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OBJECTIVE	Gut microbiota provides beneficial effects under physiological conditions , but is able to contribute to inflammatory diseases in susceptible individuals .
OBJECTIVE	Thus , we designed this study to test whether additional intake of symbiotic gel affects specific modifications of gut microbiota in patients with end-stage renal disease ( ESRD ) .
METHODS	Eighteen patients with ESRD diagnosis with renal replacement therapy ( hemodialysis ) were included in this study .
METHODS	They were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups : ( 1 ) test group ( nutritional counseling + symbiotic ) and ( 2 ) control group ( nutritional counseling + placebo ) .
METHODS	Clinical history and the evaluation of Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale were performed .
METHODS	Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction from fecal samples .
METHODS	All subjects were followed for 2months .
RESULTS	Bifidobacterial counts were higher in the second samples ( mean : 5.51.72 log10 cells/g ) than in first samples ( 4.20.88 log 10cells/g ) in the patients of the test group ( P = .0344 ) .
RESULTS	Also , lactobacilli counts had a little decrease in the test group ( 2.30.75 to 2.00.88 log 10 cells/g ) and the control group ( 2.20.90 to 1.81.33 log 10 cells/g ) , between the first and the second samples .
RESULTS	Gastrointestinal symptoms scores ( scale 8-40 ) were reduced in the test group ( start 12 [ 10-14 ] and end 9 [ 8-10 ] ) compared with control group ( start 11 [ 8-21 ] and end 11 [ 9-15 ] ) .
CONCLUSIONS	Short-term symbiotic treatment in patients with ESRD can lead to the increase of Bifidobacterium counts , maintaining the intestinal microbial balance .

