BACKGROUND: Dietary intervention with prebiotics can cause changes in the colonic microbiota and their metabolic activities. AIM: To investigate whether the response to prebiotic dosing is influenced by the baseline metabolic activity of the colonic flora and bifidobacteria counts. METHODS: The 4-week effect of lactulose (10 g bid.; n = 29) and oligofructose-enriched inulin (10 g bid.; n = 19) was evaluated in healthy human volunteers. Lactose-[(15)N, (15)N]-ureide was used to study the colonic NH(3)-metabolism. Urine (48 h) and faeces (72 h) were collected and analysed for p-cresol and (15)N-content by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and isotope ratio mass spectrometer, respectively. Faecal bifidobacteria were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: After the 4-week prebiotic administration period, the urinary excretion of p-cresol and (15)N was significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.05) corresponding to a significantly higher faecal excretion of (15)N (P < 0.05). The decrease in urinary (15)N and p-cresol excretion significantly correlated with baseline (15)N and p-cresol levels (P < 0.05), indicating that subjects with higher baseline levels showed a higher response to prebiotic dosing. Furthermore, a significant correlation was seen between baseline bifidobacteria counts and the effect of prebiotic intake (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The response to prebiotic dosing, as indicated by the fate of NH(3), p-cresol and bifidobacteria, is determined by the initial colonic conditions.
BACKGROUND: Dietary intervention with prebiotics can cause changes in the colonic microbiota and their metabolic activities. AIM: To investigate whether the response to prebiotic dosing is influenced by the baseline metabolic activity of the colonic flora and bifidobacteria counts. METHODS: The 4-week effect of lactulose (10 g bid.; n = 29) and oligofructose-enriched inulin (10 g bid.; n = 19) was evaluated in healthy human volunteers. Lactose-[(15)N,(15)N]-ureide was used to study the colonic NH(3)-metabolism. Urine (48 h) and faeces (72 h) were collected and analysed for p-cresol and (15)N-content by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and isotope ratio mass spectrometer, respectively. Faecal bifidobacteria were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: After the 4-week prebiotic administration period, the urinary excretion of p-cresol and (15)N was significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.05) corresponding to a significantly higher faecal excretion of (15)N (P < 0.05). The decrease in urinary (15)N and p-cresol excretion significantly correlated with baseline (15)N and p-cresol levels (P < 0.05), indicating that subjects with higher baseline levels showed a higher response to prebiotic dosing. Furthermore, a significant correlation was seen between baseline bifidobacteria counts and the effect of prebiotic intake (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The response to prebiotic dosing, as indicated by the fate of NH(3), p-cresol and bifidobacteria, is determined by the initial colonic conditions.
Authors: Glenn R Gibson; Robert Hutkins; Mary Ellen Sanders; Susan L Prescott; Raylene A Reimer; Seppo J Salminen; Karen Scott; Catherine Stanton; Kelly S Swanson; Patrice D Cani; Kristin Verbeke; Gregor Reid Journal: Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2017-06-14 Impact factor: 46.802
Authors: Delphine M Saulnier; Yehuda Ringel; Melvin B Heyman; Jane A Foster; Premysl Bercik; Robert J Shulman; James Versalovic; Elena F Verdu; Ted G Dinan; Gail Hecht; Francisco Guarner Journal: Gut Microbes Date: 2012-11-30