukhpal Singh ◽

Suvarna Prasad ◽

Amit Mittal ◽

Anil Kumar Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Experimental Evidence ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Bacterial Flora ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Impact ◽

The Brain

: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive death of neuronal cells in the regions of the brain concerned with memory and cognition, and is the major cause of dementia in the elderly population. Various molecular mechanisms, metabolic risk factors and environmental triggers contributing to the genesis and progression of AD are under intense investigations. The present review has dealt with the impact of a highly discussed topic of gut microbiota affecting the neurodegeneration in the AD brain. A detailed description of the composition of gut bacterial flora and its interaction with the host has been presented, followed by an analysis of key concepts of bi- directional communication between gut microbiota and the brain. The substantial experimental evidence of gut microbiota affecting the neurodegenerative process in experimental AD models has been described next in this review, and finally, the limitations of such experimental studies vis-a- vis the actual disease and the paucity of clinical data on this topic have also been mentioned.

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Synbiotic Effect of Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-3446 and Bovine Milk-Derived Oligosaccharides on Infant Gut Microbiota

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082268 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2268 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Benoît Marsaux ◽

Pieter Van den Abbeele ◽

Jonas Ghyselinck ◽

Guénolée Prioult ◽

Massimo Marzorati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Bovine Milk ◽

Lactate Production ◽

Activity Level ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Depth Study ◽

Novel Strategy ◽

Ph Decrease ◽

The Impact

Background: This study evaluated the impact of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis CNCM I-3446, Bovine Milk-derived OligoSaccharides (BMOS) and their combination on infant gut microbiota in vitro. In addition, a novel strategy consisting of preculturing B. lactis with BMOS to further enhance their potential synbiotic effects was assessed. Method: Short-term fecal batch fermentations (48 h) were used to assess the microbial composition and activity modulated by BMOS alone, B. lactis grown on BMOS or dextrose alone, or their combinations on different three-month-old infant microbiota. Results: BMOS alone significantly induced acetate and lactate production (leading to pH decrease) and stimulated bifidobacterial growth in 10 donors. A further in-depth study on two different donors proved B. lactis ability to colonize the infant microbiota, regardless of the competitiveness of the environment. BMOS further enhanced this engraftment, suggesting a strong synbiotic effect. This was also observed at the microbiota activity level, especially in a donor containing low initial levels of bifidobacteria. In this donor, preculturing B. lactis with BMOS strengthened further the early modulation of microbiota activity observed after 6 h. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the strong synbiotic effect of BMOS and B. lactis on the infant gut microbiota, and suggests a strategy to improve its effectiveness in an otherwise low-Bifidobacterium microbiota.

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The Effect of Probiotics on Symptoms, Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Markers in Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9040999 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 999 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka ◽

Katarzyna Janda ◽

Mariusz Kaczmarczyk ◽

Wojciech Marlicz ◽

Igor Łoniewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Lactobacillus Reuteri ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Intestinal Microbiome ◽

Infantile Colic ◽

Breastfed Infants ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact

Immaturity in digestive-tract motor function and altered intestinal microbiome may play roles in pathogenesis of infantile colic. We assessed the impact of probiotic therapy on crying duration day, in newborns experiencing colic attacks. The PubMed, Embase, Cinnahl, Web of Science databases, and a clinical trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched from inception until 12/02/2020. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to derive standardized mean differences/differences in means and risk ratios. We included 16 studies, which involved 1319 newborns aged up to 6 months. Lactobacillus reuteri strain DSM17938 was administered predominantly (n = 10). Probiotic intervention reduced the duration of crying (standardized mean difference = −2.012, 95% confidence interval: −2.763 to −1.261, z = −5.25, p < 0.0001). The probability of at least a 50% reduction in crying duration was at least 1.98 times higher in the intervention group than in controls (Z = 4.80, p < 0.0001). The effects of the intervention were not significantly affected by the risk of bias assessment, percentage of breastfed infants, and duration of the study. In 11 studies, data concerning gut microbiota composition and function and/or immunological markers were given. Probiotics significantly shortened the crying duration, but a causal relationship between the modulatory effect of probiotics on microbiota and the immune system has not been confirmed.

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The Influence of Cesarean Section on the Composition and Development of Gut Microbiota During the First 3 Months of Life

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.691312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Gao Long ◽

Yuting Hu ◽

Enfu Tao ◽

Bo Chen ◽

Xiaoli Shu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Later Life ◽

Postnatal Period ◽

Functional Genes ◽

Phosphotransferase System ◽

Colonization Process ◽

The Impact ◽

New Evidence ◽

Insight Into

The intestinal microbiota has emerged as a critical regulator of growth and development in the early postnatal period of life. Cesarean section (CS) delivery is one of the strongest disrupting factors of the normal colonization process and has been reported as a risk factor for disorders in later life. In this study, we dynamically and longitudinally evaluated the impact of CS on the initial colonization pattern and development of gut microbiota by 16 healthy Chinese infants with fecal samples collected at 9 time points (day 5, day 8, day 11, week 2, week 4, week 6, week 7, month 2, and month 3) during the first 3 months of life. The V3–V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene were analyzed by Illumina sequencing. In comparison with vaginally delivered (VD) infants, infants born by CS showed decreased relative abundance of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides and enrichment of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Clostridioides, and Veillonella. Most interestingly, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was found to be significantly higher in the CS group than in the VD group from day 5 until month 3. Besides, the results of microbial functions showed that the VD group harbored significantly higher levels of functional genes in vitamin B6 metabolism at day 5, day 8, week 2, week 4, week 6, week 7, month 2, and month 3 and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism at day 5, while the phosphotransferase system and starch and sucrose metabolism involved functional genes were plentiful in the CS group at day 11, week 2, week 4, week 6, week 7, and month 2 and at week 2, week 7, and month 2, respectively. Our results establish a new evidence that CS affected the composition and development of gut microbiota in the first 3 months and provide a novel insight into strategies for CS-related disorders in later life.

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Early Life Microbiota Colonization at Six Months of Age: A Transitional Time Point

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2021.590202 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Benedetta Raspini ◽

Mirco Vacca ◽

Debora Porri ◽

Rachele De Giuseppe ◽

Francesco Maria Calabrese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Early Life ◽

Maternal Body Mass Index ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Breastfed Infants ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Older Siblings

BackgroundEarly life gut microbiota is involved in several biological processes, particularly metabolism, immunity, and cognitive neurodevelopment. Perturbation in the infant’s gut microbiota increases the risk for diseases in early and later life, highlighting the importance of understanding the connections between perinatal factors with early life microbial composition. The present research paper is aimed at exploring the prenatal and postnatal factors influencing the infant gut microbiota composition at six months of age.MethodsGut microbiota of infants enrolled in the longitudinal, prospective, observational study “A.MA.MI” (Alimentazione MAmma e bambino nei primi MIlle giorni) was analyzed. We collected and analyzed 61 fecal samples at baseline (meconium, T0); at six months of age (T2), we collected and analyzed 53 fecal samples. Samples were grouped based on maternal and gestational weight factors, type of delivery, type of feeding, time of weaning, and presence/absence of older siblings. Alpha and beta diversities were evaluated to describe microbiota composition. Multivariate analyses were performed to understand the impact of the aforementioned factors on the infant’s microbiota composition at six months of age.ResultsDifferent clustering hypotheses have been tested to evaluate the impact of known metadata factors on the infant microbiota. Neither maternal body mass index nor gestational weight gain was able to determine significant differences in infant microbiota composition six months of age. Concerning the type of feeding, we observed a low alpha diversity in exclusive breastfed infants; conversely, non-exclusively breastfed infants reported an overgrowth of Ruminococcaceae and Flavonifractor. Furthermore, we did not find any statistically significant difference resulting from an early introduction of solid foods (before 4 months of age). Lastly, our sample showed a higher abundance of clostridial patterns in firstborn babies when compared to infants with older siblings in the family.ConclusionOur findings showed that, at this stage of life, there is not a single factor able to affect in a distinct way the infants’ gut microbiota development. Rather, there seems to be a complex multifactorial interaction between maternal and neonatal factors determining a unique microbial niche in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Soil is a key factor influencing gut microbiota and its effect is comparable to that exerted by diet for mice

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15297.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 1588 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dongrui Zhou ◽

Zhimao Bai ◽

Honglin Zhang ◽

Na Li ◽

Zhiyu Bai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Gut ◽

Unifrac Distance ◽

Distance Analysis ◽

New Strategy ◽

Key Factor ◽

Unsterile Soil ◽

Gut Microbial Community ◽

The Impact ◽

Rrna Sequences

Exposure to an unsanitary environment increases the diversity and alters the composition of gut microbiota. To identify the key element in the unsanitary environment responsible for this phenomenon, we investigated the effect and the extent by which the soil in our environment influenced the composition of gut microbiota. Results show that adding unsterile or sterile soil to bedding, either before birth or after weaning, influences significantly the composition of mice gut microbiota. Specifically, unsterile soil increases the richness and biodiversity of gut microbiota. Interestingly, based on UniFrac distance analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, the impact of soil on gut microbiota is comparable to that exerted by diet. These findings provide a potential new strategy for intervening on the human gut microbial community and preventing disease.

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Co-Encapsulated Synbiotics and Immobilized Probiotics in Human Health and Gut Microbiota Modulation

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10061297 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1297

Author(s):

Monika Kvakova ◽

Izabela Bertkova ◽

Jana Stofilova ◽

Tor C. Savidge

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Human Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Well Being ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Probiotic Strains ◽

The Impact

Growing interest in the development of innovative functional products as ideal carriers for synbiotics, e.g., nutrient bars, yogurt, chocolate, juice, ice cream, and cheese, to ensure the daily intake of probiotics and prebiotics, which are needed to maintain a healthy gut microbiota and overall well-being, is undeniable and inevitable. This review focuses on the modern approaches that are currently being developed to modulate the gut microbiota, with an emphasis on the health benefits mediated by co-encapsulated synbiotics and immobilized probiotics. The impact of processing, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions on the viability and bioactivity of probiotics together with prebiotics such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers using various delivery systems are considered. Despite the proven biological properties of synbiotics, research in this area needs to be focused on the proper selection of probiotic strains, their prebiotic counterparts, and delivery systems to avoid suppression of their synergistic or complementary effect on human health. Future directions should lead to the development of functional food products containing stable synbiotics tailored for different age groups or specifically designed to fulfill the needs of adjuvant therapy.

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