The Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on High-Intensity, Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Performance in Triathletes

Health Benefits of Probiotics in Sport and Exercise - Non-existent or a Matter of Heterogeneity? A Systematic Review

Background

The use of probiotics in sports has been growing in recent years, as up to 50% of athletes suffer from training- and performance-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Moreover, repeated exhaustive exercise and high training loads may lead to a transiently depressed immune function, associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

Aim

To provide a qualitative analysis of probiotic effects on URTI, GI symptoms and the immune system in healthy individuals under consideration of performance level as main classifier.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted (PubMed, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Web of Science) to analyze the effects of probiotics in athletes and healthy active individuals on GI problems, URTI, and the immune system. A qualitative synthesis with performance level and treatment duration as main classifiers was performed.

Results

Of 41 eligible studies, 24 evaluated the effects of probiotic supplements in athletes, 10 in recreationally active individuals and 7 in healthy untrained adults. Large heterogeneity was observed in terms of probiotic strains, mode of delivery, performance level, treatment duration and outcome assessment. Overall, studies provided inconsistent observations.

Conclusion

The effects of probiotics on immune system, URTI, and GI symptoms in athletes, healthy adults and recreationally active individuals remain inconclusive. Based on the analyzed studies and identified parameters, this article provides suggestions to align future research on the effects of probiotics in exercise.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021245840.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Exercise with Predominance of Aerobic Metabolism in Trained Population: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

The scientific literature about probiotic intake and its effect on sports performance is growing. Therefore, the main aim of this systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression was to review all information about the effects of probiotic supplementation on performance tests with predominance of aerobic metabolism in trained populations (athletes and/or Division I players and/or trained population: ≥8 h/week and/or ≥5 workouts/week). A structured search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA®) statement and PICOS guidelines in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus international databases from inception to 1 November 2021. Studies involving probiotic supplementation in trained population and execution of performance test with aerobic metabolism predominance (test lasted more than 5 min) were considered for inclusion. Fifteen articles were included in the final systematic review (in total, 388 participants were included). After 3 studies were removed due to a lack of data for the meta-analysis and meta-regression, 12 studies with 232 participants were involved. With the objective of assessing the risk of bias of included studies, Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale were performed. For all included studies the following data was extracted: authors, year of publication, study design, the size of the sample, probiotic administration (dose and time), and characteristics of participants. The random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used according to Hedges’ g for the meta-analysis. In order to determine if dose and duration covariates could predict probiotic effects, a meta-regression was also conducted. Results showed a small positive and significant effect on the performance test with aerobic metabolic predominance (SMD = 0.29; CI = 0.08−0.50; p < 0.05). Moreover, the subgroup analysis displayed significant greater benefits when the dose was ≥30 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) (SMD, 0.47; CI, 0.05 to 0.89; p < 0.05), when supplementation duration was ≤4 weeks (SMD, 0.44; CI, 0.05 to 0.84; p < 0.05), when single strain probiotics were used (SMD, 0.33; CI, 0.06 to 0.60; p < 0.05), when participants were males (SMD, 0.30; CI, 0.04 to 0.56; p < 0.05), and when the test was performed to exhaustion (SMD, 0.45; CI, 0.05 to 0.48; p < 0.05). However, with references to the findings of the meta-regression, selected covariates did not predict probiotic effects in highly trained population. In summary, the current systematic review and meta-analysis supported the potential effects of probiotics supplementation to improve performance in a test in which aerobic metabolism is predominant in trained population. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of this supplement.

Establishment and identification of an animal model of long-term exercise-induced fatigue

In competitive sports, the training load is close to the human physiological limit, which will inevitably lead to exercise-induced fatigue. If fatigue cannot be recovered in time, it will eventually lead to excessive training and affect sport performance. Therefore, fatigue has become an important part of the physical function assessment for athletes. This paper will review animal models of long-term exercise-induced fatigue, modeling schemes of mice under treadmill and swimming training, phenotypes of long-term exercise-induced fatigue (e.g., nervous system damage, myocardial cell damage, bone mineral density changes, and skeletal muscle damage), and fatigue indicators. The relationship between physiological indicators and biomarkers and long-term exercise-induced fatigue is analyzed to promote exercise-induced fatigue monitoring. This paper attempts to provide a reference for the selection of animal models of long-term exercise-induced fatigue and provide a new theoretical basis for medical supervision and recovery of exercise-induced fatigue.

Nutritional optimization for female elite football players-topical review

Women's football is an intermittent sport characterized by frequent intense actions throughout the match. The high number of matches with limited recovery time played across a long competitive season underlines the importance of nutritional strategies to meet these large physical demands. In order to maximize sport performance and maintain good health, energy intake must be optimal. However, a considerable proportion of female elite football players does not have sufficient energy intake to match the energy expenditure, resulting in low energy availability that might have detrimental physiologic consequences and impair performance. Carbohydrates appear to be the primary fuel covering the total energy supply during match-play, and female elite football players should aim to consume sufficient carbohydrates to meet the requirements of their training program and to optimize the replenishment of muscle glycogen stores between training bouts and matches. However, several macro- and micronutrients are important for ensuring sufficient energy and nutrients for performance optimization and for overall health status in female elite football players. The inadequacy of macro-and micronutrients in the diet of these athletes may impair performance and training adaptations, and increase the risk of health disorders, compromising the player's professional career. In this topical review, we present knowledge and relevant nutritional recommendations for elite female football players for the benefit of sports nutritionists, dietitians, sports scientists, healthcare specialists, and applied researchers. We focus on dietary intake and cover the most pertinent topics in sports nutrition for the relevant physical demands in female elite football players as follows: energy intake, macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and optimal composition of the everyday diet, nutritional and hydration strategies to optimize performance and recovery, potential ergogenic effects of authorized relevant supplements, and future research considerations.

Effect of Daily Oral Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on Exercise Capacity Recovery after a Half-Marathon

A half-marathon (HM) is a vigorous high-intensity exercise, which could induce lower extremity musculoskeletal injury risks for recreational runners. They usually consume nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in order to shorten their return to play but ignore the side effects, such as peptic ulcers and renal and vascular disorders. Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) could improve inflammation and oxidative stress by modulating the gut microbiota, thus potentially improving muscle damage and recovery. However, few studies have addressed the PS128 exercise capacity recovery 96 h after HM. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of PS128 on exercise capacity and physiological adaptation after HM. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial was used for the experiment. HM was conducted at the beginning and end of the 4-week nutritional supplement administration. Eight recreational runners took two capsules (3 × 10¹⁰ CFU/capsule) of PS128 each morning and evening before meals for 4 weeks as the PS128 treatment (LT), or they took two capsules of placebo for 4 weeks as the placebo treatment (PT). In both treatments, an exercise capacity test (lower extremity muscle strength, anaerobic power, lower extremity explosive force, and aerobic capacity) and blood test (muscle fatigue, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and renal injury) were performed before the administration of the nutritional supplement (baseline), 48 h before HM (pre), and 0 h (0 h post), 3 h (3 h post), 24 h (24 h post), 48 h (48 h post), 72 h (72 h post), and 96 h (96 h post) after HM. There was no significant difference in the total duration of HM between PT and LT, but PT was found to be significantly higher than LT at Stage 4 (15,751–21,000 m) of HM (3394 ± 727 s vs. 2778 ± 551 s, p = 0.02). The lower extremity muscle strength measured using an isokinetic dynamometer in PT was significantly lower than that in LT at 72 h after HM. The lower extremity explosive force from the countermovement jump (CMJ) in PT was significantly decreased compared to 24 h prior. There was no significant difference between anaerobic power and aerobic capacity between the two treatments after HM. After HM, LT had lower muscle damage indices, such as myoglobin (3 h post-PT vs. -LT: 190.6 ± 118 ng/mL vs. 91.7 ± 68.6 ng/mL, p < 0.0001) and creatine phosphokinase (24 h post-PT vs. -LT: 875.8 ± 572.3 IU/L vs. 401 ± 295.7 IU/L, p < 0.0001). Blood urea nitrogen recovered in 24 h (24 h pre- vs. post-LT, p > 0.05) and higher superoxide dismutase was found in LT (96 h post-PT vs. -LT: 0.267 ± 0.088 U/mL vs. 0.462 ± 0.122 U/mL, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, PS128 supplementation was associated with an improvement in muscle damage, renal damage, and oxidative stress caused by HM through microbiota modulation and related metabolites but not in exercise capacity.

Impact of Probiotics on the Performance of Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review

Background: Probiotic supplements contain different strains of living microorganisms that promote the health of the host. These dietary supplements are increasingly being used by athletes to improve different aspects such as athletic performance, upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), the immune system, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, etc. This study aimed to identify the current evidence on the management of probiotics in endurance athletes and their relationship with sports performance. Methods: A systematic review of the last five years was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Sportdiscus and Embase databases. Results: Nine articles met the quality criteria. Of these, three reported direct benefits on sports performance. The remaining six articles found improvements in the reduction of oxidative stress, increased immune response and decreased incidence of URTIs. There is little scientific evidence on the direct relationship between the administration of probiotics in endurance athletes and sports performance. Conclusions: Benefits were found that probiotics could indirectly influence sports performance by improving other parameters such as the immune system, response to URTIs and decreased oxidative stress, as well as the monitoring of scheduled workouts.

Gut microbiota as a potential target for developing anti-fatigue foods

Fatigue has many negative effects on human health. As such, it is desirable to develop anti-fatigue foods and understand the mechanisms of their action. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this article discusses the important roles of gut microbiota in fatigue and anti-fatigue. Studies have shown that an increase in pathogenic bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria co-exist when fatigue is present in both rodents and humans, whereas changes in gut microbiota were reported after intervention with anti-fatigue foods. The roles of gut microbiota in the activities of anti-fatigue foods can also be explained in the causes and the effects of fatigue. Among the causes of fatigue, the accumulation of lactic acid, decrease of energy, and reduction of central nervous system function were related to gut microbiota metabolism. Among the harmful effects of fatigue, oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal barrier dysfunction were related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. Furthermore, gut microbiota, together with anti-fatigue foods, can inhibit pathogen growth, convert foods into highly anti-oxidative or anti-inflammatory products, produce short-chain fatty acids, maintain intestinal barrier integrity, inhibit intestinal inflammation, and stimulate the production of neurotransmitters that regulate the central nervous system. Therefore, it is believed that gut microbiota play important roles in the activities of anti-fatigue foods and may provide new insights on the development of anti-fatigue foods.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Self-Reported Insomniacs: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

Recent animal studies have supported that Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) can reduce the severity of anxiety and depression. However, previous studies did not focus on the sleep quality and mood of humans. This study determines whether PS128 reduces the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms, regulates autonomic nervous system function, and improves sleep quality. Forty participants between 20 and 40 years of age with self-reported insomnia were randomly assigned to two groups, a PS128 group and a placebo group, in a double-blind trial. Participants took two capsules of either PS128 or a placebo after dinner for 30 days. Study measures included subjective depressive symptoms, anxiety and sleep questionnaires, and miniature-polysomnography recordings at baseline and on the 15th and 30th days of taking capsules. Overall, all outcomes were comparable between the two groups at baseline and within the 30-day period, yet some differences were still found. Compared to the control group, the PS128 group showed significant decreases in Beck Depression Inventory-II scores, fatigue levels, brainwave activity, and awakenings during the deep sleep stage. Their improved depressive symptoms were related to changes in brain waves and sleep maintenance. These findings suggest that daily administration of PS128 may lead to a decrease in depressive symptoms, fatigue level, cortical excitation, and an improvement in sleep quality during the deep sleep stage. Daily consumption of PS128 as a dietary supplement may improve the depressive symptoms and sleep quality of insomniacs, although further investigation is warranted.

Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 Promotes Intestinal Motility, Mucin Production, and Serotonin Signaling in Mice

Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 has been reported as a psychobiotic to improve mental health through the gut–brain axis in experimental animal models. To explore its mechanism of action in the gut, this study aimed to analyze the effects of L. plantarum PS128 ingestion on naïve and loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mice. We found that, in the two mouse models, the weight, number, and water content of feces in the L. plantarum PS128 group were higher than those in the vehicle control group. Histological observation revealed that L. plantarum PS128 increased the level of colonic mucins including the major mucin MUC2. In addition, the charcoal meal test showed that L. plantarum PS128 significantly increased the small intestine transit in naïve mice, but not in the Lop-treated mice. Since intestinal serotonin has been found to modulate motility, we further analyzed the expression of genes related to serotonin signal transduction in the small intestine of naïve mice. The results showed that L. plantarum PS128 significantly altered the expression levels of Tph1, Chga, Slc6a4, and Htr4, but did not affect the expression levels of Tph2, Htr3a, and Maoa. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed that L. plantarum PS128 significantly increased the number of serotonin-containing intestinal cells in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that L. plantarum PS128 could promote intestinal motility, mucin production, and serotonin signal transduction, leading to a laxative effect in mice.

Potential Functional Snacks: Date Fruit Bars Supplemented by Different Species of Lactobacillus spp

The influence of the addition of four different potential probiotic strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (L. plantarum), Lactobacillus delbruekii subsp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus), Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Lactinocaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), in date fruit-based products was investigated in order to evaluate the possibility of producing a functional snack. All bacterial strains tested were able to grow in date fruit palp, reaching probiotic concentrations ranging from 3.1 × 10⁹ to 4.9 × 10⁹ colony-forming units after 48 h of fermentation, and the pH was reduced to 3.5–3.7 or below. The viability of inoculated probiotic bacteria after 4 weeks of storage at 4 °C was slightly reduced. Some biochemical features of the fermented snacks, such as the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and detailed polyphenolic profile, were also evaluated. After fermentation, changes in the polyphenol profile in terms of increased free phenolic compounds and related activity were observed. These results may be attributed to the enzymatic activity of Lactobacillus spp. in catalyzing both the release of bioactive components from the food matrix and the remodeling of polyphenolic composition in favor of more bioaccessible molecules. These positive effects were more evident when the snack were fermented with L. rhamnosus. Our results suggest the use of lactic acid fermentation as an approach to enhance the nutritional value of functional foods, resulting in the enhancement of their health-promoting potential.

Connections between Different Sports and Ergogenic Aids-Focusing on Salivary Cortisol and Amylase

Athletes are exposed to a tremendous amount of stress, both physically and mentally, when performing high intensity sports with frequent practices, pushing numerous athletes into choose to use ergogenic aids such as caffeine or β-alanine to significantly improve their performance and ease the stress and pressure that is put onto the body. The beneficial or even detrimental effects of these so-called ergogenic aids can be appreciated through the use of numerous diagnostic tools that can analyze various body fluids. In the recent years, saliva samples are gaining more ground in the field of diagnostic as it is a non-invasive procedure, contains a tremendous amount of analytes that are subject to pathophysiological changes caused by diseases, exercises, fatigue as well as nutrition and hydration. Thus, we describe here the current progress regarding potential novel biomarkers for stress and physical activity, salivary α-amylase and salivary cortisol, as well as their use and measurement in combination with different already-known or new ergogenic aids.

The Add-On Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in Patients With Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study

Background: Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) is a specific probiotic, known as a psychobiotic, which has been demonstrated to alleviate motor deficits and inhibit neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson's disease (PD)-model mice. We hypothesize that it may also be beneficial to patients with PD based on the possible mechanism via the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Methods: This is an open-label, single-arm, baseline-controlled trial. The eligible participants were scheduled to take 60 billion colony-forming units of PS128 once per night for 12 weeks. Clinical assessments were conducted using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn and Yahr scale, and change in patient "ON-OFF" diary recording as primary outcome measures. The non-motor symptoms questionnaire, Beck depression inventory-II, patient assessment of constipation symptom, 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) were assessed as secondary outcome measures. Results: Twenty-five eligible patients (32% women) completed the study. The mean age was 61.84 ± 5.74 years (range, 52-72), mean disease duration was 10.12 ± 2.3 years (range, 5-14), and levodopa equivalent daily dosage was 1063.4 ± 209.5 mg/daily (range, 675-1,560). All patients remained on the same dosage of anti-parkinsonian and other drugs throughout the study. After 12 weeks of PS128 supplementation, the UPDRS motor scores improved significantly in both the OFF and ON states (p = 0.004 and p = 0.007, respectively). In addition, PS128 intervention significantly improved the duration of the ON period and OFF period as well as PDQ-39 values. However, no obvious effect of PS128 on non-motor symptoms of patients with PD was observed. Notably, the PGI-C scores improved in 17 patients (68%). PS128 intervention was also found to significantly reduce plasma myeloperoxidase and urine creatinine levels. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that PS128 supplementation for 12 weeks with constant anti-parkinsonian medication improved the UPDRS motor score and quality of life of PD patients. We suggest that PS128 could serve as a therapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of PD. In the future, placebo-controlled studies are needed to further support the efficacy of PS128 supplementation. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT04389762.

Psychobiotic Supplementation of PS128TM Improves Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia in Highly Stressed Information Technology Specialists: A Pilot Study

Background: Information technology (IT) is an industry related to the production of computers, information processing, and telecommunications. Such industries heavily rely on the knowledge and solutions provided by IT specialists. Previous reports found that the subjective stress scores were higher in IT specialists who developed diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Specific probiotics, known as psychobiotics, may alleviate stress and mood symptoms. This study aimed to examine whether an 8-week intervention of a novel psychobiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum PS128^TM (PS128^TM), improved self-perceived stress and mood symptoms among high-stress IT specialists.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, baseline-controlled study included IT specialists from a large IT company in Northern Taiwan. Participants with a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) 10-item version score of 27 or higher were included. Participants were asked to take two capsules containing PS128^TM powder, equivalent to 20 billion colony-forming units, daily. Self-report measures, such as the Job Stress Scale, Visual Analog Scale of Stress, the Insomnia Severity Index, the State and Trait Anxiety Index, the Questionnaire for Emotional Trait and State, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Gastrointestinal Severity Index were compared at baseline and at the end of the trial period. The primary outcome was a 20% reduction in the PSS score at endpoint. Objective measures included salivary levels of stress biomarkers, including cortisol, α-amylase, immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin, and lysozymes, as well as results of the Test of Attentional Performance.

Results: Of the 90 eligible IT specialists, 36 met the inclusion criteria. After the 8-week trial period, significant improvements in self-perceived stress, overall job stress, job burden, cortisol level, general or psychological health, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, quality of life, and both positive and negative emotions were found.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that PS128^TM has the distinct advantage of providing stress relief and can improve mental health for people with a high-stress job. Future placebo-controlled studies are warranted to explore the effect and underlying mechanisms of action of PS128^TM.

Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (identifier: NCT04452253-sub-project 2).

Meta-Analysis: Randomized Trials of Lactobacillus plantarum on Immune Regulation Over the Last Decades

Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum strains, belong to lactic acid bacteria group, are considered indispensable probiotics. Here, we performed meta-analysis to evaluate the regulatory effects of L. plantarum on the immunity during clinical trials. This meta-analysis was conducted by searching across four most common literature databases, namely, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed. Clinical trial articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed by Review Manager (version 5.3). p-value < 0.05 of the total effect was considered statistically significant. Finally, total of 677 references were retrieved, among which six references and 18 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The mean differences observed at 95% confidence interval: interleukin (IL)-4, -0.48 pg/mL (-0.79 to -0.17; p < 0.05); IL-10, 9.88 pg/mL (6.52 to 13.2; p < 0.05); tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, -2.34 pg/mL (-3.5 to -1.19; p < 0.05); interferon (IFN)-γ, -0.99 pg/mL (-1.56 to -0.41; p < 0.05). Therefore, meta-analysis results suggested that L. plantarum could promote host immunity by regulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Evaluation of Growth, Viability, Lactic Acid Production and Anti-Infective Effects of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 in Bacuri Juice (Platonia insignis)

Fruit juices have been emerging as excellent vehicles for development of probiotic products due to their nutritional properties and presence of bioactive compounds. This work evaluated the growth and viability of Limosilactobacillus fermentum ATCC 23271 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 in bacuri juice (Platonia insignis Mart., Clusiaceae). Both strains were able to grow in bacuri juice, without any supplementation. Viability was kept after 28 days of storage; however, growth was significantly higher for L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 (7.40 ± 0.04 Log CFU/mL). Following this, the effects of bacterial inoculum and pulp concentration on growth and lactic acid production by L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 were investigated using a central composite rotational design. The inoculum concentration was the main factor for obtaining the most favorable relation between growth and organic acid production (G/pH ratio). Among the tested conditions, those used in assay 6 allowed the best G/pH ratio (2.13) and higher lactic acid production (4.14 g/L). In these conditions, L. rhamnosus ATCC 9595 grown in bacuri juice showed the same resistance towards acidification or addition of lysozyme than when cultivated in MRS. Finally, the anti-infective effects of fermented and non-fermented juices were analyzed using Tenebrio molitor larvae infected by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli 042. The pre-treatment with supernatants of both fermented and non-fermented juices significantly increased the survival of E. coli-infected larvae. However, only the L. rhamnosus-fermented juice had protective effects when inoculated 2 h after infection. Collectively, the results obtained in this research allowed the basis for the development of a non-dairy probiotic product from bacuri juice.

Health-Promoting Role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Isolated from Fermented Foods

Fermentation processes have been used for centuries for food production and preservation. Besides the contribution of fermentation to food quality, recently, scientific interest in the beneficial nature of fermented foods as a reservoir of probiotic candidates is increasing. Fermented food microbes are gaining attention for their health-promoting potential and for being genetically related to human probiotic bacteria. Among them, Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum strains, with a long history in the food industry as starter cultures in the production of a wide variety of fermented foods, are being investigated for their beneficial properties which are similar to those of probiotic strains, and they are also applied in clinical interventions. Food-associated Lpb. plantarum showed a good adaptation and adhesion ability in the gastro-intestinal tract and the potential to affect host health through various beneficial activities, e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidative, antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, in several in vitro and in vivo studies. This review provides an overview of fermented-associated Lpb. plantarum health benefits with evidence from clinical studies. Probiotic criteria that fermented-associated microbes need to fulfil are also reported.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on respiratory infection and immune function in athletes: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation on upper tract respiratory infection and inflammatory markers in elite athletes.

DATA SOURCES

We identified sources by searching the PubMed, EBSCO host, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the following search terms: "probiotic" OR "probiotics" AND "exercise" OR "sport" OR "athletes" AND "URTI" OR "respiratory infection" OR "upper respiratory tract infections" OR "inflammation" OR "inflammatory OR "cytokines".

STUDY SELECTION

We screened the title and abstracts of 2498 articles using our inclusion critieria. A total of 14 articles were selected for further analysis.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from the included studies were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. These data included the study design, participant characteristics, inclusion and exclusion, intervention characteristics, outcome measures, and the main results of the study.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The meta-analysis did not show any significant effect of probiotic supplementation on the number of days of illness or the mean number and duration of URTI episodes, but there was a significant effect of probiotic supplementation on total symptom severity score (-0.65, 95% CI: -1.05; -0.25, p = 0.02). Lower levels of IL-6 (-2.52 pg/ml, 95% CI: -4.12, -0.51, p = 0.001) and TNF-α (-2.31 pg/ml, 95% CI: -4.12, -0.51, p = 0.008) were also reported after supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provides evidence that probiotic supplementation, especially among professional athletes, is an effective way to decrease the total URTI symptom severity score. Additionally, probiotic supplementation may decrease TNF-α and IL-6 levels. There is a need for more studies with larger groups to better estimate this effect. It is necessary to determine the best timing, duration, composition and dose of such supplementation.

Pediococcus pentosaceus ZJUAF-4 relieves oxidative stress and restores the gut microbiota in diquat-induced intestinal injury

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a key role in promoting health and preventing diseases because of their beneficial effects, such as antimicrobial activities, modulating immune responses, maintaining the gut epithelial barrier and antioxidant capacity. However, the mechanisms with which LAB relieve oxidative stress and intestinal injury induced by diquat in vivo are poorly understood. In the present study, Pediococcus pentosaceus ZJUAF-4 (LAB, ZJUAF-4), a selected probiotics strain with strong antioxidant capacities, was appointed to evaluate the efficiency against oxidative stress in diquat-induced intestinal injury of mice. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed to estimate the liver injury. The intestinal permeability was evaluated by 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD4), D-lactate (DLA), and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels. Jejunum reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was examined by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived-2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream genes in jejunum. The gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing method based on the 16S rRNA genes. The results showed that ZJUAF-4 pretreatment was found to protect the intestinal barrier function and maintain intestinal redox homeostasis under diquat stimulation. Moreover, oral administration of ZJUAF-4 increased the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes. High-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that ZJUAF-4 contributed to restoring the gut microbiota influenced by diquat. Our results suggested that ZJUAF-4 protected the intestinal barrier from oxidative stress-induced damage by modulating the Nrf2 pathway and gut microbiota, indicating that ZJUAF-4 may have potential applications in preventing and treating oxidative stress-related intestinal diseases. KEY POINTS: • ZJUAF-4 exerted protective effects against diquat-induced intestinal injury. • Activation of Nrf2 and its downstream targets towards oxidative stress. • ZJUAF-4 administration restoring gut microbiota.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 Improves the State Anxiety and Sports Performance of Young Divers Under Stress Situations: A Single-Arm, Prospective Proof-of-Concept Study

Background

Athletes will increase their state anxiety under stress situations, which will lead to the decline of sports performance. The improvement of anxiety by probiotics has been reported, but there is a lack of research in the athlete population. The purpose of the current study is to explore the effectiveness of probiotics in improving athletes' state anxiety and sports performance under stress situations.

Methods

We conducted this single-arm study in Chongqing Institute of Sports Technology. In the 8-week study, 21 Chongqing young divers (mean age: 9.10 ± 1.80) were given probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (1 × 10⁹ colony-forming units/100 g) daily. The state anxiety and sports performance of athletes were measured before, during, and after the intervention, and the gut microbiota of athletes was measured before and after the intervention.

Results

The intervention results showed that cognitive state anxiety, somatic state anxiety, and anxiety emotion were improved (cognitive: Z = -3.964, P < 0.001; somatic: Z = -3.079, P = 0.003; anxiety: Z = -2.973, P < 0.001). In terms of gut microbiota, the intervention did not change the gut microbial composition (such as α diversity and β diversity) but increased the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae. At the 8th week, the performance of athletes under stress was significantly improved (χ² = 7.88, P = 0.019).

Limitations

First of all, due to the restriction of the number of subjects in this study, there was no control group. Secondly, although the athletes' diet was recorded in this study, the influence of this factor on gut microbiota was not eliminated. Finally, the anxiety level of the athletes in this study was obtained through a self-report, lacking physiological data in state anxiety.

Conclusion

The results show that probiotics intervention can improve the state anxiety of athletes under stress situation and improve the performance of athletes under stress situation.

Regulatory effects of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 on human skin health by improving skin microbiome

Bacteria response to their environment by producing some compounds which are used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Some probiotics can regulate immune response and modulate the symptoms of several diseases. Bacteria affect skin response to skin care products. Bacteria are thought to play an important role in acne incidence, skin moisture, and nutrient metabolism, but only a few studies have focused on the extracts of Lactobacillus plantarum in skin care. In this study, we identified that L. plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and the gene expression of serine palmitoyltransferase small subunit A. Meanwhile, L. plantarum-GMNL6 reduced the melanin synthesis, the biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus, and the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes. Information from clinical observation during the ointment for external face use in people displayed that the syndromes of skin moisture, skin color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins were improved. The diversification of human skin microbiomes was affected by smearing the face of volunteers with L. plantarum-GMNL6. Understanding the potential mechanisms of the action of L. plantarum-GMNL6 in dermatologic conditions promotes the development of care products.

Combination of Treadmill Aerobic Exercise with Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 Supplementation for Treatment of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Murine Model

INTRODUCTION

Obesity, which can result from disease, genetics, nutrition, lifestyle, and insufficient physical activity, substantially increases an individual's risk of complications and comorbidities. Exercise can be an effective strategy for achieving an energy balance and physiological fitness as part of obesity management. Additionally, probiotics, which are isolated from food and the environment, are being rapidly developed and have functional benefits for mitigating various metabolic dysfunctions associated with obesity. The potentially positive physiological and functional effects of exercise, probiotics, and exercise combined with probiotics should be elucidated in a model of diet-induced obesity.

METHODS

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01 (OLP-01) was isolated from an elite Olympic-level athlete who exhibited physiological adaptations to peripheral fatigue caused by exercise training. In this current study, ICR strain mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks to replicate an obesity model. The mice were divided into 5 groups according to the diet administered: control with normal diet, only HFD, HFD + exercise, HFD + OLP, and HFD + exercise + OLP groups. They were administered the probiotic and/or treadmill exercise training for 5 weeks, and their growth curve, physical activity, physiological adaptation, biochemical parameters, body composition, and glucose tolerance were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with only exercise or only probiotics, a combination of probiotics and exercise significantly improved the weight, glucose tolerance, fat composition, and exercise-related oxidative stress of mice. Regular and programmed exercise with sufficient rest may be crucial to obesity improvement, and a combination of probiotics and exercise may synergistically assist obesity management and health promotion.

CONCLUSION

OLP-01 probiotics combined with exercise training can be employed as a strategy for treating obesity. However, the exact regulatory mechanisms underlying this effect, possibly involving microbiota and associated metabolites, warrant further investigation.

Effect of Treadmill Exercise and Probiotic Ingestion on Motor Coordination and Brain Activity in Adolescent Mice

High-intensity exercise can lead to chronic fatigue, which reduces athletic performance. On the contrary, probiotic supplements have many health benefits, including improvement of gastrointestinal health and immunoregulation. However, the effects of probiotics combined with exercise interventions on motor functions and brain activity have not been fully explored. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effects of probiotic supplements and aerobic exercise on motor function, immune response, and exercise intensity and probiotic ingestion. After four weeks of intervention, the motor functions were assessed by rotarod test, then the levels of cytokines, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate were detected. The improvement caused by the intake of probiotics in the moderate-intensity exercise group and the non-exercise group in the accelerating mode rotarod was significant (p = 0.038, p < 0.001, respectively). In constant-speed mode, the moderate-intensity exercise group with probiotic ingestion recorded longer runs than the corresponding non-exercise group (p = 0.023), and the improvement owing to probiotics was significant in all groups—non-exercise, moderate, and high-intensity (p = 0.036, p = 0.036, p = 0.012, respectively). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were lower, whereas GABA was higher in the probiotics-ingested group. Taken together, exercise and probiotics in adolescence could positively affect brain and motor function.

Analysis of the Impact of a Multi-Strain Probiotic on Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Long-Distance Runners

Use of probiotic supplements, the benefits of which have not been proven in sportspeople, is becoming more widespread among runners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in the body. The randomised, double-blind study included 66 long-distance runners. The intervention factor was a multi-strain probiotic or placebo. At the initial and final stages of the study, evaluation of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness was performed and the presence of inflammation determined. In the group of men using the probiotic, an increase in lean body mass (p = 0.019) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.022) was demonstrated, while in the group of women taking the probiotic, a decrease in the content of total body fat (p = 0.600) and visceral fat (p = 0.247) was observed. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO_2max) increased in women (p = 0.140) and men (p = 0.017) using the probiotic. Concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased in women (p = 0.003) and men (p = 0.001) using the probiotic and in women (p = 0.074) and men (p = 0.016) using the placebo. Probiotic therapy had a positive effect on selected parameters of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of study participants and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation.

Recent advances in clinical probiotic research for sport

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This is a review of the most up-to-date research on the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation for outcomes related to athletes and physical activity. The focus is on clinical research incorporating exercise and/or physically active participants on the nutritional effectiveness of single and multistrain preparations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Findings of the included clinical studies support the notion that certain probiotics could play important roles in maintaining normal physiology and energy production during exercise which may lead to performance-improvement and antifatigue effects, improve exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and permeability, stimulate/modulate of the immune system, and improve the ability to digest, absorb, and metabolize macro and micronutrients important to exercise performance and recovery/health status of those physically active.

SUMMARY

The current body of literature highlights the specificity of probiotic strain/dose and potential mechanisms of action for application in sport. These novel findings open new areas research, potential use for human health, and reinforce the potential role for probiotic's in exercise performance. While encouraging, more well designed studies of probiotic supplementation in various sport applications are warranted.

Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 alleviates neurodegenerative progression in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse models of Parkinson's disease

Evidence suggests that the Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis is strongly associated with bidirectional pathways in the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), and psychobiotics may inhibit PD progression. We previously reported that the novel psychobiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128), ameliorated abnormal behaviors and modulated neurotransmissions in dopaminergic pathways in rodent models. Here, we report that orally administering PS128 for 4 weeks significantly alleviated the motor deficits, elevation in corticosterone, nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal death, and striatal dopamine reduction in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrathydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse models. PS128 ingestion suppressed glial cell hyperactivation and increased norepinephrine and neurotrophic factors in the striatum of the PD-model mice. PS128 administration also attenuated MPTP-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the nigrostriatal pathway. Fecal analysis showed that PS128 modulated the gut microbiota. L. plantarum abundance was significantly increased along with methionine biosynthesis-related microbial modules. PS128 also suppressed the increased family Enterobacteriaceae and lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan biosynthesis-related microbial modules caused by MPTP. In conclude, PS128 ingestion alleviated MPTP-induced motor deficits and neurotoxicity.PS128 supplementation inhibited neurodegenerative processes in PD-model mice and may help prevent PD.

Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals

Among athletes, nutrition plays a key role, supporting training, performance, and post-exercise recovery. Research has primarily focused on the effects of diet in support of an athletic physique; however, the role played by intestinal microbiota has been much neglected. Emerging evidence has shown an association between the intestinal microbiota composition and physical activity, suggesting that modifications in the gut microbiota composition may contribute to physical performance of the host. Probiotics represent a potential means for beneficially influencing the gut microbiota composition/function but can also impact the overall health of the host. In this review, we provide an overview of the existing studies that have examined the reciprocal interactions between physical activity and gut microbiota. We further evaluate the clinical evidence that supports the effects of probiotics on physical performance, post-exercise recovery, and cognitive outcomes among athletes. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms of action through which probiotics affect exercise outcomes. In summary, beneficial microbes, including probiotics, may promote health in athletes and enhance physical performance and exercise capacity. Furthermore, high-quality clinical studies, with adequate power, remain necessary to uncover the roles that are played by gut microbiota populations and probiotics in physical performance and the modes of action behind their potential benefits.

Effects of resistance exercise on treatment outcome and laboratory parameters of Takayasu arteritis with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis: A randomized parallel controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is correlated with refractory Takayasu arteritis (TA), and resistance exercise have been shown to inhibit TNF-α.

HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to explore the effect of resistance exercise in the clinical management of TA.

METHODS

This clinical trial enrolled a total of 342 acute TA patients, who were subsequently randomized to undergo either resistance exercise or relaxation control twice per week for 12 weeks. The disease activity was defined using the primary outcome of Birmingham Vascular Activity Score (BVAS). Secondary outcomes included levels of plasma TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

RESULTS

BVAS scores along with other laboratory parameters obtained from the patients in the resistance exercise group showed a gradual decline throughout the course of the trial. By contrast, outcomes appeared largely unaltered in the relaxation control group patients. Analyses also revealed that plasma TNF-α displayed strong linear correlations with ESR, BVAS scores, and plasma CRP levels.

CONCLUSION

Resistance exercise could substantially improve treatment outcomes as well as laboratory parameters in patients with acute TA, probably through decreasing TNF-α.

Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 Improves Physiological Adaptation and Performance in Triathletes through Gut Microbiota Modulation

A triathlon is an extremely high-intensity exercise and a challenge for physiological adaptation. A triathlete's microbiome might be modulated by diet, age, medical treatments, lifestyle, and exercise, thereby maintaining aerobiosis and optimum health and performance. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been reported to have health-promoting activities (e.g., immunoregulation and cancer prevention). However, few studies have addressed how probiotics affect the microbiota of athletes and how this translates into functional activities. In our previous study, we found that Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 could ameliorate inflammation and oxidative stress, with improved exercise performance. Thus, here we investigate how the microbiota of triathletes are altered by L. plantarum PS128 supplementation, not only for exercise performance but also for possible physiological adaptation. The triathletes were assigned to two groups: an L. plantarum 128 supplement group (LG, 3 × 10¹⁰ colony-forming units (CFU)/day) and a placebo group (PG). Both groups continued with their regular exercise training for the next 4 weeks. The endurance performance, body composition, biochemistries, blood cells, microbiota, and associated metabolites were further investigated. PS128 significantly increased the athletes' endurance, by about 130% as compared to the PG group, but there was no significant difference in maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and composition between groups. The PS128 supplementation (LG) modulated the athlete's microbiota with both significant decreases (Anaerotruncus, Caproiciproducens, Coprobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Dielma, Family_XIII, Holdemania, and Oxalobacter) and increases (Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, and Lactobacillus), and the LG showed lower diversity when compared to the PG. Also, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; acetate, propionate, and butyrate) of the LG were significantly higher than the PG, which might be a result of a modulation of the associated microbiota. In conclusion, PS128 supplementation was associated with an improvement on endurance running performance through microbiota modulation and related metabolites, but not in maximal oxygen uptake.

The Potential of Lactobacillus spp. for Modulating Oxidative Stress in the Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is crucial for food digestion and nutrient absorption in humans. However, the GI tract is usually challenged with oxidative stress that can be induced by various factors, such as exogenous pathogenic microorganisms and dietary alterations. As a part of gut microbiota, Lactobacillus spp. play an important role in modulating oxidative stress in cells and tissues, especially in the GI tract. Oxidative stress is linked with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be formed by a few enzymes, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs). The redox mechanisms of Lactobacillus spp. may contribute to the downregulation of these ROS-forming enzymes. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) are two common transcription factors, through which Lactobacillus spp. modulate oxidative stress as well. As oxidative stress is closely associated with inflammation and certain diseases, Lactobacillus spp. could potentially be applied for early treatment and amelioration of these diseases, either individually or together with prebiotics. However, further research is required for revealing their mechanisms of action as well as their extensive application in the future.

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01 Supplementation during Endurance Running Training Improves Exercise Performance in Middle- and Long-Distance Runners: A Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Olympic No. 1 (OLP-01) has been shown in previous animal experiments to improve exercise endurance performance, but this effect has not been confirmed in humans, or more particularly, in athletes. Toward this end, the current study combined OLP-01 supplementation with regular exercise training in well-trained middle- and long-distance runners at the National Taiwan Sport University. The study was designed as a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment. Twenty-one subjects (14 males and seven females aged 20–30 years) were evenly distributed according to total distance (meters) traveled in 12 min to one of the following two groups: a placebo group (seven males and three females) and an OLP-01 (1.5 × 10¹⁰ colony forming units (CFU)/day) group (seven males and four females). All the participants received placebo or OLP-01 supplements for five consecutive weeks consisting of three weeks of regular training and two weeks of de-training. Before and after the experiment, the participants were tested for 12-min running/walking distance, and body composition, blood/serum, and fecal samples were analyzed. The results showed that OLP-01 significantly increased the change in the 12-min Cooper’s test running distance and the abundance of gut microbiota. Although no significant change in body composition was found, OLP-01 caused no adverse reactions or harm to the participants’ bodies. In summary, OLP-01 can be used as a sports nutrition supplement, especially for athletes, to improve exercise performance.

Evaluation of Probiotics for Warfighter Health and Performance

The probiotic industry continues to grow in both usage and the diversity of products available. Scientific evidence supports clinical use of some probiotic strains for certain gastrointestinal indications. Although much less is known about the impact of probiotics in healthy populations, there is increasing consumer and scientific interest in using probiotics to promote physical and psychological health and performance. Military men and women are a unique healthy population that must maintain physical and psychological health in order to ensure mission success. In this narrative review, we examine the evidence regarding probiotics and candidate probiotics for physical and/or cognitive benefits in healthy adults within the context of potential applications for military personnel. The reviewed evidence suggests potential for certain strains to induce biophysiological changes that may offer physical and/or cognitive health and performance benefits in military populations. However, many knowledge gaps exist, effects on health and performance are generally not widespread among the strains examined, and beneficial findings are generally limited to single studies with small sample sizes. Multiple studies with the same strains and using similar endpoints are needed before definitive recommendations for use can be made. We conclude that, at present, there is not compelling scientific evidence to support the use of any particular probiotic(s) to promote physical or psychological performance in healthy military personnel. However, plausibility for physical and psychological health and performance benefits remains, and additional research is warranted. In particular, research in military cohorts would aid in assessing the value of probiotics for supporting physical and psychological health and performance under the unique demands required of these populations.

Gut-Muscle AxisExists and May Affect Skeletal Muscle Adaptation to Training

Excessive training may limit physiological muscle adaptation through chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. Improper diet and overtraining may also disrupt intestinal homeostasis and in consequence enhance inflammation. Altogether, these factors may lead to an imbalance in the gut ecosystem, causing dysregulation of the immune system. Therefore, it seems to be important to optimize the intestinal microbiota composition, which is able to modulate the immune system and reduce oxidative stress. Moreover, the optimal intestinal microbiota composition may have an impact on muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial biogenesis and function, as well as muscle glycogen storage. Aproperly balanced microbiome may also reduce inflammatory markers and reactive oxygen species production, which may further attenuate macromolecules damage. Consequently, supplementation with probiotics may have some beneficial effect on aerobic and anaerobic performance. The phenomenon of gut-muscle axis should be continuously explored to function maintenance, not only in athletes.

Exercise Training Combined with Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 Supplementation Improves Exercise Physiological Adaption and Performance

Probiotics exert multiple health benefits, including gastrointestinal health, immunoregulation, and metabolic disease improvement, by modulating microbiota to maintain eubiosis via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and brain–gut–microbiome axes. Physiological fatigue, mental stress, and gastrointestinal discomfort under the demands of athletic performance as well as immunosuppression are common during endurance training and competition. Limited studies investigated the functional effects of probiotic supplementation on endurance training. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. Longum OLP-01 (OLP-01), isolated from an elite Olympic athlete, was combined with a six-week exercise training program with gradually increasing intensity. In this study, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were assigned to sedentary, exercise, OLP-01, or exercise + OLP-01 groups and administered probiotic and/or treadmill exercise training for six weeks to assess exercise performance, physiological adaption, and related metabolites. The exercise + OLP-01 group demonstrated higher performance in terms of endurance and grip strength, as well as improved fatigue-associated indexes (lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glycogen content), compared with the other groups. OLP-01 supplementation significantly ameliorated inflammation and injury indexes (platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), aminotransferase (AST), and CK) caused by prolonged endurance exercise test. Moreover, acetate, propionate, and butyrate levels were significantly higher in the exercise + OLP-01 group than in the sedentary and OLP-01 groups. Athletes often experience psychological and physiological stress caused by programed intensive exercise, competition, and off-site training, often leading to poor exercise performance and gastrointestinal issues. Functional OLP-01 probiotics are considered to be a nutritional strategy for improving physiological adaption, oxidative stress, inflammation, and energy balance to ensure high physical performance. Based on these results, probiotics combined with exercise training is a potential strategy for ensuring high physical performance of athletes, which should be further investigated through microbiota validation.

Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: useful for athletes and active individuals? A systematic review

The purpose of this review was to synthesise available knowledge on the main health effects associated with the use of probiotics, prebiotics and/or synbiotics in athletes and active individuals, including their effects on the immune system, oxidative stress, the gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, as well as other possible clinical outcomes. A systematic and comprehensive search in electronic databases, including Web of Science (WOS, Scielo), PubMed-MEDLINE, Biblioteca virtual de la Salud (LILACS, IBECS), EBSCO (Academic Search Complete CINAHL; SPORTDiscus) and Cochrane Library, focused on generic articles about probiotics, prebiotics and/or synbiotics and their functionality and effects on human health. The search process was completed using the keywords: ‘probiotics’, ‘prebiotics’, ‘synbiotics’, ‘athletes’ and ‘health’. The only exclusion criterion was experimental studies with animals. A total of 31 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The vast majority were experimental studies about probiotics and health effects (n=28), while only a few demonstrated the results of consuming prebiotics and/or synbiotics (n=3) in athletes and active individuals. Although most of the studies reported positive health effects in athletes and active individuals, there is still no substantial scientific evidence to suggest that probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics play an important role in improving an athlete´s performance. These studies are currently limited in number and quality, hence it is necessary to improve the selection of functional biomarkers and methodological approaches, as well as determining the specific nutritional supplement and exercise doses.

Beneficial effects of a negative ion patch on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, and exercise performance in badminton athletes

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are widely applied and accepted for therapeutic purposes because of their numerous benefits. Negative ion treatment belongs to one of the critical categories defined by the National Center for CAM, with such treatment capable of air purification and ameliorating emotional disorders (e.g., depression and seasonal affective disorder). Negative ions can be produced naturally and also by a material with activated energy. Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) often occurs due to inadequate warm up, high-intensity exercise, overload, and inappropriate posture, especially for high-intensive competition. Few studies have investigated the effects of negative ion treatment on muscular injury in the sports science field. In the current study, we enrolled badminton athletes and induced muscle damage in them through eccentric exercise in the form of a high-intensity squat program. We evaluated the effects of negative ion patches of different intensities at three points (preexercise, postexercise, and recovery) by analyzing physiological indexes (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, creatine kinase [CK], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels) and performing a functional assessment (a countermovement jump [CMJ] test). We found that a high-intensity negative ion patch could significantly reduce the levels of TNF-α, an injury-associated inflammatory cytokine, and related markers (CK and LDH). In addition, muscular overload-caused fatigue could be also ameliorated, as indicated by the functional CMJ test result, and related muscular characteristics (tone and stiffness) could be effectively improved. Thus, the negative ion treatment could effectively improve physiological adaption and muscular fatigue recovery after EIMD in the current study. The negative ion patch treatment can be further integrated into a taping system to synergistically fulfill exercise-induced damage protection and functional elevation. However, the effects of this treatment require further experimental validation.

Polysaccharide from Rosa roxburghii Tratt Fruit Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia and Regulates Colon Microbiota in Diabetic db/db Mice

This study was aimed at investigating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of a polysaccharide (RTFP) isolated from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit on type-2 diabetic db/db mice. The results indicated that the oral administration of RTFP could significantly decrease the body weight, fat, and liver hypertrophy and the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and serum lipids of the db/db mice. Histopathological observation showed that RTFP could effectively protect the pancreas, liver, and epididymal fat against damage and dysfunction. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that the gene expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC-1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) were significantly down-regulated in the liver of db/db mice after treatment with RTFP. Moreover, RTFP treatment reversed gut dysbiosis by lowering the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and enhancing the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria including Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroidaceae S24-7 group, and Lactobacillaceae. These findings suggest that RTFP can be used as a promising functional supplement for the prevention and treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics

Position statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the mechanisms and use of probiotic supplementation to optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes. Based on the current available literature, the conclusions of the ISSN are as follows: 1)Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host (FAO/WHO).2)Probiotic administration has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, with gut and immune health being the most researched applications.3)Despite the existence of shared, core mechanisms for probiotic function, health benefits of probiotics are strain- and dose-dependent.4)Athletes have varying gut microbiota compositions that appear to reflect the activity level of the host in comparison to sedentary people, with the differences linked primarily to the volume of exercise and amount of protein consumption. Whether differences in gut microbiota composition affect probiotic efficacy is unknown.5)The main function of the gut is to digest food and absorb nutrients. In athletic populations, certain probiotics strains can increase absorption of key nutrients such as amino acids from protein, and affect the pharmacology and physiological properties of multiple food components.6)Immune depression in athletes worsens with excessive training load, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, and environmental extremes, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. In certain situations, including exposure to crowds, foreign travel and poor hygiene at home, and training or competition venues, athletes' exposure to pathogens may be elevated leading to increased rates of infections. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune response. In an athletic population, specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections.7)Intense, prolonged exercise, especially in the heat, has been shown to increase gut permeability which potentially can result in systemic toxemia. Specific probiotic strains can improve the integrity of the gut-barrier function in athletes.8)Administration of selected anti-inflammatory probiotic strains have been linked to improved recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.9)The minimal effective dose and method of administration (potency per serving, single vs. split dose, delivery form) of a specific probiotic strain depends on validation studies for this particular strain. Products that contain probiotics must include the genus, species, and strain of each live microorganism on its label as well as the total estimated quantity of each probiotic strain at the end of the product's shelf life, as measured by colony forming units (CFU) or live cells.10)Preclinical and early human research has shown potential probiotic benefits relevant to an athletic population that include improved body composition and lean body mass, normalizing age-related declines in testosterone levels, reductions in cortisol levels indicating improved responses to a physical or mental stressor, reduction of exercise-induced lactate, and increased neurotransmitter synthesis, cognition and mood. However, these potential benefits require validation in more rigorous human studies and in an athletic population.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 on Exercise Physiological Adaptation, Performance, and Body Composition in Healthy Humans

Probiotics have been rapidly developed for health promotion, but clinical validation of the effects on exercise physiology has been limited. In a previous study, Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 (TWK10), isolated from Taiwanese pickled cabbage as a probiotic, was demonstrated to improve exercise performance in an animal model. Thus, in the current study, we attempted to further validate the physiological function and benefits through clinical trials for the purpose of translational research. The study was designed as a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment. A total of 54 healthy participants (27 men and 27 women) aged 20–30 years without professional athletic training were enrolled and randomly allocated to the placebo, low (3 × 10¹⁰ colony forming units (CFU)), and high dose (9 × 10¹⁰ CFU) TWK10 administration groups (n = 18 per group, with equal sexes). The functional and physiological assessments were conducted by exhaustive treadmill exercise measurements (85% VO_2max), and related biochemical indices were measured before and after six weeks of administration. Fatigue-associated indices, including lactic acid, blood ammonia, blood glucose, and creatinine kinase, were continuously monitored during 30 min of exercise and a 90 min rest period using fixed intensity exercise challenges (60% VO_2max) to understand the physiological adaptation. The systemic inflammation and body compositions were also acquired and analyzed during the experimental process. The results showed that TWK10 significantly elevated the exercise performance in a dose-dependent manner and improved the fatigue-associated features correlated with better physiological adaptation. The change in body composition shifted in the healthy direction for TWK10 administration groups, especially for the high TWK10 dose group, which showed that body fat significantly decreased and muscle mass significantly increased. Taken together, our results suggest that TWK10 has the potential to be an ergogenic aid to improve aerobic endurance performance via physiological adaptation effects.

Effect of Probiotics Supplementations on Health Status of Athletes

Athletes are prone to several health complications, including upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal discomforts during practice and after the performance due to the intense exercise, travel, insufficient rest and restricted food consumption. Probiotics are well known as complementary therapeutic and health supplements for several diseases and disorders. Studies suggest that the intervention of probiotics improved the health status of elite athletes, but the results are not consistent in all the studies. The beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation profoundly relies on species or strain, dose, duration, form, and host physiology. The manuscript summarizes the effect of probiotic supplementation on health status of athletes. The literature was collected from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the search term “probiotic and athletes”. As per the literature survey, probiotic supplementation improved the intestinal permeability, immune system, intestinal microbiota, inflammatory system, reduced the severity and incidence of respiratory tract infections, and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. Several studies were conducted on Lactobacillus species and the outcomes were found to be species- or strain-specific. More studies are required to know the detailed mechanism behind the beneficial effect of probiotic intervention in athletes. Further studies are desired on formulation and optimization of probiotic supplements to develop generalized and personalized sports supplements to boost the overall health and enactment of elite athletes.

Precision Nutrition and the Microbiome Part II: Potential Opportunities and Pathways to Commercialisation

Modulation of the human gut microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics and dietary fibre are recognised strategies to improve health and prevent disease. Yet we are only beginning to understand the impact of these interventions on the gut microbiota and the physiological consequences for the human host, thus forging the way towards evidence-based scientific validation. However, in many studies a percentage of participants can be defined as 'non-responders' and scientists are beginning to unravel what differentiates these from 'responders;' and it is now clear that an individual's baseline microbiota can influence an individual's response. Thus, microbiome composition can potentially serve as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to interventions, diets and dietary components enabling greater opportunities for its use towards disease prevention and health promotion. In Part I of this two-part review, we reviewed the current state of the science in terms of the gut microbiota and the role of diet and dietary components in shaping it and subsequent consequences for human health. In Part II, we examine the efficacy of gut-microbiota modulating therapies at different life stages and their potential to aid in the management of undernutrition and overnutrition. Given the significance of an individual's gut microbiota, we investigate the feasibility of microbiome testing and we discuss guidelines for evaluating the scientific validity of evidence for providing personalised microbiome-based dietary advice. Overall, this review highlights the potential value of the microbiome to prevent disease and maintain or promote health and in doing so, paves the pathway towards commercialisation.

Simultaneous Bioconversion of Gelatinized Starchy Waste from the Rice Noodle Manufacturing Process to Lactic Acid and Maltose-Forming α-Amylase by Lactobacillus plantarum S21, Using a Low-Cost Medium

A direct bioconversion of gelatinized starchy waste (GSW) to lactic acid by amylolytic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum S21 was investigated. Corn steep liquor (CSL) was selected as the most suitable low-cost nitrogen source for replacing yeast extract, beef extract, and peptone in De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) medium. Plackett–Burman design results indicated that GSW and CSL were the two most nutrients that significantly influence lactic acid production, among eight medium components, including GSW, CSL, K2HPO4, CH3COONa, (NH4)2HC6H5O7, MgSO4, MnSO4, and Tween 80. A new low-cost medium containing only GSW (134.4 g/L) and CSL (187.7 g/L) was achieved as omitting other six components from the optimized medium had no effect on lactic acid yield. Batch fermentation at 37 °C both in 1 L and 10 L jar fermenters showed non-significantly different productivity. A by-product, maltose-forming α-amylase, was successfully achieved up to 96% recovery yield using an ultrafiltration unit equipped with a 50 kDa cut-off membrane. Crude lactic acid exhibited the additional benefit of antimicrobial activity against food and feed pathogens Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TISTR 292, Vibrio cholerae TH-001, and also E. coli ATCC 25922. This study presents a promising bioprocess for the simultaneous production of lactic acid, and a value-added food enzyme, using only two industrial wastes, GSW and CSL, as the medium components.