A Synbiotic of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis 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

Study Design

Population: One-week-old C57BL/6J mice
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 (10^8 CFU per mouse), 2'-FL (1 g/kg), or their combination (synbiotic) for three consecutive weeks.

Rigorous Journal
Animal Study

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

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12→Improved Gut Barrier Function
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12→Improved Gut Microbiota Composition
This was achieved through a significant rise in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria ... a rise in fecal SCFAs, and a reduction in harmful bacteria such as Escherichia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12→Reduced Anxiety-like Behavior
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12→Reduced Colonic Inflammation
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12→Reduced Diarrhea
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea... in an EPEC O127 infection model.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07→Improved Gut Barrier Function
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07→Reduced Anxiety-like Behavior
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07→Reduced Colonic Inflammation
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07→Reduced Diarrhea Symptoms
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.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-02→Improved Diarrhea Symptoms
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.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-02→Improved Gut Barrier Function
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-02→Reduced Anxiety-like Behavior
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-02→Reduced Colonic Inflammation
Administration of the synbiotic not only markedly improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate