A BENEO-Orafti Newsletter - Spring 2008 - Nr. 18:
Prebiotics and healthy ageing

In the picture: Prebiotics and healthy ageing

Anatomo-pathological analysis of organs (prostate, bladder, seminal vesicles, ovaries, distal part of the colon and brain) showed no specific abnormalities or differences in lesions between groups. Normal occurring lesions due to the ageing process such as acute prostatitis and mammary adenofribroma were found among groups.

Interestingly, male rats receiving Synergy1 showed a well-groomed fur and were in a better condition compared to rats in the control group at 24 months of age. This is illustrated in Picture 1. In their home cage, male rats in the Synergy1 group continued to be interested by the activity in the animal room (entrance of animal care people, food distribution, etc.) as the rats came in front of their cage in a rearing position and they played with their congeners. In the stimulation programme they showed curiosity and more activity than the control counterparts. No difference was observed in the appearance of the female rats.

To determine lifespan of the male and female rats, twenty one rats in each group were followed and curves are presented in Figures 3 and 4. The survival rate of the male rats in the Synergy1 group was significantly higher compared to the control group at the age of 18 (100% in the Synergy1 group vs. 76% in controls, P<0.001) and 24 months (81% in the Synergy1 group vs. 52% in controls, P<0.001). At 24 months of age, the Synergy1 group was composed of 35% more rats than the control group (Figure 3).
The survival rate for the female rats is shown in Figure 4. The survival rate in the Synergy1 group tended to be higher than in the control group at 12 months of age (100% in the Synergy1 group vs. 95% in controls, P<0.06) and differences were significant at 24 months of age (42% in the Synergy1 group vs. 29% in controls, P<0.05). At 24 months of age, the Synergy1 group was composed of 33% more rats than the control group.

 

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