The Impact of Fermented Milk Products Containing Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on the Gut Environment: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: healthy individuals
Methods: randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial; fermented milk produced solely with Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (placebo group) and fermented milk supplemented with B. longum BB536 (BY group)

Rigorous Journal

Probiotics, particularly those native to the gut microbiota, have a profound influence on the gut environment. In this study, we conducted a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparison trial to investigate the effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (B. longum BB536) on the fecal microbiota and metabolite compositions in healthy individuals. We compared the effects of fermented milk produced solely with Streptococcus thermophiles and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (placebo group) and fermented milk supplemented with B. longum BB536 (BY group). Our findings revealed a significantly greater relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the BY group than in the placebo group by the 3rd day, a trend that persisted until the end of the trial on the 17th day. Additionally, the BY group presented significantly increased concentrations of tryptophan (Trp), Indole-3-lactic acid, and Indole-3-aldehyde on the 17th day. A significant positive correlation was observed between the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and the number of viable B. longum BB536 bacteria in the feces. The concentrations of Trp and Indole-3-acetic acid were also significantly correlated with the number of viable B. longum BB536 bacteria in the feces. Our results suggest that B. longum BB536 intake can modulate the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles, which are general indicators for monitoring the gut environment, potentially conferring health benefits to the host.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Bifidobacterium longum BB536	—	Increased Bifidobacterium Levels in Feces	Beneficial	Small	View source A significant positive correlation was observed between the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and the number of viable B. longum BB536 bacteria in the feces.
Bifidobacterium longum BB536	—	Increased Levels of Beneficial Metabolites	Beneficial	Small	View source Additionally, the BY group presented significantly increased concentrations of tryptophan (Trp), Indole-3-lactic acid, and Indole-3-aldehyde on the 17th day.
Bifidobacterium longum BB536	—	Modulated Gut Microbiome Composition	Beneficial	Small	View source We compared the effects of fermented milk supplemented with B. longum BB536 (BY group) ... Our findings revealed a significantly greater relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the BY group than in the placebo group by the 3rd day, a trend that persisted until the end of the trial on the 17th day.