Synbiotic Combination of Bifidobacterium BB-12 and 2'-fucosyllactose Shows Promise in Alleviating Infant Diarrhea and Anxiety-like Behaviors

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Northwest A&F University in Yangling, People's Republic of China, investigated the efficacy of a synbiotic combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) in alleviating infant diarrhea and anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, found that the synbiotic not only improved diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function but also positively reshaped the microbial community.

Key Takeaways:

  • The synbiotic combination of Bifidobacterium BB-12 and 2'-FL significantly alleviated infant diarrhea and anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model.
  • The synbiotic administration led to a marked improvement in diarrhea, anxiety-like behavior, colon inflammation, and gut barrier function.
  • The synbiotic positively reshaped the microbial community by increasing short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (e.g., and ) and reducing harmful bacteria such as.
  • The study highlights the potential of the synbiotic as a dietary intervention in infant diarrhea and provides new insights into infant health applications.
  • The research was supported by the Development Program of Shaanxi Province, Zhaotong City Liu Zhigang Expert Workstation, and Shaanxi Laboratory of Arid Area Agriculture.
  • The study was conducted by Wenxiu Wang, Zhuo Liu, Ning Li, Jinkuan Chen, Qianxu Wang, Mengzhen Jia, Xiaorui Wang, Bo Zhang, Nan Sheng, and Zhigang Liu from Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, People's Republic of China.

Statistics:

  • 10 CFU (Colony-Forming Units) of Bifidobacterium BB-12 was administered to each mouse.
  • 1 g/kg of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) was administered to each mouse.
  • The synbiotic was administered for three consecutive weeks.
  • A significant rise in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria was observed (e.g., and ).
  • A significant reduction in harmful bacteria (e.g., ) was observed.

Sources:

  • A Synbiotic of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and 2'-FL Alleviate Infant Diarrhea and Anxiety-like Behaviors via Gut Microbiota Modulation in an EPEC O127 Infection Model. Nutrients, 2025;17(19):3099.
  • Northwest A&F University, College of Food Science and Engineering, Yangling 712100, People's Republic of China.
  • Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.