Gut Microbiota Changes Following Short-Term Probiotic Supplementation in Older Home Enteral Nutrition Patients.

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: sixteen older HEN patients
Methods: exploratory randomized, open-label study with a 30-day probiotic intervention; gut microbiota profiles analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

Rigorous Journal

Background

Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) patients, often older adults, are susceptible to gut microbiota dysbiosis and low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammaging), which negatively impacts overall health and intestinal integrity. However, evidence on microbiota-targeted interventions in this population remains limited. The development of targeted nutritional strategies, such as probiotic supplementation, has been proposed to address these age-related changes.

Methods

This exploratory randomized, open-label study explored changes in gut microbiota composition following a 30-day probiotic intervention in a cohort of sixteen older HEN patients. Gut microbiota profiles were analyzed at baseline and post-intervention using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Results

Significant shifts in the gut microbiota were observed, including a statistically significant increase in alpha diversity after 30 days. At the taxonomic level, the treated group showed an increased relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, suggesting a modulation of gut microbiota structure following probiotic supplementation.

Conclusions

These findings provide preliminary insights into microbiota dynamics in this population and may inform the design of future studies integrating functional and clinical outcomes.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source