Introduction: Yogurt is a fermented dairy product and due to its suitable sensory and functional properties, it is regarded as one of the most desirable dairy products. In recent years, suggestions have been made to consumers to use yogurts containing probiotics.Prebiotics are added to probiotic products to improve the sensory and technological properties of the food products. The yogurt products that contain both probiotic bacteria and prebiotic components are called symbiotic yogurt. The aim of this research work is to investigate the production and storage of symbiotic yogurt.Materials and Methods: In this study prebiotics including Lactulose, Inulin, and Oligofructose as single, double and triple mixtures, and lactobacillus casei were used to produce synbiotic yogurt. Sensory evaluations of the samples were carried out one day after production and the best sample was selected. In the next stage, the samples were compared with the control sample (probiotic yogurt without prebiotic) stored at 4oC for 21 days and their sensory properties and textural analysis (texture firmness) were carried out.Results: The results showed that the samples containing Inulin, Lactulose – Inulin, and Lactulose – Oligofructose had the best sensory properteis. These samples and the control were refrigerated for 3 weeks at 4oC. The results suggested that the sample contained Lactulose – Inulin had the best flavor and the control had the lowest score. The best score concerned with texture and texture firmness was the sample containing Lactulose- Oligofructose while the control sample had the lowest score in term of firmness. There were not significant differences between the samples' color. The results suggested positive effect of prebiotic in probiotic yogurt.Conclusion: The study showed that prebiotics might be used for improving sensory and rheological properties of synbiotic yogurt.

Background and purpose: Today, improving rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic inflammatory disease is attributed to the proper status of the gut microbiota. Although some supplements containing beneficial live microorganisms (probiotics) can reduce inflammation by altering the bacterial composition of the gut, there is limited information on the effect of synbiotic (probiotics mixed with prebiotics) supplements on RA. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a synbiotic supplement as an adjuvant therapy in rheumatic patients. Moreover, for the first time, it was attempted to investigate whether addition of a synbiotic (1000 mg/day) to the combination of methotrexate and prednisolone increases the effectiveness of these antirheumatic drugs. Experimental approach: Eligible patients (186 subjects) were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received their standard routine antirheumatic drugs, methotrexate and prednisolone. Moreover, the first group received a daily oral synbiotic supplement (1000 mg) for 3 months while the second group received a placebo. Various parameters indicating RA status were evaluated at baseline (time 0) and 3 months after the treatment. Findings / Results: The results showed the changes in the level of RA indicators, including tender joint count with a range of 0 to 28 joints, swollen joint count with a range of 0 to 28 joints, visual analog scale, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and disease activity score based on 28 joints, after 3 months Conclusion and implications: Overall, no significant differences in the measured parameters were observed between synbiotic and placebo groups probably due to the short duration of the treatment period, and it is suggested to extend the treatment period to six months.

Background: One of the common functional gastrointestinal disorders in children is functional abdominal pain (FAP). The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of a synbiotic composed of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and the seven types of beneficial bacteria is useful in FAP of childhood. Methods: In this placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 4-15-year-old children who met the Rome III criteria for FAP were randomly divided to receive either synbiotic or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was at least 50% reduction in the number of pain episodes, and secondary outcomes were a decline of at least two scales in the pain duration and intensity based on Wong-Baker scale. Response to therapy was decrease of pain frequency/intensity. Results: A total of 67 children completed the trial (35 with synbiotic). Response rate was higher with synbiotic than placebo after four weeks (53. 1 vs 11. 4%; p<0. 001), and synbiotic had significant superiority to placebo to relieve the duration (4. 56± 9. 12 vs12± 18. 59, min/day, P=0. 04), frequency (0. 31± 0. 53vs 1. 17± 0. 7, episode/Wk., P<. 001) and intensity (2. 38± 2. 29 vs 5. 49± 1. 83, p<0. 001) of abdominal pain. Conclusion: Synbiotic compared to placebo significantly decreased the intensity, frequency and duration of FAP in children.

One of the most worldwide chronic diseases is diabetes which has affected a large population worldwide and it is predicted that 649 million adults will be diabetic by 2040. Many foods and ingredients were tested to combat diabetes. Both probiotics and prebiotics which are known as synbiotic have shown beneficial effects on many diseases including diabetes. Although several studies have evaluated the effect of synbiotic consumption on lipid profile in patients with diabetes, findings are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotics on lipid profile in diabetic patients. A systematic literature search of online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran, SID, and Cochrane’, s library was conducted up to January 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of synbiotics on lipid profile in diabetic patients were included. A total of 11 RCTs with 662 participants were included. Synbiotic consumption resulted in a decrease in plasma concentrations of TC, TG, LDL, and an increase in plasma HDL levels compared to the control group (placebo supplements/control foods/conventional products). Synbiotic supplements may be profitable to ameliorate lipid profile in patients with diabetes and it should be suggested by both dietitians and healthcare clinics to diabetic patients.

Background and Objectives: Probiotics and prebiotics are known to regulate immune responses. A synbiotic is a product that combines probiotics and prebiotics in a single dosage form. In this study, we attempt to present the effects of a multispecies synbiotic on intestinal mucosa immune responses after exposure to Escherichia coli O55: B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and Methods: Totally 21 male Balb/c mice were randomly classified into two groups. The K-I group received LPS and a synbiotic, and the K-II group received LPS alone. The synbiotic was administered for 21 consecutive days, whereas LPS was administered once on the 15th day. Specifically, a synbiotic containing 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFUs) of the probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35, L. casei subsp. casei PXN 37, L. rhamnosus PXN 54, L. bulgaricus PXN 39, Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25, B. infantis PXN 27 and Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 and the prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide was administered through an orogastric tube. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels for humoral immune responses and CD4+ and CD8+ levels for cellular immune responses. Results: An independent-samples t-test revealed significant increases of the numbers of IgA-(p = 0. 027) and CD4-expressing cells (p = 0. 009) but not the number of CD8-expressing cells in the K-I group compared with those in the K-II group. Conclusion: The multispecies synbiotic had immunoregulatory effects on IgA and CD4 expression in LPS-exposed mice.