Several clinical trials and experimental studies strongly suggest a place for Saccharomyces boulardii as a biotherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases. S. boulardii mediates responses resembling the protective effects of the normal healthy gut flora. The multiple mechanisms of action of S. boulardii and its properties may explain its efficacy and beneficial effects in acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases that have been confirmed by clinical trials.

This study compared the effects of probiotics versus autologous fecal microbiome transplantation (aFMT) on gut microbiome recovery after antibiotic use in mice and humans. Probiotics delayed gut microbiome and gene expression recovery, while aFMT resulted in a rapid and near-complete recovery. These findings suggest that probiotics may hinder post-antibiotic gut recovery, highlighting the need for alternative approaches like aFMT or personalized probiotics.

This study investigated the impact of consuming a commercial E. coli-targeting bacteriophage cocktail on the gut microbiome of healthy adults. In a placebo-controlled trial, participants consumed phages for 28 days. While phage consumption reduced E. coli levels, it did not significantly disrupt overall gut microbiome diversity. However, specific bacterial populations shifted, including increases in beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria. Inflammatory markers and lipid metabolism remained largely unchanged, except for a small decrease in interleukin-4. These findings suggest that bacteriophages can selectively target specific gut bacteria without broadly disrupting the microbial community.

May 2023

In this webinar and Q&A, Dr. Cooksey and the AnimalBiome Veterinary team discuss the use of GI/Skin Kits, clinical research on active ingredients in supplements, and preview next month's spotlight topic on the Gut Health Test Release.