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Probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide intervention modulate the microbiota-gut brain axis to improve autism spectrum reducing also the hyper-serotonergic state and the dopamine metabolism disorder
In search of an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), this 2020 study firstly compared autistic and typically developing children on several outcomes such as gut microbiota profiles, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and plasma neurotransmitters. Then, the sample was randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group who received probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS); and another group who were given placebos. Initially, the children with ASD showed signs of gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut microbiota community) in addition to lower levels of Bifidobacteriales and Bifidobacterium longum. However, the abundance of these beneficial bacteria increased after probiotics and FOS administration. Along with increased inhibition of Clostridium (a suspected pathogenic bacteria), the probiotic + FOS intervention markedly reduced the severity of autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Compared to children in the control group, those with autism were found to have notably lower levels of some SCFAs (such as acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) and appeared to exhibit dopamine metabolism disorder. The concentration levels of these fatty acids increased after consumption of probiotics and FOS, reaching similar readings to the control group. Furthermore, the signs of dopamine metabolism disorder disappeared after the probiotic + FOS intervention. These changes were only seen in the intervention group, and not in the placebo group. In conclusion, taking probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) can modulate gut microbiota, and SCFAs and serotonin in children with autism. [NPID: autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, gut microbiota, gut microbiome, gut bacteria, GI, gastrointestinal, fatty acids, children, SCFA, probiotics, supplements, supplementation]
Year: 2020
