Urinary metabolome of infants with colic treated with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938: a pilot randomized trial.

2024-06
Minerva pediatrics 76(3)

PubMed: 33438855
DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.20.06128-9

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: colicky breastfed infants
Methods: Thirty-two infants were enrolled, 16 in the probiotic group and 16 in the placebo group; urine samples were collected before starting supplementation and at the end of the study period, and metabolomic profiles were obtained using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument after 1 month of orally administered Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 or placebo

Background

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is the only probiotic recommended for treatment of colicky infants, but its mechanism of action is not clear. The study aim was to examine urinary metabolomic fingerprint of colicky breastfed infants before and after 1 month of orally administered Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 or placebo.

Methods

This randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out with a well-documented probiotic. Thirty-two infants were enrolled, 16 in the probiotic group and 16 in the placebo group. Urine samples were collected from each subject before starting supplementation and at the end of the study period. Metabolomic profiles were obtained using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument. Subsequently, to compare groups before and after probiotic supplementation, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed.

Results

In the L. reuteri treated group all metabolites for all class of nutrients (sugars, amino acids, carboxylic acids) resulted more abundant after the study period. The comparison with a control group (placebo treated), confirmed this effect on urines.

Conclusions

The metabolomic analysis of urine samples from infants treated with L. reuteri DSM 17938 allowed to detect some interesting features related to the effect of this treatment on urinary metabolome. To validate the results, a test on a larger cohort is required.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938	—	Altered Metabolite Profile	Beneficial	Small	View source In the L. reuteri treated group all metabolites for all class of nutrients (sugars, amino acids, carboxylic acids) resulted more abundant after the study period.
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938	—	Increased Urinary Abundance of Nutrient-Related Metabolites	Beneficial	Small	View source The comparison with a control group (placebo treated), confirmed this effect on urines.