Effect of a Symbiotic Gel (Lactobacillus acidophilus + Bifidobacterium lactis + Inulin) on Presence and Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Hemodialysis Patients

Viramontes-Hörner, Daniela; Márquez-Sandoval, Fabiola; Martín-del-Campo, Fabiola; Vizmanos-Lamotte, Barbara; Sandoval-Rodríguez, Ana; Armendáriz-Borunda, Juan; García-Bejarano, Héctor; Renoirte-López, Karina; García-García, Guillermo

Abstract

Objective
The study aimed to assess the effect of a symbiotic gel on presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in hemodialysis patients.

Design
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial was designed. The study was conducted at 2 public hospitals in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Subjects and Intervention
Twenty-two patients were randomized to the intervention group (nutritional counseling + symbiotic gel) and 20 patients were randomized to the control group (nutritional counseling + placebo), during 2 months of follow-up.

Main Outcome Measure
Presence and monthly episodes of GIS were assessed by direct interview and severity by using the self-administered GIS questionnaire. Additionally, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers, and nutritional status (dietary intake, subjective global assessment, anthropometry, and body composition) were evaluated.

Results
After a 2-month treatment, intervention group had a significant reduction in prevalence and monthly episodes of vomit, heartburn, and stomachache, as well as a significant decrease in GIS severity compared with control group. Moreover, intervention group had a greater yet not significant decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and a trend to reduce their C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor α levels compared with control group. No symbiotic-related adverse side effects were shown in these patients. Clinical studies with longer follow-up and sample size are needed to confirm these results.

Conclusions
We concluded that administration of a symbiotic gel is a safe and simple way to improve common GIS in dialysis patients.

Citation

Viramontes-Hörner, D., Márquez-Sandoval, F., Martín-del-Campo, F., Vizmanos-Lamotte, B., Sandoval-Rodríguez, A., Armendáriz-Borunda, J., …García-García, G. (2015). Effect of a Symbiotic Gel (Lactobacillus acidophilus + Bifidobacterium lactis + Inulin) on Presence and Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Hemodialysis Patients. Journal of Renal Nutrition, 25(3), 284-291. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.09.008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 6, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Deposit Date: Mar 6, 2023
• Print ISSN: 1051-2276
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 284-291
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2014.09.008
• Keywords: Nephrology; Nutrition and Dietetics; Medicine (miscellaneous)
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/17946264
• Publisher URL: https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276(14)00187-3/fulltext