Randomized placebo-controlled trial of feline-origin Enterococcus hirae probiotic effects on preventative health and fecal microbiota composition of fostered shelter kittens

Efficacy of probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic and postbiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal health in cats: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The clinical efficacy of the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics (biotics) in cats is unknown, despite their use in daily practice. The objectives of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of biotic supplementation in treating and preventing gastroenteropathies, and in reducing gastrointestinal signs associated with antibiotics in cats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted by searching four databases for publications before August 2, 2024, following a pre-registered protocol. Eligible publications were trials involving healthy cats or those with gastroenteropathies, supplemented with biotics (and an inactive control), studying outcomes such as faecal consistency, faecal microbiota or vomiting. Risk of bias and quality of reports were assessed. Effects were synthesised by meta-analyses and vote counting based on direction of effect. Certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Twenty reports were included, presenting unclear or low risk of bias. The evidence did not permit a high-confidence evaluation of the effectiveness of biotics, although five of the seven probiotic trials showed beneficial effects on faecal consistency. Synbiotics presented no clinically relevant effect in reducing antibiotics-associated vomiting, with very low certainty, in a meta-analysis including 32 adult cats. Probiotics significantly reduce the Bacillota/Actinomycetota ratio, with low certainty, in a meta-analysis involving 34 healthy young-adult cats. Following vote counting, probiotics improved immune profile in young cats, and increased butyric acid concentration in healthy cats.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Current data highlight the need for further research, especially focused on at-risk groups and sick cats, before advocating the use of biotic supplementation.

Complex Probiotics Relieve Constipation Through Regulation of the Intestinal Microbiota in Kittens

The early developmental phase is a critical window for feline growth, during which immature digestive systems are susceptible to microbiome imbalances caused by environmental stressors. Our research employed macrogenomic analysis to evaluate how complex probiotic formulations influence growth metrics and gastrointestinal flora in juvenile felines. Two dozen healthy kittens were equally divided into the control group and the probiotics group following a 5-day environmental adaptation phase. Fecal scores were recorded daily for all kittens. Fresh fecal samples were collected on days 1 and 14 for macrogenomic analysis. The results showed a significantly lower rate of constipation in the probiotics group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in intestinal microbial diversity or structure between the two groups. Metagenomic analysis revealed a higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium animalis in the probiotics group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the probiotics group exhibited lower relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2 1 58FAA, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 1 1 57FAA, and Acidaminococcus intestini compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that complex probiotics can regulate the intestinal microbiota, improve constipation, and promote intestinal health in kittens.

Use of biotics in animals: impact on nutrition, health, and food production

Probiotics, prebiotics, and other biotic substances are not only effective ways to promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract, an effective immune system, and the overall health of humans, but also in agricultural and companion animals. Because key differences exist in regard to gastrointestinal tract anatomy and physiology, dietary management and feeding strategy, and disease susceptibility, however, biotic types and amounts often differ according to host species and life stage. Despite these differences, the literature demonstrates the value of biotics in agricultural and companion animal species. While high variability in responsiveness and efficacy has been reported, biotic substances may be effectively used to improve digestion, reduce morbidity, increase growth rate and/or efficiency in agricultural animals and promote gastrointestinal health and immune response in companion animals. As the oversight of antibiotic use intensifies, the population density of animals and humans increases, and production strategies of agricultural animals are more heavily scrutinized, the importance of biotics and other health promotors will continue to increase in the future. To date, the effects of animal biotic use have focused primarily on the farm, home, or veterinary clinic. In the future, their impact must be viewed on a larger scale. As global "One Health" approaches seek to reduce antimicrobial use and resistance and there are increasing demands for sustainable and safe food production, biotics will continue to be an important part of the solution. As knowledge of gastrointestinal microbiomes grows and the biotic field develops, more targeted and effective strategies for health promotion in these species are expected. At the 2023 International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics meeting, experts were invited to participate in a discussion group focused on "The Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Agricultural and Companion Animals". This review reports the outcomes of that discussion, including the documented use of probiotics, prebiotics, and other biotic substances to promote health or treat disease in agricultural and companion animals, provide implications of animal biotic use on human health, and provide perspective on how scientific advances may impact the development and improvement of biotics in the future.

The influence of 'biotics' on the gut microbiome of dogs and cats

A global rise in pet ownership and an increasing tendency towards the humanisation of pets have resulted in a greater focus on improving animal health and longevity. These developments coincide with the increased recognition of the role of the gut microbiome in animal health. The gut microbiome has been shown to play a prominent role in gastrointestinal health, and it is becoming increasingly clear that these health benefits extend beyond the gut and into different physiological systems, such as the immune system. Dietary supplementation with products known as 'biotics', which include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics, is a strategy used to modify the gut microbiome and promote host health. Although biotics have been successfully used in companion animals, questions remain regarding appropriate biotic selection, mechanisms of action, optimum inclusion levels and safety. This review aims to summarise the effects of biotics on the gut microbiome of dogs and cats and assess their potential role in supporting gastrointestinal health.

Decoding the Gut Microbiome in Companion Animals: Impacts and Innovations

The changing notion of "companion animals" and their increasing global status as family members underscores the dynamic interaction between gut microbiota and host health. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate microbial ecology within companion animals required to maintain overall health and prevent disease. Exploration of specific diseases and syndromes linked to gut microbiome alterations (dysbiosis), such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and neurological conditions like epilepsy, are highlighted. In addition, this review provides an analysis of the various factors that impact the abundance of the gut microbiome like age, breed, habitual diet, and microbe-targeted interventions, such as probiotics. Detection methods including PCR-based algorithms, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing are reviewed, along with their limitations and the need for future advancements. Prospects for longitudinal investigations, functional dynamics exploration, and accurate identification of microbial signatures associated with specific health problems offer promising directions for future research. In summary, it is an attempt to provide a deeper insight into the orchestration of multiple microbial species shaping the health of companion animals and possible species-specific differences.

Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum Enhance Immune Function and Antioxidant Capacity in Cats through Modulation of the Gut Microbiota

Gastrointestinal (GI) afflictions are prevalent among the feline population, wherein the intricacies of the gut microbiome exert a profound influence on their overall health. Alterations within this microbial consortium can precipitate a cascade of physiological changes, notably in immune function and antioxidant capacity. This research investigated the impact of Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on cats' GI health, exploring the effects of probiotic supplementation on the intestinal ecosystem using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in gut barrier function by reducing plasma concentrations of D-lactate (D-LA) by 30.38% and diamine oxidase (DAO) by 22.68%, while increasing the population of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus. There was a notable 25% increase in immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, evidenced by increases of 19.13% in catalase (CAT), 23.94% in superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 21.81% in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Further analysis revealed positive correlations between Lactobacillus abundance and IgA, CAT, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels. These correlations indicate that B. lactis and L. plantarum enhance feline immune and antioxidant functions by increasing the abundance of beneficial Lactobacillus in the GI tract. These findings provide a foundation for probiotic interventions aimed at enhancing health and disease resistance in feline populations.

Probiotics and Cat Health: A Review of Progress and Prospects

Cats are increasingly favored as companion animals; their health has drawn widespread attention. Given the continuous improvements in the required living standards of both humans and animals, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, periodontal disease, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues have become recognized as valid pet problems. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat pet diseases, greatly improving animal health. However, antibiotic abuse is common, especially when seeking to treat bacterial infections. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that may be directly ingested in food or as feed additives; they improve the intestinal microflora balance, enhance immunity, and ensure healthy growth. However, cat data are usually inferred from reports on dogs or humans; cat research remains preliminary in nature. Therefore, we here describe the current understanding of how probiotics improve cat health, facilitating the further development and application of probiotics for cats.

Gut Probiotics and Health of Dogs and Cats: Benefits, Applications, and Underlying Mechanisms

Pets (mostly domestic dogs and cats) play an important role in the daily lives of humans and their health has attracted growing attention from pet owners. The intestinal microbiota, a complex microbial community with barrier-protective, nutritional, metabolic, and immunological functions, is integral to host health. Dysbiosis has been related to a variety of diseases in humans and animals. Probiotics have been used in functional foods and dietary supplements to modulate intestinal microbiota and promote host health, which has been introduced in pet dogs and cats in recent years. Various canine- and feline-derived probiotic strains have been isolated and characterized. The administration of probiotics has shown positive effects on the gut health and can alleviate some intestinal diseases and disorders in dogs and cats, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unresolved. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the benefits of probiotics and discuss their possible mechanisms in dogs and cats in order to provide new insights for the further development and application of probiotics in pets.