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Nutrients Jan 2020Probiotic is little known for its benefits on upper gastrointestinal health. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of probiotics in...
Probiotic is little known for its benefits on upper gastrointestinal health. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the frequency and severity of symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the general adult population. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for prospective studies on GERD, heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia, without any limitation on sample size. The Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials. In total, 13 prospective studies that were published in 12 articles were included in the analysis and scored per the Jadad scale as high- (five studies), medium- (two), and low- (six) quality. One article reported on two probiotic groups; thus, 14 comparisons were included in the selected studies, of which 11 (79%) reported positive benefits of probiotics on symptoms of GERD. Five out of 11 positive outcomes (45%) noted benefits on reflux symptoms: three noted reduced regurgitation; improvements in reflux or heartburn were seen in one study; five (45%) saw improvements in dyspepsia symptoms; and nine (81%) saw improvements in other upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea (three studies), abdominal pain (five), and gas-related symptoms (four), such as belching, gurgling, and burping. In conclusion, probiotic use can be beneficial for GERD symptoms, such as regurgitation and heartburn. However, proper placebo-controlled, randomized, and double-blinded clinical trials with a sufficient number of participants are warranted to confirm its efficacy in alleviating these symptoms. Further, interventions with longer durations and an intermediate analysis of endpoints should be considered to determine the proper therapeutic window.
Topics: Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Probiotics
PubMed: 31906573
DOI: 10.3390/nu12010132 -
Nutrients Jul 2021Probiotic and prebiotic products have shown potential health benefits, including for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The incidence of adverse effects in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Probiotic and prebiotic products have shown potential health benefits, including for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The incidence of adverse effects in pregnant people and their infants associated with probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic intake, however, remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the evidence on adverse effects of maternal probiotic, prebiotic, and/or synbiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and interpret the findings to help inform clinical decision-making and care of this population. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Scientific databases were searched using pre-determined terms, and risk of bias assessments were conducted to determine study quality. Inclusion criteria were English language studies, human studies, access to full-text, and probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic supplementation to the mother and not the infant. In total, 11/100 eligible studies reported adverse effects and were eligible for inclusion in quantitative analysis, and data were visualised in a GOfER diagram. Probiotic and prebiotic products are safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. One study reported increased risk of vaginal discharge and changes in stool consistency (relative risk [95% CI]: 3.67 [1.04, 13.0]) when administering and Adverse effects associated with probiotic and prebiotic use do not pose any serious health concerns to mother or infant. Our findings and knowledge translation visualisations provide healthcare professionals and consumers with information to make evidence-informed decisions about the use of pre- and probiotics.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lactation; Prebiotics; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Probiotics; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Synbiotics
PubMed: 34371892
DOI: 10.3390/nu13072382 -
Nutrients Sep 2019Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder, and alterations in the gut microbiota composition contributes to symptom generation....
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder, and alterations in the gut microbiota composition contributes to symptom generation. The exact mechanisms of probiotics in the human body are not fully understood, but probiotic supplements are thought to improve IBS symptoms through manipulation of the gut microbiota. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the latest randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of probiotic supplementation on symptoms in IBS patients. A literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed) until March 2019. RCTs published within the last five years evaluating effects of probiotic supplements on IBS symptoms were eligible. The search identified in total 35 studies, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Seven studies (63.6%) reported that supplementation with probiotics in IBS patients significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo, whereas the remaining four studies (36.4%) did not report any significant improvement in symptoms after probiotic supplementation. Of note, three studies evaluated the effect of a mono-strain supplement, whereas the remaining eight trials used a multi-strain probiotic. Overall, the beneficial effects were more distinct in the trials using multi-strain supplements with an intervention of 8 weeks or more, suggesting that multi-strain probiotics supplemented over a period of time have the potential to improve IBS symptoms.
Topics: Bacteria; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Probiotics
PubMed: 31480656
DOI: 10.3390/nu11092048 -
Microbiological Research Jul 2022The gut microbial ecosystem, which is a collection of the host-microbiota interactions and the inter-species interplay among bacteria-dominated microbiota, has become a... (Review)
Review
The gut microbial ecosystem, which is a collection of the host-microbiota interactions and the inter-species interplay among bacteria-dominated microbiota, has become a research hotspot due to its contribution to host health in recent years. Lactobacillus, which has worldwide usage in fermented dairy products, has aroused increasing attention and becomes one of the commonly used probiotics given its promising applications in intestinal health and disease, though it occupies a relatively small proportion of the intestinal microbiota. In the review, we first update the current understanding of determinants of Lactobacillus abundance in the intestinal tract. We then review evidence from animal models to human trials that provided insights into Lactobacillus's applications in common intestinal disorders including the Helicobacter pylori infection, colorectal cancer, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Mechanisms underlying the probiotic role of Lactobacillus are finally discussed in five aspects: microbial interactions, the improvement of intestinal barrier function, the immunoregulation, the anticancer activity, and the metabolic regulation. This review aims to yield a profound understanding of how Lactobacillus will contribute to disease prevention and individualized therapies in future clinical practice, and to inspire novel microbial strategies utilizing both probiotics and their products in the fields of biology and medicine.
Topics: Animals; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Intestinal Diseases; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Probiotics
PubMed: 35421680
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127019 -
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society Feb 2020The aim of this narrative review is to assess and present evidence on the mechanisms of action of probiotics in constipation, their effectiveness and their utilisation... (Review)
Review
The aim of this narrative review is to assess and present evidence on the mechanisms of action of probiotics in constipation, their effectiveness and their utilisation by patients and healthcare professionals. Chronic constipation is a common bothersome disorder that has a considerable impact on patients' quality of life. Probiotics have been increasingly investigated for their effectiveness in various disorders, including chronic constipation. Probiotics may affect gut motility and constipation through their impact on the gut microbiota and fermentation, the central and enteric nervous system and the immune system. However, evidence for the effectiveness of probiotics in the management of constipation remains varied, with some strains demonstrating improvements, while others show no effect. Despite the uncertainty in evidence and the fact that the majority of healthcare professionals do not recommend probiotics for constipation, an increased prevalence of probiotic use by people with constipation has been shown. Therefore, there is a need for public health strategies to inform the public about where strong evidence of probiotic effectiveness exist, and where evidence is still weak. Education of healthcare professionals on the increased utilisation of probiotics for constipation by the public and on current evidence for the effectiveness of specific strains is also required.
Topics: Adult; Constipation; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Probiotics; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31262376
DOI: 10.1017/S0029665119000934 -
Autism Research : Official Journal of... Sep 2021The emerging role of a microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that modulating gut microbial composition may offer a tractable approach to... (Review)
Review
The emerging role of a microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that modulating gut microbial composition may offer a tractable approach to addressing the lifelong challenges of ASD. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview and critically evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, and fecal microbiota transplantation therapies for core and co-occurring behavioral symptoms in individuals with ASD. Comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were performed from inception to March 5, 2020, and two update searches were completed on October 25, 2020, and April 22, 2021, respectively. A total of 4306 publications were identified, of which 14 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a preconstructed form. Results of probiotic studies do not confirm the supposed beneficial effect of probiotics on ASD, whereas prebiotics and synbiotic combinations appear to be efficacious in selective behavioral symptoms. Evidence of the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in ASD is still scarce but supports further research. Overall, the current evidence base to suggest beneficial effects of these modalities in ASD is limited and inconclusive. More clinical trials are currently looking at the use of microbial-based therapies in ASD. With a robust double-blind randomized controlled protocol to investigate the efficacy, these trials should provide significant and definitive results. LAY SUMMARY: There is a link between altered gut bacteria and autism spectrum disorder. Some people believe that modulating bacterial composition in the gut may help reduce autism symptoms, but evidence from human studies suggesting beneficial effects of probiotic, prebiotic, and combination thereof as well as fecal transplants in autism spectrum disorder is limited and inconclusive. Current data should not encourage use of these modalities. Further clinical studies are needed.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Behavioral Symptoms; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Synbiotics
PubMed: 34173726
DOI: 10.1002/aur.2560 -
Nutrients Mar 2023Psychobiotics are modulators of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) with promising benefits to mental health. Lifestyle behaviors are established modulators of both... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychobiotics are modulators of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) with promising benefits to mental health. Lifestyle behaviors are established modulators of both mental health and the MGBA. This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT04823533) on healthy adults ( = 135) tested 4 weeks of probiotic supplementation ( R0052 and R0175). We assessed effects on wellbeing, quality of life, emotional regulation, anxiety, mindfulness and interoceptive awareness. We then analyzed if lifestyle behaviors modulated probiotic effectiveness. Results showed no significant effects of probiotic intake in whole sample outcomes. Correlational analyses revealed Healthy Behaviors were significantly correlated with wellbeing across scales. Moreover, the linear mixed-effects model showed that the interaction between high scores in Healthy Behaviors and probiotic intake was the single significant predictor of positive effects on anxiety, emotional regulation, and mindfulness in post-treatment outcomes. These findings highlight the relevance of controlling for lifestyle behaviors in psychobiotic and mental health research.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Quality of Life; Anxiety; Bifidobacterium longum; Probiotics; Life Style; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 37049546
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071706 -
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.) 2023Probiotic supplements were shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, it is still unclear whether this applies to older... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Probiotic supplements were shown to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, it is still unclear whether this applies to older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to explore the effects of probiotic supplementation on multiple neural behaviors in older adults with MCI. Forty-two MCI patients (age > 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups and consumed either probiotics (n=21) or placebo (n=21) for 12 weeks. Various scale scores, gut microbiota measures and serological indicators were recorded pre- and posttreatment. After 12 weeks of intervention, cognitive function and sleep quality were improved in the probiotic group compared with those in the control group, and the underlying mechanisms were associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that probiotic treatment enhanced cognitive function and sleep quality in older MCI patients, thus providing important insights into the clinical prevention and treatment of MCI.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognition; Alzheimer Disease; Probiotics; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 36990042
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.03.006 -
Journal of Advanced Research Mar 2023Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading global psychiatric disease. MDD is highly comorbid with gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as gut motility dysfunction. An...
INTRODUCTION
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading global psychiatric disease. MDD is highly comorbid with gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as gut motility dysfunction. An effective strategy to manage depression and its accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms is warranted.
OBJECTIVES
Three probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1025, Bifidobacterium longum CCFM687, and Pediococcus acidilactici CCFM6432) had previously been validated in mice to possess antidepressant-like potential. This study investigated the potential psychotropic effects of a combined three-strain probiotic intervention for human MDD patients. The mechanism of action was further investigated in the stress-induced depression mice model.
METHODS
MDD patients were given a freeze-dried, mixed probiotic formula for four weeks. The patients' psychometric and gastrointestinal conditions were evaluated using clinical rating scales before and after treatment. Their gut microbiome was also analysed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial probiotic effects were determined using a chronic stress-induced depressive mouse model.
RESULTS
Multi-probiotics significantly reduced depression scores, and to a greater extent than the placebo (based on the Hamilton Depression Rating, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales). Multi-probiotics also significantly improved the patients' gastrointestinal functions (based on self-evaluation using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale). Serotonergic system modification was demonstrated as the key mechanism behind the probiotics' benefits for the brain and the gut.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest a novel and promising treatment to manage MDD and accompanying gut motility problems, and provide options for treating other gut-brain axis-related disorders.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Depressive Disorder, Major; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Antidepressive Agents; Bifidobacterium longum; Syndrome; Probiotics
PubMed: 35618633
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.05.003 -
BMC Psychiatry Jun 2023Accumulating studies have shown the effects of gut microbiota management tools in improving depression. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Accumulating studies have shown the effects of gut microbiota management tools in improving depression. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on patients with depression. We searched six databases up to July 2022. In total, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 786 participants were included. The overall results demonstrated that patients who received prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics had significantly improved symptoms of depression compared with those in the placebo group. However, subgroup analysis only confirmed the significant antidepressant effects of agents that contained probiotics. In addition, patients with mild or moderate depression could both benefit from the treatment. Studies with a lower proportion of females reported stronger effects for alleviating depressive symptoms. In conclusion, agents that manipulate gut microbiota might improve mild-to-moderate depression. It is necessary to further investigate the benefits of prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic treatments relative to antidepressants and follow up with individuals over a longer time before these therapies are implemented in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Databases, Factual; Depression; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Synbiotics; Male
PubMed: 37386630
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04963-x