A probiotic marketed by ADM as BPL1 (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis CECT 8145) was evidenced to improve markers of gut health in adult dogs, in a study published in the Journal of Animal Science.
 
The study evaluated the effects of both the live and heat-killed postbiotic versions of the bacteria.
 
“The popularity of functional ingredients has increased as pet owners seek ways to improve the health and wellness of their pets, yet limited research has been conducted regarding the use of probiotics and postbiotics and their effects on canine health,” said Sophie Nixon, PhD, head of clinical research for pet and animal well-being at ADM, who oversaw the trial.
 
The exploratory study evaluated 18 adult beagles and 18 adult English pointers who were used in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, with 12 animals per group. After a 60-day adaptation period where the dogs were fed a standard diet, dogs were supplemented with either a pro- or postbiotic version of BPL1 or a placebo alongside the standard diet for 90 days.
 
The researchers assessed a variety of areas, including fecal fermentative end products and microbiome, insulin sensitivity, serum gut hormones, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and white blood cell gene expression.
 
Improvements were seen in fecal short-chain fatty acids, and there were beneficial changes in microbiome composition and functional metagenome compared to placebo. The trial suggested that both live and heat-treated BPL1 can safely be supplemented in healthy adult dogs and support several aspects of gut health. An additional clinical study is ongoing to assess additional physiological outcomes with a focus on metabolic health.
 
“Groundbreaking science such as this canine trial spurs development of ADM’s functional ingredients across human, pet and animal nutrition,” said Mark Lotsch, ADM’s president of global health and wellness. “Beneficial outcomes and ingredient stability of our award-winning BPL1™ solution have been repeatedly demonstrated in previous human clinical trials. We are thrilled to also see promising results for pet health applications.”
 
Because the heat-treated BPL1 had similar effects as the live version of the bacteria, pet product formulators have greater flexibility in the manufacturing and supply process, as they don’t need to make adaptations for living microorganisms. Extreme heat used in extrusion and baking of common pet foods can diminish the efficacy of live probiotics. As inanimate microorganisms, postbiotics can confer a health benefit to the host despite these challenging conditions.