| description |
In the last decade coeliac disease (CD) has been associated to alterations to the intestinal microbiota composition however the role of specific microbial components is not clear. Bacteria belonging to Bifidobacterium genus have been already investigated for in vitro inhibition of cell inflammatory response and prevention of toxic gliadin peptides generation but few data are available on their efficacy when administered as probiotic supplement to CD subjects. This study aimed at the evaluation of the effect of administration of an experimental probiotic formulation composed by two strains of Bifidobacterium breve (B632 and BR03) on coeliac children on a GFD for three months. Microbial DNA was extracted from fecal samples of: 20 coeliac children on a GDF before and after the administration of probiotic (Probiotic group), 20 coeliac children on a GFD before and after the administration of placebo (Placebo group) and 18 healthy children (Control group). Q-PCR of Bidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides fragilis group Clostridium sensu stricto or cluster I and total enterobateria was performed as well as sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The comparison between CD subjects and Control group microbiota revealed an alteration in the intestinal microbial composition of coeliacs mainly characterized by a marked difference in the ratio of Fimicutes/Bacteroidetes with a higher abundance of Bacteroidetes. However, from the present study the absence of a real intestinal dysbiosis emerges in CD patients on a GFD diet. Evaluating the effects of the administration of the probiotic on microbial composition of CD subjects, an increase of Actinobacteria phylum was found as well as a reestablishment of the physiological Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The present study demonstrated that three months administration of B.breve strains to CD patients could restore the physiological condition of the microbiota and recovering the regular ratio among the principal microbial components. |