title: Consumption of Synbiotic Bread Decreases Triacylglycerol and VLDL Levels While Increasing HDL Levels in Serum from Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on cardiovascular disease risk factors in smokers. A placebo-controlled study of the effect of sour milk on blood pressure in hypertensive subjects. A randomized double-blind controlled trial: impact of probiotics on diarrhea in patients treated with pelvic radiation. Effect of the consumption of a new symbiotic shake on glycemia and cholesterol levels in elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus Effect of a Probiotic and Metformin on Liver Aminotransferases in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial Efficacy of metformin in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The Multicenter Metformin Study Group. Oral supplementation with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus 8481 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies in a randomized controlled trial The effects of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on lipid profile in women. Ethnic Differences in Prevalence of General Obesity and Abdominal Obesity among Low-Income Rural Kazakh and Uyghur Adults in Far Western China and Implications in Preventive Public Health Effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes Hypocaloric diet supplemented with probiotic cheese improves body mass index and blood pressure indices of obese hypertensive patients - a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study A 35-Year Trend Analysis for Back Pain in Austria: The Role of Obesity Evaluation of safety and tolerance of microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 in a yogurt formulation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. [Effects of probiotics on blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes in patients with severe craniocerebral trauma]. Effect of 8 week intake of probiotic milk products on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases Probiotics in obese pregnancy do not reduce maternal fasting glucose: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial (Probiotics in Pregnancy Study). Impact of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5-containing yoghurt, on fecal bacterial counts of healthy adults. Evaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trial. Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women. Consumption of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum do not alter urinary equol excretion and plasma reproductive hormones in premenopausal women Lactobacillus acidophilus La5, Bifidobacterium BB12, and Lactobacillus casei DN001 modulate gene expression of subset specific transcription factors and cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of obese and overweight people. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: To our knowledge , no reports are available indicating the favorable effects of synbiotic bread consumption on blood lipid profiles among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) . This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the daily consumption of synbiotic bread on blood lipid profiles of patients with T2DM . This r and omized double-blinded controlled clinical trial was performed with 78 diabetic patients , aged 35–70 years . After a 2-week run-in period , subjects were r and omly assigned to consume either synbiotic ( n = 26 ) , probiotic ( n = 26 ) or control bread ( n = 26 ) for 8 weeks . The synbiotic bread contained viable and heat-resistant probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes ( 1 × 108 CFU ) and 0.07 g inulin ( HPX ) as prebiotic per 1 g. The probiotic bread contained L. sporogenes ( 1 × 108 CFU ) per 1 g. Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic , probiotic and control breads three times a day in a 40 g package for a total of 120 g/day . Biochemical measurements including blood lipid profiles were conducted before and after 8 weeks of intervention . Consumption of the synbiotic bread , compared to the probiotic and control breads , led to a significant decrease in serum TAG ( P = 0.005 ) , VLDL-C ( P = 0.005 ) , TC/HDL-C ( P = 0.002 ) and a significant increase in serum HDL-C levels ( P = 0.01 ) . No significant effect of synbiotic bread consumption on FPG , TC , LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels was seen compared to the probiotic and control breads ( P > 0.05 ) . Trial registry code : http://www.i rct .ir I RCT 201311215623N13 BACKGROUND The short-chain fatty acids formed in the human colon by the bacterial fermentation of fiber may have an antiinflammatory effect , may reduce insulin production , and may improve lipid metabolism . We previously showed in hypercholesterolemic patients that supplementation with the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 299v significantly lowers concentrations of LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen . OBJECTIVE We determined the influence of a functional food product containing L. plantarum 299v on lipid profiles , inflammatory markers , and monocyte function in heavy smokers . DESIGN Thirty-six healthy volunteers ( 18 women and 18 men ) aged 35 - 45 y participated in a controlled , r and omized , double-blind trial . The experimental group drank 400 mL/d of a rose-hip drink containing L. plantarum 299v ( 5 x 10(7 ) colony-forming units/mL ) ; the control group consumed the same volume of product without bacteria . The experiment lasted 6 wk and entailed no changes in lifestyle . RESULTS Significant decreases in systolic blood pressure ( P < 0.000 ) , leptin ( P < 0.000 ) , and fibrinogen ( P < 0.001 ) were recorded in the experimental group . No such changes were observed in the control group . Decreases in F(2)-isoprostanes ( 37 % ) and interleukin 6 ( 42 % ) were also noted in the experimental group in comparison with baseline . Monocytes isolated from subjects treated with L. plantarum showed significantly reduced adhesion ( P < 0.001 ) to native and stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells . CONCLUSION L. plantarum administration leads to a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors and could be useful as a protective agent in the primary prevention of atherosclerosis in smokers A placebo-controlled study was conducted to test the effect of Calpis ( Calpis Food Industry Co , Ltd , Tokyo , Japan ) sour milk , i.e. , a milk fermented with a starter containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae , on the blood pressure of 30 elderly hypertensive patients , most of whom were taking antihypertensive medication . Subjects were r and omly assigned to two groups . One group ingested daily 95 mL of the sour milk for 8 wk , and the other group ingested the same amount of artificially acidified milk as a placebo for 8 wk . In the sour-milk group , systolic blood pressure decreased significantly 4 and 8 wk after ingestion , by 9.4 + /- 3.6 mm Hg ( mean+/- SE , P < 0.05 ) and 14.1 + /- 3.1 mm Hg ( P < 0.01 ) , respectively . The diastolic blood pressure also decreased significantly , by 6.9 + /- 2.2 mm Hg ( P < 0.01 ) , by 8 wk after ingestion of the sour milk began . No significant changes in blood pressure were observed in the placebo group . The decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the sour-milk group tended to be greater than in the placebo group . No marked changes were observed in other indexes , including pulse rate , body weight , and blood serum variables in both groups BACKGROUND & AIMS Radical radiation therapy is commonly used for treatment of pelvic cancer . Up to 80 % of patients receiving radiotherapy will develop acute radiation induced diarrhea . The primary aim of this r and omized double blind controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of the probiotic Bifilact ( ® ) on moderate and severe treatment-induced diarrhea during pelvic radiation . METHODS Patients with pelvic cancers were treated between 2006 and 2010 at L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec , University Health Center . Some patients had surgery before pelvic radiotherapy and some received chemotherapy .  A total of 246 Patients were r and omized between a placebo and either of two regiments of double strain Bifilact ( ® ) probiotics ( Lactobacillus acidophilus LAC-361 and Bifidobacterium longum BB-536 ) : a st and ard dose twice a day ( 1.3 billion CFU ) or a high dose three times a day ( 10 billion CFU ) . Patients were trained to record their digestive symptoms daily with a st and ardized scale and they met a registered dietician and radiation oncologist every week during treatment . The main analysis compared time to first appearance of grade ≥2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea using Kaplan-Meier curves as measured by proportion of patients without moderate and severe diarrhea . RESULTS 229 patients were analyzed . The difference between the groups for overall grade 2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea was not statistically significant ( p = 0.13 ) . However at 60 days , the proportion of patients without moderate and severe diarrhea in the st and ard dose group ( 35 % ) was more than twice as high as that of the placebo group ( 17 % ) with a hazard ratio of 0.69 ( p = 0.04 ) . In patients who had surgery , the st and ard probiotics dose group had a better proportion of patients without very severe diarrhea than the placebo group , respectively 97 % and 74 % ( p = 0.03 ) . In all groups , the average number of bowel movements per day during treatment was less than 3 soft stools ( p = 0.80 ) and the median abdominal pain less than 1 based on the National Cancer Institute scale ( p = 0.23 ) . CONCLUSION St and ard dose of Bifilact ( ® ) may reduce radiation induced grade 2 - 3 - 4 diarrhea at the end of the treatment of patients with pelvic cancer . In patients operated on before RT , a st and ard dose of probiotics may reduce radiation induced grade 4 diarrhea . Nutritional interventions by a registered dietician seemed to reduce global digestive symptoms . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov . Identifier NCT01839721 Background The consumption of foods containing probiotic and prebiotic ingredients is growing consistently every year , and in view of the limited number of studies investigating their effect in the elderly . Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of a symbiotic shake containing Lactobacillus acidophilus , Bifidobacterium bifidum and fructooligosaccharides on glycemia and cholesterol levels in elderly people . Methods A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study was conducted on twenty volunteers ( ten for placebo group and ten for symbiotic group ) , aged 50 to 60 years . The criteria for inclusion in the study were : total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL ; triglycerides > 200 mg/dL and glycemia > 110 mg/dL. Over a total test period of 30 days , 10 individuals ( the symbiotic group ) consumed a daily dose of 200 mL of a symbiotic shake containing 108 UFC/mL Lactobacillus acidophilus , 108 UFC/mL Bifidobacterium bifidum and 2 g oligofructose , while 10 other volunteers ( the  placebo group ) drank daily the same amount of a shake that did not contain any symbiotic bacteria . Blood sample s were collected 15 days prior to the start of the experiment and at 10-day intervals after the beginning of the shake intake . The st and ard lipid profile ( total cholesterol , triglycerides and HDL cholesterol ) and glycemia , or blood sugar levels , were evaluated by an enzyme colorimetric assay . Results The results of the symbiotic group showed a non-significant reduction ( P > 0.05 ) in total cholesterol and triglycerides , a significant increase ( P < 0.05 ) in HDL cholesterol and a significant reduction ( P < 0.05 ) in fasting glycemia . No significant changes were observed in the placebo group . Conclusion The consumption of symbiotic shake result ed in a significant increase in HDL and a significant decrease of glycemia . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov : Background : Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH ) is a clinicopathological entity that is being recognized more frequently in recent years . This study aim ed to evaluate the effects of Metformin , with and without a probiotic supplement on liver aminotransferases in patients with NASH . Methods : Sixty four patients 18 - 75 years with NASH confirmed by biopsy and histological assessment were enrolled to study . Patients were r and omized to one of the following treatments for 6 months : Group I , probiotic ( Protexin two tablets per day ) plus Metformin 500 mg two tablets per day ( Met/Pro ) , or group II , Metformin 500 mg two tablets per day plus two placebo tablet ( Met/P ) . After 6 month alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase , and ultrasound grading of NASH were assessed . Results : In group I , serum alanine aminotransferase ( ALT : 133.7 ± 70 vs. 45.2 ± 32.5 ; P < 0.00 ) , and aspartate aminotransferase activity ( AST : 123.1 ± 72 vs. 44.2 ± 33.9 ; P < 0.001 ) , and ultrasound grading of NASH ( P < 0.001 ) all decreased significantly by the end of the treatment period . In group II , while serum alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) was not significantly reduced ( 118.4 ± 67.9 vs. 112.5 ± 68.7 ; P < 0.064 ) , aspartate aminotransferase activity ( AST : 125.3 ± 71 vs. 113.4 ± 71 ; P < 0.001 ) , and ultrasound grading of NASH did fall significantly ( P < 0.01 ) . Body mass index ( BMI ) , fasting blood sugar ( FBS ) , cholesterol , and triglyceride fell significantly in both groups . Conclusions : Probiotic combination with Metformin improves liver aminotransferases better than metformin alone in patients with NASH BACKGROUND Sulfonylurea drugs have been the only oral therapy available for patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) in the United States . Recently , however , metformin has been approved for the treatment of NIDDM . METHODS We performed two large , r and omized , parallel-group , double-blind , controlled studies in which metformin or another treatment was given for 29 weeks to moderately obese patients with NIDDM whose diabetes was inadequately controlled by diet ( protocol 1 : metformin vs. placebo ; 289 patients ) , or diet plus glyburide ( protocol 2 :  metformin and glyburide vs. metformin vs. glyburide  ; 632 patients ) . To determine efficacy we measured plasma glucose ( while the patients were fasting and after the oral administration of glucose ) , lactate , lipids , insulin , and glycosylated hemoglobin before , during , and at the end of the study . RESULTS In protocol 1 , at the end of the study the 143 patients in the metformin group , as compared with the 146 patients in the placebo group , had lower mean ( + /- SE ) fasting plasma glucose concentrations ( 189 + /- 5 vs. 244 + /- 6 mg per deciliter [ 10.6 + /- 0.3 vs. 13.7 + /- 0.3 mmol per liter ] , P < 0.001 ) and glycosylated hemoglobin values ( 7.1 + /- 0.1 percent vs. 8.6 + /- 0.2 percent , P < 0.001 ) . In protocol 2 , the 213 patients given metformin and glyburide , as compared with the 210 patients treated with glyburide alone , had lower mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations ( 187 + /- 4 vs. 261 + /- 4 mg per deciliter [ 10.5 + /- 0.2 vs. 14.6 + /- 0.2 mmol per liter ] , P < 0.001 ) and glycosylated hemoglobin values ( 7.1 + /- 0.1 percent vs. 8.7 + /- 0.1 percent , P < 0.001 ) . The effect of metformin alone was similar to that of glyburide alone . Eighteen percent of the patients given metformin and glyburide had symptoms compatible with hypoglycemia , as compared with 3 percent in the glyburide group and 2 percent in the metformin group . In both protocol s the patients given metformin had statistically significant decreases in plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations , whereas the values in the respective control groups did not change . There were no significant changes in fasting plasma lactate concentrations in any of the groups . CONCLUSIONS Metformin monotherapy and combination therapy with metformin and sulfonylurea are well tolerated and improve glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with NIDDM whose diabetes is poorly controlled with diet or sulfonylurea therapy alone Abstract Throughout life , there is an aging of the immune system that causes impairment of its defense capability . Prevention or delay of this deterioration is considered crucial to maintain general health and increase longevity . We evaluated whether dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus 8481 could enhance the immune response in the elderly . This multi-center , double-blind , and placebo controlled study enrolled 61 elderly volunteers who were r and omly assigned to receive either placebo or probiotics .  Each capsule of probiotics contained at least 3 × 107 L. delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus 8481 . Individuals in the study were administered three capsules per day for 6 months . Blood sample s were obtained at baseline ( time 0 ) , end of month 3 , and month 6 . We characterized cell sub population s , measured cytokines by flow cytometry , quantified T cell receptor excision circle ( TREC ) by real-time PCR ( RT-PCR ) , and determined human β-defensin-2 ( hBD-2 ) concentrations and human cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) titers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) . Elderly responded to the intake of probiotic with an increase in the percentage of NK cells , an improvement in the parameters defining the immune risk profile ( IRP ) , and an increase in the T cell subsets that are less differentiated . The probiotic group also showed decreased concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 but increased antimicrobial peptide hBD-2 . These effects disappeared within 6 months of stopping the probiotic intake . Immunomodulation induced by L. delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus 8481 could favor the maintenance of an adequate immune response , mainly by slowing the aging of the T cell sub population s and increasing the number of immature T cells which are potential responders to new antigens Background / Objectives : In spite of the much evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics , their anti-obesity effects have not been well examined . We evaluated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 ( LG2055 ) on abdominal adiposity , body weight and other body measures in adults with obese tendencies . Subjects/ Methods : We conducted a multicenter , double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled intervention trial . Subjects ( n=87 ) with higher body mass index ( BMI ) ( 24.2–30.7 kg/m2 ) and abdominal visceral fat area ( 81.2–178.5 cm2 ) were r and omly assigned to receive either fermented milk ( FM ) containing LG2055 ( active FM ; n=43 ) or FM without LG2055 ( control FM ; n=44 ) , and were asked to consume 200 g/day of FM for 12 weeks . Abdominal fat area was determined by computed tomography . Results : In the active FM group , abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat areas significantly ( P<0.01 ) decreased from baseline by an average of 4.6 % ( mean ( confidence interval ) : −5.8 ( −10.0 , −1.7 ) cm2 ) and 3.3 % ( −7.4 ( −11.6 , −3.1 ) cm2 ) , respectively . Body weight and other measures also decreased significantly ( P<0.001 ) as follows : body weight , 1.4 % ( −1.1 ( −1.5 , −0.7 ) kg ) ; BMI , 1.5 % ( −0.4 ( −0.5 , −0.2 ) kg/m2 ) ; waist , 1.8 % ( −1.7 ( −2.1 , −1.4 ) cm ) ; hip , 1.5 % ( −1.5 ( −1.8 , −1.1 ) cm ) . In the control group , by contrast , none of these parameters decreased significantly . High-molecular weight adiponectin in serum increased significantly ( P<0.01 ) in the active and control groups by 12.7 % ( 0.17 ( 0.07 , 0.26 ) μg/ml ) and 13.6 % ( 0.23 ( 0.07 , 0.38 ) μg/ml ) , respectively . Conclusion : The probiotic LG2055 showed lowering effects on abdominal adiposity , body weight and other measures , suggesting its beneficial influence on metabolic disorders Many studies have been done on the hypocholesterolaemic effect of probiotic yoghurt . The results , however , are not conclusive . The aim of the present study was to test the effect of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the lipid profile in women . In a r and omised trial , ninety female volunteers aged 19 - 49 years were assigned to three groups . Subjects consumed daily 300 g probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 or 300 g conventional yoghurt or no yoghurt for 6 weeks . Fasting blood sample s , 3 d dietary records and anthropometric measurements were collected at baseline ( T1 ) , end of week 3 ( T2 ) and end of week 6 ( T3 ) . Lipid profile parameters were determined by enzymic methods . Results showed no significant difference in lipid profile within any group throughout the study . Comparing mean differences ( T1 - T3 ) among the three groups showed : no difference in TAG and LDL-cholesterol , a decrease in cholesterol in both conventional ( P < 0.05 ) and probiotic yoghurt groups ( P < 0.005 ) compared with the control group , a decrease in total : HDL-cholesterol ratio for conventional ( P < 0.05 ) and probiotic yoghurt groups ( P < 0.001 ) compared with the control group , and an increase in HDL-cholesterol in the probiotic yoghurt group ( P < 0.05 ) compared with the control group . Positive changes in lipid profile were observed in both yoghurt groups . Any added effect , therefore , is due to the consumption of fermented milk products Background The global p and emic of obesity has become a disastrous public health issue that needs urgent attention . Previous studies have concentrated in high-income urban setting s and few cover low-income rural setting s especially nomadic residents in mountain areas . This study focused on low-income rural and nomadic minority people residing in China ’s far west and investigated their prevalence and ethnic differences of obesity . Methods A question naire-based survey and physical examination of 8,036 individuals were conducted during 2009–2010 , using stratified cluster r and om sampling method in nomadic Kazakhs and rural Uyghur residents ( ≥18 years old ) in 18 villages , Xinjiang , China , about 4,407 km away from capital Beijing .  Obesity was defined by BMI and WC . Results The overall prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in Kazakh adults were 18.3 % and 60.0 % , respectively and in Uyghur , 7.6 % and 54.5 % , respectively . Female ’s prevalence of obesity was higher than male ’s for general obesity ( 45–54 age group in Uyghur , P = 0.041 ) and abdominal obesity ( ≥55 years in Kazakhs , P55∼ = 0.010 , P65∼ = 0.001 ; and ≥18 years in Uyghurs , P<0.001 ) . Kazakh ’s prevalence of obesity was higher than Uyghur ’s ( general obesity : ≥35 years , P<0.001 ; abdominal obesity : ≥25 years in males and ≥65 years in females , P<0.01 ) . The prevalence of obesity increased after 18 years old and subsequently decreased after 55 years old . Meat consumption , older age , and female gender had a higher risk of obesity in these two minorities . Conclusions Both general and abdominal obesity were common in rural ethnic Kazakhs and Uyghurs .  The prevalence rates were different in these two minorities depending on ethnicity , gender , and age . Kazakhs , females and elderly people may be prioritized in prevention of obesity in western China . Because of cost-effectiveness in measuring BMI and WC , we recommend that BMI and WC be integrated into local preventive policies in public health toward screening obesity and related diseases in low-income rural minorities Introduction : The role of inflammatory cytokines in diabetes and its complications has been shown in some studies . The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of probiotic and conventional yogurt on inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes . Methods : Forty-four patients with type 2 diabetes were participated in this r and omized , double-blind controlled clinical trial and assigned to two intervention and control groups . The subjects in the intervention group consumed 300 g/d probiotic yogurt and subjects in the control group consumed 300 g/d conventional yogurt for 8 weeks . Anthropometric indices , dietary intakes , and serum levels of glucose , HbA1c , IL-6 , TNF-α and hs-CRP were evaluated at the beginning and end of the intervention . Results : For anthropometric indices and dietary intakes , no significant differences were seen within and between groups post intervention ( p > 0.05 ) . The consumption of probiotic yogurt caused significant decrease in HbA1c and TNF-α levels ( p= 0.032 and p= 0.040 , respectively ) in the intervention group . Conclusion : It is suggested that probiotic yogurt may be used as an alternative prevention approach and treatment method to control diabetic complications Background Gut lactobacilli can affect the metabolic functions of healthy humans . We tested whether a 1500 kcal/d diet supplemented with cheese containing the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum TENSIA ( Deutsche Sammlung für Mikroorganismen , DSM 21380 ) could reduce some symptoms of metabolic syndrome in Russian adults with obesity and hypertension . Methods In this 3-week , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel pilot study , 25 subjects ingested probiotic cheese and 15 ingested control cheese .  Fifty grams of each cheese provided 175 kcal of energy . Blood pressure ( BP ) , anthropometric characteristics , markers of liver and kidney function , metabolic indices ( plasma glucose , lipids , and cholesterol ) , and urine polyamines were measured . Counts of fecal lactobacilli and L. plantarum TENSIA were evaluated using molecular methods . The data were analyzed by t-test for independent sample s and Spearman ’s partial correlation analysis . Results The probiotic L. plantarum TENSIA was present in variable amounts ( 529.6 ± 232.5 gene copies ) in 16/25 ( 64 % ) study subjects . Body mass index ( BMI ) was significantly reduced ( p = 0.031 ) in the probiotic cheese group versus the control cheese group . The changes in BMI were closely associated with the water content of the body ( r = 0.570 , p = 0.0007 ) when adjusted for sex and age . Higher values of intestinal lactobacilli after probiotic cheese consumption were associated with higher BMI ( r = 0.383 , p = 0.0305 ) and urinary putrescine content ( r = 0.475 , p = 0.006 ) . In patients simultaneously treated with BP-lowering drugs , similar reductions of BP were observed in both groups . A positive association was detected between TENSIA colonization and the extent of change of morning diastolic BP ( r = 0.617 , p = 0.0248 ) and a trend toward lower values of morning systolic BP ( r = −0.527 , p = 0.0640 ) at the end of the study after adjusting for BMI , age , and sex . Conclusion In a pilot study of obese hypertensive patients , a hypocaloric diet supplemented with a probiotic cheese helps to reduce BMI and arterial BP values , recognized symptoms of metabolic syndrome . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT Background The prevalence of back pain is constantly increasing and a public health problem of high priority . In Austria there is a lack of empirical evidence for the development of back pain and its related factors . The present study aims to investigate trends in the prevalence of back pain across different sub population s ( sex , age , obesity ) . Methods A secondary data analysis based on five nationally representative cross-sectional health surveys ( 1973–2007 ) was carried out . Face-to-face interviews were conducted in private homes in Austria . Subjects aged 20 years and older were included in the study sample ( n = 178,818 ) . Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and adjusted for self-report bias . Back pain was measured as the self-reported presence of the disorder . Results The age-st and ardized prevalence of back pain was 32.9 % in 2007 ; it was higher among women than men ( p<0.001 ) , higher in older than younger subjects ( p<0.001 ) and higher in obese than non-obese individuals ( p<0.001 ) . During the investigation period the absolute change in the prevalence of back pain was + 19.4 % . Among all sub population s the prevalence steadily increased . Obese men showed the highest increase of and the greatest risk for back pain . Conclusion These results help to underst and the development of back pain  in Austria and can be used to plan controlled promotion programs . Further monitoring is recommended in order to control risk groups and plan target group-specific prevention strategies . In Austria particular emphasis should be on obese individuals . We recommend conducting prospect i ve studies to confirm our results and investigate causal relationships Probiotic organisms have shown promise in treating diseases . Previously , we have reported on the efficacy of microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 in a yogurt formulation at lowering serum cholesterol levels in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults . This study investigates the safety and toxicology of oral ingestion of microencapsulated L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 in a yogurt formulation . A r and omized group of 120 subjects received a dose of 5 × 10(10 ) CFU microencapsulated L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 in yogurt ( n=59 ) or placebo yogurt ( n=61 ) twice/day for 6 weeks . Clinical chemistry and hematological parameters of safety were analyzed . Fecal sample s were collected at these time points for the analysis of deconjugated bile acids . The frequency , duration and intensity of adverse events ( AEs ) and clinical significance of safety parameters were recorded for both groups . No clinical ly significant differences between the probiotic yogurt and placebo yogurt treated groups were detected in either the blood clinical chemistry or hematology results and there was no significant increase in fecal deconjugated bile acids ( P>0.05 ) between treated and control groups . The frequency and intensity of AEs was similar in the two groups . These results demonstrate the safe use of this formulation in food OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of probiotics on blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes in patients suffering from severe craniocerebral trauma . METHODS A prospect i ve r and omized control study was conducted . Fifty-two severe craniocerebral trauma patients admitted to intensive care unit ( ICU ) were r and omized into experimental or control  group ( each n=26 ) . All patients received conventional treatment according to Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Traumatic Brain Injury and enteral nutrition within 24 - 48 hours after admission through nasogastric tube . In addition , the experimental group received 1 × 10(9 ) bacteria of viable probiotics ( Golden Bifid , 3.5 g for 3 times per day ) per day for 21 days . The fasting blood glucose levels were determined in the morning before intervention and on day 4 , 8 , 15 , 21 after intervention . Amount of insulin used during hospitalization , Glasgow coma scale ( GCS ) scores , length of ICU stay , and 28-day mortality rate were studied . RESULTS There was no difference in term of the blood glucose levels between two groups before intervention . On day 8 and 15 after intervention , significantly lower levels of fasting blood glucose were observed in the experimental group compared with those of the control group ( 8 days : 6.6±1.2 mmol/L vs. 8.0±2.7 mmol/L , t=-2.500 , P=0.017 ; 15 days : 6.1±1.4 mmol/L vs. 7.2±2.2 mmol/L , t=-2.269 , P=0.028 ) . There were significantly less patients treated with insulin or shorter days of insulin therapy in experimental group than in control group [ 19.2 % ( 5/26 ) vs. 46.2 % ( 12/26 ) , χ(2)=4.282 , P=0.039 ; 1.6±0.9 vs. 4.3±3.1 , t=-2.698 , P=0.017 ] . The length of ICU stay was significantly shorter in the experimental group than that of control group ( 6.8±3.8 days vs. 10.7±7.3 days , t=-2.123 , P=0.034 ) . No significant differences were found about the GCS scores ( before intervention : 6.3±1.0 vs. 6.4±1.0 , t=-0.408 , P=0.685 ; 21 days after intervention : 10.1±4.0 vs. 9.6±4.3 , t=0.435 , P=0.665 ) and 28-day mortality rate [ 11.5 % ( 3/26 ) vs. 19.2 % ( 5/26 ) , χ(2)=0.148 , P=0.701 ] between experimental group and control group . CONCLUSIONS Probiotics could facilitate blood glucose control in patients with severe craniocerebral injury . The underlying mechanisms and its long-term efficacy in this category of patients , however , need to be further investigated Objective : To investigate the effect of a probiotic milk product containing the culture CAUSIDO ® and of two alternative products on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in overweight and obese subjects . Design : An 8 week r and omized , double-blind , placebo- and compliance-controlled , parallel study .Subjects : Seventy healthy , weight-stable , overweight and obese ( 25.0 < BMI < 37.5 kg/m2 ) males ( n=20 ) and females ( n=50 ) , 18–55 y old , were r and omly assigned into five groups . Intervention : Four groups consumed 450 ml fermented milk products ( yoghurt ) daily . Group 1 : a yoghurt fermented with two strains of Streptococcus thermophilus and two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus ( StLa ) . Group 2 : a placebo yoghurt fermented with delta-acid-lactone ( PY ) . Group 3 : a yoghurt fermented with two strains of Streptococcus thermophilus and one strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ( StLr ) . Group 4 : a yoghurt fermented with one strain of Enterococcus faecium and two strains of Streptococcus thermophilus ( CAUSIDO ® culture ) , GAIO ® ( G ) . The dietary composition of the yoghurt was otherwise similar . The fifth group was given two placebo pills ( PP ) daily . Results : When comparing all five treatment groups , unadjusted for changes in body weight , no statistical effects were observed in week 8 in the G-group on low density lipoproteins (LDL)-cholesterol ( P=0.29 ) . After adjustment for small changes in body weight , LDL-cholesterol decreased by 8.4 % ( 0.26±0.10 mmol/l ; P<0.05 ) and fibrinogen increased ( 0.74±0.32 mmol/l ; P<0.05 ) after 8 weeks in the G-group . This was significantly different from the group consuming chemically fermented yoghurt and the group consuming placebo pills ( P<0.05 ) . After 8 weeks , systolic blood pressure was significantly more reduced in the StLa and G-group compared to StLr . No other differences were found . Conclusion : The CAUSIDO ® culture reduced LDL-cholesterol and increased fibrinogen in the overweight subjects at a 450 ml consumption daily for 8 weeks . The effect on LDL-cholesterol confirms previous studies . An immunostimulation by one of the strains in the product might explain the effect on fibrinogen in the G-group . Sponsorship : MD Foods A/S , Denmark . European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ( 2000 ) 54 , BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported beneficial effects of probiotics on maternal glycemia in healthy pregnant women . Obesity significantly increases risk of impaired glucose tolerance in pregnancy , but glycemic effects of probiotics in this specific obstetric group require additional investigation . OBJECTIVE The aim of the Probiotics in Pregnancy Study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic capsule on maternal fasting glucose in obese pregnant women . DESIGN In this placebo-controlled , double-blind , r and omized trial , 175 pregnant women with an early pregnancy body mass index ( BMI ; in kg/m² ) from 30.0 to 39.9 were recruited from antenatal clinics at the National Maternity Hospital , Dublin , Irel and . Exclusion criteria were BMI < 30.0 or > 39.9 , prepregnancy or gestational diabetes , age < 18 y , multiple pregnancy , and fetal anomaly . Women were r and omly assigned to receive either a daily probiotic or a placebo capsule from 24 to 28 wk of gestation in addition to routine antenatal care . The primary outcome was the change in fasting glucose between groups from preintervention to postintervention . Secondary outcomes were the incidence of gestational diabetes and neonatal anthropometric measures . RESULTS In 138 women who completed the study ( 63 women in the probiotic group ; 75 women in the placebo group ) , mean ( ±SD ) early pregnancy BMI was 33.6 ± 2.6 , which differed significantly between probiotic ( 32.9 ± 2.4 ) and placebo ( 34.1 ± 2.7 ) groups . With adjustment for BMI , the change in maternal fasting glucose did not differ significantly between treated and control groups [ -0.09 ± 0.27 compared with -0.07 ± 0.39 mmol/L ; P = 0.391 ; B = -0.05 ( 95 % CI : -0.17 , 0.07 ) ] . There were also no differences in the incidence of impaired glycemia ( 16 % in the probiotic group compared with 15 % in the placebo group ; P = 0.561 ) , birth weight ( 3.70 kg in the probiotic group compared with 3.68 kg in the placebo group ; P = 0.723 ) , or other metabolic variables or pregnancy outcomes . A secondary analysis of 110 women , excluding antibiotic users and poor compliers , also revealed no differences in maternal glucose or other outcomes between groups . CONCLUSION Probiotic treatment of 4 wk during pregnancy did not influence maternal fasting glucose , the metabolic profile , or pregnancy outcomes in obese women This r and omized , placebo-controlled , double blind , parallel dose-response study investigated the impact of 4-week commercial yoghurt consumption supplemented with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp . lactis ( BB-12 ) and Lactobacillus acidophilus ( LA-5 ) on fecal bacterial counts of healthy adults . Fifty-eight volunteers were r and omly assigned to three different groups : 1 . placebo ( no probiotic , no starter and no green tea extract ) ; 2 . Yoptimal ( 10(9)cfu/100 g of BB-12 and LA-5 and 40 mg of green tea extract ) and 3 . Yoptimal-10 ( 10(10)cfu/100 g of BB-12 , 10(9)cfu/100 g of LA-5 and 40 mg of green tea extract ) . These yoghurt products also contained Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus ( 10(7)cfu/100 g ) and Streptococcus thermophilus ( 10(10)cfu/100 g ) . The quantitative PCR ( qPCR ) results showed that there were significant increases ( P=0.02 ) in bifidobacteria counts with the Yoptimal treatment as compared to baseline . The fecal numbers of B. animalis subsp . lactis and LA-5 significantly increased in the two probiotic treatments compared to the placebo treatment . Viable counts of fecal lactobacilli were significantly higher ( P=0.05 ) and those of enterococci were significantly lower ( P=0.04 ) after the intervention when compared to placebo . No significant difference was observed between treatments in volunteers ' weight , waist girth , blood pressure , fasting plasma triglyceride and HDL-C concentrations , as well as cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio . However , a significant increase in plasma cholesterol levels was observed in the placebo group ( P=0.0018 ) but the levels remained stable in the two probiotic yoghurt groups . These results show that probiotic strains supplemented in the form of yoghurt remain active during gut transit and are associated with an increase in beneficial bacteria and a reduction in potentially pathogenic bacteria . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00730626 A significant number of human clinical trials have reported no adverse effects associated with consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri ( L. reuteri ) . In the present study , the clinical safety and toxicology of oral ingestion of supplement capsules containing L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 was investigated . A r and omized group of 131 subjects received a dose of 2.9 × 10⁹ CFU L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules ( n=67 ) or placebo capsules ( n=64 ) twice daily for 9 weeks . Clinical chemistry and hematological parameters of safety were analyzed . The frequency , duration and intensity of adverse events (AE)s and clinical significance of safety parameters were recorded for both groups . No clinical ly significant differences between the probiotic capsule and placebo capsule treated groups were detected in either the blood clinical chemistry or hematology results . The frequency and intensity of AEs was similar in the two groups . These results demonstrate that administration of a twice daily dose of 2.9 × 10⁹ CFU was safe and well tolerated in the population evaluated over 9 weeks Urogenital infections afflict an estimated one billion people each year . The size of this problem and the increased prevalence of multi-drug resistant pathogens make it imperative that alternative remedies be found . A r and omized , placebo-controlled trial of 64 healthy women given daily oral capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 for 60 days showed no adverse effects . Microscopy analysis showed restoration from asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis microflora to a normal lactobacilli colonized microflora in 37 % women during lactobacilli treatment compared to 13 % on placebo ( P=0.02 ) . Lactobacilli were detected in more women in the lactobacilli-treated group than in the placebo group at 28 day ( P=0.08 ) and 60 day ( P=0.05 ) test points . Culture findings confirmed a significant increase in vaginal lactobacilli at day 28 and 60 , a significant depletion in yeast at day 28 and a significant reduction in coliforms at day 28 , 60 and 90 for lactobacilli-treated subjects versus controls . The combination of probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 is not only safe for daily use in healthy women , but it can reduce colonization of the vagina by potential pathogenic bacteria and yeast Objective : To confirm the results of an earlier study showing premenopausal equol excretors to have hormone profiles associated with reduced breast cancer risk , and to investigate whether equol excretion status and plasma hormone concentrations can be influenced by consumption of probiotics . Design : A r and omized , single-blinded , placebo-controlled , parallel-arm trial . Subjects : In all , 34 of the initially enrolled 37 subjects completed all requirements . Intervention : All subjects were followed for two full menstrual cycles and the first seven days of a third cycle . During menstrual cycle 1 , plasma concentrations of estradiol ( E2 ) , estrone ( E1 ) , estrone-sulfate ( E1-S ) , testosterone ( T ) , and rostenedione ( A ) , dehydroepi and rosterone-sulfate ( DHEA-S ) , and sex-hormone-binding globulin ( SHBG ) were measured on cycle day 2 , 3 , or 4 , and urinary equol measured on day 7 after a 4-day soy challenge . Subjects then received either probiotic capsules ( containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum ) or placebo capsules through day 7 of menstrual cycle 3 , at which time both the plasma hormone concentrations and the post-soy challenge urinary equol measurements were repeated . Results : During menstrual cycle 1 , equol excretors and non-excretors were not significantly different with respect to subject characteristics , diet , or hormone concentrations . Significant inverse correlations were found between E2 and body mass index ( BMI ) ( P=0.02 ) , SHBG and BMI ( P=0.01 ) , DHEA-S and dietary fiber ( P=0.04 ) , and A and protein : carbohydrate ratio ( P=0.02 ) . Probiotic consumption failed to significantly alter equol excretor status or hormone concentrations during menstrual cycle 3 , although there were trends towards decreased concentrations of T ( P=0.14 ) and SHBG ( P=0.10 ) in the probiotic group . Conclusions : We were unable to verify a previously reported finding of premenopausal equol excretors having plasma hormone concentrations different from those of nonexcretors . Furthermore , a 2-month intervention with probiotic capsules did not significantly alter equol excretion or plasma hormone concentrations Probiotics are believed to have interaction with immune cells through sustained effects on gene expression of different cytokines and transcription factors . The present r and omized doubled-blind controlled clinical trial was performed recruiting 75 individuals with BMI 25 - 35 , who were r and omly assigned to the following three groups : Group 1 ( n = 25 ) who consumed regular yogurt as part of a low calorie diet [ RLCD ] , group 2 ( n = 25 ) who received probiotic yogurt with a LCD [ PLCD ] and group 3 ( n = 25 ) who consumed probiotic yogurt without LCD [ PWLCD ] for 8 week . Participants in PLCD and PWLCD groups received 200 g/day yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 , Bifidobacterium Bb12 , and lactobacillus casei DN001 10(8 ) cfu/gr . The expression of the FOXP3 , T-bet , GATA3 , TNF-α , IFN-γ , TGF-β , and ROR-γt in P BMC s genes were assessed , before and after intervention . In three groups , ROR-γt expression was reduced ( P = 0.007 ) and FOXP3 was increased ( P < 0.001 ) . The expression of TNFα , TGFβ , and GATA3 genes did not change among all groups after intervention . Interestingly , the expression of T-bet gene , which was significantly decreased in PLCD and PWLCD groups ( P < 0.001 ) , whereas gene expression of IFN-γ decreased in all three groups . Our results suggest that weight loss diet and probiotic yogurt had synergistic effects on T-cell subset specific gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells among overweight and obese individuals Consumption of fermented milk ( FM ) containing a probiotic , Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 ( LG2055 ) , previously showed a reduction in abdominal adiposity in a r and omised controlled trial ( RCT ) using FM with 10(8 ) colony-forming units ( cfu ) of LG2055/g . However , whether the effectiveness is observed at lower concentrations , the recommended minimum or intermediate levels of probiotics ( 10(6 ) or 10(7 ) cfu/g , respectively ) , remains to be examined . A multi-centre , double-blind , parallel-group RCT was conducted using 210 healthy Japanese adults with large visceral fat areas ( 80·2 - 187·8 cm(2 ) ) . They were balanced for their baseline characteristics and r and omly assigned to three groups receiving FM containing 10(7 ) , 10(6 ) or 0 ( control ) cfu LG2055/g of FM , and were asked to consume 200 g FM/d for 12 weeks . Abdominal visceral fat areas , which were determined by computed tomography , at week 12 , changed from baseline by an average of -8·5 % ( 95 % CI -11·9 , -5·1 ; P < 0·01 ) in the 10(7 ) dose group , and by -8·2 % ( 95 % CI -10·8 , -5·7 ; P < 0·01 ) in the 10(6 ) dose group . Other measures including BMI , waist and hip circumferences , and body fat mass were also significantly decreased from baseline at week 12 in both groups ; interestingly , the cessation of taking FM for 4 weeks attenuated these effects . In the control group , none of these parameters significantly decreased from baseline . These findings demonstrate that consumption of LG2055 at doses as low as the order of 10(8 ) cfu/d exhibited a significant lowering effect on abdominal adiposity , and suggest that constant consumption might be needed to maintain the effect
target: A greater reduction in BMI was found with multiple species of probiotics .
  Consuming probiotics  could reduce body weight and BMI , with a potentially greater effect when multiple species of probiotics were consumed , the duration of intervention was ≥8 weeks , or the objects were overweight
background: OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of probiotic therapies on body weight and BMI  using a meta- analysis of r and omized , controlled trials .