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Probiotic administration in congenital heart disease: a pilot study

C L Ellis1, N A Bokulich, K M Kalanetra

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|April 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis did not alter the gut microbiota in infants with congenital heart disease. While some plasma cytokines showed transient changes, the overall impact was inconsistent, suggesting further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology
  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric cardiology

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants is linked to gut dysbiosis.
  • The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune system development.
  • Understanding microbial and immune alterations in CHD is vital for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effect of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis (B. infantis) on fecal microbiota composition in neonates with CHD.
  • To evaluate the impact of B. infantis supplementation on plasma cytokine profiles in these infants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 16 infants with CHD.
  • Infants received either B. infantis or placebo for 8 weeks.
  • Fecal microbial composition and weekly plasma cytokine levels (IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Infants with CHD exhibited altered fecal microbiota compared to healthy controls, but B. infantis did not significantly change microbial composition in CHD infants.
  • Plasma levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) were transiently elevated in the probiotic group.
  • No significant differences in fecal microbiota were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with CHD experience gut dysbiosis.
  • Probiotic B. infantis supplementation did not significantly alter the fecal microbiota in neonates with CHD.
  • Observed changes in plasma cytokines were inconsistent, indicating a limited impact of the probiotic on the measured immune markers.
Abstract

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