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Journal of Occupational Health 2023Prolonged and constant stress from work often leads to numerous adverse health effects. In recent years, interest in probiotics, living microorganisms that can benefit... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prolonged and constant stress from work often leads to numerous adverse health effects. In recent years, interest in probiotics, living microorganisms that can benefit their host when consumed in adequate amounts, to aid health and well-being has increased. This scoping review is to systematically evaluate the current state of science on the effects of probiotic supplements on health, stress, and stress-related symptoms among working adults in occupational settings.
METHODS
We performed a systematic scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Studies that examined the effects of probiotics on workers' health and stress-related indicators/outcomes in occupational settings were included. A comprehensive search was performed from November 2021 to January 2022 using MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Embase.
RESULTS
A total of 14 papers met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Probiotics consisted primarily of Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium strains in various forms and doses. Three out of eight studies reported statistical differences in inflammatory markers or stress hormone levels between probiotic and placebo groups. Three of six reported reduced respiratory tract infection incidents in the probiotic groups and three out of four studies reported no differences in anxiety and depression between groups. Lastly, three studies found that absenteeism and presentism were lower in probiotic groups compared with placebo groups.
CONCLUSION
The potential benefits of probiotics exist; however, the measurements of outcomes, the types of probiotics used, and the characteristics of the intervention varied across studies. Further research is needed focusing on probiotics' direct and indirect mechanisms of action on the stress response and the standardization of strains and dosing.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Occupational Health; Probiotics; Lactobacillus; Absenteeism; Anxiety
PubMed: 37218068
DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12404 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2023The primary aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the effect of pre-, pro-, or synbiotic supplementation in infant formula on the... (Review)
Review
The primary aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the effect of pre-, pro-, or synbiotic supplementation in infant formula on the gastrointestinal microbiota. The Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was employed. Five databases were searched and 32 RCTs (2010-2021) were identified for inclusion: 20 prebiotic, 6 probiotic, and 6 synbiotic. The methods utilized to evaluate gastrointestinal microbiota varied across studies and included colony plating, fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, or tagged sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Fecal levels increased with supplementation of prebiotics and synbiotics but not with probiotics alone. Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation generally increased fecal levels of the bacterial strain supplemented in the formula. Across all pre-, pro-, and synbiotic-supplemented formulas, results were inconsistent regarding fecal levels. Fecal pH was lower with some prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation; however, no difference was seen with probiotics. Softer stools were often reported in infants supplemented with pre- and synbiotics, yet results were inconsistent for probiotic-supplemented formula. Limited evidence demonstrates that pre- and synbiotic supplementation increases fecal levels. Future studies utilizing comprehensive methodologies and additional studies in probiotics and synbiotics are warranted.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Prebiotics; Synbiotics; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Probiotics; Bifidobacterium
PubMed: 37667870
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.2022595 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Jul 2022From consumption of fermented foods and probiotics to emerging applications of faecal microbiota transplantation, the health benefit of manipulating the human microbiota... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
From consumption of fermented foods and probiotics to emerging applications of faecal microbiota transplantation, the health benefit of manipulating the human microbiota has been exploited for millennia. Despite this history, recent technological advances are unlocking the capacity for targeted microbial manipulation as a novel therapeutic.
AIM
This review summarises the current developments in microbiome-based medicines and provides insight into the next steps required for therapeutic development.
METHODS
Here we review current and emerging approaches and assess the capabilities and weaknesses of these technologies to provide safe and effective clinical interventions. Key literature was identified through Pubmed searches with the following key words, 'microbiome', 'microbiome biomarkers', 'probiotics', 'prebiotics', 'synbiotics', 'faecal microbiota transplant', 'live biotherapeutics', 'microbiome mimetics' and 'postbiotics'.
RESULTS
Improved understanding of the human microbiome and recent technological advances provide an opportunity to develop a new generation of therapies. These therapies will range from dietary interventions, prebiotic supplementations, single probiotic bacterial strains, human donor-derived faecal microbiota transplants, rationally selected combinations of bacterial strains as live biotherapeutics, and the beneficial products or effects produced by bacterial strains, termed microbiome mimetics.
CONCLUSIONS
Although methods to identify and refine these therapeutics are continually advancing, the rapid emergence of these new approaches necessitates accepted technological and ethical frameworks for measurement, testing, laboratory practices and clinical translation.
Topics: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Humans; Microbiota; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Synbiotics
PubMed: 35611465
DOI: 10.1111/apt.17049 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Periodontal diseases are one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, which are initiated and sustained by pathogenic plaque biofilms.... (Review)
Review
Periodontal diseases are one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, which are initiated and sustained by pathogenic plaque biofilms. Central to modern periodontology is the idea that dysbiosis of periodontal microecology and disorder of host inflammatory response gives rise to degradation of periodontal tissues together, which eventually leads to tooth loss, seriously affecting the life quality of patients. Probiotics were originally used to treat intestinal diseases, while in recent years, extensive studies have been exploring the utilization of probiotics in oral disease treatment and oral healthcare. Probiotic bacteria derived from the genera , , , and are found to play an effective role in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases regulating periodontal microbiota or host immune responses. Here, we review the research status of periodontal health-promoting probiotic species and their regulatory effects. The current issues on the effectiveness and safety of probiotics in the management of periodontal diseases are also discussed at last. Taken together, the use of probiotics is a promising approach to prevent and treat periodontal diseases. Nevertheless, their practical use for periodontal health needs further research and exploration.
Topics: Bifidobacterium; Dysbiosis; Humans; Lactobacillus; Periodontal Diseases; Probiotics
PubMed: 35402306
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.806463 -
Medicine Nov 2023Depression affects millions globally and often coexists with cognitive deficits. This study explored the potential of probiotics in enhancing cognition and ameliorating... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Depression affects millions globally and often coexists with cognitive deficits. This study explored the potential of probiotics in enhancing cognition and ameliorating depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients.
METHODS
Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study design framework, we systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials examining probiotic effects on cognition and depressive symptoms. Searches spanned 7 databases from January 2010 to May 2022. Risk of bias was assessed using Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0, and meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.4.1. Publication bias was evaluated via Egger test.
RESULTS
In a systematic review on the effects of probiotic supplementation on cognition and depressive symptoms in depression patients, 635 records were initially identified, with 4 studies ultimately included. These randomized controlled trials were conducted across diverse regions, primarily involving females, with assessment periods ranging from 1 to 2 months. Concerning cognitive outcomes, a statistically significant moderate improvement was found with probiotic supplementation, based on the mean difference and its 95% confidence interval. However, for depressive symptoms, the overall effect was negligible and not statistically significant. A heterogeneity test indicated consistent findings across studies for both cognitive and depressive outcomes (I² = 0% for both). The potential for publication bias was evaluated using the Egger linear regression test, suggesting no significant bias, though caution is advised due to the limited number of studies.
CONCLUSION
Probiotics may enhance cognitive domains and mitigate depressive symptoms, emphasizing the gut-brain axis role. However, methodological variations and brief intervention durations call for more standardized, extensive research.
Topics: Female; Humans; Depressive Disorder, Major; Depression; Probiotics; Cognition; Research Design
PubMed: 38013351
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036005 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Probiotics exert a variety of beneficial effects, including maintaining homeostasis and the balance of intestinal microorganisms, activating the immune system, and... (Review)
Review
Probiotics exert a variety of beneficial effects, including maintaining homeostasis and the balance of intestinal microorganisms, activating the immune system, and regulating immune responses. Due to the beneficial effects of probiotics, a wide range of probiotics have been developed as probiotic agents for animal and human health. Viral diseases cause serious economic losses to the livestock every year and remain a great challenge for animals. Moreover, strategies for the prevention and control of viral diseases are limited. Viruses enter the host through the skin and mucosal surface, in which are colonized by hundreds of millions of microorganisms. The antiviral effects of probiotics have been proved, including modulation of chemical, microbial, physical, and immune barriers through various probiotics, probiotic metabolites, and host signaling pathways. It is of great significance yet far from enough to elucidate the antiviral mechanisms of probiotics. The major interest of this review is to discuss the antiviral effects and underlying mechanisms of probiotics and to provide targets for the development of novel antivirals.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Immune System; Intestines; Probiotics; Viruses
PubMed: 35734576
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.928050 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Apr 2019Probiotic administration to premature infants for the purpose of prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis is common in many parts of the world but uncommon in the United... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Probiotic administration to premature infants for the purpose of prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis is common in many parts of the world but uncommon in the United States. The present review will emphasize recent findings in support of routine administration of probiotics to this highly vulnerable population.
RECENT FINDINGS
Additional evidence from animal models describing mechanisms of protection of probiotics in the immature gut and updated meta-analyses of randomized placebo-controlled trials and observational cohorts are presented (now including more than 40 000 premature infants from countries across the globe).
SUMMARY
The preponderance of evidence suggests that probiotic administration to premature infants is well tolerated and decreases the risk of death, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis. Further comparisons of probiotic administration to placebo are not likely to alter these conclusions. Rather, future work should focus on assurance of high-quality products with demonstrated purity and viability of probiotic microbes, and future clinical trials should focus on comparisons between high-quality products and doses.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Probiotics; Sepsis
PubMed: 30664022
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000732 -
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition... Nov 2020This is a review of the most up-to-date research on the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation for outcomes related to athletes and physical activity. The focus is... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This is a review of the most up-to-date research on the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation for outcomes related to athletes and physical activity. The focus is on clinical research incorporating exercise and/or physically active participants on the nutritional effectiveness of single and multistrain preparations.
RECENT FINDINGS
Findings of the included clinical studies support the notion that certain probiotics could play important roles in maintaining normal physiology and energy production during exercise which may lead to performance-improvement and antifatigue effects, improve exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and permeability, stimulate/modulate of the immune system, and improve the ability to digest, absorb, and metabolize macro and micronutrients important to exercise performance and recovery/health status of those physically active.
SUMMARY
The current body of literature highlights the specificity of probiotic strain/dose and potential mechanisms of action for application in sport. These novel findings open new areas research, potential use for human health, and reinforce the potential role for probiotic's in exercise performance. While encouraging, more well designed studies of probiotic supplementation in various sport applications are warranted.
Topics: Athletic Performance; Exercise; Humans; Probiotics; Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 32769404
DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000686 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2019Athletes are prone to several health complications, including upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal discomforts during practice and after... (Review)
Review
Athletes are prone to several health complications, including upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal discomforts during practice and after the performance due to the intense exercise, travel, insufficient rest and restricted food consumption. Probiotics are well known as complementary therapeutic and health supplements for several diseases and disorders. Studies suggest that the intervention of probiotics improved the health status of elite athletes, but the results are not consistent in all the studies. The beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation profoundly relies on species or strain, dose, duration, form, and host physiology. The manuscript summarizes the effect of probiotic supplementation on health status of athletes. The literature was collected from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the search term "probiotic and athletes". As per the literature survey, probiotic supplementation improved the intestinal permeability, immune system, intestinal microbiota, inflammatory system, reduced the severity and incidence of respiratory tract infections, and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. Several studies were conducted on species and the outcomes were found to be species- or strain-specific. More studies are required to know the detailed mechanism behind the beneficial effect of probiotic intervention in athletes. Further studies are desired on formulation and optimization of probiotic supplements to develop generalized and personalized sports supplements to boost the overall health and enactment of elite athletes.
Topics: Athletes; Dietary Supplements; Health Status; Humans; Probiotics
PubMed: 31766303
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224469 -
BioMed Research International 2018Probiotics confer immunological protection to the host through the regulation, stimulation, and modulation of immune responses. Researchers have shifted their attention... (Review)
Review
Probiotics confer immunological protection to the host through the regulation, stimulation, and modulation of immune responses. Researchers have shifted their attention to better understand the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics, which have the potential to prevent or alleviate certain pathologies for which proper medical treatment is as yet unavailable. It has been scientifically established that immune cells (T- and B-cells) mediate adaptive immunity and confer immunological protection by developing pathogen-specific memory. However, this review is intended to present the recent studies on immunomodulatory effects of probiotics. In the early section of this review, concepts of probiotics and common probiotic strains are focused on. On a priority basis, the immune system, along with mucosal immunity in the human body, is discussed in this study. It has been summarized that a number of species of and exert vital roles in innate immunity by increasing the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and phagocytosis of macrophages and mediate adaptive immunity by interacting with enterocytes and dendritic, Th1, Th2, and Treg cells. Finally, immunomodulatory effects of probiotics on proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in different animal models have been extensively reviewed in this paper. Therefore, isolating new probiotic strains and investigating their immunomodulatory effects on cytokine profiles in humans remain a topical issue.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Cytokines; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunity, Mucosal; Immunologic Factors; Lymphocytes; Probiotics
PubMed: 30426014
DOI: 10.1155/2018/8063647