title: Effect of a symbiotic gel (Lactobacillus acidophilus + Bifidobacterium lactis + inulin) on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in hemodialysis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to assess the effect of a symbiotic gel on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted at 2 public hospitals in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients were randomized to the intervention group (nutritional counseling + symbiotic gel) and 20 patients were randomized to the control group (nutritional counseling + placebo), during 2 months of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence and monthly episodes of GIS were assessed by direct interview and severity by using the self-administered GIS questionnaire. Additionally, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status (dietary intake, subjective global assessment, anthropometry, and body composition) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a 2-month treatment, intervention group had a significant reduction in prevalence and monthly episodes of vomit, heartburn, and stomachache, as well as a significant decrease in GIS severity compared with control group. Moreover, intervention group had a greater yet not significant decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and a trend to reduce their C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor α levels compared with control group. No symbiotic-related adverse side effects were shown in these patients. Clinical studies with longer follow-up and sample size are needed to confirm these results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that administration of a symbiotic gel is a safe and simple way to improve common GIS in dialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Disciplinas Filosófico Metodológico e Instrumentales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viramontes-Hörner
authors.affiliation: CA-UDG-454 "Alimentación y nutrición en el proceso salud-enfermedad", Departamento de Reproducción Humana, Crecimiento y Desarrollo Infantil, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Márquez-Sandoval
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Disciplinas Filosófico Metodológico e Instrumentales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México. Electronic address: fabi_mc@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martín-del-Campo
authors.affiliation: CA-UDG-454 "Alimentación y nutrición en el proceso salud-enfermedad", Departamento de Reproducción Humana, Crecimiento y Desarrollo Infantil, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vizmanos-Lamotte
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Terapia Génica, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandoval-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Terapia Génica, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armendáriz-Borunda
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nefrología, Hospital General de Occidente, Zapopan, México.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: García-Bejarano
authors.affiliation: División de Nefrología, O.P.D. Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Renoirte-López
authors.affiliation: División de Nefrología, O.P.D. Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, México.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García-García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D010919:Placebos; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D056692:Prebiotics; D007444:Inulin