Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation for 7 days does not reduce acute aspirin‐induced gastrointestinal permeability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus; LA) on aspirin‐induced gastrointestinal (GI) permeability. Fourteen subjects (8 male; 6 female; age = 21 ± 0.4 yrs) completed three trials: 1) LA placebo/aspirin, 2) LA placebo/aspirin placebo, and 3) LA/aspirin. Subjects ingested either LA (10 billion colony forming units per day) or placebo for seven days. On the evening of the sixth day and morning of the seventh day they ingested aspirin (1300 mg) or aspirin placebo. Subjects then drank a solution (150 ml) containing 5 g sucrose, 5 g lactulose, and 2 g rhamnose and urine was collected for 5 hours. Gastroduodenal permeability was determined from urinary sucrose excretion and small intestinal permeability was determined from the lactulose‐to‐rhamnose urinary excretion ratio. Gastroduodenal permeability was significantly (p < 0.017) greater in the LA placebo/aspirin and LA/aspirin trials compared to the LA placebo/aspirin placebo trial. Small intestinal permeability was also significantly (p < 0.017) greater in the LA placebo/aspirin and LA/aspirin trials compared to the LA placebo/aspirin placebo trial. These results indicate that aspirin ingestion increases GI permeability and 7 days of LA does not reduce this effect. Supported by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. Danisco USA, Inc. provided the L. acidophilus.