The synbiotic solution: Evaluating safety and efficacy in antibiotic-associated dysbiosis - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pre-clinical study with sprague dawley rats

Background

Antibiotic therapy, vital for combating infections, often disrupts the intricate balance of gut bacteria, resulting in "gut dysbiosis." This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a Synbiotic supplement in alleviating antibiotic-associated dysbiosis in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

Methods

A double-blind, placebo-controlled pre-clinical study was conducted over a minimum of 10 consecutive days. The study employed five distinct groups for evaluation, with a focus on the Synbiotic group comprising probiotic and prebiotic components. The administered dose was 1 billion CFU with 100 mg Fossence®.

Results

The Synbiotic supplement demonstrated significant positive outcomes across diverse parameters. Compared to the disease control group, the Synbiotic group displayed enhancements in fecal output ratio, feed conversion ratio, total weight gain, and specific growth ratio. Histopathological data supported these findings, affirming the Synbiotic supplementation's potential in mitigating antibiotics' adverse effects on gut health. No mortalities or major symptoms were recorded, confirming the supplement's safety.

Conclusions

The study underscores the efficacy of Synbiotics in enhancing gastrointestinal health in SD rats. The identified effective dose of 1 billion CFU with 100 mg Fossence® necessitates further clinical investigation. This suggests Synbiotics as a compelling approach to address antibiotic-associated gut dysbiosis, warranting further exploration in humans for potential applications in maintaining a healthy gut and overall well-being.