Pharmacokinetic modeling and gene sequencing reveal the interplay between B vitamins and probiotics

The pharmacological significance of B vitamins, essential for various metabolic processes, and the therapeutic potential of probiotics in gastrointestinal health have been well-documented. However, the interactions between these entities remain poorly understood. In this study, we endeavored to elucidate the potential interplay between B vitamins and probiotics utilizing liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, pharmacokinetic modeling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Employing healthy and pseudo-germ-free rat models, we revealed that probiotics significantly improve the absorption of B1, B3, B5, and B12, and that the gut microbiota played a mediating role in this enhanced absorption of B vitamins by probiotics. High-throughput genetic sequencing uncovered a synergistic effect of B vitamins and probiotics in modulating the gut microbiota, particularly increasing the abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that probiotics used in this study had a relatively minor influence on the production and permeability of B vitamins, while B vitamins did not significantly contribute to the growth, auto-aggregation, and adhesion of probiotics. In summary, a complex network connection exists between B vitamins and probiotics, wherein the gut microbiota emerges as a pivotal factor that cannot be overlooked. 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups with eight rats in each group: Control, Model, VB (Vitamin B complex), Probiotics, and VB+Probiotics (the combination of vitamin B complex and probiotics). The rats were sacrificed and ileocecal valves were collected for each group(n=5) for the 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the