Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of the Impact of Probiotic Consumption on Gut Microbiota Diversity and the Faecal Metabolome in Seniors.

2024-04-15
Microorganisms 12(4)

PubMed: 38674741
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040796

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 45
Population: Ninety-eight healthy adult volunteers aged ≥75 years
Methods: randomised, double-blinded intervention; received HOWARU Restore (10^10 CFU) or the placebo daily for 24 weeks; faecal samples for GM characterisation and metabolomics were collected at the baseline and after 24 weeks

Aging has been associated with a changed composition and function of the gut microbiota (GM). Here, we investigate the effects of the multi-strain probiotic HOWARU^® Restore on GM composition and function in seniors. Ninety-eight healthy adult volunteers aged ≥75 years were enrolled in a randomised, double-blinded intervention (NCT02207140), where they received HOWARU Restore (10¹⁰ CFU) or the placebo daily for 24 weeks, with 45 volunteers from each group completing the intervention. Questionnaires monitoring the effects on gastro-intestinal discomfort and bowel movements were collected. Faecal samples for GM characterisation (qPCR, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and metabolomics (GC-FID, ¹H NMR) were collected at the baseline and after 24 weeks. In the probiotic group, self-reported gastro-intestinal discomfort in the form of flatulence was significantly decreased during the intervention. At the baseline, 151 'core species' (present in ≥95% of samples) were identified. Most core species belonged to the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families. Neither alpha diversity nor beta diversity or faecal metabolites was affected by probiotic intake. On the contrary, we observed high intra-individual GM stability, with 'individual' accounting for 72-75% of variation. In conclusion, 24 weeks of HOWARU Restore intake reduced gastro-intestinal discomfort in the form of flatulence in healthy seniors without significantly influencing GM composition or activity.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus paracasei SD5275	—	No Change in Fecal Metabolome	Neutral	Small	View source Neither alpha diversity nor beta diversity or faecal metabolites was affected by probiotic intake.
Lactobacillus paracasei SD5275	—	Reduced Flatulence	Beneficial	Small	View source In the probiotic group, self-reported gastro-intestinal discomfort in the form of flatulence was significantly decreased during the intervention.
Lactobacillus paracasei SD5275	—	Unchanged Gut Microbiota Diversity	Neutral	Small	View source Neither alpha diversity nor beta diversity or faecal metabolites was affected by probiotic intake.