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Dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on whole gut transit time and functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults

  • 2011-06-13
  • Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 46(9)
    • Philip A Waller
    • P. Gopal
    • G. Leyer
    • A. Ouwehand
    • C. Reifer
    • Morgan E Stewart
    • L. Miller

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 supplementation on whole gut transit time (WGTT) and frequency of functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in adults.

Material and methods: We randomized 100 subjects (mean age: 44 years; 64% female) with functional GI symptoms to consume a proprietary probiotic strain, B. lactis HN019 (Fonterra Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand), at daily doses of 17.2 billion colony forming units (CFU) (high dose; n = 33), 1.8 billion CFU (low dose; n = 33), or placebo (n = 34) for 14 days. The primary endpoint of WGTT was assessed by X-ray on days 0 and 14 and was preceded by consumption of radiopaque markers once a day for 6 days. The secondary endpoint of functional GI symptom frequency was recorded with a subject-reported numeric (1-100) scale before and after supplementation.

Results: Decreases in mean WGTT over the 14-day study period were statistically significant in the high dose group (49 ± 30 to 21 ± 32 h, p < 0.001) and the low dose group (60 ± 33 to 41 ± 39 h, p = 0.01), but not in the placebo group (43 ± 31 to 44 ± 33 h). Time to excretion of all ingested markers was significantly shorter in the treatment groups versus placebo. Of the nine functional GI symptoms investigated, eight significantly decreased in frequency in the high dose group and seven decreased with low dose, while two decreased in the placebo group. No adverse events were reported in any group.

Conclusions: Daily B. lactis HN019 supplementation is well tolerated, decreases WGTT in a dose-dependent manner, and reduces the frequency of functional GI symptoms in adults.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019Reduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactisImproved Supplement ToleranceNeutral
Large
Bifidobacterium lactisReduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactisReduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis B420No Adverse Events ObservedNeutral
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis B420Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis B420Reduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis BL818Improved Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis BL818Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis BLA80Absence of Adverse EventsNeutral
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis BLA80Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis BLA80Reduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis BS01Improved Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis BS01Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis BS01Well-Tolerated SupplementationBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis HA-194Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis HA-194Reduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019Reduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis MAK16B42LReduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis MAK16B42LReduced Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis SD-5219Improved Whole Gut Transit TimeBeneficial
Large
Bifidobacterium lactis SD-5219Reduced Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal SymptomsBeneficial
Moderate
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