Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 Supplementation: An Exploratory, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Endocannabinoid and Inflammatory Responses in Female Dancers.

2025-05-30
Microorganisms 13(6)

PubMed: 40572172
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13061284

Study Design

Type: Clinical Trial
Population: female dancers
Methods: 12-week supplementation with Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175; fifteen participants (5 probiotic, 10 placebo) were included in the final analysis; serum levels of AEA, LPS, and cytokines were measured using ELISA and psychological stress responses were evaluated using the Mini-COPE questionnaire

The anandamide (AEA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interaction is gaining attention, but evidence on the influence of probiotics on endocannabinoid system (ECS) biomarkers remains limited. This study (NCT05567653) investigated the effects of 12-week supplementation with Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 on AEA (main outcome) and inflammatory biomarkers in female dancers. Fifteen participants (5 probiotic, 10 placebo) were included in the final analysis. Serum levels of AEA, LPS, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha-TNF-α, interleukin-1 beta-IL-1β, and interleukin-10-IL-10) were measured using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and the psychological stress responses were evaluated using the Mini-COPE questionnaire. At the baseline, a correlation between AEA and LPS was observed (Spearman's r = 0.9677, p < 0.05). After 12 weeks, no statistically significant differences in the AEA, LPS, cytokine levels, or stress-coping strategies were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups (LPS-probiotic: +3.48 EU/L, p = 0.9361; placebo: +56.98 EU/L, p = 0.0694; AEA-probiotic: -1.11 ng/mL, p = 0.9538; placebo: +14.08 ng/mL, p = 0.4749). The direction of change may indicate a trend toward increased inflammation in the absence of probiotics, consistent with patterns described in previous literature. However, these results should be viewed as hypothesis generating and warrant confirmation in larger trials.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus helveticus R0052	—	No Significant Change in Endocannabinoid or Inflammatory Biomarkers	Neutral	Small	View source After 12 weeks, no statistically significant differences in the AEA, LPS, cytokine levels, or stress-coping strategies were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups (LPS-probiotic: +3.48 EU/L, p = 0.9361; placebo: +56.98 EU/L, p = 0.0694; AEA-probiotic: -1.11 ng/mL, p = 0.9538; placebo: +14.08 ng/mL, p = 0.4749).