Prebiotic as a Supplement of Gluten-free Diet in the Management of Celiac Disease in Children

Prebiotics, including inulin-type fructans (ITFs) are a group of the naturally occurring plant carbohydrates stored in various amounts in tubers, bulbs and tuberous roots of several edible fruits and vegetables and in particularly large amounts in the tubers of Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke) and Cichorium intybus (chicory). Because of their unique structural properties, they are not hydrolyzed by the enzymes of the upper intestinal digestive tract and reach the colon unchanged, therefore are classified as prebiotics. Prebiotics are defined as selectively fermented ingredients that allow specific changes in the composition and/or balance of the microbiota. ITFs, particularly the mixture of short- and long-chain polymers, indicate several beneficial effects, including the positive changes in the histological picture of the intestine (proliferation in the crypts and Goblet cells, longer intestinal villi) and modulation of the endocrine and immune functions. Moreover, they have a great potential as agents improving or maintaining a balanced intestinal microbiota both in the lumen and at the mucosal surface, to one in which bifidobacteria and lactobacilli come to greater prominence. This, so-called healthier flora, should provide increased resistance to gut infections and may also have immuno-modulatory properties. Until now, inulin and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) have been tested mainly in animal models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Reports on animal colitis model suggests that prebiotics have the anti-inflammatory properties as they reduce the inflammation symptoms, along with the increase in bifidobacteria or lactobacilli number, and in some reports, the increase in the concentration of butyrate in the gut.

Prebiotics are known as substances affecting beneficially the organism by restoring the intestinal microbiota balance, stabilizing the intestinal barrier and modulating the endocrine and immune functions. In many persons suffering from celiac disease (CD), despite a gluten-free diet (GFD), an impaired intestinal barrier functionality, accompanied by altered intestinal microbiota and ongoing intestinal inflammation is observed. For these reasons, prebiotics could be a promising and low-risk adjuvant in the dietetic management of CD. It was hypothesized that Synergy 1 consumed by CD children as a supplement of a GFD will affect beneficial the intestinal permeability and intestinal microbiota without side effects. The primary objective of this randomized placebo-controlled study was to determine the effect of 3-months consumption of Synergy 1 versus placebo, as the supplements of a GFD, on the intestinal permeability in CD children, in particular on the concentration of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) as a biomarker of intestinal permeability. The secondary objective was to determine the effect of Synergy 1 versus placebo applied in GFD on the changes in the gut microbiota quantity and metabolism in CD children.

Inclusion criteria

• celiac disease
• treatment with gluten-free diet for at least 6 months
• general good health
• the written informed consent to participate the study

Exclusion criteria

• participation in another study involving prebiotic and/or probiotic preparations, or intention to use such products during the course of the study
• other gastrointestinal diseases
• received antibiotics in the previous month
• use of dietary supplements containing prebiotic or/and probiotic within the previous month
• bad or average overall health