title: Effects of a symbiotic on gut microbiota in Mexican patients with end-stage renal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gut microbiota provides beneficial effects under physiological conditions, but is able to contribute to inflammatory diseases in susceptible individuals. Thus, we designed this study to test whether additional intake of symbiotic gel affects specific modifications of gut microbiota in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with ESRD diagnosis with renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis) were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: (1) test group (nutritional counseling + symbiotic) and (2) control group (nutritional counseling + placebo). Clinical history and the evaluation of Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale were performed. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction from fecal samples. All subjects were followed for 2 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bifidobacterial counts were higher in the second samples (mean: 5.5 ± 1.72 log10 cells/g) than in first samples (4.2 ± 0.88 log 10 cells/g) in the patients of the test group (P = .0344). Also, lactobacilli counts had a little decrease in the test group (2.3 ± 0.75 to 2.0 ± 0.88 log 10 cells/g) and the control group (2.2 ± 0.90 to 1.8 ± 1.33 log 10 cells/g), between the first and the second samples. Gastrointestinal symptoms scores (scale 8-40) were reduced in the test group (start 12 [10-14] and end 9 [8-10]) compared with control group (start 11 [8-21] and end 11 [9-15]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term symbiotic treatment in patients with ESRD can lead to the increase of Bifidobacterium counts, maintaining the intestinal microbial balance.
authors: Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Cruz-Mora
authors: Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública Galo Soberón y Parra, Secretaria de Salud Guerrero, Acapulco, Guerrero, México.
authors: Norma E
authors: NE
authors: Martínez-Hernández
authors: Cuerpo Académico 454, Laboratorio de Evaluación del Estado Nutricional, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: Martín del Campo-López
authors: Cuerpo Académico 454, Laboratorio de Evaluación del Estado Nutricional, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Viramontes-Hörner
authors: Cuerpo Académico 454, Laboratorio de Evaluación del Estado Nutricional, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors: Bárbara
authors: B
authors: Vizmanos-Lamotte
authors: Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors: José F
authors: JF
authors: Muñoz-Valle
authors: Departamento de Nefrología, Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: García-García
authors: Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México.
authors: Isela
authors: I
authors: Parra-Rojas
authors: Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, México. Electronic address: natycastro2@hotmail.com.
authors: Natividad
authors: N
authors: Castro-Alarcón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003376:Counseling; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D064307:Microbiota; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D058616:Synbiotics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007444:Inulin