Optimize Probiotic Efficacy: Probiotic Dose-Response Study Service in Animal Models

Animal Models

Utilization of diverse and validated animal models (e.g., mice, rats, piglets, poultry, aquaculture species) based on the target application and disease indication. This includes:

• Healthy Models: For baseline efficacy and safety assessment.
• Disease Models: Such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, infectious challenges, or immune dysfunction models.
• Larger animal models (e.g., pigs, poultry) for agricultural applications or when closer physiological relevance to humans is required.

Probiotic Administration

• Customized dosing protocols (oral gavage, feed admixture, water supplementation) at multiple concentrations.
• Sample Requirements
  Clients typically provide the probiotic strains (lyophilized powder, liquid culture, etc.) and any specific media or formulations. We require detailed information on the probiotic strain(s), including species, strain designation, viability, and storage conditions.
• Sample Types
  
  • Single-strain probiotics: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, etc.
  • Multi-strain probiotic blends: Synergistic combinations of different probiotic strains.
  • Synbiotics: Combinations of probiotics and prebiotics.
  • Postbiotics: Non-viable microbial cells and/or their components and metabolites that confer a health benefit to the host.
  • Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs): Investigational products containing live microorganisms for therapeutic use.

Sample Collection & Processing

• Fecal samples for microbiome analysis (16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole genome sequencing, qPCR).
• Tissue samples (e.g., colon, ileum, liver, spleen) for histological examination, gene expression analysis, and protein quantification.
• Blood samples for serum biochemistry, immunology (cytokines, chemokines), and circulating metabolites.
• Urine samples for metabolomics.

Comprehensive Endpoint Analysis

• Microbiota Analysis: 16S rRNA gene sequencing (amplicon sequencing), metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics to assess changes in microbial composition, function, and metabolic pathways.
• Immune Markers: Cytokine analysis (ELISA, multiplex assays), flow cytometry for immune cell profiling, immunohistochemistry.
• Gut Barrier Integrity: Permeability assays (e.g., FITC-dextran), tight junction protein expression (Western blot, qPCR, immunohistochemistry).
• Metabolic Parameters: Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, body weight, food intake.
• Histopathology: Tissue analysis (e.g., colon, small intestine, liver) for inflammation, damage, and cellular changes.
• Behavioral Studies: For gut-brain axis research.
• Clinical Chemistry & Hematology: General health assessments.
• Probiotic Viability & Colonization: Quantification of probiotic strains in feces and gut tissues (qPCR, culture-based methods).

Deliverables

• Comprehensive Final Study Report detailing methods, results, statistical analysis, and interpretation.
• Raw data files (e.g., sequencing reads, mass spectrometry data, ELISA raw values).
• Processed data files (e.g., OTU tables, normalized gene expression data).
• High-resolution graphs and figures suitable for publications and presentations.
• Statistical summary tables.
• Executive Summary of key findings and recommendations.

Turnaround Time

• The turnaround time for a probiotic dose-response study varies depending on the complexity of the study design, the duration of the in vivo phase, and the number of analytical endpoints. Typically, studies range from 8 to 20 weeks from protocol finalization to final report delivery. We will provide a detailed timeline in your custom proposal.