Synbiotic supplementation, systemic inflammation, and symptoms of brain disorders in elders: A secondary study from a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of a symbiotic substance on symptoms of brain disorders and inflammation in the elderly.

Methods: Forty-nine elders, both genders, assigned into two groups: S-group (synbiotic) and P-group (placebo). Evaluations at the beginning and at the end of the experiment: geriatric depressive symptoms scale-15 (GDS-15); mini-mental status examination (MMSE); % of body fat (%fat); serum IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10; serum diamine-oxidase (DAO), intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (IFABP), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Results: Both groups had reduced their %Fat, TNF-α, and DAO. The IL-6, GDS-15, and MMSE were increased in both groups. IL-10 was significantly increased only in the S-group, and LPS was significantly reduced only in the P-group. The GDS-15final was negatively explained by DAO, IL-10, TNF-α, %Fat, being woman, and being allocated in the P-group. The variables that positively explained the GDS-15final were the IL-6, the IFABP, and the LPS. MMSEfinal was positively associated with the IL-10, DAO, being woman, and being allocated in the P-group; and negatively associated with IL-6, TNF-α, %Fat, IFABP, and LPS.

Conclusions: We found weak effects of symbiotic on depressive symptoms and more optimistic effects on cognition in apparently healthy elderly. Other studies, with individuals diagnosed with depressive morbidity or cognitive decline, are needed.

Registration of Clinical Studies – REBEC (RBR-6qr9xx)].

Keywords:

• Synbiotics
• Depressive symptoms
• Cognitive impairment
• Systemic inflammation
• Intestinal permeability
• Elderly

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the students who helped in the data collection and organization of the data: Angelica MP Freitas, João V Neto, Jéssica G Bento, and Bruna S Gusmão.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors SMLR, PhD, is Nutritionist, Associate professor of the University of São Paulo, working with nutrition and aging; ERL, PhD, is Nutritionist at the University of São Paulo. Both authors are responsible by the conceiving and designing of the study, performing of the experiment, analysing the data e writing the paper.

Funding This study had the financial support of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), process number 2012/15976-0; ERL had her scholarship from Brazilian Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination (CAPES); the supplements and placebo were donated by Invictus Farmanutrição Ltda., Brazil^©, only to research purposes.

Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethics approval All the procedures and the aim of the study was detailed to the participants. They were informed about the importance of remaining in the study for six months, and at the same time, they were informed on the freedom to withdraw at any time. All the participants signed in an informed consent, and the Project was approved by the Local Ethical Committee (Process 200.870/2013).

Geolocation information This study was performed in São Paulo city, SP, Brazil.

ORCID

Eliana Regina Louzada http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1458-170X

Sandra Maria Lima Ribeiro http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3150-516X