Natural Endotoxemia in Dogs—A Hidden Condition That Can Be Treated with a Potential Probiotic Containing <i>Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis</i> and <i>Pediococcus acidilactici</i>: A Study Model

• Main Authors: Maria-Catalina Matei, Sanda Maria Andrei, Victoria Buza, Mihai Sorin Cernea, Daria Antonia Dumitras, Daniela Neagu, Horatiu Rafa, Cristian Paul Popovici, Andrei Radu Szakacs, Adrian Catinean, Eugen Stefanut, Laura Cristina Stefanut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: Bacillus spores; leaky gut in dogs; apparent dysbiosis; endotoxins
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/5/1367

Spore-based <i>Bacillus</i> spp. products are considered to have a higher probiotic potential compared to products containing only lactic acid bacteria because their viability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is higher, even when GI environmental conditions are unfavorable. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> and <i>Pediococcus acidilactici</i> spore-based potential probiotic on the natural levels of postprandial endotoxemia. A total of 11 dogs completed the study: group 1—healthy dogs: <i>n</i> = 5; group 2—dogs with apparent dysbiosis: <i>n</i> = 6. For 30 days, the dogs were fed the probiotic product; clinical examinations and blood sampling were done before and after completion of the probiotic treatment. Endotoxin levels were assessed pre-meal, 6 h and 12 h post-meal, before initiation and after completion of the treatment. The results showed a decrease in endotoxin levels after treatment, especially 12 h post-meal (group 1: 20.60%; group 2: 44.93%). This study reports new information with regard to natural endotoxemia levels in dogs and suggests that a multi-strain formula (spore-based) consisting of <i>B. subtilis</i>, <i>B. licheniformis</i> and <i>P. acidilactici</i> is able to diminish endotoxin values.