title: Effects of three-month intake of synbiotic on inflammation and body composition in the elderly: a pilot study.
abstract: We hypothesize that improvements in the gut microbiota are capable of ameliorating gut permeability and, consequently, reducing systemic inflammation and the risk of frailty. This study aims to evaluate some effects of synbiotic supplementation on inflammatory markers and the body composition of the elderly at risk of frailty. In a double-blind study that lasted three months, 17 elderly individuals fulfilling one frailty criteria (grip strength) were randomly distributed into two groups: SYN (n = 9), daily intake of synbiotic (6 g Frutooligossacarides, 108 to 109 CFU Lactobacillus paracasei, 108 to 109 CFU Lactobacillus rhamnosus, 108 to 109 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus and 108 to 109 CFU Bifidobacterium lactis), or placebo (maltodextrin; PLA; n = 8). Subjects were analyzed for anthropometric measurements, bioelectric impedance with vectorial analysis (BIVA), IL-6 and TNF-α. A comparison between groups did not show any difference for the variables investigated. In turn, individual analysis of electrical impedance (BIVA) demonstrated that the majority of SYN individuals maintained or improved their tissue hydration, when compared to the PLA group after supplementation. In conclusion, three months of synbiotic supplementation did not promote any significant changes in inflammatory cytokines or body composition, but demonstrated a trend towards a preservation of hydration status in apparently healthy elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 03828-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Valentini
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.forename: Camila Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.forename: Sandra Maria Lima
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017097:Electric Impedance; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058616:Synbiotics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha