Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 alleviates stress and anxiety in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.X. Chong ◽  
N.A. A. Yusoff ◽  
Y.-Y. Hor ◽  
L.-C. Lew ◽  
M.H. Jaafar ◽  
...  

Probiotics have been reported to exert beneficial effects along the gut-brain axis. This randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled human study aimed to evaluate such properties of Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 and its accompanying mechanisms in stressed adults. One hundred and eleven (n=111; DR7 n=56, placebo n=55) stressed adults were recruited based on moderate stress levels using the PSS-10 questionnaire. The consumption of DR7 (1×109 cfu/day) for 12 weeks reduced symptoms of stress (P=0.024), anxiety (P=0.001), and total psychological scores (P=0.022) as early as 8 weeks among stressed adults compared to the placebo group as assessed by the DASS-42 questionnaire. Plasma cortisol level was reduced among DR7 subjects as compared to the placebo, accompanied by reduced plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ and transforming growth factor-α and increased plasma anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 10 (P<0.05). DR7 better improved cognitive and memory functions in normal adults (>30 years old), such as basic attention, emotional cognition, and associate learning (P<0.05), as compared to the placebo and young adults (<30 years old). The administration of DR7 enhanced the serotonin pathway, as observed by lowered expressions of plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase accompanied by increased expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor-6, while stabilising the dopamine pathway as observed via stabilised expressions of TH and DBH over 12 weeks as compared to the placebo (P<0.05). Our results indicated that DR7 fulfil the requirement of a probiotic strain as per recommendation of FAO/WHO and could be applicable as a natural strategy to improve psychological functions, cognitive health and memory in stressed adults.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banin Maghfirotin Marta ◽  
Utami Tyas ◽  
Cahyanto Muhammad Nur ◽  
Widada Jaka ◽  
Rahayu Endang Sutriswati

Consumption of probiotics is known to influence the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic powder containing Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 on bacterial composition in the gut by examining fecal samples of school-age children in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 40 healthy subjects were recruited for this study and were divided into two groups: placebo group and probiotic group. The placebo group consumed skim milk and the probiotic group consumed probiotic powder containing L. plantarum Dad-13 (2 × 109 CFU/g) for 65 days. The results showed that placebo intake had no significant effect on gut microbiota; however, probiotic caused a significant increase in L. plantarum and Lactobacillus population, while decreasing the population of E. coli and non-E. coli coliform bacteria by 55% and 75%, respectively and Bifidobacteria count did not change significantly. The study concluded that consumption of probiotic powder L. plantarum Dad-13 could increase propionic acid thereby decreasing the gut pH which has an effect on the microbial population.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Dawson ◽  
Theresa J Kimberley ◽  
Gerard E Francisco ◽  
Patricia Smith ◽  
Steven C Cramer ◽  
...  

Introduction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation induces movement specific plasticity in rat motor cortex and improves forepaw function in a rat ischemic model compared to rehabilitation alone. A 20 subject first-in-human study in the UK indicated acceptable safety and feasibility of this approach in patients with arm weakness after stroke and showed a significant difference in favour of VNS paired with rehabilitation in the per-protocol analysis (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer difference of 9.6 points for VNS vs. 3.0 Control; p = 0.038). We conducted a new, double-blind sham controlled study to further assess this technique. Methods: Subjects with chronic moderate to severe upper extremity hemiparesis secondary to ischemic stroke (Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer (UEFM) 20-50) were enrolled at four sites (3 US, 1 UK). After baseline assessments subjects were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulation device if all eligibility criteria were met. Following implantation, randomization was made to either paired VNS (1/2 second, 30 Hz., 0.8 mA, 100 uS stimulation with task-specific movement) or sham control (stimulation only on first 5 movements). All received the same intensive and task-specific rehabilitation and had 18 treatment sessions (2-hourly, 3 times a week for 6-weeks, approximately 50 repetitions per task and 300 to 400 repetition movements per session). Outcomes were assessed on the first and 30 th day following completion of the 6-week therapy course. Results: Sixteen patients (8 female) were implanted (8 VNS, 8 Control). Mean age (SD) was 63.2(6.9), with an average (SD) of 21.7 months (12.9) post stroke. One study related serious adverse event was reported (a wound infection that resolved with IV antibiotics). Blinded results (change in UEFM, WMFT, and UEFM responders for both groups) will be available and presented. Conclusions: A pivotal study of VNS paired with rehabilitation movements will be justified if preliminary results are confirmed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jae-Heon Kang ◽  
In Sun Jeong ◽  
Min-Young Kim

Adipose tissue growth is angiogenesis-dependent, and angiogenesis inhibitors can regulate adipose tissue mass by cutting off the blood supply. We examined whether antiangiogenic herbal composition Ob-X can reduce fast-growing abdominal fat, especially visceral fat in humans by inhibiting angiogenesis. Eighty abdominally obese subjects (body mass index: 25-29.9 kg/m2, waist circumference: exceeding 90 cm for males and 85 cm for females) participated in a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ob-X. 690 mg of Ob-X was administered orally twice a day. The Ob-X group showed a noticeable reduction in visceral fat of 20.5% after the 12-week treatment as compared to baseline measured by computed tomography. The change in visceral fat in the Ob-X group was statistically significant as compared to the placebo group (p = 0.0495) and 1.9 times higher than in the placebo group. Therefore, angiogenesis inhibitor Ob-X has the potential to improve obesity-related metabolic syndrome by reducing dangerous visceral fat.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212096575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nurul Amin ◽  
Shafayet Ahmed Siddiqui ◽  
Md Ibrahim ◽  
Md Lukman Hakim ◽  
Md. Salim Ahammed ◽  
...  

Inflammatory cytokines are highly inducible small glycoproteins or regulatory proteins of low molecular weight secreted by different cell types. They regulate intercellular communication and mediate a number of physiological functions in the human immune system. Numerous prospective studies report that inflammatory cytokines strongly predict coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and other adverse cardiac events. Inflammatory cascade is believed to be a causative factor in the development of atherosclerotic process. Several aspects of atherogenesis are accelerated by cytokines. This article provides an overall overview of current understanding of cytokines in various cardiovascular events. Besides, inflammatory cytokines trigger cellular events that can induce malignancy and carcinogenesis. Elevated expression of several cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage migration inhibitory factor and transforming growth factor-β are involved in tumor initiation and progression. Thus, they exert a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis. This review highlights the role of several cytokines in various events of tumorigenesis. Actually, this article summarizes the contributions of cytokines in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and cancer.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Eun Park ◽  
Min Seo Kim ◽  
Kyung Won Shim ◽  
You-Il Kim ◽  
Jaeryang Chu ◽  
...  

Probiotics can improve the intestinal environment by enhancing beneficial bacteria to potentially regulate lipid levels; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 (LPQ180) on postprandial lipid metabolism and the intestinal microbiome environment from a clinical perspective. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted including 70 participants of both sexes, 20 years of age and older, with healthy blood triacylglyceride (TG) levels below 200 mg/dL. Treatment with LPQ180 for 12 weeks significantly decreased LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.042) and apolipoprotein (Apo)B-100 (p = 0.003) levels, and decreased postprandial maximum concentrations (Cmax) and areas under the curve (AUC) of TG, chylomicron TG, ApoB-48, and ApoB-100. LPQ180 treatment significantly decreased total indole and phenol levels (p = 0.019). In addition, there was a negative correlation between baseline microbiota abundance and lipid marker change, which was negatively correlated with metabolites. This study suggests that LPQ180 might be developed as a functional ingredient to help maintain healthy postprandial lipid levels through modulating gut environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1123-1133
Author(s):  
Tri Dewanti Widyaningsih ◽  
Astri Iga Siska ◽  
Roudlatul Fanani ◽  
Erryana Martati

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of traditional drink of black cincau-based wedang uwuh (WUB) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Design/methodology/approach WUB consists of dried herbs such as black cincau leaves (Mesona palustris BL), red ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc), cloves (Syzgium aromaticum), sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan Lin) and soursop leaves (Annona muricata). In this study, the rats were divided into five groups: normal control, diabetic control and three groups of WUB (WUB 13.5 mL/kg and WUB 27 mL/kg) or wedang uwuh commercial (WUC) treated diabetic groups. WUB or WUC was administered by gavage for three days after rats were confirmed diabetic induced by alloxan; these injections were continued for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the spleen of rats was analyzed using flow cytometry. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey test using Minitab version 16.0. Findings This study showed that WUB significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon-Y [IFN-ɣ] and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-a]) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 [IL-10] and transforming growth factor-β [TGF-ß]), and achieved a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines that were not significantly different from normal controls. WUB 27 was able to regulate the production of relative average cytokines IFN-ɣ (7.6 ± 3.5; p = 0.010), TNF-a (8.7 ± 2.4; p = 0.018), IL-10 (6.3 ± 2.4; p = 0.001) and TGF-ß (7.4 ± 2.1; p = 0.004) that was significantly different from diabetic control. This study’s results validate that the use of WUB can result in immunomodulatory activity in diabetic rats. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the immunomodulatory effect of WUB which is developed based on WUC; WUB has been used by Indonesian people as a functional beverage which acts as an immune booster and body warmer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hafizi ◽  
Somayeh Kalanaky ◽  
Saideh Fakharzadeh ◽  
Atefeh Fakharian ◽  
Somayeh Lookzadeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The mortality and morbidity of COVID‐19 disease as well as the lack of a proper medication has forced researchers and clinicians to employ urgent efficient technologies to overcome this current pandemic. In the severe forms of COVID-19, the patients develop a cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) where pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α play a key role in the development of this serious process. The efficiency of nanomedicines - as efficient immunomodulators - that are synthesized based on nanochelating technology have been proved in the previous studies. In the present study, the therapeutic effect of the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanomedicines on hospitalized COVID-19 patients was evaluated.Method: Laboratory-confirmed moderate COVID-19 patients at Masih Daneshvari Hospital were enrolled to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in two separate groups: combination of BCc1 and Hep-S (N=62) (treatment) or placebo (N=60) (placebo). The primary outcome of the study was evaluating the safety of the nanomedicines combination and its effect on the number of deceased patients, while the secondary outcome was decrease in inflammatory cytokines.Results: The evaluation of blood biochemical indices as well as clinical symptoms showed that adding the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanomedicines to the standard protocol of the treatment caused no adverse effects. The results analysis revealed that 28-day consumption of the nanomedicines led to a significant decrease in the mean level of IL-6 cytokine of the patients in the treatment group (p < 0.05). In addition, the patients in the treatment group had lower TNF-α levels compared to those in the control (p > 0.05) and they also showed less need for oxygen therapy. Finally, the number of the deceased patients in the treatment group was 30% lower than that of the control (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The combination of BCc1 and Hep-S, as safe nanomedicines, inhibits IL-6 as a highly important and well-known cytokine in COVID-19 pathophysiology, and presents a promising view for immunomodulation that can manage CSS and reduce mortality rate in COVID19 patients.Trial registration IRCTID, IRCT20170731035423N2. Registered 12 Jun 2020, http://www.irct.ir/ IRCT20170731035423N2.


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