Background & Objective: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), is the most common side effect of antibiotics, affecting up to 30% of children receiving antibiotic treatment. We assessed the efficacy and safety of Sanzyme Biologics’ probiotic formulations of Bacillus clausii (B. clausii) in preventing AAD in children receiving antibiotics. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled three-arm study conducted in children aged 6 months to 12 years old, with mild to moderate bacterial infections requiring β-lactam antibiotic treatment. Participants (N=90) were randomized 1:1:1 (30 per group) to receive either a multi-strain B. clausii probiotic [SNZCLB 1, SNZCLB 2, SNZCLB 3, SNZCLB 4 (B. clausii SNZ 1971)], a single-strain B. clausii SNZ 1971 probiotic, or a placebo, each at 2 billion CFU twice daily for up to 14 days along with antibiotic therapy. Results: The incidence of AAD was lower in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo group (2 [6.67%] in each probiotic arm, 6 [20.0%]), yielding a relative risk of 0.33 for both probiotic groups compared to placebo (P=0.20). Among participants who developed AAD (n=10), probiotic-treated children experienced significantly fewer diarrheal episodes in the first 24 hours (multi-strain vs. placebo: P=0.0111; single-strain vs. placebo: P=0.0419) and faster symptom resolution (multi-strain vs. placebo: P=0.0169). Gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain (P=0.6065) and nausea/vomiting (P=0.7836), were numerically lower in probiotic groups. Additionally, the mean total number of AAD episodes until resolution was significantly lower in the B. clausii groups as compared to placebo (multistrain B. clausii probiotic group vs placebo: P=0.0169; single-strain probiotic B. clausii group vs placebo: P=0.0639). Conclusion: Supplementation with either multistrain or single-strain B. clausii, along with β-lactam antibiotics, showed a favorable safety profile and reduced incidence of AAD and related gastrointestinal symptoms as compared to placebo. Sanzyme Biologics’ B. clausii probiotic formulations have shown comparable protective effects, supporting their use as adjunctive therapy from the first day of antibiotic treatment to prevent AAD.
This study presents a novel approach for significantly enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production by supplementing glutamate-containing media with chive (Allium tuberosum) during fermentation with Levilactobacillus brevis PL9014. L. brevis PL9014 demonstrated superior GABA conversion efficiency within two days. In the presence of 1% chive (w/v), the strain produced 13.22 g/L GABA with 5% glutamate (w/v) and some residual substrate, and 10.65 g/L (w/v) GABA with 2% (w/v) glutamate with no detectable residual glutamate. The fermentation was performed at 37 °C without aeration. The resulting product contained high GABA concentration alongside bioactive components from fermented chives, making it suitable for functional foods, dietary supplements, animal feed additives, and cosmetic formulations. This chive-fortified process is cost-effective, environmentally compatible, and readily scalable, providing a practical platform for industrial GABA production without additional post-fermentation glutamate removal. The findings offer a novel approach for optimizing microbial GABA production using plant-based substrates.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder characterized by declining renal function, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and accumulation of gut-derived protein-bound uremic toxins. The gut–kidney axis has emerged as a therapeutic target, and probiotics may offer a supportive adjunct approach. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 supplementation in patients with stage III–IV CKD. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants received either Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 (2 × 10⁹ CFU/day; two capsules) or matching placebo for six months. Primary outcomes included changes in protein-bound uremic toxins, renal function markers, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, electrolyte profiles, and health-related quality of life (SF-8), with safety assessed through adverse event monitoring. Compared to placebo, UBBC-07 significantly reduced key protein-bound uremic solutes, including p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indoxyl sulfate (IS). UBBC-07 also demonstrated significant reductions in systemic inflammatory biomarkers and improvement in oxidative stress parameters, reflected by decreased lipid peroxidation and enhanced endogenous antioxidant activity. Renal metabolic indices improved with significant reductions in blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.001) and uric acid (p < 0.0001), along with a significant increase in eGFR (p < 0.05). Electrolyte levels remained stable. SF-8 scores improved significantly at Visits 4 and 5, indicating enhanced quality of life. UBBC-07 was well tolerated, with only mild, self-limiting adverse events and no treatment discontinuations. Overall, Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 appears to be a safe adjunct therapy in stage III–IV CKD, warranting further evaluation in larger studies.
Aging populations have significant challenges related to immune system decline, known as immunosenescence, exacerbated by gut microbiota imbalances. This review explores the synergistic effects of multi-strain probiotics and prebiotics, known as synbiotics, on immune restoration in aging individuals. The aim is to synthesize current evidence on these combinations’ mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic potential. The methodology involved a comprehensive review of the literature from 2014 to 2025, examining the impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and their combinations on gut microbiota diversity, immune modulation, and inflammation. The results and discussion were presented descriptively and systematically. Multi-strain probiotics enhance gut microbiota diversity, increase anti-inflammatory cytokines, and promote short-chain fatty acid production, which supports gut barrier integrity. Prebiotics selectively stimulate beneficial microbes, fostering an optimal environment for probiotic efficacy. Together, synbiotics demonstrate superior outcomes, including significant reductions in inflammation, improved gut barrier function, and enhanced systemic immunity. However, individual responses and long-term safety remain areas for further investigation. In conclusion, synbiotics represent a transformative approach to immune recovery in aging populations, offering benefits beyond gut health. Future research should prioritize personalized interventions and standardized protocols to optimize their therapeutic potential.
This pilot, proof-of-concept, study was designed to assess the effect of a blend of Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 on parameters of skin quality. Capsules containing L. helveticus Rosell®-52 and B. longum Rosell®-175 were given to 35 healthy women (3 billion CFU/d for 56 days), and assessments of skin quality were performed at baseline, as well as on days 28 and 56. Importantly, the formulation significantly reduced the appearance of fine lines and improved skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration. In addition, study participants experienced improvements in sleep quality and felt less stressed (PSS-10 subjective stress questionnaire). Taken together, these results provide the rationale to conduct a larger, placebo-controlled trial and to assess the effects of the oral probiotic intake in healthy women with more visible signs of skin aging.
