Synbiotic combination of 2'-fucosyllactose and <i>Bifidobacterium</i> mitigates neurodevelopmental disorders and ASD-like behaviors induced by valproic acid.
- 2025
- Food & function 16(7)
- Ying He
- Bo Zhang
- Yu Xin
- Wenxiu Wang
- Xue Wang
- Zhuo Liu
- Yongbo She
- Rui Guo
- Gengjie Jia
- Shan Wu
- Zhigang Liu
- PubMed: 40165714
- DOI: 10.1039/d4fo06234e
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota influences neurodevelopment and behavior. In this study, we established an ASD model by administering valproic acid (VPA) to pregnant females, with male offspring receiving a daily synbiotic intervention for four weeks post-weaning. The results indicate that the synbiotic combination of 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) outperformed that of 2'-FL and Lactobacillus paracasei L9300BH (L9300BH) in alleviating social deficits, repetitive behaviors, neuronal damage, and dysregulated expression of social-related genes and neuroinflammatory markers in ASD mice. Additionally, the intervention with 2'-FL and BB-12 improved gut morphology and barrier integrity, reduced gut inflammation, and optimized the gut microbiota structure by increasing the abundance of Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia, known producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Notably, levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were significantly elevated in fecal samples. In summary, the synbiotic combination of 2'-FL and BB-12 supports gut microbiota homeostasis, enhances fecal SCFA levels, and mitigates neurodevelopmental abnormalities in ASD mice.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Improved Behavioral Health | Beneficial | Large |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Improved Gut Integrity | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Gut Inflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Neuroinflammation | Beneficial | Moderate |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 | Reduced Repetitive Behaviors | Beneficial | Large |