Researchers at a hospital in Brazil studied 46 adults with colorectal cancer who were preparing for tumor removal surgery. Participants took a symbiotic supplement or a placebo called maltodextrin for four to ten days before their operation. The goal was to see if these treatments changed the diversity of intestinal bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids in the gut.
The study found that the symbiotic group had higher levels of certain bacteria, including Firmicutes and Blautia, compared to the placebo group. They also saw increased production of butyrate and acetate, which are healthy fatty acids made by gut bacteria. These changes were measured in stool samples taken before treatment, after surgery, and before hospital discharge.
However, the trial did not find differences between the groups regarding clinical or infectious complications. The study was small, involving only 46 patients, and took place at a single hospital. Because the sample size was limited, these results should be viewed as early findings that need more research to confirm their value for patients.