SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Probiotic”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota improves gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic beverage on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was conducted over a four-week period in patients with symptoms of chronic constipation (n=70). To all patients, 65 mL/day of a probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) or a sensorially identical placebo was administered. Patients completed a questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms, well-being and stool habits and underwent a medical examination weekly. Severity of constipation, flatulence and bloating was summarized into four categories (severe, moderately severe, mild and no symptoms). RESULTS: The consumption of LcS resulted in a significant improvement in self-reported severity of constipation and stool consistency, starting in the second week of the intervention phase (P<0.0001). Severe and moderately severe constipation was observed less in the LcS group. The occurrence and degree of flatulence or bloating sensation did not change. In the final examination, 89% of the LcS group and 56% of the placebo group showed a positive effect of their beverage on constipation (P=0.003). No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with chronic constipation. The administration of probiotic foodstuffs may be recommended as an adjunctive therapy of chronic constipation.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Metabolic vitamin B12 status on a mostly raw vegan diet with follow-up using tablets, nutritional yeast, or probiotic supplements.

BACKGROUND: Pure vegetarian diets might cause cobalamin deficiency due to lack of dietary intake. It was hypothesized that a population following a vegan diet consuming mostly raw fruits and vegetables, carrot juice, and dehydrated barley grass juice would be able to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency naturally. METHODS: Subjects were recruited at a health ministers' reunion based on adherence to the Hallelujah diet for at least 2 years. Serum cobalamin and urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA) assays were performed. Follow-up with sublingual tablets, nutritional yeast, or probiotic supplements was carried out on subjects with abnormal MMA results. RESULTS: 49 subjects were tested. Most subjects (10th to 90th percentile) had followed this diet 23-49 months. 6 subjects had serum B12 concentrations <147 pmol/l (200 pg/ml). 37 subjects (76%) had serum B12 concentrations <221 pmol/l (300 pg/ml). 23 subjects (47%) had abnormal urinary MMA concentrations above or equal to 4.0 microg/mg creatinine. Sublingual cyanocobalamin and nutritional yeast, but not probiotic supplements, significantly reduced group mean MMA concentrations (tablet p < 0.01; yeast p < 0.05, probiotic > 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary MMA assay is effective for identifying early metabolic cobalamin deficiency. People following the Hallelujah diet and other raw-food vegetarian diets should regularly monitor their urinary MMA levels, consume a sublingual cobalamin supplement, or consume cobalamin in their food.

Administration, Sublingual↗

PubMed2002

Effect of probiotics on constipation, fecal azoreductase activity and fecal mucin content in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common problem in elderly subjects, probiotics have been suggested to improve intestinal motility and reduce fecal enzyme activity. METHODS: Elderly subjects (n = 28) were enrolled in an open parallel study. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: 1 control group receiving juice; 1 group receiving juice supplemented with Lactobacillus reuteri, and 1 group receiving juice supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Propionibacterium freudenreichii. During the first 3 weeks all subjects consumed unsupplemented juice. In the subsequent 4 weeks, the subjects received their designated juice. During the last 3 weeks, all subjects again received unsupplemented juice. From the subjects, defecation frequency, laxative use, fecal pH, mucin content and azoreductase activity were assessed during the last week of each period. RESULTS: The subjects receiving the L. rhamnosus/P. freudenreichii-supplemented juice exhibited a 24% increase in defecation frequency. However, no reduction in laxative use was observed. The fecal azoreductase activity was also significantly reduced in this group. No changes in fecal pH or mucin excretion were observed. CONCLUSION: Some relief from constipation may be observed with the combination of L. rhamnosus/P. freudenreichii. This probiotic combination also reduced fecal enzyme activity. The tested probiotics did not affect the mucosal barrier.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Rationale for probiotic and antibiotic treatment strategies in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), commonly referred to as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic aggressive disorders which share many similarities concerning pathomechanism and clinical course, but have very distinct features. Both entities are mainly located in areas with high bacterial concentrations, such as the terminal ileum and cecum in Crohn's disease and the rectum in ulcerative colitis. In recent years, overwhelming evidence accumulated, supporting the hypothesis that IBD are characterized by a genetically determined, overly aggressive immune response towards ubiquitous luminal antigens, especially commensal bacteria and their products. Trials in both human IBD and experimental colitis have demonstrated that broad-spectrum antibiotics may influence the course of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and antibiotics with narrow activity against the anaerobic fraction of the flora can prevent relapse in Crohn's disease after surgically induced remission. Since relevant antibiotic strategies can be associated with some side effects, the ongoing research recently focused on alternative methods to modify the intestinal flora in patients with IBD. Clinical observations including few controlled trials, basic research, and animal studies have suggested a potential role for probiotic bacteria within the treatment regimens for IBD. However, the mode of action of these organisms is still largely unclear and in vitro studies are inconclusive. This review summarizes recent in vitro and in vivo data regarding the role of the intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation and possible therapeutic mechanisms of probiotic bacteria relevant to IBD. Furthermore, we will review clinical trials examining the efficacy of antibiotic and probiotic treatment strategies in IBD.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2001

Biofilm formation on voice prostheses: in vitro influence of probiotics.

In order to determine the influence of probiotic bacteria on biofilm formation on Groningen and Provox 2 voice prostheses in an artificial throat, we grew biofilms on both types of voice prostheses and exposed them 3 times daily to a probiotic bacterial suspension. As a control, we perfused an artificial throat with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Perfusion with Lactococcus lactis 53 suspension reduced the percentage numbers of bacteria and yeasts, respectively, on the Groningen prostheses to 17% and 22% and on the Provox 2 prostheses to 19% and 45%, compared to the number of colony-forming units on the control prosthesis, which was set at 100%. A suspension of Streptococcus thermophilus B reduced the percentage numbers of bacteria and yeasts, respectively, on the Groningen prostheses to 53% and 33% and on the Provox 2 prostheses to 14% and 0%, as compared to the control prosthesis. All other probiotic strains tested caused some reduction in the percentages of bacteria or yeasts, but strong differences between the types of prostheses were observed. In conclusion, L. lactis 53 and S. thermophilus B strongly reduce the occurrence of yeasts and bacteria in voice prosthetic biofilms.

Biofilms↗

PubMed2006

Probiotics in primary care pediatrics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help stabilize and balance intestinal microflora. Although these organisms are ubiquitous and have been used in the production of foods, probiotics have been used more frequently for therapeutic purposes, including the treatment and prevention of pediatric diseases. This article reviews the proposed mechanisms of the beneficial effects of probiotics, potential uses of these organisms in pediatric care, and promising future directions for their application.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed2005

Probiotic potential of 3 Lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk.

Breast milk is an important factor in the initiation, development, and composition of the neonatal gut microbiota. In a previous study, the authors isolated lactic acid bacteria from milk of healthy mothers. Since some of the identified isolates belonged to the genus Lactobacillus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the probiotic potential of 2 Lactobacillus gasseri and 1 Lactobacillus fermentum strains. Different assays, including survival to conditions simulating those existing in the gastrointestinal tract, production of antimicrobial compounds, adherence to intestinal cells, production of biogenic amines, degradation of mucin, enzymatic profile, and pattern of antibiotic resistance, were performed. Globally, the results showed that the probiotic potential of lactobacilli isolated from milk of healthy mothers is, at least, similar to that of the strains commonly used in commercial probiotic products. This fact, together with the presence of prebiotic substances, indicates that breast milk is a natural synbiotic food.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Probiotics, soluble fiber, and L-Glutamine (GLN) reduce nelfinavir (NFV)- or lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-related diarrhea.

PURPOSE: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can be associated with diarrhea and other gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Reducing these side effects may improve treatment durability and quality of life (QOL). This study assessed the impact of nutritional co-therapies known to reduce diarrhea in HIV-positive men treated with nelfinavir (NFV)- or lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)-containing regimens. METHODS: Thirty-five HIV-positive men treated with NFV (n = 27) or LPV/r (n = 8) with diarrhea (> or = two liquid stools/day [d]) participated in a 12-week prospective study. Twenty-eight subjects were randomly assigned supplements (S), seven received standard of care (C). Group S received probiotics (1.2g/d) and soluble fiber (11g/d). If diarrhea persisted at week 4, 30g/d L-Glutamine (GLN) was added. Diarrhea incidence, as well as supplement and antidiarrheal use, was assessed monthly. RESULTS: Weight, CD4 count, and HIV RNA were unchanged in both groups. Diarrhea completely resolved in 10 of 28 (36 percent) S subjects. The mean (+/-SD) number of stools/d declined [3.40+/-1.25 to 2.54+/-1.34 (p < 0.01)]. Diarrhea (loose, watery stools/d) lessened in S from 2.84+/-1.42 to 0.74+/-1.03 (p < 0.0001). Fifteen S subjects did not obtain full relief with probiotics and fiber, but stools/d decreased from 4.08+/-1.35 to 3.06+/-1.68 (p < 0.05) after starting GLN. In C, stools/d, 4.14+/-4.86 to 3.44+/-1.68(p = 0.678) and incidence of diarrhea/d, 3.00+/-4.82 to 1.36+/-1.29 (p= 0.361) was unchanged. In S, loperamide use decreased from 1.69+/-2.34 to 0.31+/-0.69 mg/d (p < 0.01); 18 versus eight subjects used loperamide at 0 and 12 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: Probiotics, soluble fiber, and GLN significantly reduced diarrhea for subjects receiving NFV or LPV/r. Nutritional co-therapies show clinical benefit in HIV-positive men with diarrhea.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2004

Infection prophylaxis of gunshot wounds using probiotics.

OBJECTIVE: To report a new method of surgical infection prophylaxis for postoperative gunshot wounds to the extremities. METHOD: Gunshot wounded animals were divided into three groups: treatment (probiotic Sporobacterin), antibiotic (cephalosporin cefamezin) and control (no treatment). Histological studies of wound-bed tissue were taken on days 1, 3, 5 and 10 of the study. RESULTS: The probiotic administered per os was more effective than antibiotics for prophylaxis of surgical infection. CONCLUSION: The probiotic's effect is based on the natural defence mechanism activated after injury--the bacterial translocation of saprophytic bacteria from the gut to the wound. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2003

Probiotics: considerations for human health.

Evidence for the role of probiotics in maintenance of health or prevention of disease is mounting and is supported in some cases by blinded, placebo-controlled human trials. Today, in an era of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and other looming microbial threats, the value of prevention of infection is recognized. Probiotics may play an important role in helping the body protect itself from infection, especially along the colonized mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic products are available in many different forms worldwide, including pills, powders, foods, and infant formula. In some cases, general health claims are made that cannot be substantiated for the specific strains and levels being used and consumers must therefore beware.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The efficacy and safety of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on prolonged, noninfectious diarrhea in HIV Patients on antiretroviral therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this placebo-controlled, crossover study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in ameliorating gastrointestinal symptoms in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. METHOD: Infectious causes for diarrhea (bacteria, ova, parasites, and viruses including cryptosporidium, microsporidia, and cyclospora) were excluded with fecal samples before the study. HIV-infected patients with diarrhea for more than 1 month received in randomized order probiotic LGG preparation (containing viable LGG 1-5 x 1010 cfu/dose) and placebo twice a day for 2 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed daily and included the daily number of bowel movements, classification of stool consistency (watery, semi-watery, loose, firm, or foaming), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of gastrointestinal symptoms (flatulence, stomach pain, bloating disorders, general well-being). RESULTS: Seventeen HIV-infected patients completed the study. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in the frequency or the consistency of diarrhea. In the VAS assessments of gastrointestinal symptoms, no difference between LGG and placebo could be detected. No adverse events were reported. The number of HIV RNA copies in the blood and CD4 cell counts remained stable during the study. CONCLUSION: Probiotic LGG preparation was well-tolerated in HIV infected patients. No significant differences in noninfectious diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms compared to placebo could be observed in this crossover study.

Adult↗

PubMed2024

Engineering a probiotic Bacillus subtilis for acetaldehyde removal: A hag locus integration to robustly express acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.

We have addressed critical challenges in probiotic design to develop a commercially viable bacterial strain capable of removing the intestinal toxin, acetaldehyde. In this study, we report the engineering of the hag locus, a σD-dependent flagellin expression site, as a stable location for robust enzyme production. We demonstrate constitutive gene expression in relevant conditions driven by the endogenous hag promoter, following a deletion of the gene encoding a post-translational regulator of σD, FlgM, and a point mutation to abrogate the binding of the translational inhibitor CsrA. Reporter constructs demonstrate activity at the hag locus after germination, with a steady increase in heterologous expression throughout outgrowth and vegetative growth. To evaluate the chassis as a spore-based probiotic solution, we identified the physiologically relevant ethanol metabolic pathway and the subsequent accumulation of gut-derived acetaldehyde following alcohol consumption. We integrated a Cupriavidus necator aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (acoD) into the hag locus under the control of the flagellin promoter and observed a rapid reduction in acetaldehyde levels in gut-simulated conditions post-germination. This work demonstrates a promising approach for the development of genetically engineered spore-based probiotics.

Acetaldehyde↗

PubMed2005

Probiotics: the benefits of bacterial cultures.

Probiotics are bacterial cultures widely used in the treatment of disease. They are available without a prescription. Bacterial interference between types of bacteria and immunomodulation are the most common explanations as to why people may benefit from these treatments. The data on the use of probiotics in pediatric and adult diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, ileal pouchitis, urogenital infections, allergy, skin infections, and cancers are reviewed. Although generally safe, cases of complications from probiotic therapy are discussed, as well as potential problems that may develop.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Oral probiotics reduce the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, masked, randomized control trial was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotics in reducing the incidence and severity of NEC among VLBW (<1500 g) infants. VLBW infants who started to fed enterally and survived beyond the seventh day after birth were eligible for the trial. They were randomized into 2 groups after parental informed consents were obtained. The infants in the study group were fed with Infloran (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis) with breast milk twice daily until discharged. Infants in the control group were fed with breast milk alone. The clinicians caring for the infants were blinded to the group assignment. The primary outcome was death or NEC (>or= stage 2). RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-seven infants were enrolled: 180 in the study group and 187 in the control group. The demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups. The incidence of death or NEC (>or= stage 2) was significantly lower in the study group (9 of 180 vs 24 of 187). The incidence of NEC (>or= stage 2) was also significantly lower in the study when compared with the control group (2 of 180 vs 10 of 187). There were 6 cases of severe NEC (Bell stage 3) in the control group and none in the study group. None of the positive blood culture grew Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species. CONCLUSION: Infloran as probiotics fed enterally with breast milk reduces the incidence and severity of NEC in VLBW infants.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed2003

Probiotic lactobacilli: a new perspective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, results from an interaction between susceptibility genes, the host's bacterial environment, gut barrier defects, and immunological factors. New management approaches have been evolved from advances in our understanding of the pathobiology of this common gut disorder In particular, the therapeutic manipulation of the bacterial microenvironment in the gut seems to offer an innovative tool for the treatment of those patients. Since the gut is a highly sensitizing organ that contributes to the systemic immune response, potent treatments need to be developed to reduce gut inflammation in this disorder. Recent studies have demonstrated that probiotic lactobacilli, and also immunostimulatory DNA sequences from those same bacteria have an important anti-inflammatory potential in this context. Future research should better define among patients with inflammatory bowel disease the various clinical phenotypes with the greatest potential of response to probiotic treatment. Identification of the genes leading to the disease and a rather better understanding of the underlying immunoregulatory abnormalities will be crucial steps to define the different profiles of interaction between endogenous digestive bacterial flora and the immune system in each individual patient. Such advances will probably lead to targeting of effective treatments, including bacteriotherapy with probiotic lactobacilli, to subsets of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Screening of the equine intestinal microflora for potential probiotic organisms.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Probiotics have not been demonstrated to provide any beneficial health effects in horses, possibly because of improper selection of probiotic organisms. This study was designed to identify lactic acid bacteria of equine origin with predetermined beneficial properties which might make them useful as therapeutic probiotics. HYPOTHESIS: A small percentage of lactic acid bacteria that are native to the intestinal tract of horses possess properties that may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of gastrointestinal disease in horses. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from healthy mature horses and foals. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated and tested for the ability to grow in acid and bile environments, aerotolerance and in vitro inhibition of enteropathogens. One isolate that possessed these properties was administered orally to healthy mature horses and foals and gastrointestinal survival was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 47 tested organisms, 18 were deemed to be adequately acid- and bile-tolerant. All were aerotolerant. Four organisms markedly inhibited Salmonella spp. One isolate, Lactobacillus pentosus WE7, was subjectively superior and chosen for further study. It was also inhibitory against E. coli, moderately inhibitory against S. zooepidemicus and C. difficile and mildly inhibitory against C. perfringens. After oral administration, this isolate was recovered from the faeces of 8/9 (89%) foals and 7/8 (87.5%) mature horses. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus pentosus WE7 possesses in vitro and in vivo properties that may be useful for the prevention and treatment of enteric disease in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The beneficial in vitro and in vivo properties that L. pentosus WE7 possesses indicate that randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled efficacy studies are warranted.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Probiotic culture survival and implications in fermented frozen yogurt characteristics.

Low-fat ice cream mix was fermented with probiotic-supplemented and traditional starter culture systems and evaluated for culture survival, composition, and sensory characteristics of frozen product. Fermentations were stopped when the titratable acidity reached 0.15% greater than the initial titratable acidity (end point 1) or when the pH reached 5.6 (end point 2). Mix was frozen and stored for 11 wk at -20 degrees C. The traditional yogurt culture system contained the strains Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus. The probiotic-supplemented system contained the traditional cultures as well as Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus. We compared recovery of Bifodobacterium by three methods, a repair-detection system with roll-tubes and plates on modified bifid glucose medium and plates with maltose + galactose reinforced clostridial medium. Culture bacteria in both systems did not decrease in the yogurt during frozen storage. The roll-tube method with modified bifid glucose agar and repair detection system provided at least one-half log10 cfu/ml higher recovery of B. longum compared with recoveries using modified bifid glucose agar or maltose + galactose reinforced clostridial agar on petri plates. No change in concentrations of lactose or protein for products fermented with either culture system occurred during storage. Acid flavor was more intense when product was fermented to pH 5.6, but yogurt flavor was not intensified. The presence of probiotic bacteria in the supplemented system seemed to cause no differences in protein and lactose concentration and sensory characteristics.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed1998

Development of probiotic cheese manufactured from goat milk: response surface analysis via technological manipulation.

Production of caprine milk has been rising steadily, partially because of its good nutritional value; the possibility of improving nutritional benefits by adding probiotic species such as Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus was assessed. The manufacturing process of a traditional semi-hard goat cheese was technologically modified to optimize the process. The amount of starter inoculum, the concentration of salt, the addition of a protein hydrolysate, and the ripening time were varied to improve the microbiological, biochemical, and sensory properties of the cheese. Bifidobacterium lactis was able to grow slightly (up to 3 x 10(8) cfu/g), but growth was dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the cheese. Lactobacillus acidophilus did not grow substantially in any of the experimental cheeses, and maximum numbers did not exceed 6 x 10(7) cfu/g. Concentrations of lactic acid and acetic acid increased throughout cheese manufacture, indicating that production of these acids was uncoupled from growth. Viability of the probiotic strains during ripening was sufficient to yield numbers that were above the accepted threshold (10(6) cfu/g) for a probiotic effect. Both strains contributed significantly to ripening, especially in the formation of low molecular mass peptides and amino acids, but lipolysis was not greatly affected. Statistical analyses using response surface methodology indicated that the manufacture of goat cheese could be optimized by the addition of 0.30% (vol/wt) milk hydrolysate, 3 x 10(7) of viable B. lactis and 7 x 10(6) of viable L. acidophilus cells/ml of milk, respectively, 3.50% (wt/wt) salt, and ripening for 70 d.

Acetic Acid↗