Effect of Bifidobacterium breve on the Intestinal Microbiota of Coeliac Children on a Gluten Free Diet: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Coeliac disease (CD) is associated with alterations of the intestinal microbiota. Although several <i>Bifidobacterium</i> strains showed anti-inflammatory activity and prevention of toxic gliadin peptides generation in vitro, few data are available on their efficacy when administered to CD subjects. This study evaluated the effect of administration for three months of a food supplement based on two <i>Bifidobacterium breve</i> strains (B632 and BR03) to restore the gut microbial balance in coeliac children on a gluten free diet (GFD). Microbial DNA was extracted from faeces of 40 coeliac children before and after probiotic or placebo administration and 16 healthy children (Control group). Sequencing of the amplified V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene as well as qPCR of <i>Bidobacterium</i> spp., <i>Lactobacillus</i> spp., <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i> group <i>Clostridium</i><i>sensu stricto</i> and enterobacteria were performed. The comparison between CD subjects and Control group revealed an alteration in the intestinal microbial composition of coeliacs mainly characterized by a reduction of the <i>Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes</i> ratio, of <i>Actinobacteria</i> and <i>Euryarchaeota</i>. Regarding the effects of the probiotic, an increase of <i>Actinobacteria</i> was found as well as a re-establishment of the physiological <i>Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes</i> ratio. Therefore, a three-month administration of <i>B. breve</i> strains helps in restoring the healthy percentage of main microbial components.