Synbiotic Supplementation Mitigates Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea by Enhancing Gut Microbiota Composition and Intestinal Barrier Function in a Canine Model.

Abstract

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) remains a significant clinical challenge, with current treatments often inadequate for fully restoring gut health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of synbiotics, including chitosan oligosaccharides, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium butyricum, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in mitigating AAD in a canine model. Sixteen Beagle dogs were randomly assigned to an AAD model group or a synbiotic treatment group. Synbiotic supplementation significantly reduced diarrhea severity, improved intestinal morphology, and enhanced gut microbiota diversity. Furthermore, synbiotics upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1), thereby reducing mucosal permeability. A significant decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) further underscored the anti-inflammatory effects of the treatment. These findings suggest that synbiotics may offer a promising approach to restoring gut barrier integrity and modulating immune responses in cases of AAD. Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term impacts and underlying mechanisms of synbiotics in gut health restoration.