Abstract
Objective. To assess the impact of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 supplementation on whole gut transit time (WGTT) and frequency of functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in adults. Material and methods. We randomized 100 subjects (mean age: 44 years; 64% female) with functional GI symptoms to consume a proprietary probiotic strain, B. lactis HN019 (Fonterra Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand), at daily doses of 17.2 billion colony forming units (CFU) (high dose; n = 33), 1.8 billion CFU (low dose; n = 33), or placebo (n = 34) for 14 days. The primary endpoint of WGTT was assessed by X-ray on days 0 and 14 and was preceded by consumption of radiopaque markers once a day for 6 days. The secondary endpoint of functional GI symptom frequency was recorded with a subject-reported numeric (1–100) scale before and after supplementation. Results. Decreases in mean WGTT over the 14-day study period were statistically significant in the high dose group (49 ± 30 to 21 ± 32 h, p < 0.001) and the low dose group (60 ± 33 to 41 ± 39 h, p = 0.01), but not in the placebo group (43 ± 31 to 44 ± 33 h). Time to excretion of all ingested markers was significantly shorter in the treatment groups versus placebo. Of the nine functional GI symptoms investigated, eight significantly decreased in frequency in the high dose group and seven decreased with low dose, while two decreased in the placebo group. No adverse events were reported in any group. Conclusions. Daily B. lactis HN019 supplementation is well tolerated, decreases WGTT in a dose-dependent manner, and reduces the frequency of functional GI symptoms in adults.
Highlights
Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are nonspecific conditions with no identifiable structural or biochemical cause [1] that often present concomitantly [2]
This study was designed to determine in a triple-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled trial if dietary supplementation of B. lactis HN019 can shorten Whole gut transit time (WGTT) and reduce the frequency of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults
The absence of reported adverse events suggests that short-term B. lactis HN019 supplementation is safe
Summary
Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are nonspecific conditions with no identifiable structural or biochemical cause [1] that often present concomitantly [2]. There is a clear need for treatments for functional gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal transit disturbances that are safe, effective, and sustainable. Probiotics have been extensively studied in the field of gastroenterology and show potential for improving gastrointestinal symptoms and reducing WGTT [7,8,9,10,11]. B. lactis HN019 has been shown to confer beneficial changes to the intestinal microflora [13] no studies have examined the effects of B. lactis HN019 on functional gastrointestinal symptoms or WGTT. This study was designed to determine in a triple-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled trial if dietary supplementation of B. lactis HN019 can shorten WGTT and reduce the frequency of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults
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