A Synbiotic of <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i> subsp. <i>lactis</i> BB-12 and 2'-FL Alleviate Infant Diarrhea and Anxiety-like Behaviors via Gut Microbiota Modulation in an EPEC O127 Infection Model.
- 2025-09-29
- Nutrients 17(19)
- Zhuo Liu
- Wenxiu Wang
- Ning Li
- Jinkuan Chen
- Qianxu Wang
- Mengzhen Jia
- Xiaorui Wang
- Bo Zhang
- Nan Sheng
- Zhigang Liu
- PubMed: 41097176
- DOI: 10.3390/nu17193099
Background/Objectives: Infant diarrhea is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. While Bifidobacterium is linked to diarrhea, its preventive effects, underlying mechanisms, and potential synergistic benefits with prebiotics remain unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the efficacy of a synbiotic composed of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) and 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) in alleviating infant diarrhea. Methods: One-week-old C57BL/6J mice were used to construct a model of infant diarrhea via infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) O127. Mice were administered BB-12 (108 CFU per mouse), 2'-FL (1 g/kg), or their combination (synbiotic) for three consecutive weeks. Results: Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function but also positively reshaped the microbial community. This was achieved through a significant rise in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Paraprevotella), a rise in fecal SCFAs, and a reduction in harmful bacteria such as Escherichia. Conclusions: The synbiotic effectively relieves EPEC-induced infant diarrhea by regulating gut microbiota composition and metabolic functions. These findings highlight its potential as a dietary intervention in infant diarrhea and provide new insights into infant health applications.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Improved Gut Barrier Function | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Improved Gut Microbiota Composition | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Anxiety-like Behavior | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Colon Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Diarrhea | Beneficial | Large |