The gastrointestinal status of healthy adults: a post hoc assessment of the impact of three distinct probiotics

Mullish, BH, Michael, DR, Webberley, TS, John, D, Ramanathan, G, Plummer, SF, Wang, Duolao ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2788-2464 and Marchesi, JR (2023) 'The gastrointestinal status of healthy adults: a post hoc assessment of the impact of three distinct probiotics'. Beneficial Microbes, Vol 14, Issue 3, pp. 183-195.

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Abstract

There is a growing awareness that supplementation with probiotic bacteria can impart beneficial effects during gastrointestinal disease, but less is known about the impact of probiotics on healthy subjects. Here, we report the outcomes of a post hoc analysis of recorded daily gastrointestinal events and bowel habits completed by healthy adults participating in a placebo-controlled, single-centre, randomised, double-blind, quadruple-arm probiotic tolerability study. Extensive screening ensured the healthy status of subjects entering the study and during a 2-week pre-intervention run-in period, a burden of gastrointestinal events (stomach pains, indigestion, acid reflux, stomach tightening, nausea and vomiting, stomach rumbling, bloating, belching and flatulence) was identified suggesting GI discomfort within the population. In the subsequent 12-week intervention period with 3 distinct probiotic formulations and a matched-placebo, reductions in the incidence rates of bloating, borborygmus, stomach pains, slow faecal transit and incomplete defecations were observed in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo. These results highlighted differing responses among the probiotic formulations tested and indicated potential anti-constipation effects. Product specific modulations in circulating interleukin-6 levels and in the composition of the gut microbiota were also detected. Together, these data suggest a role for probiotic supplementation to exert beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal functioning of healthy subjects and highlight the need for further longer-term studies in healthy populations to gain a greater understanding of the impact of probiotics.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QV Pharmacology > Dermatologic Agents. Gastrointestinal Agents > QV 66 Gastrointestinal agents
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3920/bm2022.0092
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	18 Apr 2023 11:07
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2024 11:35
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/22326

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