Efficacy of Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263 for infantile colic treatment: an open-label, parallel, randomised, controlled trial

Probiotics mitigate kidney damage after exposure to Sri Lanka's local groundwater from chronic kidney disease with uncertain etiology (CKDu) prevalent area in zebrafish

Groundwater in Sri Lanka, contaminated with environmental toxins, is suspected to potentially induce chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in humans. This study aims to elucidate the potential mitigating effects of probiotics on kidney damage induced by exposure to this local groundwater (LW) in zebrafish. We used zebrafish as a model organism and exposed them to local groundwater to evaluate the risk of CKDu. Probiotics were then added at a concentration of 108 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Our findings revealed that exposure to local groundwater resulted in abnormalities, such as tail deletion and spinal curvature in zebrafish larvae. However, the addition of probiotics mitigated these effects, improving the hatching rate, heart rate, length, weight, deformity rate, survival rate, and abnormal behavior of zebrafish. It also positively influenced the differential expression levels of kidney development and immunity-related genes (dync2h1, foxj1, pkd2, gata3, slc20a1, il1β, and lyso). Furthermore, exposure to LW decreased both the diversity and abundance of microbiota in zebrafish larvae. However, treatment with probiotics, such as L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus partially restored the disrupted gut microbiota and significantly impacted the cellular process pathways of the microbial community, as determined by KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis. In conclusion, this study highlights the risks associated with Sri Lanka's local groundwater from a CKDu prevalent area and confirms the beneficial effects of different probiotics. These findings may provide new insights into bacterial function in host kidney health.

Impact of Probiotics on the Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases in the Pediatric Population

Despite the high prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) in infants and children, especially those categorized as functional GIDs (FGIDs), insufficient knowledge about their pathophysiology has limited both symptomatic diagnosis and the development of optimal therapies. Recent advances in the field of probiotics have made their potential use as an interesting therapeutic and preventive strategy against these disorders possible, but further efforts are still needed. In fact, there is great controversy surrounding this topic, generated by the high variety of potential probiotics strains with plausible therapeutic utility, the lack of consensus in their use as well as the few comparative studies available on probiotics that record their efficacy. Taking into account these limitations, and in the absence of clear guidelines about the dose and timeframe for successful probiotic therapy, our review aimed to evaluate current studies on potential use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of the most common FGIDs and GIDs in the pediatric population. Furthermore, matters referring to know major action pathways and key safety recommendations for probiotic administration proposed by major pediatric health agencies shall also be discussed.

Infant behavioral state and stool microbiome in infants receiving Lactocaseibacillus rhamnosus GG in formula: randomized controlled trial

Background

Our aim was to evaluate infant behavioral state, stool microbiome profile and calprotectin in infants with infantile colic receiving a partially hydrolyzed protein formula with or without added Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus GG (LGG).

Methods

In this single-center, double-blind, controlled, parallel, prospective study, term infants (14–28 days of age) identified with colic (using modified Wessel’s criteria: cried and/or fussed ≥ 3 h/day for ≥ 3 days/week, in a one-week period) were randomized to receive one of two formulas over a three-week feeding period: marketed partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk-based infant formula (PHF, n = 35) or a similar formula with added LGG (PHF-LGG, n = 36). Parent-reported infant behavior was recorded at three time points (Study Days 2–4, 10–12, and 18–20). Duration (hours/day) of crying/fussing (averaged over each three-day period) was the primary outcome. Stool samples were collected at Baseline and Study End (Days 19–21) to determine stool LGG colonization (by qPCR) and microbial abundance (using 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and calprotectin (μg/g).

Results

Duration of crying/fussing (mean ± SE) decreased and awake/content behavior increased over time with no significant group differences over the course of the study. There were no group differences in the percentage of infants who experienced colic by study end. Colic decreased by Study End vs Baseline in both groups. Change in fecal calprotectin also was similar between groups. Comparing Study End vs Baseline, LGG abundance was greater in the PHF-LGG group (P < 0.001) whereas alpha diversity was greater in the PHF group (P = 0.022). Beta diversity was significantly different between PHF and PHF-LGG at Study End (P = 0.05). By study end, relative abundance of L. rhamnosus was higher in the PHF-LGG vs PHF group and vs Baseline.

Conclusions

In this pilot study of infants with colic, both study formulas were well tolerated. Crying/fussing decreased and awake/content behavior increased in both study groups over the course of the study. Study results demonstrate a successful introduction of the probiotic to the microbiome. The partially hydrolyzed protein formula with added LGG was associated with significant changes in the gut microbiome.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02340143. Registered 16/01/2015.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03647-x.

Efficacy and Safety of a Colic Relief Remedy in Infantile Colic

Infantile colic is the most frequent reason of infant and parental distress. An open-label single-group clinical study was conducted primarily to evaluate the effect of 14-day colic relief remedy administration (1.25 ml orally during colic episode) on average daily crying time in infants compared to baseline. In addition, the percentage of responders, sleep pattern, frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, tolerability of the product and percentage population with relapse of symptoms post product discontinuation were evaluated. Thirty infants aged 3 to 16 weeks with no significant clinical illness were enrolled in the study with their caregivers. Daily inconsolable crying time and flatulence were significantly reduced (P < .05) within a week of intervention and a sustained effect was observed after discontinuation of the product. The findings of the present study indicate that this product effectively reduced abdominal distension and pain, resulting in a significant decrease in the daily crying of the infants.

Trial registration: The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI) (http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php) bearing Reg. No: CTRI/2021/03/031762, Date: March 8, 2021.