A person’s genetic profile can affect their ability to benefit more from probiotics than other people, according to Australian research.
Probiotics can be defined as ‘live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.’
Most commonly, these take the form of individual strains or multi-strain consortia, of well-characterized commensal bacteria, prepared either as liquid suspensions or in freeze-dried capsules.
The principal concept underlying the use of probiotics has been that the introduction of live bacteria can re-establish physiological homeostasis by modifying the composition or behaviour of the gut microbiota or by directly providing regulatory cues to the host.
The latest study, led by Dr Steven Taylor and Professor Geraint Rogers from SAHMRI and Flinders University, found that the interactions between probiotics and individual genetic traits suggested that a more tailored approach to using probiotics may have the potential to significantly enhance gut microbiome regeneration and related health benefits.
“Probiotics have gained a lot of popularity for their capacity to harness the benefits of the gut microbiome in health and disease. However, we do not yet know how to best use them and why they work for some people but not others,” Dr Taylor said.
The research team identified that a key factor contributing to this variability was the individual’s ‘secretor status,’ a genetic trait that affects how sugars are presented on the gut lining, influencing which bacteria can thrive there.
The study revealed that non-secretors, who make up about 20% of the population, may get less value from using probiotics after being on antibiotics compared to secretors. However, the opposite was observed in the absence of antibiotics, in which case, non-secretors had a stronger response to probiotics than secretors, due to the gut microbiome having more space for probiotics to occupy.
“Specifically, our study demonstrated a Fut2-dependent genetic determinant for interindividual response to probiotic supplementation, which was affected by antibiotic exposure and glycan utilization capabilities of the probiotic strain,” Dr Taylor explained.
“With prior antibiotic exposure, Fut2 functionality was associated with increased persistence of B. infantis, consistent with its ability to utilize the H antigen. However, without antibiotic exposure, Fut2 functionality was associated with lower abundance of B. infantis, relating to difference in baseline microbiology and niche space occupation.”
While this study was performed in mice, the effect of secretor status on bifidobacterium supplementation has important implications for probiotic strategies in humans.
“Our work demonstrates how common genetic differences between people can influence the way probiotics persist in the gut. This can inform better use of probiotic strategies,” Dr Taylor said.
“For non-secretors, we might need to look at specific prebiotics or dietary supplements that can enhance probiotic effectiveness. For example, certain sugar molecules from human milk have been shown to improve probiotic persistence and could be a valuable addition for these individuals.
“Our study cautions against viewing probiotics as a one-size-fits-all solution and paves the way for a more personalised approach to treatments that consider an individual’s genetic background and recent health history, potentially leading to more consistent and effective health outcomes.”