Effects of synbiotics containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis GCL2505 and inulin on intestinal bifidobacteria: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Daisuke Anzawa,Tomohiko Nishijima,Shota Takahashi,Takashi Kuriki,Hiroshi Kamasaka,Takashi Mawatari,Mio Yamamoto,Yoshiyuki Tanaka,Satoru Suzuki,Tomomi Genda

doi:10.1002/fsn3.1033

Abstract

A number of studies have shown the bifidogenic effects of either probiotic bifidobacteria or inulin, and this bifidogenic shift in the composition of the colonic microbiota is likely the basis for their positive impact on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of synbiotics containing the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) GCL2505 and inulin on the levels of intestinal bifidobacteria compared with B. lactis GCL2505 alone. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial was carried out involving 60 healthy subjects with a tendency for constipation using fermented milk containing B. lactis GCL2505 and inulin (synbiotic), only B. lactis GCL2505 (probiotic), and placebo. Fecal samples were collected at the end of each 2‐week intervention period, and the bifidobacterial count was analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR. The numbers of total bifidobacteria and B. lactis in feces were significantly increased during the probiotic and synbiotic intake periods compared with the placebo intake period. Furthermore, the numbers of total bifidobacteria and endogenous bifidobacteria were significantly higher in the synbiotic intake period compared with the probiotic intake period, while there was no difference in the number of B. lactis. These results suggested that the synbiotics containing B. lactis GCL2505 and inulin had a greater effect on the number of bifidobacteria than a drink containing probiotics alone and could be useful for the improvement of the intestinal environment.

Highlights

Several hundred different types and over 100 trillion bacteria inhabit the human intestinal tract, and they form a complex community of microbes (Finegold, Sutter, & Matheisen, 1983)
We demonstrated that a synbiotic drink containing B. lactis GCL2505 and inulin significantly increased the total number of intestinal bifidobacteria compared with a probiotic drink containing B. lactis GCL2505 alone or a placebo in healthy adults with mild constipation after 2 weeks of ingestion
In the synbiotic intake period, compared to the probiotic intake period, significant increases were observed in the number of endogenous bifidobacteria

Summary

Introduction

Several hundred different types and over 100 trillion bacteria inhabit the human intestinal tract, and they form a complex community of microbes (Finegold, Sutter, & Matheisen, 1983). It has been reported that changes in the microbiota, including a reduction of diversity and shifts in the composition ratio of intestinal bacteria, play a key role in host health (Ley et al, 2005; Manichanh et al, 2006; Rajilic‐Stojanovic et al, 2011). Regardless of the species, have various positive features for host health, including the production of vitamins, polyphenols, conjugated linoleic acids, and lactate/acetate as well as the enhancement of gut barrier function and the immune system (Rivière, Selak, Lantin, Leroy, & De Vuyst, 2016), many attempts have been made to increase the number of intestinal bifidobacteria. It can be said that the improvement of the intestinal environment by maintaining a high number of bifidobacteria in the intestine is important for the maintenance and promotion of good health, and numerous attempts to increase the number of intestinal bifidobacteria in the human intestinal tract have been made

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