A Galactooligosaccharide Product Decreases the Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats

Abstract

The leading cause of gastroenteritis among young children worldwide is the Group A rotaviruses (RV), which produce a wide range of symptoms, from a limited diarrhea to severe dehydration and even death. After an RV infection, immunity is not complete and less severe re-infections usually occur. These infections could be ameliorated by nutritional interventions with bioactive compounds, such as prebiotics. The aim of this research was to study the impact of a particular galactooligosaccharide (B-GOS) on the RV symptomatology and immune response during two consecutive infections. Lewis neonatal rats were inoculated with SA11 (first RV infection) on day 6 of life and with EDIM (second RV infection) on day 17 of life. B-GOS group was administered by oral gavage with a daily dose of B-GOS between days three to nine of life. Clinical and immunological variables were assessed during both infective processes. In the first infection, after the prebiotic intervention with B-GOS, a lower incidence, duration, and overall severity of the diarrhea (p p p < 0.05). In summary, B-GOS supplementation is able to reduce the incidence and severity of the RV-associated diarrhea and to influence the immune response against RV infections.

Keywords

• galactooligosaccharides
• rotavirus
• diarrhea
• infection