Improvement of constipation and liver function by plant-derived lactic acid bacteria: a double-blind, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contribute to human health; however, the probiotic properties vary among strains classified into the same species. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of yogurts made by different types of LAB on the gastrointestinal system. The yogurts were also evaluated by measuring serum lipid contents and liver functional indicators as a secondary objective.


METHODS
Healthy human adults (n = 68) with some complaints with regard to intestinal health, including constipation and diarrhea, were randomly assigned to receive one of three types of yogurt in a double-blind manner: type A, a yogurt made by plant-derived LAB (mainly Lactobacillus [Lb.] plantarum SN35N); type B, a yogurt made by plant-derived LAB (mainly Lb. plantarum SN13T); and type C, a yogurt made by animal-derived LAB (mainly Lactococcus lactis A6 and Streptococcus thermophilus 510) as a control. The subjects consumed 100 g of yogurt daily for 6 wk. Data were collected from clinical visits at 2-wk intervals and by diaries used to record defecation and health conditions.


RESULTS
Drastic and constant increments of defecation frequency in subjects with constipation were observed with type A and B yogurts but not with type C yogurt. Type B and C yogurts resulted in decreases in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The serum concentrations of liver functional parameters were improved by the type B yogurt (12-25% reduction).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that Lb. plantarum SN13T exhibits a superior probiotic effect on constipation in addition to improving the serum lipid contents and liver function.
Higashikawa
Fumiko
F
Department of Molecular Nutrition Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. fumiko@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Noda
Masafumi
M
Awaya
Tomokazu
T
Nomura
Kazuhiro
K
Oku
Hirotaka
H
Sugiyama
Masanori
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003248:Constipation / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048191:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum / Q000378:metabolism; D013294:Lactococcus lactis / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048249:Streptococcus thermophilus / Q000378:metabolism; D015014:Yogurt / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol